SAS Fan Dance Challenge: A Test of Endurance

Рет қаралды 39,535

Ай бұрын

🏔️ Embark on an Extreme SAS Challenge! Join Stephen Howson in a high-stakes race against time as we attempt the notorious SAS Fan Dance. This isn't just any hike; it's a testament to endurance and tenacity, pushing through the punishing terrain of Pen y Fan's grueling route-all in a jaw-dropping 4 hours and 10 minutes! ⏱️
🌄 Experience the Intensity: Watch as we navigate steep inclines and navigate through unpredictable weather, all while racing the clock. Can we conquer this elite military test and reach the summit within the stringent time limit?
👣 Step Into the Boots of a Soldier: With every step, feel the pressure and excitement of one of the UK's toughest endurance tests, famous among SAS hopefuls and extreme adventurers alike.
💪 Will Power Prevail? Dive into the heart of determination with us and see if we have what it takes to stand tall at the summit. Expect breath-taking views, high emotions, and relentless spirit!
📹 Don’t Miss a Moment: Subscribe and hit the bell to get notified! Follow our journey up the mountain, experience the struggle, the triumphs, and find out if we beat the clock in this thrilling mountain adventure.
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Пікірлер: 215

@mictaylor9531 Ай бұрын

Add a weeks hills before this test, 50lbs on your back (excluding food and water) and a weapon - proper treat👌🏻

@curleex3838 Ай бұрын

Ste i just wanted to say I have many family members who were/are in the army and ex special forces etc and a couple of years ago we lost a cousin to suicide who was a medic and served our country but he never got the help he needed for ptsd from the mod or nothing, he had to deal with what he saw all by himself and obviously it wasn’t enough, i have MASSIVE respect for you guys who have served or are serving currently and i hope you ALL get the proper help (if needed) and public respect you guys so well deserve..! Its not all rainbows and fluffy pillows in the army, its gruelling and takes sh!t outa you that lasts forever, there should be more support available for soldiers ✊🏻✌🏻💙🇬🇧

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks. Hope everything is okay, mate.

@JohnWilliams-fk3hb Ай бұрын

Good effort that. Any person who completes it deserves a pat on the back . I live 20 mins away and it definitely seperates the men from the boys.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Cheers mate

@RJ-765 Ай бұрын

I past the fan dance test in 1977 in deep snow on my selection phase.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Very well done!

@fedup3449 5 күн бұрын

What was the distance and pack weight back then?

@stevemin559 Ай бұрын

That red phone box brings back memories

@LocalNoob_2 Ай бұрын

fair play for going on with that foot man,true soldier! respect brother

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks mate

@robplazzman6049 Ай бұрын

Walked up on Pen Y Fan nearly 40 years ago. Beautiful spring day with clear blue sky. Within half hour of reaching the top a bank of cloud zoomed in and my visibility was down to about 20ft. Took me 7 hours of walking around before I could make out a path and got back to my motorcycle. Lucky I started early in the day and had a nice warm leather jacket on. Taught me some real respect for nature though !

@SpotlessLeopard Ай бұрын

That Plantar Fasciitis is one of the teams United are playing in the Conference League next season. 48 shots on goal in the first three minutes they'll have.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

A painful truth, pal.

@SpotlessLeopard Ай бұрын

@@Howson-IRL Fair play on covering a track like that though and getting to the top. Exactly like United will do over the next few years. 👊

@timclarke2661 Ай бұрын

We're not even going to qualify for that!

@SpotlessLeopard Ай бұрын

@@timclarke2661 I hope we don't if I'm honest, then we can play weekend to weekend mostly, with less travelling time and all that. But we might get in the Europa League if we beat city. Nobody thinks we will, but the mad run we've had in the cup this season, nothing would surprise me. A mad 5-4 after extra time, with Martinez ending a nightmare year by scoring in the 134th minute.

@moonbaby6134 Ай бұрын

Steve, I suffer with PF also. Too much footy and tennis, kept playing til 48 like a fool. I’m trying some barefoot shoes to see and up to now it’s been pretty good. Maybe give em a look. Great bit of walking mate. GGMU.

@spacetime3 Ай бұрын

Great Job mate I love the Forces insights you offer, makes every appreciate them even more.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Cheers pal.

@andrewsmith-rc1rj Ай бұрын

Overloading love it!

