Three Peaks Challenge attempt

The Three Peaks Challenge is an attempt at climbing the three highest mountains in the UK within 24 hours, including driving time.

I joined  friend Richard, and his three colleagues Geoff, Tony and Simon. Three of whom are seasoned hikers/climbers. Mark offered to be my driver.

Starting point:  Snowdon - Pen Y Pass. Tony; Geoff; Simon; Me; Richard

Mark - Advanced driving expert

I didn't expect to keep up with them and certainly didn't want to hold them back preventing them from completing the challenge, therefore, I tagged along on the understanding that they wouldn't wait for me if I couldn't keep up with their pace. For me, it was all about having the chance to get climbing practice.

First Peak: Snowdon
Date:  Friday 14th May 2010
Start Time:  10.30am
We took the Pyg track from Pen Y Pass carpark.
The first part I found hard and awkward.  My poles were flailing around in a very unhelpful manner, my hydration tube had become tangled up in my rucksack so I couldn't reach it and my gloves became hot and uncomfortable within minutes which was irritating me.  The men bounded ahead leaving me breathless with heart pounding in their wake.  This was not an encouraging start!  After about half a mile I stopped and sorted myself out.
Despite this poor start I soon got into a rythmn and my heart rate evened out.  I reached the standing stone at the top of the Pyg track (about 10 minutes from the summit) at the same time as the others were descending.

I descended with them.  They raced ahead while I picked my way down as quickly and carefully as possible.  I reached the bottom at 2.00pm (total time 3.5 hours). I was concerned that they had had already left for the next peak, adrenoline rushed through me and I ran the final 100 yards to the carpark, only to find them still there and Mark just pulling into the carpark with the fish and chip lunch.
We left for Cumbria straight away.

Second Peak: Scafell Pike - Cumbria
Arrival:  Friday 14th May 2010 - 7.00pm
Part of the drive across Cumbria was very narrow windy roads with some steep drops to the sides and hair pin bends, not the type of roads you can rush along.  My heart was in my mouth for a large part of this particular section of the journey, dozing off was not an option, and I couldn't help myself 'telling' Mark to SLOW DOWN!
We arrived at Scaffel Pike to find that the others had got there 20 minutes before us and had set off already.  "Oh dear! That's a shame" I said (or words to that effect).
I rang Richard who told me where the path was and I set off on my own.  After about an hour and a half the sun was beginning to set and I was worried that when the sun disappeared behind the mountain I would be left in the dark, therefore, I decided to head back down.

View at the point that I turned back / Map indicating location on route.

It was a long drive to Scotland but despite a duvet and several pillows I was not able to get any sleep and consequently was absolutely shattered when we arrived at Ben Nevis.

Third peak:  Ben Nevis Scotland
Arrival Saturday 15th May 2010 - 4.00am
Start time:  4.20am
Dawn was just breaking as we started our ascent.  The men galloped off ahead, after about 10 minutes I wondered whether to turn back to the car but, determined to do as much as I could, I kept climbing.
I had managed to climb to 1,100 metres altitude when Richard texted me to say that he had reached the summit (1,343 metres).

I got back down to the bottom at 10.30am.

Richard and Tony managed to complete the Three Peaks Challenge within the 24 hour period.  Very well done indeed.  What a fantastic achievement.

Although, I did not complete the Three Peaks Challenge, I am really proud of myself for what I have achieved.  Given 28 hours instead of 24 I could definitely have continued on and finished.  This gives me a great deal more confidence about my chances of success on Kilimanjaro.

Tired, but exhilerated at the end of the Challenge.  A great experience.