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..

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.

5. Accommodation: Getting a goods night sleep before the challenge helps significantly, and stopping over after the challenge allows everyone to enjoy a celebratory drink without worrying about the long drive home. Fort William and Llanberis both have a large selection of campsites, hostels, bunkhouses, B&B's, Guest Houses and Hotels. Book early, especially around the school holidays, and for the end of June when many people choose to attempt their challenge. Some links to help find accommodation can be found here.

3. Get The Right Equipment: Our seasons now are only determined by the temperature of the rain! You need clothing and equipment for all weathers - just select what you need on the day. It is very possible to encounter sub-zero temperatures and near arctic conditions on Ben Nevis on Saturday, heavy rain and high winds during the night at Scafell Pike, then hot and dry conditions to finish with on Snowdon. Take plenty of fresh base layers, underwear and socks, and something comfortable to travel in. Walking boots are essential - don't even think about training shoes. You should always have a bivvy bag, some extra food, and a head torch with spare batteries in your rucksack, even if you expect to finish in daylight. A full kit list can be found here.

2. Navigation: Ben Nevis and Snowdon are relatively straight-forward in terms of navigation. Paths are well established, and in good, clear conditions should not pose any real problems, assuming you have good basic navigational skills. Extra care should be taken on the summit plateau of Ben Nevis which may be covered in snow well into the summer (summit map and information here), and groups using the Pyg Track on Snowdon should ensure they don't stray onto Crib Goch. Scafell Pike, however, presents walkers with many more problems - especially in darkness and/or mist. It is highly recommended that you take a dry run on Scafell Pike before you attempt the challenge. If in doubt, employ a mountain guide.