The 3 Peaks Challenge:  Rain and Pain!

The weekend started well, we set off on time on Friday in our packed minibus, the sun was shining and spirits were high.  Nine hours later we arrived in Falkirk.  The team went to the only Italian restaurant in town where pledges of no drinking before the event were soon forgotten!

After a nights rest in a Travel Lodge we set off on Saturday morning and after another 3 hours in the minibus we finally arrived at Ben Nevis. It was around 1pm and the sun was shining.  We were due to set off at 4.15 (the second to last slot), we asked if we could go earlier but were told that wasn’t possible.  So we sat around in the sun, stretching off and rechecking our kit bags and in some cases applying make up and doing our hair!  You never know who you might meet on a mountain!

At 4.10pm we went to our briefing and whilst under the Gazebo the heavens opened up.  We all decided to put on our wet weather gear which delayed our set off and we started about 4.20.  15 minutes into the ascent the rain stopped and we realised that we had too many layers on so we all stopped again and took of the wet weather gear. 

The climb continued, after about 50 minutes we had the first cramp attack and a deep heat massage followed.  The group were making slow progress which wasn’t aided by the fact that everybody else was coming down the mountain which is not only demoralising but forces stoppages as you let people pass.  At some point the heavens opened again but we pressed on.  Close to the summit we encountered snow for the first time, visibility was down to about 10m as we entered the cloud layer and the marshals told us to follow the Cairns to the top - not easy when you cant see them!

We eventually reached the top at 8.35pm.  Some photos were taken quickly as we knew we had to turnaround and start the descent soon as sunset was at 9.15.  We found time to sing happy birthday to the oldest and fittest member of our team who was 55 and we started down in the knowledge that apart from the marshals we were the last people on the mountain.

The light faded, the rain fell, the head torches came on and we continued the descent.  At some point the marshals overtook us on the way down except for Spike who decided we shouldn’t be left on our own in the dark with our aches and worries.  I’m sure a few of us were wondering if we would ever get off the mountain.  Eventually we got back to the van at 12.16 a full 7 hours and 56 minutes after setting off.  (We had been told earlier that we should have completed the mountain in around 5-6 hours). 

The drivers (what stars they were!) had some warm pasta and teas / coffees ready.  After a quick change into some dry gear we set off for Scafell Pike around 1.30am.  The drive in the rain would take about 5 hours and we knew that we were supposed to start Scafell at 5.30am so we were now behind time.

We arrived around 7am and were advised not to start Scafell as we wouldn’t have time to complete the challenge.  Naturally being the determined team we were we decided to carry on and set off at around 7.30am a full two hours behind the early starters.  It was raining again and we faced the same demoralising sight of everyone else coming down the mountain whilst we were starting (even worse some of the teams were running down the mountain!).

If anything Scafell was wetter than Ben Nevis and in many places the route was an inch deep in flowing water so it felt like we were walking up a stream.  Again at the top we had low visibility but we had some cheery marshals who encouraged us to finish, take our photos and then walked down the mountain with us.  We eventually finished after 4 hours 56 minutes arriving at the minibus at 12.30pm.  We had been told that we had to leave for Snowdon at the latest 1pm so we quickly changed, had a cup of tea and then set off.  No luxury of hot food this time.

On the drive to Snowdon the sun started shining and we had hopes of not getting wet this time but those proved false.  We arrived and set off at 5.35pm, again we were the last team and the organisers told us we wouldn’t be able to reach the top and they would turn us around at 7pm.  It was highly demoralising to walk past the finish line and see teams finishing, but we were determined to finish the challenge. 

We reached check point 1 in the dry and for the first time we had been able to view the scenery and aside from our aching limbs were generally in high spirits.  We passed check point one and were then told on the radio to turn around.  At this point we decided to go on and complete the challenge even if we had to drop out of the event.  So we pushed on past the next Marshall who tried to turn us back but we claimed to not part of the challenge - a difficult claim when one of us had a challenge hat on! 

We continued towards the top, there were few teams passing us at this stage as a number had dropped out but we were told the now familiar phrases of encouragement "your past the hardest bit", "it’s a lot easier from here" or "your only 20 minutes from the top".  None of these ever seemed true!

Eventually we met the last two Marshalls who were on their way down from the summit and they told us we were 10 minutes from the top and tried desperately to convince us to turn around now.  We explained that after a night descent on Ben Nevis we were confident of coming down Snowdon in the dark and we convinced them that we could press on reaching the summit at 8.20pm.  Again quick photos and head torches on and we set off down this time in the knowledge that we were the last people on the mountain and even the Marshalls had left.  Almost immediately we were hit with hailstones which were really stinging on the legs.

Gradually it got dark and we got more wet but we were now in high spirits knowing the hardest part was over.  We eventually reached the party tent at 10.35pm 5 hours after setting off.  Most of the hog roast had been eaten and the organisers were starting to pack up.  Fortunately there were still some medals and t shirts left and after some food and a hot shower we could get to the bar about 12am.

Total climb time was 17 hours 52 minutes and adding the standard 10 hour drive time that the organisers allow (our bus was slower by a couple of hours - not a reflection on our drivers but rather then speed limited to 62mph).  Our finish time was 27 hours 52 minutes.  I don’t think any of us cared that we hadn’t done it in 24 hours!

This was a great team effort with various people helping those who were struggling either via direct support and guidance or by carrying extra rucksacks at some stage.  The drivers were amazing and ensured that we returned to hot drinks and a tidier mini bus after each climb.  Finally, a big thank you for your sponsorship and support.  We have yet to finalise the amount raised but it is over £16,500.  The total event raised over £220,000 which will help change the lives of generations of children in Africa.