Youth Cancer Trust Teams Complete 3 Peaks Challenge

On Saturday 24th May 2009, 5 teams assembled at the Chase The Wild Goose Hostel in Banavie, nr Fort William, to register for the Youth Cancer Trust - Three Peaks Challenge.

The Challenge is to climb, and travel between, the highest UK mountains of Ben Nevis (Scotland), Scafell Pike (England) and Snowdon (Wales), all within a continuous strictly timed schedule of around 24 hours. The challenge involves driving some 480 miles between the peaks, walking some 26 miles, and climbing over 10,000 feet.

Teams represented Scottish Widows, Barclays, CHF Creative, Cuddles Day Nursey and Nigel Bradley entered a team made up from his company and it's suppliers.

The forcast was for heavy rain and strong winds on Ben Nevis, but improving as the event developed and moved south. The prediction proved true, with all teams getting a soaking on the Ben, with a mixture of snow and hailstones waiting for teams on the summit area, with deep slush and snow remaining underfoot from the winter.

All teams completed the Ben Nevis climb on target, and swiftly headed off to Wasdale for the next climb - Scafell Pike. The conditions here were much more inviting, but having to climb and navigate in the dark, with only the clear skies and stars to help, careful navigation was important to ensure teams did not stray off the prescribed route. Latter teams were treated to an impressive Lake District sunrise.

Teams then started the final drive to Llanberis, Snowdonia, for the last of the Three Peaks - Snowdon. The sun was now shining, and tired teams needed to ensure they had plenty of liquids available for this climb up a very popular and busy mountain. Temperatures of 73 degrees were recorded at the finish, the Heights Hotel, in Llanberis, where drivers and support teams would await their walkers.

After just 23 hours and 45 minutes after starting the Ben Nevis climb, the first team arrived at the finish - WELL DONE..! Within a few hours all other teams had successfully completed the challenge, and also raised a huge amount of much needed funds for the Youth Cancer Trust.

Many thanks to everyone who took part, and helped acheive so much during this weekend.

Richie..

Three Peaks of Yorkshire - Top Tips.

For those of you wishing to try and climb Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in 2009, here's some tips and advice to help you on your 24 mile challenge walk..! Please feel free to add you comments or observations if you've walked this route before.

1. Make sure you get an early start..! The earlier the better. If you have started walking by 7am, then you can aim to finish around 7pm, and possibly have a little time spare for food breaks enroute. Any later starts risk not only a finish in the dark - but possibly even arriving back at the finish after they've finished serving food - disaster...

2. Carry spare socks. The section across the moss, just after completing Pen-Y-Ghent, is always boggy. Even in dry weather, you are unlikely to reach Ribblehead with dry feet. Wet feet & wet socks will ensure blisters well before the end of the challenge - so ensure you at least have spare socks, but also consider some foot powder and blister pads (compeed etc).

3. Carry some money. Ribblehead has a Public Inn, and usually a mobile catering van. Chapel-Le-Dale also has a Public Inn, and the farm just before the Inn often serves snacks to walkers. Also bear in mind any walkers wishing to retire at the above - carry emergency money for a train or taxi home.

4. Get to know the route. Check out the route fully before you start, and read the many route descriptions and trip reports. Get a good idea of where other walkers had any problems with underfoot conditions or navigation.

5. Carry the right kit. I assume that in reading this blog, you are fully aware of the right clothing and equipment you should be carrying to ensure your own safety and comfort during this challenge walk. If not, check the equipment list here.

Scafell Pike - Top Tips

1. Don't underestimate just how difficult this mountain can be when navigating in poor visibility. Pay a visit to the area before your challenge, and have a training walk so you are familiar when you return.

2. Many mistakes are made by trying to return back from the summit too quickly. Steady accurate progress down the mountain is much better than rapid progress in the wrong direction.

3. The paths underfoot are rocky and loose, and very slippery when wet. You will need to cross the Gill if using the route from Wasdale. Always wear walking boots with ankle protection - not training shoes.

4. Always carry a head torch and spare batteries, even if you do not intend to still be on Scafell Pike in the dark. Hi-viz jackets and rear LED lights or glow-sticks are an ideal way to help a team stay together.

5. Groups should stay together in poor visibility. It is very easy to get split up, and even pass each other without realising it. One common reason for failing to complete the challenge within a 24 hour period is time lost searching for team members on Scafell Pike in the dark.