@peteriles9957 Ай бұрын

Well done Steve can’t wait for your next exploit 👍

@mikeporter2284 Ай бұрын

What a tremendous video. The route looked brutal but it was great to see it being tackled. I really enjoy watching these events so please keep posting them. What an inspiration they are !

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Really appreciate that, thanks

@paulhancock Ай бұрын

Respect. This was awesome, Ste. There are certainly levels to a 'hike', especially when you start adding weight and time limits... Not one for the Gym Shark leggings Sunday crew before a roast at the pub. Top effort with the plantar fasciitis... I had it for a few months last year and I would probably have quit!

@tonywaterhouse5291 Ай бұрын

Determination Ste. well done mucker, look forward to see your challenge with the better half

@jokiyatrott5316 Ай бұрын

Great video ste, my regiment sends groups to do their junior and senior training. Heard how much of a ball ache the fan dance can be, much respect for finishing it. ✊🏾

@bond_3239 4 күн бұрын

Did it for kicks in March, it was pretty brutal and my respect to anyone doing it.

@Howson-IRL 3 күн бұрын

Brutal is generous I think. Bloody hellish in areas.

@averma12 Ай бұрын

Love the music at the end

@brendonstratuliak9449 Ай бұрын

Loved the video!! When I come across the pond I’ll be sure to check this out!! Your IRL channel is awesome and I can’t wait to see more of what you have to share with us. Much love!

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@moonbaby6134 Ай бұрын

And this is why we produce such great soldiers. Per Ardua.

@Eckyredtheunready Ай бұрын

Good on you Mr Howson!

@buffywhatever1093 Ай бұрын

I ran that over 30 years ago but on a clear day, really hard but really really satisfying. Congrats Ste, it’s no easy dance! Great vid.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Well done, mate!

@dealwithitsloth Ай бұрын

Ste, just a quick shout to say I’m loving the channel. Really inspiring me to get out in the country.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Perfect! That was the plan 😂

@leewilkinson8221 Ай бұрын

That was ace Ste, good to see the landy too. Top video 👌

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@TravelGuy7 Ай бұрын

Mate, massive respect for even finishing that.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@Yozzer72 Ай бұрын

Enjoyed that fella. More please. 👍

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

More to come!

@jforden78 Ай бұрын

Admittedly, any time seems impressive on that route. Nice work, Ste!

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Many thanks!

@alexmorris8163 Ай бұрын

Love it mate 💪🏻 I live literally down the road from it

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Best be doing it every weekend then!

@ashlangmer3618 Ай бұрын

elephant grass you got to love it with weight

@tomrichards3755 Ай бұрын

Next time you do any in wales love to come along!

@tfootball8704 Ай бұрын

Fair play Stephen, that looks tough!

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

You're telling me

@Keith_Lard Ай бұрын

Respect,that’s a great effort

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks!

@rickysrighteyebrow8167 Ай бұрын

Eliminate all friction or minimize it the best you can is always my goal when rucking/forced marching over great distances. That distance will make you feel everything that rubs you wrong for sure. Much respect for finishing it.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Great advice. Thanks mate.

@mikechild3414 Ай бұрын

Well done mate. It’s a tough one. Done it a few times when I was in the army many years ago. Respect to you for doing it! Corndu is the hard bit, then to go to Pen Y Fan is not too bad. But when you are on the return leg, coming up Pen Y Fan from the other side is a bastard!! 🤣 Hsppy Days!

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

It's no joke at all

@Beer_matt Ай бұрын

"my foot was a balloon". Respect ste good effort 👍🏽

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Much appreciated

@sherwintelfer6673 Ай бұрын

Wow - well done mate.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@tikkunolam112 Ай бұрын

brilliant

@Romandictator Ай бұрын

Fair play mate for doing that really enjoy this channel ❤

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!

@Romandictator Ай бұрын

@Howson-IRL iv been binge watching this morning the outdoors is a beautiful place

@matthewbrier7860 Ай бұрын

Im training for this in July. Good watch 👍

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Keep training! God knows you'll need it to complete this bastard.

@BigGamePlayer-hi9lu Ай бұрын

Well done

@Sorbzski99 Ай бұрын

The Fan Dance itself is done at a run to get in within the time, bearing in mind you have a bergan and rifle. The worst part for me is Jacobs Ladder, the second climb up to the peak. If you push it uphills and run everywhere else, you can pass the test but it's brutal.

