One of the smallest hillwalkers in the country has conquered some of the tallest mountains in Britain – thanks to a constant supply of Percy Pigs sweeties.
Six-year-old Ethan Brooks is now one of the youngest Scout members ever to successfully earn his Three Peaks badge, after he completed the daunting mountaineering challenge in April.
Over the course of his adventure, Beaver Scout Ethan ascended a total of 10,052 feet, and hiked 23 miles to summit the three highest peaks of England, Scotland and Wales – Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon, respectively.
For many hill walkers, completing the challenge is an aspiration that most can only dream of – but last week, Ethan received his special badge to prove his remarkable achievement at a special ceremony in Inverbervie’s Scout hall.
The six-year-old was accompanied by his proud father Matthew, who encouraged him all the way to the summit of each of the three mountains.
Ethan said: “I said to daddy that I wanted to climb Ben Nevis because it was a challenge.
“I wasn’t tired on my way up, but it was hard on the way down.
“Daddy offered to pick me up, but I wanted to do it without being carried.
“When we climbed down Snowdon, I enjoyed making shadow puppets with my head torch.
“I really enjoyed climbing all three mountains.”
He added: “It was very hard, but I had a lot of Percy Pigs to keep me going.”
Dougie Simmers, the regional commissioner for the Scouts in the north-east of Scotland, said the adventurer’s accomplishments make him a “role model” for young people.
He said: “Ethan’s achievement surpasses what most people can ever hope to achieve in a lifetime – and he’s still a Beaver Scout.
“To climb the three peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon at this early age is truly remarkable.
“He’s a role model for all scouts and young people.
“I look forward to following Ethan’s future climbing adventures.
“Scouting allows all our boys and girls to experience adventure and continues to provide our youth with skills for life.”
