Charity Work - 3 Peaks Challenge

The 3 peaks challenge is an event organised by charity to task a team to climb the 3 highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales and drive between the peaks all under 24 hours whilst raising funds for a chosen charity.

Graham and Pat from Diametric, were joined by Amy, Mel, Phil, Steve and our two trusty drivers Dave and Derek on their attempt at a sub 24 hr time.   The weather was dry, hot and sunny totally unusual for the 3 locations involved!  We drove up to Scotland on Saturday although a start time was not until 17.50 on the Sunday just so we could get some rest, keep hydrated and eat well before the start.  

The first location is Ben Nevis in Scotland which is 4406 ft high (the highest of the 3 peaks) - we were piped over the line by a lone piper as a starting gun and we were off....our ascent of Nevis was 2 ½ hours and on the way up we were astounded by the views - on our way to the summit a mist cloud was obscuring the summit - but once up through the mist and across the snow field (yes there's still snow on Nevis!) we were up above the clouds with bright blue sky - the view at the summit was absolutely breathtaking -  but we could not stay -  it was a quicker descent than a few other teams!!  We were down at 10.15p.m. although it was still daylight in Scotland!!  Total time on the mountain = 5 hrs.

At the bottom we jumped into the minibus and the mad dash (controlled and speed limits observed!) ensued to ensure we got to Scafell Pike in the peak district within 6 hours!!  In the minibus - sweaty gear and boots, socks, etc. were all being removed - warm clothes put on and then it was down on the floor (for some of us!) to try and get some sleep.  We arrived bleary eyed in Wasdale and headed for the start of our 2nd peak of Scafell Pike 3206 ft high but we were geared up, psyched up and ready to go. Our ascent began - Scafell although not as high as Ben Nevis is actually much steeper and more technical to climb and certainly the last push to the summit is just loose rock & shale making the going much harder and slower in effect.  However the team were still going well and again we passed more teams going up. Through the mist the sun was briefly out on top but it was straight back down and into the minibus. We then set off on the road trip to Snowdon in Wales.  Total time on Scafell Pike = 4 ½hrs.

Thanks to our drivers and their fab driving and navigation skills we arrived in Wales and managed to get an earlier start time of 14.50 instead of the expected 15.50. Snowdon is 3560 ft high and was very hot and on the start line we were told that amongst our kit we should be carrying a minimum of 2-3 litres of fluid.  The ascent of Snowdon in fact took us just under 2 hours but we had finished nearly all our fluids.........The challenge in fact finishes at the summit of Snowdon although you have to struggle a further 7 miles down to the finish checkpoint in Llanberris!!  Total time on Snowdon:  =  2 hrs.
Total climb time = 11 hrs 34 minutes add together with the allocated driving time (same for all teams) of 11 hours gave us a finish time of 22.34.   Well under the 24 hrs; so, whilst we were very tired  we were elated at the finish!!!