@marksadventures3889 Ай бұрын

The whole point is that it's hard, difficult or it wouldn't really be much of a test would it. Well done. Best done in January or February with ice and snow and bitter winds.

@relaxationandmeditationhub6851 Ай бұрын

Biggest Steven howson Fan..... watching from Botswana Africa....eh Steve...what are the 5 things we learnt from being absolutely awesome😂

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks mate, really appreciate that

@richarddorries7464 Ай бұрын

I finished this in Jan in the load bearing category as a 40yr old in 5hr11. Moving time was about 4hr45. Jacob's Ladder killed me too but you just push on. Sign up with Avalanche Endurance Events to make your time official. Ken and his team are all great guys, and all ex special forces from SAS and SBS. I've completed another series of tests with them since the Fan, and learned so much about myself along the way.

@SuperNictastic Ай бұрын

Nice. I did it with Avalanche events too, about 8 or 9 years ago now in my mid 40's. Been up and down Jacobs Ladder ,amy times never as slowly as that day.

@rob8493 Ай бұрын

You want to try running it next time then 😂😂

@tommytucker3648 Ай бұрын

Did Edale to Crowden carrying 19.5kg in around 5 and a half hours after getting absolutely hammered in the pub in Edale the night before. Didn't have breakfast and had no food or water was hallucinating on Bleaklow could hear a load of French schoolkids and saw little blue men jumping in the bog. Thankfully some bikers gave me water and some chocolate at snake pass otherwise I'd have been going to hospital I think. Might try this properly prepared!

@SqueakyWeasel247 Ай бұрын

Well done Ste!

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks

@oootaffooo501 Ай бұрын

Youse to live near there Pen y fan Brecon 👍 great stuff Mr Howson

@tedonsnow5102 Ай бұрын

Anyone who hasn’t had Plantar fasciitis have no idea how painful it can be. It’s a double frustrating thing to deal with. Another great video Ste, thank you.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Cheers mate

@alanvaughan4143 Ай бұрын

All respect mate.. I have / had the same problem with my feet.. always found trying to walk bare feet or standing in one spot the most painful..2 X Asprin twice a day helped me no end .. regards ( just liked and subbed)

@leedavis6000 Ай бұрын

Down my neck of the woods bud. The sas must surely run that thou. Welcome to our beautiful Welsh land bud 😜 feel fitter? 7:03 top vid Steve.

@Coffeee1971 Ай бұрын

Well done heck of challenge that..I suffered with planter fasciitis for 2 years so I know you’re pain…new subscriber 👍

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub!

@johnmcculloch414 Ай бұрын

Well done Ste that did look brutal although I think you are looking a lot healthier lately and not sure if it’s because you are doing stuff like this but keep going as the channel is great

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks mate!

@Urbanescapes216 Ай бұрын

Did fan dance on P Company 87

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Amazing!

@T9user Ай бұрын

Cool vid. With my PF I would not dare that course

@smallville701 Ай бұрын

Great video mate, thanks for giving me my next challenge 😊, can you post which backpacks you have please, that front one looks very useful. If you’re looking for good hiking boots I can recommend the altra Olympus 5, lightweight, comfortable and very supportive. Looking forward to your next upload 👍🏻

@jedsithor Ай бұрын

You need to get Ash to do it. Tell him there's an alien crash site at the top lol

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Not a bad shout

@gothicgorey Ай бұрын

Them rocks kick your ass haha 😂 especially when they are slippy and you have some boots that needed new grips 😭😭😭

@stevexn Ай бұрын

I suffered from plantar fascilitis for 6 years, a wonderful doctor suggested a cortizone injection at the back of my heel, it worked. By the way it's pronounced pen y Van not fan, i live in Brecon. Brilliant video

@curleex3838 Ай бұрын

Fair play, looks gruelling tbh ✊🏻

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

No kidding

@garethtaylor7437 Ай бұрын

mega!!!

