Voices of the BCA is a member spotlight series sharing the perspectives, experiences and insights of chiropractors across the UK.
For many BCA members, our events provide an opportunity to connect with colleagues and celebrate the profession. But for one of our longest-standing members, Chiro Climb 2026 was also a personal challenge.
Michael Copland-Griffiths has treated patients for over forty years. He is an influential figure in the chiropractic profession and has served as both BCA President and Chairman of the General Chiropractic Council. Having attended BCA events since he “gatecrashed” a conference as an undergraduate student in 1974, Michael was determined not to miss Chiro Climb. With his 80th birthday approaching and a relatively recent hip and knee replacement behind him, he knew preparation for the ascent would be essential.
Ahead of the Chiro Climb weekend, he shared the story of his trail ascent of Yr Wyddfa and lessons he learned along the way.
“Now that the BCA do so much online and meet in smaller local groups, large national gatherings are less frequent, so when Chiro Climb 2026 was introduced as a national event, I had to enrol.
Bri [the BCA’s Events and Partnerships Manager] assured me that a guide would be available to manage laggards like me. As I am turning 80 later this year, with core muscles that passed their prime long, long ago, I was not in as good a shape as at my last ascent via Crib Goch in 1992, aged 46. And with a new hip and a partial new knee, I had to make sure I was not going to make a complete spectacle of myself.”
Before attempting the climb with fellow BCA members, Michael decided a practice run was in order. Following a series of medical checks and a reassuring report from his cardiologist, he enlisted the help of his son Sasha and headed to the Pyg track, North Wales.
“I had forgotten how sheer some of the first blocks appear, stumbled on one as we set out, slightly bent and snapped the strap of a hiking pole, and ended up with less upper body assistance. Later on, I had to hand over my poles to Sasha when needing to haul myself up with both hands. Four and a half hours non-stop up and down Westbury White Horse was a doddle, leaving me overconfident in my capacity for endurance, but by the time we reached the wooden stiles and steps I was feeling decidedly weak.”
As the climb continued, Michael encountered some unexpected challenges. What started as a test of fitness, quickly became a lesson in preparation and perseverance.
“My feet started to shift inside my boots and, in spite of my MSK Podiatrist, Ella fitting me with new orthotics for my right 35° foot pronation, I had not heeded her advice that “you might like to review your lacing technique.” I had thought that the comfort I experienced on my White Horse climbs would get me through…
It took me three and a half hours to reach the long queue and touch the toposcope standing on swollen, inflamed feet and toes. I was almost tempted to take the train down, but the point of this weekend’s exercise was to identify and resolve any issues going up the Pyg and down the Llanberis paths.”
While the climb tested him physically, it was also filled with moments that stayed with him long after the journey was over.
"I am afraid it took just over four hours to hobble down to the end of the path, breaking my descent to meet, talk and be heartened by a series of amazing disabled walkers - the first on crutches walking with one leg amputated above the knee, another crawling on leather pads affixed to his amputated lower legs and leather gloves for hands, with a companion on a lower leg prothesis.
The natural sounds of Yr Wyddfa lifted me up and away from my sore feet. The gentle bleating of the Welsh mountain sheep, so much softer than the Wiltshire sheep of my country walks, the chuckling rhythm of mountain streams trickling over rocks and underfoot, and the rich joyful melodies of birds in the evening calm.
I stood quite still as I was being mesmerised by the endless burbling, bubbling rolling song of a skylark that seemed to surround me on all sides until I thought to look up and saw it directly above me in the sky."
With new motivation, Michael carried on his climb with the endless support of his son, Sasha, and was rewarded with the beautiful sunset over Yr Wyddfa.
Sasha would walk ahead and patiently wait for me to reach him before graciously walking on. When we reached the half-way wooden post bespeckled with hammered-in coins I questioned whether I’d get back to the hotel by midnight. On the way there were locals passing in the other direction to witness the last sunset before the summer solstice. Eventually I got to watch sunset over Llanberis town, which gave me the strength to override my feet and walk on, and I hope that the gnats that pestered me from then on will not be found when we gather much higher up to watch sunset at the top of Yr Wyddfa.
With what I learned from my trial run I recognise that I am blessed with an amazingly patient son and I’m ready to join you all to do it again more efficiently on 3rd July with a lot less trauma!”
After decades of involvement with the BCA, Michael’s commitment to take on new challenges remains as strong as ever.
It was a privilege to have Michael join us for Chiro Climb, and his story resonated with many fellow participants, several of whom shared their own experience of how he has influenced their careers.
Chiro Climb may have been majorly a test of physical endurance but his story is also a reminder that determination and a positive attitude can carry someone very far.
Voices of the BCA is a fortnightly series where BCA members speak in their own words about practice, patients, and the profession they've chosen. If you are a BCA member and you’d like to participate, contact katrin.mahfuz@chiropractic-uk.co.uk.