UMVA has learned that two determined hikers were met with a wall of boos while scaling the summit of a Welsh mountain during the Three Peaks Challenge.
Rick Thiedeman, 34, and Jamie Richardson, 32, had trekked countless miles to raise funds for a friend battling motor neurone disease, only to find a crowd of photographers blocking the peak for what they estimated was a 40‑minute wait.
With every second eating into their timed challenge, the duo chose to forge ahead rather than linger in the line, a decision sanctioned by the official rules that allow participants to bypass queues to meet the deadline.
As they surged forward, the assembled onlookers erupted in jeers, shouting “shame” and “you should be ashamed of yourself,” turning the summit into a hostile arena rather than a place of celebration.
Thiedeman described the scene as “medieval,” saying the booing felt demeaning and unsettling, especially when their climb was meant to honor a young man fighting a terminal illness.
“I can’t fathom booing somebody who is clearly doing something to raise money,” he said, noting that the only voice of support came from a lone man perched on the trig point.
Richardson recounted being physically blocked by a photographer who tried to halt his progress, adding that the shouts echoed across the mountaintop, drowning out any hint of camaraderie.
The pair’s mission was deeply personal: Thiedeman’s former schoolmate, Tom Hynes, was diagnosed at 31 and now faces a terminal prognosis, with his family struggling to cover funeral and care expenses.
Wearing a T‑shirt emblazoned with Hynes’ image on a breathing machine, the hikers made their purpose unmistakable, hoping each step would translate into vital support.
Contrasting the Welsh mountain’s harsh reception, Thiedeman recalled the warm encouragement he received on Ben Nevis, where fellow climbers shouted “well done, bravo” and shared genuine camaraderie.
Despite the unexpected hostility, the duo pressed on, embodying resilience and determination in the face of both physical and emotional obstacles.
