Though the day was overly dull when I started, no weather reports hinted of any foggy patches that would be hanging on to the heads of mountains. I didn't have much difficulty finding the path at the foot of the hill but noticed a dense fog covering all the hills. Thinking the moisture will magically clear off the time I reach there, I confidently progressed my walk. Unfortunately, after a few hours of walking, I found that I was trapped in a thick layer of fog that allowed only 10 to 15 meters of visibility. Last night's heavy rain made all rocky paths slippery as well. At many places, paths were broken, giving no way to judge for any continuity of trails or landmarks. These unfriendly characters of nature slightly put me off.

I got lost, at least on seven occasions. These off-track wanderings lead the way towards many deadly cliffs or detached me totally from my intended zone. At times it was too late to realise that I had already been dragged into the wrong path. I wanted to quit and return to the base a couple of times, but my inner voice constantly argued over me. Even when I tried to return, I had no way of finding the return path. There weren't many hikers present to confirm my whereabouts. I might have lost 2 hours while wondering for the right direction.

Though I carried a whistle, I didn't want to blow it to alert any, thinking my situation at that point was not yet a state of emergency. Instead, I wanted to use all of my instincts extensively. I wanted to awake my inner self before go for any external aid. These wild imaginations further threw me into chaos. Phone reception didn't work either.

Magically after several slow forwards and fast backwards, the miracle happened. With the luck and guidance of my inner voice, I managed to put myself on the right path and reached the summit. Even ten minutes before reaching the summit, I almost gave up hope. But only to be guided by some voices of people coming from afar encouraged me to move on.

Due to a thick curtain of fog, total panoramic views hiding behind were not on display. So, unfortunately, I might have missed a million good surrounding views. Nevertheless, this unwelcomed fog made me think that I should return on a sunny summer day. Whilst returning to base, the sky partially cleared, and I managed to see some of the views I missed earlier.

By reaching the peak of Cader Idris, I can now proudly claim that I have hiked the three most iconic mountains of Wales. Firstly was the Snowdon in North Wales, the tallest peak and the highest point in Britain outside the Scottish highlands. Secondly, Pen-Y-Fan, the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. And thirdly, Cader Idris, the summit at the southerly edge of Snowdonia National Park, in mid-Wales near the town of Dolgellau with an elevation of 893m/2930ft.

I, on this trip, camped at the foot of the mountain so I could start the hike at very early hours. I started around 7 am and took up the Miniffordd Path to the summit through Dol Idris Car Park. When I returned, it was 4:15 pm, spending a total of 9 hours on the mountain.

What is unique with Miniffordd Path is that it passes through three different terrains. Firstly, we climb up through a forest-like path along a waterfall, then a lake walk, and finally, a rocky and steep gradient walk.

My initial plan was to continue the walk after reaching the summit of Cader Idris through the Pony Path to reach the second-highest summit of Cadair Idris, Mynydd Moel, at 863 meters in height. Although unfortunately, the heavy fog still was present at that time. So, I didn't want to muddle myself up again, returned to the base through the same path I climbed.

I travelled back to Croydon on the same evening through wet welsh curvy roads and motorways, which were undergoing many road works, making me reach 3 hours late at 2:15 am.

When I returned home, I found on social media that many hikers' pray for the mountains to be densely fogged to experience what I experienced. So I was so lucky to be amongst many patches of fog.

So, what's next? I am now proudly heading towards Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain of England.◆

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