@steve0ization Ай бұрын

That lack of visibility …eerie stuff

@olliesaunders7327 Ай бұрын

Ste, I’m making a shout for you to go on forced radio podcast with Phil Campion. Would be class

@Scottuz Ай бұрын

Respect Ste, Memories of trudging thru wet, waist high, sharp grass, soaked to the skin, knowing there's 10k left? and your feet are bouncing in your boots???😟

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Horrendous

@genwoolfe Ай бұрын

I was based in Dering Lines for 3 years in the mid 80s & dragged my fat arse over those hills every fortnight or so.

@AntEloftheHouseofEl Ай бұрын

Urgh! Flashbacks Ste. Bloody flashbacks! Completing the return leg with a sprained ankle after slipping into a hole is no joke! I mean, im going back a bit, but it was 4 hours allowed to complete and they didnt give a f**k what happened to you along the way. You finished or you fell out. And we got told some did it in under 3!

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Gruelling bastard ain't it?

@AntEloftheHouseofEl Ай бұрын

@Howson-IRL mate............felt like bloody torture! Until the following week when we were shipped out to Belize. Then I was begging for that feckin drizzle! 🤣

@MegaTightMike Ай бұрын

Wanna say it like a local - say Pen y Van.

@Monty-kr7py Ай бұрын

Did it 3 weeks ago , legs went to jelly on last descent , was glad to get in the van, I wear goretex trail shoes , my ankles can't stick boots on those rocks 👍

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Well done on completing it

@swanseamale47 Ай бұрын

I remember going up there one day training, and I'd bunged about a 5lb rock in my mates began before we started. He found it on the way back down. Wish I had a pound for every time I've been up there.

@Jabber-ig3iw Ай бұрын

The SAS also use the Malvern hills for training, not far from Hereford, and they were based there for a while, I would regularly see the odd guy running the ridge from one end to the other with half a house on their back. Not part of selection, just a good place to train.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Need all the training they can get for this bastard route

@boyzinthewood1 Ай бұрын

As a fellow sufferer of PF I both feel and respect you. Tape and tablets wouldn't be enough to get me up there. Mind you, I live close to it and have done it many times, so you definitely had more to lose.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Well done on doing it!

@boyzinthewood1 Ай бұрын

@Howson-IRL haha shit I just reread what I wrote. I haven't done the 20km 🤣 Sorry, I just meant PenYfan mountain. My bodies far too broken for 20ks these days.

@leerunsultras Ай бұрын

Great video. By the way, the actual fan dnaxe skirts aroud corn du and then you come back the same way ❤

@definepoetic Ай бұрын

The "du" (in Corn Du) is pronounced "dee". Hope you enjoyed your time in Wales.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Good to know

@markturner6755 Ай бұрын

Great effort mate especially with a foot issue. I did this for real many years ago (3hrs 54mins) although it was at the end of week 2 and a pass or fail to get onto week 3.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

That's some time pal - what's the strategy for it? Redline your head off the whole way? Coz I can't see me being able to do that. Or is it walk, run, shuffle, walk, run, shuffle etc. You going up to Corn Du quick? Or quicker than I did!

@markturner6755 Ай бұрын

@@Howson-IRL your spot on mate, It’s pass or fail so you have to go flat out and run/shuffle whenever the ground(and your lungs) allow you to do so. Corn Du and then Jacob’s ladder on the way back are your obvious slow points so you’ve just got to give it all you’ve got. You need to remember to scoff plenty of instant carbs on your way around too and that will help keep your energy and therefore your speed up. I had done this route several times in training and you soon get to learn where you can make up time. Make sure you film your next attempt it will be a blast. Watch the heat though mate if you’re trying it in the summer, I would advise against that.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

@@markturner6755 I actually think a big W to take from this one, was I think I got my nutrition and hydration absolutely spot on - didn't feel low sugar, or too thirsty at any point, recovered well the following day - the only dramas were sore feet, aching muscles, but nothing unexpected to screw me.

@hoii962 Ай бұрын

Awsome effort mate 👍

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

@facey666 Ай бұрын

I did the winter Fan dance in January with an Avalancne Events around 6 years ago. Totally underestimated it and it kicked my ass. I got round in just over 6 hours.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Well done!

@roythomson638 Ай бұрын

Steve last year I tried the carnivore diet and lost 3.5 stone after struggling with excess weight for years, my planter fasciitis and achilles tendinitis is gone now, perhaps a extreme suggestion for most but it really helped. Have you tired insoles? this helped me with reduce the plantar pain Can’t wait to try the Kiltwalks again 18-24 miles each with less of a load to carry and injury free my time was 7 hours 30 minutes so gonna aim for an hour faster, I can appreciate how much time is lost taping up feet and blisters 😬

@seanmccarthy7591 Ай бұрын

Flowers to the camera man!

