Firstly.... It doesn't have to be a 24 hour Challenge..! Many groups prefer to tackle the 3 Peaks Challenge over 36 hours, 48 hours, or even over 3 or 4 days. However, a 24 hour challenge is the most popular format, and the timings on this website are based upon a rapid and hectic event. Some basic information. So you've decided to get a team together and attempt the challenge? There are lots of organised 3 Peaks events, all using slightly different rules, with different walking and driving routes, and lots more small independent groups tackling the mountains - and this means that there are no hard and fast rules governing a Three Peaks Challenge event. Generally, the aim is to climb and travel between the highest mountains of Scotland, England and Wales within a set time of 24 hours. Different groups suggest very different rules about where the challenge starts, and when it should finish. I suggest that the clock should start at the base of the first mountain to be climbed, and that the clock should not be stopped until you successfully reach the base of the final peak. Do not under-estimate how tight this schedule is... I am aware of fell running teams who have completed this in under 15 hours, Joss Naylor MBE in under 10 hours (before speed limits..!). Walking teams will find an objective of 24 hours much more realistic..! The minimum drive time referred to above is an attainable journey time between the hills - Ben Nevis to Scafell (Wasdale): 6 hours - Scafell to Snowdon : 5 hours. These timings are quite standard for a challenge and allow for petrol/toilet stops. Anything quicker than this would involve speeding, not a good idea for a tired group of walkers! |
A Quick Guide How long do the climbs take? You will need to be aiming for the following target times for each peak: Ben Nevis: 5 hours Scafell Pike (Wasdale): 4 hours Scafell Pike (Seathwaite): 5 hours Snowdon: 4 hours |
The Team Your team should consist of at least one competent navigator, who is confident to navigate in darkness and perhaps thick mist. You should all be prepared to walk in hostile weather, with suitable walking and emergency equipment. You will also need to have a couple of dedicated drivers who will not be taking any part in the walking. The team as a whole should know how to deal with an emergency, and when to quit safely, rather than continue at all costs. Plans should be made for any team action should one or two team members become injured or over fatigued during your challenge. Your Kit Between yourself and your team members, you will need to carry adequate equipment for all weathers and conditions. However, speed is needed on each peak, so don't get bogged down by trying to take too much. Below is a suggested list for each member to carry: Small rucsac/bumbag boots/fell shoes fleece or other warm top waterproofs hat and gloves bivvy bag head torch whistle water bottle and steri-tabs food and sweets/chocolate Between your group, you should also carry: map and compass small sleeping bag first aid kit extra food mobile phone and spare battery |
Navigation Often groups will under-estimate the need for good navigation, hoping to rely on well defined paths and signposts. This is a huge mistake, and many groups fail to complete the challenge due to navigational errors on Scafell Pike. If you are unsure of your ability, then you are unsure of your groups safety. Employ a mountain guide, or attend a Scafell Pike familiarisation and training day - see info in the margin, left. GPS units can assist with navigation, but should only be considered as an aid to navigation, and not a replacement for map and compass. Remember that any unit is only as good as it's operator, and batteries will run out, signals may be lost, and false readings can occur in ravines and gullies. Beacon Guides list waypoints and good advice. The Environment Not only will you be driving some 450 miles, you will also be walking over around 25 miles of footpaths. You will be visiting some sensitive communities, perhaps at some very unsocial hours in the morning. Remember that during the course of a year, literally thousands of other people will be taking the same route, doing the same challenge. Please make sure that your challenge is low impact. Park your vehicles with consideration - don't jump onto grass verges or block access. Keep noise to an absolute minimum, especially at night. Slamming minibus doors, playing loud music, leaving engines running and shouting to other team members not only disturbs other support teams who may want to sleep, but it can wake residents. Collect all of your rubbish, and dispose of it at motorway services. Carry enough water to keep your team hydrated, and use motorway services for toilet breaks. Sheep often sleep on the road as it's warmer for them, farmers may be up and about from 5am, and walkers may use the road for easy navigation in the dark - so slow down on the narrow country roads. Dip