The Three Peaks Challenge

This is the story of our successful attempt on the famous 3 Peaks Challenge -

The highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales
(Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon) all in 24 hours!

Day Four - Monday 8th Sept (Home)

Breakfast starts with one final glucose energy tablet. None of us will ever again eat a cereal bar or energy tablet. Then it’s back down the motorway for 7 hour drive home.

Thank you to everyone who donated. You raised approximately £3000. Final figure will be posted.

Thank you especially to Fiona and Mandy who did not climb but who drove, cajoled, cooked, tidied, organised, stayed awake and encouraged and without whom we absolutely could not have done it.

Thank you to everyone on the team for your warmth, kindness and generosity throughout.

Thank you to Bill Haslam at Gwel an Mor for the minibus.

Thank you to the team at Penhaligons Friends who prepared a thoughtful and delightful emergency pack for us full of sweets and foot spray, headache tablets and other little nice things.

Thank you to the team at Penhaligons for what you do to help the children who need you so much when they lose someone they love.

Day Three - Sunday 7th Sept (Scafell Pike & Snowdon)

So we arrive at Scafell Pike at approx 3am. It’s very dark. Of course it would be – it’s night-time, but it’s one of those really black nights and it’s raining and it’s quite windy. We set off.

As we climb higher the rain increases, and the wind picks up. It’s also very noisy. For about the first half of ascent and final part of descent we trek alongside a mountain stream which is in full flood – whitewater and all that.

We eventually have to cross the stream. Normally one can step on stones etc. Not this night – it’s too deep. Almost all of us get our boots filled with icy stream water. One of us falls in or nearly in. This is repeated on way down.

We lose our way a little just past half way. Martin gets us back on track. One or two are wondering (quietly and privately) if we should abandon the climb. The wind is getting stronger and as we approach the summit cloud descends and the wind gets seriously gusty. Can barely hear ourselves speak. The wind chill makes it extremely cold. This is really difficult, testing stuff. Bear in mind we’ve already climbed the highest mountain in the UK and now we’re on the highest one in England. And it’s 5am with no sleep.

Damian and Nik are both experiencing knee problems. Everyone is tired - apart from Tom. Apparently he’s never actually been tired - ever!

Back at the minibus for about 7.30, half an hour behind schedule, and everyone is somewhat dazed. It’s not a quick transition and only Fiona and Mandy’s intervention gets us into our seats and away for the drive to Snowdon.

No one really feels like eating but tries anyway. We’re soaked, tired and a bit spaced out.

Mandy and Fiona do a brilliant job making up lost time and getting us to Snowdon for 12 noon. This requires occasionally, slightly approaching the speed limit a bit.

Another slow transition and we’re away by 5 past 12. Weather is dull, drizzly to start and then cloud thickening from about half way.

We are unsure if we’ll all make it in the 24 hours one or two of us are seriously flagging. Really, really exhausted. Apart from Tom. We discuss splitting up so that the quicker ones can complete. We decide to stick together. We’ll finish as a team regardless of time. We all know this is the absolutely right and only possible decision.

We get to the top in just over 2 hours and so have 2 and a half to get back. All quietly confident and spirits rise as we approach the finish line.

And then utter elation. We did it, we did it, we did it. Fantastic. Months of planning, preparation, training and fundraising all come to fruition as we cross the line. 23 hours and 36 minutes.

Photos, a bottle of bubbly, much happiness and not a little relief!

After a tepid tea in the worst café in the world we head on to the Youth Hostel at Bets-y-Coed. Hot showers, change and ready for a meal and a few drinks. Very witty banter. We feel so good. Sore knees, feet, blisters, tired, achy, fuzzy headed, sore eyes - but we feel really so good. This is the hardest physical thing we’ve ever done

Day Two - Saturday 6th Sept (Ben Nevis)

Breakfast over by 10am and off for some PR photos. Amble, saunter and generally mooch around town of Fort William whilst waiting for start time of 4.30. Trying not to waste any energy. 4.30 kick off calculated to give minimum climbing in the dark and maximum driving through the night.

Last minute supplies purchased and last proper meal for over 24 hours.

It’s 4.30pm we’re all ready, stretched, briefed, equipment checked, cereal bars and glucose tablets counted and we’re off. Perfect conditions. Blue sky, sunshine, no cloud. This is almost unheard of – so we are very lucky.

The views get more and more breathtaking as we rise higher and higher and the sun begins to set. The views from near the summit are absolutely breathtaking. Or would be if we had any breath to give. We enjoy this climb. We’re fresh and enthused and hopeful

Back down to the van for 9.30pm. Last hour in the dusk/dark. On schedule. Quick transition into minibus and away. Mandy and Fiona have prepared everything perfectly. Food ready, hot drinks available and we’re all hungry and ready for food and sleep. Food is fine but very little sleep occurs

Day One - Friday 5th Sept 2008 (Cornwall to Scotland)

5am start to collect pre-prepared frozen food for sustenance between mountains. Alex very kindly arranged this.

7am - Depart Mandy and Fiona’s house to collect Nik and Robert from Exeter services. Then on to Fort William for overnight stay in Glen Nevis Youth Hostel.

Bill Haslam of Gwel an Mor has kindly donated use of minibus for event.

Mind numbingly boring motorway journey (aside from occasional witty banter) takes just over 14 hours. Witty banter somewhat subdued I think as we contemplate challenge ahead.

Spirits lifted by stunning beauty of scenery as we pass Glasgow and into Trossachs National Park. First sight of real mountains.

Everyone shares driving and looks forward to change of seat.

End day in pub near Ben Nevis with the brightest lighting in the world. Some retinas are damaged.

Three Peaks Challenge - In Pictures