Coleman Exponent Open Challenge Series 2008

What is the Three Peaks Challenge? This challenge is to consecutively climb, and travel between, the highest mountains of Scotland, England, and Wales. These are Ben Nevis (1344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1085m). Most people aim to complete this within a 24 hour period, although many underestimate the true scale of this challenge, and finish outside of this time.

How long is the Challenge? The challenge involves some 450 miles of driving, and around 26 miles of walking/climbing. It also includes around 10,000' of ascent and descent (3300m) and most people will spend around 11 hours driving between the peaks, and 13 hours or so walking in the mountains.

How hard is the Challenge? On attempting this Challenge, you should expect to meet some extremes of British mountain weather, both hot and cold - wet and dry, you should be prepared for lack of sleep, uncomfortable travelling conditions, and the usual British traffic delays. If you are an experienced and fit walker, then the success of your challenge may depend upon a certain amount of luck with weather and road conditions. If you have little walking experience but are quite fit, then you will find this challenge technically very difficult and physically demanding.

Who takes part in your Challenges? We usually have participants from large corporate organisations, charities, works sports and social clubs, walking and fitness clubs, rotary clubs and general groups of friends or workmates. If you can get a team together - you are welcome to enter a team and take part..!

Open Challenge Series : Event 1
Spring Stroller

Sat 24th - Sun 25th May 2008

Teams of 4-6 walkers plus 2 drivers

Starting with Registration in Fort William Friday evening or Saturday morning, followed by a pre-event safety briefing. Staggered start times from early afternoon, kit check, then the clock starts at Glen Nevis and does not end until you finish at Llanberis. Medals and certificates will be awarded to teams at the Hotel Plas Dinorwic, where a cold buffet will also be available.

Entry Limit: 15 Teams - Entry Fee: �800 - ENTRY FORM>>> - FORUM >>>

Open Challenge Series : Event 2
Corporate Team Challenge

Fri 6th - Sat 7th June 2008

Teams of 6-8 walkers plus 2 drivers

Starting with Registration in Fort William Thursday evening or Friday morning, followed by a pre-event safety briefing. Start times from early afternoon, kit check, then the clock starts at Glen Nevis and does not end until you finish at Llanberis. Medals and certificates will be awarded to teams at the Quality Snowdonia Hotel, where a cold buffet and evening entertainment will also be available.

Entry Limit: 15 Teams - Entry Fee: �1200 - ENTRY FORM >>> - FORUM >>>

Open Challenge Series : Event 5
Late Shift Challenge

Mon 30th June - Tues 1st July 2008

Teams of 4-6 walkers plus 2 drivers

As the Spring Stroller, but organised over Monday/Tuesday for shift workers and others that find it difficult to attempt the challenge over a weekend. Start times from early afternoon, kit check, then the clock starts at Glen Nevis and does not end until you finish at Llanberis. Medals and certificates will be awarded to teams at the Hotel Plas Dinorwicl, where a cold buffet will be available.

Entry Limit: 15 Teams - Entry Fee: �800 - ENTRY FORM>>> - FORUM >>>

Open Challenge Series : Event 8
Die Hard Trilogy

Sat 27th - Sun 28th September 2008

Teams of 4-6 walkers plus 2 drivers

As the Spring Stroller and Late Shift, but organised over a weekend. Running teams also welcome on this event, with checkpoints opening early. Start times from early afternoon, kit check, then the clock starts at Glen Nevis and does not end until you finish at Llanberis. Medals and certificates will be awarded to teams at the Hotel Plas Dinorwicl, where a cold buffet will be available.

Entry Limit: 15 Teams Entry Fee: �800 - ENTRY FORM>>> - FORUM >>>

Open Challenge Series : Three Peaks Challenge Events
Merseyventure Event Support

Your team entry fee includes the following:

Registration Venue in Fort William
Pre-event Safety Briefing
Car Parking at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre
Car Parking at Llanberis, Snowdonia
Finish Venue in north Wales
Cold Buffet at Venue
Medals & Certificates

Each team will recieve an event pack at registration containing:
Full, detailed route information
Local area maps and directions
Specially prepared Three Peaks Challenge Map/Guide Sets
Tyvek Team number
Team Vehicle number
Laminated Safety Control Card
Event emergency contact

For your safety, each team will be issued with:
4-8 person emergency group shelter
Motorola VHF Radio
These must be returned at the finish.

