We all know what a beautiful country we live in, and one man can confirm how "amazing" it is from his own adventures. Jason McGarrigle, who describes himself as 50 years young, has made it his mission to see Wales from every angle.
Looking for something to fill his time after retiring from rugby, he joined some friends on a Three Peaks Challenge and got the bug for the outdoors and hiking. Last month, he completed his challenge to climb all the mountain classifications in Wales.
And now he is planning his next adventures to see Wales from every angle, with hopes of completing the coastal path and Cambrian walks.
READ MORE The village people drive past without thinking that's actually Wales' best-kept secret
READ MORE The secluded Welsh lake surrounded by mountains that looks straight from a fairytale
The former prop forward with Furnace United RFC in Llanelli says: "My escapades began 11 years ago in 2013 with an aim to see Wales from every angle. So a good vantage point would be from every mountain top! I started with Penyfan every week. I was never really into walking or hiking before and the first couple I did wearing my steelcap work boots. I could hardly lift my feet afterwards."
It didn't put Jason off, and over the coming years he climbed every mountain he could in Wales ending with Craig Eigiau at his last one in February.
"I picked it for the one for its pure remoteness. Part of the joy of what I have done was heading down those roads in Wales where you wonder if you are ever going to come back. The last few years have been eventful to say the least. My van and body now tells many stories from every bump, fall and scratch. I have been humbled by the community sprit in the small villages and people in the depths of Wales. Plenty of great pubs tucked away too."
Jason admits that there are many times when he had to "dig deep" but it was all worth it.
He admits: "There were times when it was hard in extreme weather but there were times when I was overwhelmed by the views. I have seen everything from ancient forests, deep bogs, caves, had to complete cliff scrambles, cross rivers crossings and deal with every known inclement weather and terrain known to man. A few of my close friends really appreciated me dragging them through this lol."
Another reason Jason appreciates so much is because at the age of 18, he was diagnosed with craniopharyngiomas, which is a benign tumors that grow near the pituitary gland.
"I was told never to play sport and definitely not contact sport," he says. "But I talked my mum into letting me play if I promised to wear a skull cap. It taught me how precious life is and how to make the most of every moment which is why I have loved climbing the mountains.
"The best bits are when you are making your way through the mist and the rain and then it breaks to give you an amazing view from the top. I also have a lot of gratitude for Caerphilly Adventures & Caerphilly Adventures Group who gave me the skills and knowledge to preserve in all inclement weather and terrain."
All classifications completed incudes in brief. are mountains over 600 metres. But does he have a favourite? It is a difficult one, but when pushed Jason picks Foel Hafod Fynydd which over looks the Arran Fawddwy range in Eryri National Park.
