WE DID IT!
In a group meeting a week ago, we had come to the conclusion that completion of the challenge was going to be tough, perhaps unachievable. Imagine our relief and pleasure then, when the last of the group limped to the minibus after descending Snowdon, 23 hours and 25 minutes after we set off on Ben Nevis! What follows is a short account of what happened.
After a steady drive (limited to 62 mph!) up to Ben Nevis on Wednesday, we arrived with some 3 hours to kill before the start at 17:00. Feelings were mixed and most of the group just wanted to get started, knowing what was ahead.
We set off on Ben Nevis at 17:01. The path rapidly became steep as it climbed the mountain side and setting a suitable pace was difficult with some of the group soon struggling to keep up. Then disaster struck for one of us. Howard stumbled on a rock and twisted his ankle, causing a lot of pain. A quick decision was made, and reluctantly he made back to the minibus, as the remaining six continued. We respect him for his selfless decision.
The steep path meant we gained height quickly, but also that a lot of fitness was needed to keep up a good pace. In the lead, I was beginning to get worried about the time and tried to spur those on who were struggling.
Regardless, we arrived at the summit, bang on 19:00, having overtaken two other groups that were attempting the same challenge. We were amazed to see that some sheltered areas still supported snow! As soon as we reached the summit cairn, the heavens opened and we were greeted by a very sharp shower. Photos were hurriedly taken before we clambered into waterproofs, had a bite to eat and set off down the mountain side.
Progress was generally quicker on the descent, but before long a knee injury of mine began to make itself know and my pace progressively slowed. I was very conscious of holding the group back, having been pushing them hard on the ascent, and tried to keep up as best I could. I was the last back to the minibus, at 20:45, some 5 minutes behind the Clark twins who had bounded on ahead. We had saved an hour already on the itinerary, which proved to be essential later on.
After quickly sorting out our gear we bundled into the minibus and began the long, arduous journey to Wasdale head. For most of us, this was an opportunity to try and get some sleep, but for the drivers, that was a luxury too far! They did an excellent job in transporting us safely across the country, and kept themselves refreshed by a combination of Redbull and frequent changes at the wheel. Jonny decided his seat wasn't good enough for a snooze, so rearranged all the luggage and laid down in the aisle! Perhaps unsurprisingly, we didn't get much sleep and by about 01:30 were all awake and beginning to get sorted out for Scafell Pike.
The minibus rolled into Wasdale Head at around 03:00, in the pitch black. The drivers were not too keen about us heading off in the dark, but most of the climbers just wanted to get going. After all, we were all kitted with headlamps and waiting for dawn would have meant 2 hours of lost time. We trudged away from the car park at 03:15, leaving the drivers to get some well-earned sleep. Once across the valley and on the main path alonside Lingmell Gill, it wasn't long before Howard's legs began to hurt again and sadly he had to turn back. We kept in radio contact to ensure he made it safely back to the minibus.
The next hitch came on the 'Brown Tongue' where we met a group of three climbers who were ill-equipped and lost. It transpired we too had missed the ford and were away from the main path. I took a compass bearing as best as possible in the dark, headed along that, and thankfully, soon ended up on the path again. It wasn't long though before this path petered out over 'Hollow Stones' and once again we were left baffled as to which way to go. The cloud had descended and visibility, regardless of the black of night, had reduced to around 30 yards. It was now that the navigation skills i had learned in my youth (mainly from hours spent studying 'Mountaincraft and Leadership', the official handbook of the Mountain Leader Training Board) proved essential for our success. Despite some confusion as I didn't recognise the way, I had to trust what the compass told me, and it was with much relief that before too long we arrived at the emergency stretcher box on Mickledore, an unmistakable landmark, just as the day was breaking. The remaining path was well marked with cairns and we arrived on the summit at 05:15.
The descent was unremarkable, except that my knee and a previous injury of Andy's hip once again slowed progress. Jonny was back at the minibus first, and I stumbled in last, at 07:15. We had again made up an hour on the itinerary giving almost 10 hours for the remainder of the challenge.
The journey to Pen-y-Pass in Snowdonia was frustrated by a few hold ups. At one point we hit almost stationary traffic caused by an accident, but soon managed to get round and keep motoring on. We had decided to take Snowdon in an 'each man to himself' approach. I was quicker on the ascent, but incredibly slow the descent, the Ben & Nath were slower going up but fast going down, and Jon was like greased lightning all the time! Jon and I were first to the top, and beautiful weather meant that views were fantastic. It would have been nice to linger but we were conscious of the time and had to press on. Next up were the Clark lads, then Rob and Andy, and finally Howard.
The descent was painful for me and the train looked awfully tempting! It wasn't long before Ben & Nath caught up so they went on ahead with Jon. Rob and Andy caught me next, with Andy going on but Rob kindly staying to give moral support! Finally Howard went steaming past at a reasonable jog! The first to get back to the minibus were Ben, Jon & Nath, at around 15:50, meaning they had completed in under 23 hours! I was last with Rob, arriving at 16:25, and glad I was to be back!
So there ended the challenge. After a leisurely sort-out of the van and some final photos we heading to MacDonalds to fill up for the journey, then headed back to Cambridge.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the team for their hard work, before and during the event, perhaps especially the drivers who had time off work simply to make the whole event possible. But may we not forget the reason we did this challenge. A huge thank you to all who have already sponsored us, and to those who haven't, please give generously. We were pleased to see Andy Baker before we set off on Tuesday afternoon and he seems much better. But many, many more need help like he has had and anything we can do to help, I believe we should.
Many thanks for your interest,
Ben Crowter, on behalf of The 3 Peaks Team.