6. Beware of becoming confused by other head torches on the mountain. It is very easy to be drawn towards other teams, only to discover they are lost, or are attempting a different route.

7. Stick to made-up paths, and route with cairns. Once you lose the path underfoot, or lose sight of cairns, it can be difficult and confusing trying to rediscover the correct route. Walking on the fell or grass adds to errosion of the area and should be avoided.

8. If possible, try to remain in contact with your support vehicle, and other team members, by using handheld VHF radios. Mobile phones will not work in the Wasdale or Seathwaite valley - but both do have a public telephone available (credit card may be required).

9. Your team should use the motorway services to have a break, get a hot drink, fuel up your vehicle, use the toilets, dispose of rubbish, fill up water bottles, change maps, sort out your kit and rucsac ready for Scafell Pike. Idealy you should be able to arrive and start walking - Wasdale and Seathwaite have no facilities, no water available, and no street lighting. Arrive fully prepared..!

10. Please respect these quiet and remote locations.

Both areas are sensitive and are surrounded by working farms, campsites, B&B's, etc. Please keep any noise and disruption to an absolute minimum. Arrive quietly and turn your engine and headlights off. Don't slam vehicle doors, play loud music, or shout to each other.

Park considerately in designated parking areas - taking care not to block access for local traffic or Mountain Rescue Services.

Remove all rubbish you create, and use motorway service toilets, not behind walls, trees and bushes..!

Ben Nevis : Scafell Pike : Snowdon : Driving Route : General Information : Gallery : Fitness : Links : Transport : Open Challenge Series 2009

Will it be sunny? Will we need our waterproofs? Can we wear trainers?

Just some of the questions I get asked regarding the possible weather conditions on the Ben Nevis summit in summer. Well, the summit is likely to be 15 degrees colder than the Glen Nevis car park, and conditions can change very quickly on the summit. You should be prepared for pretty hostile conditions, but hopefully may get some great, clear weather.

However, check the YouTube video below which shows what it MAY be like in mid-June....

10. Finally: Do some research on the places you will visit, the routes you will walk and the roads you will drive on. Be aware of the sensitivities of the communities you pass through remembering hundreds of other people may have driven or walked past just hours before you. Get up-to-date information about roadworks, traffic delays, weather reports, path diversions and have alternative plans in place - Be Ready and Stay Safe.

Good Luck.

9. Standby Team Members: Inevitably, out of the 10 people who agreed to take on the challenge (when you suggested it in the pub) some were never really going to attempt it, some just are not fit enough, some will get injured or be unwell, and some won't be able to get the time off work. Get some financial commitment up front, and don't book accommodation, etc., until you have some money from them! One or two members may still pull out very close to the date for genuinne reasons, so try to have a standby walker and driver ready and waiting. Don't be tempted to share the driving between the walkers if your driver drops out - have a standby ready...!!!

8. Setting The Dates: The end of June gives the longest daylight hours, and the shortest periods of darkness. It is possible to organise your challenge so that you do not have to walk any mountain in the dark at this time. However, this is also by far the busiest time of year for the challenge, and you certainly won't be alone. Check the internet for dates of large organised events, and try to avoid these dates. If possible, use mid-week or a staggered weekend (ie, Fri/Sat or Sun/Mon) rather than the weekend itself. For dates either side of the summer (April, October) you may well find that you have to walk two mountains in the dark.

7. Food: You need to formulate a good plan for getting food! Many people simply opt for leaving a cooker and some flasks with the driver so they have a supply of hot water, then eat instant meals, soups, tea, coffee, etc., supplemented with sandwishes, cold pasta, crisps, nuts, fruit, energy bars, etc. Others opt to make use of the chip shop, McDonnalds, motorway services, etc., en-route. You will need a lot of water, especially during the summer if the weather is warm, and we suggest around 5 litres per person. Supplies can be purchased from the Morrisons or Tesco Metro in Fort William.

6. Group Safety: Leave your driver with a list of contact details, and emergency contacts for each walker. They should know your intended routes and any summit ETA's, plus the time you should arrive back at the vehicle. Agree a plan of action should you not return by a certain time, and if no contact between the group/driver is possible. A mixture of mobile phones and VHF radios can help maintain contact - just remember that batteries do fail, signals are lost, and radios have lots of 'dead' spots. Any group should have enough first aid, safety and emergency equipment to remain 'comfortably' on the mountain for at least a few hours during night-time.