Also, for your safety, we will have a number of control points which you must pass through.
These are staffed by fully qualified and experienced Mountain Leaders, who are equipped
with VHF radios, first aid and emergency items. Other qualified and experienced staff will
be floating on the footpaths to ensure your safety. Other staff will be available at
the parking areas to assist you with any problems.

For accurate event time recording, we use Sport Ident. Your team leader will be issued
with a Sport Ident Card (dibber) which must be worn for the entire event, and returned
at the finish. This system allows you to get an instant printout of you complete, and
split mountain times. You may bring your own Sport Ident Card if you have one.

Coleman Exponent Open Challenge Series : 3 Peaks Challenge Events
How To Enter

Please note that when entries open team places are allocated very quickly, events are often fully booked 3 or 4 months before the event date. Entries are now open for the following events:

Spring Stroller - Nearly Full
Corporate Team Challenge - 50% Full
Late Shift Challenge - Good Availability

To check event entry status, please send an email with the Event name in the subject line, to richie@merseyventure.com

Entries will be accepted up until the entry limit is reached, on a 'first come, first served' basis. Team places cannot be reserved without payment of entry fee.

Refunds cannot be made once your entry is accepted.

Open Challenge Series : Three Peaks Challenge Events
Feedback

"Just thought I must drop you a line to first of all thank you for all your efforts at the week-end. I for one have no complaints except the weather which you had no control over unfortunately..."

"I can honestly say that there wasn't one thing about the event I was unhappy
with. I think you have a great team of mountain leaders and I would like to
thank you very much for helping us to achieve the "Three Peaks Challenge"."

"Thank you for a great weekend, I learnt new things and relearnt many things I'd forgotten that will help our team complete Three Peaks Challenge. I was impressed at the professional and friendly way Mersey Venture ran the course and would recommend anybody attempting Three Peaks Challenge do one of your courses first."

"I just wanted to say thank you for all that you did for us all this weekend. It was clearly a well-organised, well resourced and professional event. I know that you all helped many of us achieve things that we were not sure that we could!"

More Feedback >>>

Open Challenge Series : Three Peaks Challenge Events
Team Requirements

Before entering an Open Three Peaks Challenge event,
consider what you will be required to supply:

A team of 4-8 walkers (numbers depending upon the event)

1-2 drivers, who will take no part in the walking

Minibus or MPV transport

Accommodation before and after the event

Food for your team during the event

Any accident or injury insurance, as required

More Information:

Walkers will need to be fairly fit, full of stamina and have bags of enthusiasm. At least one walker should be a competent navigator, who is comfortable with night-time navigation. All walkers will need the required walking and safety equipment as detailed in the 'Walkers Kit List'. Expect a few people to drop out after initial interest.

You should provide two drivers if at all possible. Some events require two drivers. Drivers should not take any part in the walking. Remember, the driving is just as hard as the walking part of the challenge, and the drivers are a full part of your team. Check driver entitlements for any minibus driving, as the DVLA rules have recently changed for D1 minibuses. Any other help with your support team would be a good idea too.

Getting free loan of a club, group or works minibus is cheapest and easiest. Minibus hire can cost from �400 for the weekend, and rules regarding drivers have been tightened up, so check first. Some companies charge for extra mileage (1000 mile round trip) and returning the vehicle to another rental branch. Beware..!

To fully enjoy the weekend, we recommend accommodation before and after the event, but realise many teams cannot get the time or funds for this. All of our venues offer a slightly reduced tariff for our teams, but camping, bunkhouse, hostel, B&B and Guest Houses are all available at both Fort William and north Wales.

Many teams rely upon their support team/drivers to supply hot food during the event. Most time lost during the event is lost at transition between the mountain to the road. Come up with a plan to have food ready to eat on the move, and don't lose valuable time. Stock up in Fort William before you start.

Our event insurance does not cover you or your team for and personal injury, accident or travel insurance. We can recommend an insurer that specialises in such schemes over short periods for this event.