Thanks for taking the time to visit my fundraising page.
CHALLENGE COMPLETE!!!
What more can I say? It was quite possibly one of the most tiring experiences of my life but also one that I wouldn't change in any way.
Due to a bit of nervous tension and also my own lack of patience we started at the foot of Ben Nevis at 16:46 on Friday 26th June as 17:00 seemed too long to wait.
Ben Nevis was a fantastic peak to climb and quite easily my favourite of the challenge despite the constant attack from the infamous midges! In 2 hours exactly I had made the summit, I time that I and several others found difficult to believe. After a 20 minute break at the top taking photos and admiring the amazing 360 degree panoramic views I began my largely enjoyable descent and found that I had complete the 1st and biggest of the 3 in an unbelievable time of 3 hours and 50 minutes. Had I gone too fast too soon?
Fort William to Wasdale Head 6 hours 5 minutes
Scafell Pike was a less than enjoyable climb and one that I have vowed never to do again from Wasdale Head! This is not because I found it a difficult or particulary tiring climb but because I believe that there are more interesting and rewarding routes to the summit of England's highest mountian. Nevertheless I was able to reach the summit in 1 hour 25 minutes and was instantly rewarded with the most spectacular view of the inside of a cloud! Scafell Pike was completed in 2 hours and 52 minutes.
Wasdale Head to Pen y Pas 4 hours 50 minutes
Snowdon greated us with the worst weather we were to experience on our challenge, thick low cloud with visibility down to no more than 10 feet. Despite this we had a job to do and wouldn't let that slow us down. The ascent was made via the Pyg track which afforded us some interesting and enjoyable scrambles in parts. The summit has to be one of the worst experiences of my brief hill walking life! The train from Llanberis and the new café have made the summit of Snowdon the mountaineering equivalent of Blackpool. Even in bad conditions it was over crowded and noisy with many people there in jeans and trainers! Needless to say we chose not to hang around for too long, grabbed our pics and began the descent. We decided to use the Miners track which provided us with a welcome break for our aching knees and some amazing views of the summit once the cloud had lifted. Snowdon was complete in 3 hours 20 minutes
Total time for the challenge: 20 hours 57 minutes
Overall it was an enjoyable experience but probably not one that I would rush out to do again, I honestly believe that there are much more rewarding ways to tackle these peaks. If I were to tackle the 3 peaks again then I would perhaps consider the routes shown in a recent issue of Trail Magazine June 2009.
I would like to take this chance to thank everyone who has sponsored me for donating their hard earned money and also to my friends and family who have supported me throughout my trainning and put up with me often walking miles ahead of them on many of our trips to the lakes! It really has meant a lot.
The Challenge!
Commonly known as The Three Peaks Challenge, the challenge is to climb the highest peak in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. The peaks are:
- Snowdon (Wales - 3560ft / 1085m)
- Scafell Pike (England - 3209ft / 978m)
- Ben Nevis (Scotland - 4409ft / 1344m)
On June 26th 2009 at 5pm the challenge begins with the ascent of Ben Nevis, a five hour climb. We will then hit the road and head for Wasdale, a seven hour drive during which we are hoping to get some well needed rest. All being well we will start Scafell Pike at 5am which we are aiming to complete by 10am before heading on to Snowdon with a 3 hour drive. Around 1pm we commence the final ascent, dragging our tired limbs and aching bodies whilst racing against the clock to complete the challenge before 5pm on June 27th.
The cause:
I will be taking on the 3 Peaks Challenge in an attempt to raise money for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association (LDSAMRA).
The LDSAMRA covers 12 Mountain Rescue Teams within Cumbria and as I couldn't choose 1 individual team to donate to I have decided that this is the best way to go!
The MRT's do a fantastic job surviving on voluntary donations alone and deserve as much support as possible in order to cover the costs that they incur. The teams are largely autonomous, but LDSAMRA coordinates the development of operational matters such as radio communications and insurance, as well as the day to day running of an efficient, voluntary rescue service. It also distributes to the teams any donations or legacies received and makes special allowances for major projects such as building extensions.
If you would like any more information about the LDSMARA or the individual teams that it covers then please visit their website:
Just to let you know that although all the money rasied will be sent to the LDSAMRA they have very kindly agreed to split the funds 50-50 between the Wasdale MRT and the Langdale/Ambleside MRT. I have asked for this to be done for 2 reasons; firstly, because I love the Langdales and spend most of my free time there and secondly, because the Wasdale team are put under a lot of unnecessary pressure by people taking on the 3 peaks challenge and either not having the experience or not being prepared enough to do so! Hopefully I won't be one of those people!
www.wasdale-mountain-rescue.org.uk/
This is my opportunity to give something back!
Progress so far:
Training has been moving at a steady pace with plenty of solitary and group visits to the Lake District. Scafell Pike has been tackled from different angles and both the Crinkle Crags and Langdale Pikes have been done to death!
To keep things fresh I have also spent a week in Martindale with friends and our time was filled with walking, swimming and loading up on carbs!
There have been no serious injuries and fingers crossed there won't be either beforehand or during the event itself.
I guess the biggest question is "Do I feel ready?" My answer would definitely be maybe! Health and fitness shouldn't be an issue but the nerves are building and the niggling voice in the back of my head is trying to have its say!
Whatever happens I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated so far, I had no idea I would raise anything near this amount and have even upped my target twice!
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.
So please be genorous and give as much as you can by sponsoring me now!
