Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[P_Russell]

Apologies for this as I'm only an occasional poster on here (although a frequent viewer!), but I'm hoping that a certain relation of mine will help pull in a little interest  ......

This Monday will see myself and a group of friends attempt the UK 3 peaks challenge.  For the uninitiated this involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell pike and Snowdon within 24 continuous hours, including the driving!

This is part of our '6 peaks in 6 weeks' adventure - we successfully did the 3 yorkshire peaks last month (pen-yghent, whernside & ingleborough in 12 hours covering 25 miles).  This was a big deal for me as although I'm reasonably fit , I hadn't been up a big hill since I was in scouts!  this was quite the most exhausting thing I've ever done.

My reason for posting is to raise awareness of the charity I'm collecting sponsorship for - the MS Society (http://www.mssociety.org.uk/).  It's a great organisation that does fantastic work for sufferers of MS and their families.  It's a cause that's very important to our family in particular.

I am collecting sponsorship, but I'm not on the scrounge here - this is just about raising awareness so visit the website and hopefully the next time you see someone around your town rattling a MS tin you'll pop a few coins in.  If you really did want to send some money my way, then PM me and I'll email you the justgiving address.

Unfortunately my miggy will be left at home (it's my wife's 'Mummy Bus!') and we'll be suffering the indignity of a VW transporter minibus (kindly fuelled & supplied by my employers!)

Anyone done this challenge before and have some top tips?

Thanks for listening!

[markfree]

I hope you know what you are letting yourself in for - you would be hard pushed to do the 3 peaks using a helicopter never mind a car.
I guess you have done your homework - but here's my take on it.
It will take you at least 8 hours travelling (it will take you 2 hours to get from glasgow to fort william - I do this route regularly) which leaves you approx 16 hours for getiing to the tops of the 3 peaks - I have walked up all 3 (not on the same day) and scafell is by far the easiest, Snowdon is tough and Ben Nevis is seriously tough. Ben nevis took me all day to get up & down (lots of stops tho) - I guess you would have to run one of the peaks to do it in the time scale.
I wouldn't do Ben Nevis in the dark tho as there are a few tricky bits to negotiate and quite a few people have lost there lives on these slopes.
Anway I would be intrigued to know if you manage the task - so post up when you have been released from hospital

[mrcnc53]

I've done all 3 but it took 18 months.  I did meet people on each
occasion that were doing all 3 in 24 hours so its possible.  The main
thing is timing so that you meet as little traffic as possible, and
whover drives doesn't walk.  All the right walking stuff is a must and
plenty of water.  Check which route up Snowdon as there's several
and a quick one would suit you best.

Good luck
Mark.
I'll check out the website.

[Jimbob]

Best tip....

Add your justgiving page if you want some sponsership  

[TheBoy]

Mrs TB's mate's hubby did it last year (or year before), he's approaching retiring age, but is a keen walker, and is pretty fit.  If you really do need tips, I could ask if it helps?

Whatever, hope it goes well

[HerefordElite]

Mate of mine has run up all 3 and cycled between them in a week - nails

[Elite Pete]

The wife did it a few years back and has got the badge

[P_Russell]

Thanks for all your words of wisdom & support.  It's a tall order and in many ways its a shame that you're very much at the mercy of the traffic - but it can be done.  Unfortunately we couldn't get a non-walking driver but there is plenty of us to share that task.

We've got some experienced walkers amongst us and we've all been working on fitness levels.  the current plan is to start Ben Nevis early hours of Monday which will ultimately mean we do Snowdon in the dark - the reason for this is to miss Manchester M6 traffic and also Snowdon has the best defined paths (pig trail).

As a couple have requested, here is my just giving page:

http://www.justgiving.com/paul_russell

Again, that's not my primary reason for posting as I know that's not what this forum is about.  Having said that any contribution is of course very gratefully received.  All proceeds to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and my employers are not only going to supply the minibus but will match what I raise!  Other team members are doing the challenege for Tenenage Cancer Trust, Cancer Research Uk & Help for Heroes - all great causes.

I'll be back on here next week to let you know how we get on.

Thanks again!

[Richie London]

i havent climbed since i was 16 in the scouts, used to love it, climbed in austria, switzerland and yugoslavia as it was then, i still go on long walks now and then but my boy moans like break so dont bother if hes here. they both joined the scouts a few yrs ago but they dont do anything like that no more, great shame as it was the best thing i ever did was join the scouts.

so good luck mate, i do envy you a bit as its a great feeling when you get to the top and look down on what youve done  

[TheBoy]

also Snowdon has the best defined paths (pig trail).

And a train if cheating is allowed  

[Marks DTM Calib]

I have not done Ben Nevis but, Its not to hard a trudge if you go up the standard public track (I am told).

Scarfel is not much worse than any of the 3 Yorkshire Peeks.

For Snowdon, the pig track is a good choice as you start off quite high up near the Pen-y-pass youth hostel car park....and if your feeling adventurous than you can take a right turn up Crib Goch!.

The land rover track is an easier route to follow but, it does have the zig zags at the final accent (so does the pig track for part of it) which can be hard on the knees (its a bit longer to).

Both the Land Rover track and pig track join the railway line at the western end of Crib Goch where you join the standard path from Llanberis to the summit.

[P_Russell]

Fond memories of Crib Goch, but not a sensible choice in the dark!

[P_Russell]

Thanks JimBob & TheBoy

REALLY appreciated  

[Jimbob]

Thanks JimBob & TheBoy

REALLY appreciated  

No Worries  

[Kevin Wood]

For Snowdon, the pig track is a good choice as you start off quite high up near the Pen-y-pass youth hostel car park....and if your feeling adventurous than you can take a right turn up Crib Goch!.

That brings back memories. Went up there with a couple of mates at the age of 17. One of my mates announces he's scared of heights about 1/4 of the way up but insists on continuing.  

The next 1/4 he did on hands and knees but by the time we got to the top he'd been "cured" and went on to develop an interest in ice climbing including going up Mont Blanc in winter.

So, if anyone is not good with heights I can recommend a solution. It won't be an easy one though.

Kevin