Chippy worker scales Snowdon three times barefoot

A chip shop worker from Worcestershire has climbed Wales' highest peak three-and-a-half times in 24 hours, while barefoot.

Josh Mantle, from Stourport, completed the challenge on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) on Saturday evening, despite battling 80mph winds, hail and rain.

The 20-year-old, who is also recovering from an ACL injury and has undergone two surgeries, raised almost £3,000 for KEMP Hospice in the Wyre Forest.

He said the conditions were "way worse" than he had prepared for, but that he felt "really proud" after completing the challenge.

Speaking to BBC Hereford & Worcester just hours after finishing, Mantle said he had "somehow" emerged from the challenge unscathed.

"[My feet] are way better than I expected," he said. "I've come out of it, despite the weather conditions, with zero cuts, no blisters.

"All I've got is just very sore toes, so I'm very, very lucky."

Mantle added: "Honestly, I can't explain it. I'm way better than what I expected.

"I went into it thinking by the end I'd have cut feet, be really aching, feeling tired, but I feel buzzing from it.

"I'm really proud of myself and I'm quite excited for what's to come. I'm feeling really great today, despite everything."

Asked where the idea came from, the Stourport man said he had been inspired by another barefoot climber he met.

"I thought that looks crazy and me being the crazy person that I am, I thought I would give that a go."

But despite the triumphant finish, Mantle admitted the conditions had been far tougher than expected.

"To be honest, it was way worse than I'd planned for. The weather was at 80mph winds, it was hailing the whole time, raining the whole time.

"I started with my father at 18:00 BST, it was dark by 19:00 and then it just started raining.

"We were soaked through for a good 10 hours to be fair. It was really tough."

Discussing what motivated him to keep going, he said: "I think I just knew how proud of myself I'd be at the end of it and how much of a big achievement it would be."

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.