A cat has become the first and only feline in the world to complete Three Peaks, Catbells and The Great Ridge circular – and he did it with no help at all.
Eight-year-old Persian, Louis, has always had an eagerness for adventure.
His owner, Jess Peters, 31, knew he was never going to be happy as an indoor cat.
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But she never quite imagined his passion would turn into this.
“He’s proving he can take on challenges far bigger than we ever thought was possible when we started this journey,” Jess, an aerospace engineer and author, from Hampshire, told What’s The Jam.
“There’s truly no stopping him.
“He never travels in a carrier or backpack – just walks along the trails himself like any other hiker.”
Jess had initially planned to keep Louis as an indoor cat, but after he managed to sneak outside a few times and was happily found exploring the local area, she realised he was born for adventure.
She and her partner, Dan, 34, took him out for walks around their garden on a lead, before heading for strolls in the woods.
It didn’t seem enough, though.
Jess, who has six other cats, said: “He kept tugging on his lead and wanting to go further.
“I had always wanted to climb the Three Peaks and so we decided to give it a go – with Louis in tow.
“If he didn’t like it, we were prepared to turn around and go home.
“But he couldn’t wait to get going; taking charge and leading the way.”
As he reached the peak of Snowdon, 3,559ft high, it was clear he wasn’t any ordinary cat.
After tackling Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Britain, and Scafell Pike in the Lake District, they applied to get his title recognised.
Especially as his climbs had started attracting attention.
She said: “People who passed us on the hikes kept doing a double-take and saying: ‘Is that a cat climbing the mountain?’
“It never failed to make us laugh.
“After a while, we got fed up with people asking about Louis and his hikes; so we made cards to give out.
“It was an incredible achievement – though it made us hungry for more.”
Armed with a thermal coat, body warmer and blanket, Louis, Jess and Dan took on their next challenge – Catbells and The Great Ridge Circular – this month.
He completed the four-mile trek, with some steep hills, and the eight-mile hike around the circular with ease.
His achievement has helped raise money for Cats Protection, with the hope his story will help other cats live better lives.
Jess added: “If we can use his story to do good as well, that’s the best outcome of all.
“He took it all in stride and perched proudly at the summit.
“It was his longest and toughest walk yet – but he managed it.
“There just ain’t no mountain high enough for him.”
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