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An eight-year-old boy who's become the youngest known person to climb Wales' 15 highest mountains in less than 24 hours says it was the hardest day of his life.

After reading about a 10-year-old girl who broke the record last year, Griff Near told his parents that he wanted to try the 15 Peaks challenge and beat her time of just under 21 hours.

The famous 22-mile route is hard enough for fit adult walkers, with almost 10,000 feet of ascent.

But Griff - accompanied by his parents Chris and Pilar, who are both outdoor instructors - camped the night on Snowdon's summit before setting off at 6am on Saturday, September 14.

Making the most of a weather window, they made it to the finish on Foel Fras in a little less than 18 hours.

Griff, from Conwy, said: "I wanted to set this goal because I love mountains.

(Image: Chris Near)

"I always wanted to raise money for mountain rescue teams locally because, when I was walking in the French Alps last month, I fell and gashed my knee and had to be airlifted off the mountain.

"I wanted to do something as a thank you.

"I like walking around, thinking and talking, so being in the mountains is perfect. I have walked lots of mountains in Wales and Scotland.

"The longest walk is probably in the Alps though, up Mont Thabor (10,000ft high) which took two days.

"But my parents warned me the 15 Peaks was going to be the hardest day of my life, and it was."

Among the challenges the Ysgol Capelulo pupil had to deal with was walking in the dark.

He had a stomach ache on Crib Goch and thought he might have to quit in Nant Peris, but made a recovery and was determined to carry on.

Griff also wasn't very keen on the orange full moon as he thought it was "scary-looking".

"I ate and drank lots and had some rest, but I kept going because I enjoyed it, wanted to do it and was determined to achieve my goal," he said.

(Image: Chris Near)

"My advice to people climbing Crib Goch is to not look down. The climb to Pen yr Ole Wen was very tough and the last few miles, because I was tired and desperate to lie down and go to bed."

Griff said his favourite peak was Tryfan, as it's rocky and he likes scrambling, and he enjoyed watching the sunrise from Snowdon's summit.

"When we finished at Foel Fras, I was so tired that I slept on the mat while my parents put our tent up," he said.

Asked what kept him going during the challenge, Griff said: "Rice cakes, tomatoes, sausage rolls and sweets, plus I took my toy Man-Bat with me on the whole challenge.

"It's probably the first Man-Bat to do the 15 Peaks too."