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Thanks mate! Appreciate that. - Spencer the camera man

@teflondom-w80 Ай бұрын

say pen uh van and corn dee lol

@stugurr09 Ай бұрын

from what i know of the timings for this test march winter selection is 4 hours 10 min ( but preferably 4 or less ) summer selection 3 hours 50 min as a good standard but still a pass if you come in at 4 hours.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

That's the goal

@SILENT-APPROACH Ай бұрын

Steve - what you gotta remember is age, fitness and medical condition - I am ex army, 53 years old and can't get my head around the fact that I can't shift like I used to!! mate if I can tie my shoe laces in one breath these days I'm happy

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

As long as you keep pushing, that's all that matters.

@ziganzag1 Ай бұрын

Was up there yesterday it's a nice walk 👌🏻 the hardest part is coming back down,the pain above the knees from trying to stop yourself from running down was the worst part for me 🤣 p.s welcome to s.wales

@paultrussy4243 Ай бұрын

How many KG were you carrying? Well done. Brilliant as always 👍

@marcusmorris960 Ай бұрын

Go on lad good old yomp

@philowen3940 Ай бұрын

🤘🏻

@scoobysienna Ай бұрын

nice one mate..ive been hiking for few years..i did similar route ..have you got the os map so i can try it myself please

@Nofixedabode859 Ай бұрын

Hi m8 I’ve done part of it and the terrain is brutal as you say, it was raining hard and the path areas were flooded so had to walk on grass a lot so was slipping on me arse every 5 mins Lol but my son did it on summer selection 2 years ago in 3.20 which was good but failed on final ex or endurance 20 mile in through injury also m8 don’t know if you know melvyn downes ex sas but he’s just done winter fan dance in 3.01 at age 60 bloody crazy

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Wow that's fast! Super impressive

@Nametaken144 Ай бұрын

deadlifting (not mega amounts 1-1.5 x bodyweight), massively helped my plantar fasciitis. Apparently the exercises improves lots of muscular neural pathways in the posterior chain or something... dunno the exact science, but most people dont get enough posterior chain strengthening, thus the rise in the condition.

@user-yh6ti7bn4l Ай бұрын

DONE IT 10 TIMES

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

CONGRATS

@jamiebell2727 Ай бұрын

What regiment did you serve in?

@macducati2304 Ай бұрын

Where did you get your chest pack from?

@gctelectrical5555 Ай бұрын

I’m pretty sure the return route is the same path you take on the way up, you don’t split off near corn du. I know the route no longer goes over Corn Du. Regardless of which route you take…… it’s blooming hard

@daz.j 24 күн бұрын

did it in my younger days in 4.45 did it last year at 50 in 6.55 with vry little weight ... god im getting old haha

@Howson-IRL 23 күн бұрын

Aren't we all? Well done for completing it, mate!

@captainphiw7233 Ай бұрын

What was more painful, this or united this season lol?

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Great question

@ericrichards6252 Ай бұрын

Jungle next or arctic warfare????

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

I've never been to the jungle. I can't say it's something I'd look forward to. Both horrendous for different reasons. I think I'd lean towards arctic for it being a bit cleaner. But chances of dying just out in the open in the jungle are a lot smaller... hard to call it!

@peterreichert5257 Ай бұрын

Have you tried custom orthotics for your feet? I have inserts that I always use. And that has pretty much cured me.

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

Next video will be about hiking boots where I chat about stuff like that.

@rurkovmj Ай бұрын

respect Ste for the service be Proud from your heritage …..” 132 meters and im dying 😉”

@Howson-IRL Ай бұрын

That's 132m of elevation - not distance!

@rurkovmj Ай бұрын

@@Howson-IRL ups oh well 😂 I did Pendle hill few years back almost end up in a coffin well drilled bud me i would probably died there on the spot

@JKnight23 Ай бұрын

That meant more

@markbright684 Ай бұрын

The SAS & SBS are the pinnacle of special forces but I reckon the most famous of special forces are the Navy Seals because of all the books and films you cant watch an american action film without hearing about Navy Seals.