3 LSR brave The 42 Peak Challenge

On the morning of 8 October 2011, 48 Soldiers from 3 Logistic Support Regiment (3LSR) took part in the gruelling 42 Peak challenge over 42 of the highest Peaks in The Lake District.  All soldiers, young and old, departed from Warcop Camp in 2 groups of 24; these groups left the start point from 0200 hours at 20 minute intervals.  The weather was not on their side with the Met Office declaring severe weather warnings with forecasts of winds gusting to 75 mph, torrential rain and a low cloud base for the weekend.

All the groups were eager to get going and tackle the opening leg of the first 4 peaks. 31 Close Support Squadron and 32 Close Support Squadron were the first teams to tackle the challenge and with their routes selected, they approached the first peak, Skiddaw, in the darkness.  With the challenge off to a cold and blustery start, the rest of the teams began under the guidance of Cpl Jodie Walker who diligently kept watch over the safety and administrative support aspects of the challenge.

With the groups spread across the opening leg of the route, battling the harsh terrain the weather conditions began to deteriorate rapidly to the point that it soon became a major safety concern.  The low visibility and increasing wind speed over this first stage of the challenge made the going extremely hazardous.  The Met Office added no solace, the early morning forecast predicted a further degradation of the weather and stated that the weather front would be moving to the south of Keswick – leg 2 and 3 of the challenge over the Hellvelyn and Scarfell Pike ridges.

After much deliberation, the decision was made that the risk to the teams up on the exposed peaks was not one worth taking, and in order to ensure the safety of all involved, the teams were directed to use their nearest escape route down the mountains and meet at the first of 5 pre planned check points.  With the teams now corralled in the safety of check point 1 they waited, vainly, for the conditions to improve.  This sadly did not happen and the senior officer was forced to make a command decision to abandon the first day on safety grounds due to the extremely bad weather. 

And so it was, with extremely heavy hearts, that the group of eager and fresh but wet and wind-swept 3 LSR personnel headed back to Warcop Camp and waited with anticipation for news of any improvement to the weather.

Unfortunately, the weather on the second day of the challenge had not changed.  The winds blasted the mountain tops with speeds in excess of 75 mph, visibility was almost non-existent and the rain seemed to hammer in from all directions.

However this did not deter the teams and they reminded keen to complete at least some of the 42 peaks challenge and raise the money for the Forces Children’s Trust.

Before they began on the second morning, a recce set off up Grey Knott’s mountain to scope the possibility of continuing without an undue risk to the group’s safety.  The small team consisted of Maj Skinner, Cpl Jones, Cpl Springthorpe and LCpl Duxbury.  The video download shows what they saw; needless to say the conditions were not the best for setting out in small 4 man groups.  The decision was made that 3LSR was to complete the last stage of the challenge but in teams of 10 for extra safety.  Each group started keenly and managed to work their way about 300 metres up the first of 3 peaks on the final leg of the challenge before the biting wind hit them.  The smaller and lighter members of each group having to be restrained to stop them being blown over.  After successfully completing the final peak each team got a respite from the wind as they dropped in altitude and into a valley.  The further they descended the greater the visibility became until they could final see more than 10 metres in front of them.  Reaching their final check point at the Royal Oak pub meant a hot breakfast and dry change of clothes provided by Cpl Walker and her helpful Admin Team and then the chance to enjoy a well-earned pint!

 
All 48 people that started this gruelling challenging completed at least 7 of the 42 peaks. The team that help organise this event with me have already began to plan a second attempt in 2012, when hopefully the weather will be more in our favour.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of 3LSR who kindly donated their time and effort in supporting the Forces Children’s Trust on this challenge and to everyone who has generously donated their money, services or gifts for this event.

I would like to make a special thank you to Maj Des Skinner, Cpl Jodie Walker, Cpl Carl Springthorpe and Cpl Nick Westhorpe for their support in making this event possible.

Thank you and please keep supporting this excellent charity.

Craig Jones