Report of the Challenge.....
After the warmest April on record and practice walks in the sun - Friday 20th/Saturday 21st May provided some of the worst weather conditions possible to attempt the 3 Peaks Challenge. Following several training walks and climbs the aim was to complete the ascent and descent of the highest mountains in Scotland (Ben Nevis 1344metres/4409 ft), England (Scafell Pike 978 metres/3209ft) and Wales (Snowdon 1085metres/3560 feet) within 24 hours. Our team - comprising Richard Massey, Peter Wain, Martin Wheeler and Rachel Kirk from our estate office, Simon Middleton from our Northwich office, Richard Shelmerdine from our Tarporley office and Andrew Whitaker and Ben Durham from our Knutsford office were driven by Neil Cummings and managing director Nigel Lammas.
The team set out from the Ben Nevis youth hostel at 4pm on Friday afternoon - fully aware that the forecast for much of the climb was poor with gale force winds and snow lying from 500 metres. The team were forced to split when an ankle injury required Ben Durham to turn back - Peter and Richard Massey escorted Ben down below the cloud cover to allow him to make his way back down to the team bus. The rest of the party waited in the mountain hut at the summit - enduring snow, hail,gales and a wind chill of around -17 degrees. The team reconvened and made good progress down. They arrived at Wasdale for the Scafell Pike climb at 4am - This time the weather was dry, less chilly but with cloud cover. Up and down in just three and a half hours the team rushed south to Wales and the final challenge Snowdon. They arrived at the base at 12.15pm leaving just three and three quarter hours to complete the challenge. Snowdon is arguably the easiest and the quickest of the peaks to complete - The weather however had other ideas. Gale force winds and lashing rain were joined by low cloud rendering visibility minimal and waterproof clothing virtually useless. This final climb was the hardest of all, but the team reahced the lake at the bottom of the mountain within 24 hours leaving a short, sodden walk back to the bus.
The team would like to thank everyone for their support and sponsorship - the total raised so far is in excess of £3000.
Before the event....
A team of us from Meller Braggins Ltd, a firm of Estate Agents and Chartered Surveyors, have decided to do the Three Peaks Challenge as part of the company's 175th anniversary celebrations.
We will be aiming to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours. We'll be starting at Ben Nevis on Friday 20th May, progressing onto Scafell Pike and then Snowdon, finishing on Saturday 21st, hopefully within our 24 hour time limit!
This is a non-stop challenge so we have recruited two expert drivers (Nigel Lammas and Neil Cummings) to chauffeur our tired limbs between the mountains! We are still on the look out for a physio or masseuse!!
We are supporting The Christie to show our appreciation of their good work both generally and to several of our colleagues at Meller Braggins over the past few years.
Please make sure that our tired legs, blisters, travel sickness and general exhaustion are worthwhile by donating generously.
Thank you from the team
Richard Massey, Simon Middleton, Peter Wain, Rachel Kirk, Martin Wheeler, Andrew Whitaker, Ben Durham and Richard Shelmerdine.
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