4 UK countries
4 highest mountains
40 hours
2 at night, 2 in daylight
14,000ft up
14,000ft down
36 miles of walking
1,100 mile drive
2 sea crossings
Bags of fun and camaraderie
Money to a good cause
Not much sleep
We did it! See some photos here: http://photobucket.com/4peakschallenge
On Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th June 2010 a group of adventurous friends undertook a feat rarely before attempted. After some vigorous training we embarked on the physical and logistical challenge of climbing the 4 highest peaks in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and all the driving and sea crossing in between in less than 40 hours.
We bought an old School Bus bus to contain the 12 walkers plus 2 drivers / supporters.
The route formed a large loop starting in Rickmansworth on Thursday evening at 7pm heading for the 2:30am ferry from Holyhead to Dublin. After a short drive to Newcastle in Northern Ireland the clock started as we took our first steps up Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland, at 9am. Then it was on to Scotland via the 5:30pm ferry from Larne to Troon for a midnight ascent of Ben Nevis. Next stop was the Lake District where we climbed Scafell Pike. Our lovely drivers then delivered us to Snowdonia on Saturday night for the final ascent. We finished at 4am on Sunday having completed the challenge in 43 hours.
We had the following crew:
Graham Nye
Tony McNeill
Ashley Ward - Also raising funds for Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution at http://www.justgiving.com/AshleyWard
Kevin Boon
Philip Aarons
Jonathan Bowers - Also raising funds for the Peace Hospice at http://www.justgiving.com/Jonathan-Bowers4PeaksChallenge2010
Ian Ryan
Charles Fuller
Simon Gotch (Sadly Simon missed the trip due to a close family bereavment the day befor departure)
Alan Speight
Andrew Speers
Justine Nye (driving / support)
Joanna Conteh (driving / support)
Guy Anderson
All the costs and expenses of doing this were paid for by us so that all of your generous donations go straight to Barnardos without deductions. Thanks for your interest and support.
Thanks also to the following companies and individuals for their support in kind:
www.chilternIT.com - event admin and minibus maintenance
www.mintsigns.co.uk - minibus vinyl signwriting
DesignByAli@mail.com - Ali Coombs 07883 343372 - graphic design