headlights when approaching farmhouses or cottages. Safety and Mountain Rescue. Voluntary Mountain Rescue services cover all of the Three Peaks Challenge areas, and are available 24 hours a day throughout the year. Website readers may be surprised to know that not only are these services operated by volunteers, but they receive no funding from the UK government. MRT services are available as a safety net, and not as a free guiding service, or even an out of hours taxi service. Teams raising funds for charity may wish to consider donating a small percentage of their funds to the rescue teams for a service which hopefully they will never require. Links on the left. With the right experience and knowledge, a competent navigator, good mountain fitness and a well equipped group, or event organiser, hopefully you will not need the rescue services. But accidents do happen... Firstly, take steps to make sure the situation doesn't get any worse. First aid, shelter, warmth. Think of the welfare of the group as a whole, and not just that of an injured party. Contact the emergency services as soon as possible and follow their advice. To contact mountain rescue in the UK, ring 999 or 112 and ask the operator for mountain rescue. Be ready to give details of your exact location, number of members in your party, equipment which you have available, experience and competence of party members, and of course, what the emergency situation is, with details of any casualty injuries. If you cannot use a mobile phone, you may have to send a couple of your group to find a landline phone, so make sure that they have all of the required information written down before they leave you. |
Food, Drink and Catering. You are going to be walking, running, sleeping and travelling for 24 hours with little chance to stop for a relaxing meal en-route. Your body will consume spare body fat reserves, and expel water and salts. All of which need replacing or else you may face muscle cramps, dehydration and excess fatigue, which apart from being unpleasant, can be quite dangerous, especially in very hot or very cold weather. Water. Carry lots of it. When purchasing supplies, buy 5 litres for each walker. Fill water bottles or hydration bladders with a isotonic/energy mix, or a 50/50 mix of water/fruit juice. Remember to top up before each mountain, and keep drinks handy (and cool) in the vehicle. Hot food & hot drinks. You will need to consider how you are going to get any hot food and drinks. This is where a support team and a cooker can be hugely popular with your group! Keeping a flask full of boiling water for your pot noodle or pasta snack, keeping soup hot, or even making the odd bacon butty will be very much appreciated by all, and can be prepared whilst you are on the hill - just phone ahead with your estimated time of return 20 minutes before arrival. No support team? The alternative is to use food outlets during your challenge. Fort William has a McDonnalds which is open until 12pm during the summer. From there, you are unlikely to find anywhere open until you reach motorway services. The A55 Coast Road has a large number of local services available at regular intervals, most with McDonnalds, Little Chef or similar, but most are not 24 hour opening. To help conserve time, these stops should be used to re-fuel, give drivers a coffee and a break, allow everyone to use the toilets, give the walkers a chance to change clothes, top up water bottles and get ready for the next mountain. Don't hang around..! |
how to organise a three peaks challenge - corporate 3 peaks and small group three
peak challenges for charity in 2007 and 2008. Lots of Three Peaks Challenge route
information for scafell pike, ben nevis and snowdon. |
three peaks events 2006 - 2007 - 2008. how to organise your charity fundraising three
peaks challenge to climb ben nevis, scafell pike and snowdon in under 24 hours.
3 peaks forum, faq's, help page, routes and maps, bongo bus adventures |
what is the quickest time for a three peaks challenge? what is the 3 peaks challenge
record? fastest time for three peaks? how long on each mountain? what are the
best routes? where can i find three peaks challenge route maps? |
3 peaks 24 hour challenge for charity or fundraising, corporate team building or
staff reward. climb mount snowdon, scafell pike and ben nevis in only twenty four
hours or less. visit glen nevis, wasdale or seathwaite, pen-y-pass and llanberis.
|
Three Peaks Forum |
Three Peaks Challenge The 24 hour Challenge |
How good is your mountain navigation? You must expect to encounter Scafell Pike in darkness, perhaps under heavy mist. Paths are not clearly defined, and cairns can be very misleading. Are you confident about your skills? Search Google for 'mountain navigation' and the first few pages are full of 1 or 2 days courses led by mountain guides or leaders. This may be a very good investment. Otherwise, we organise a number of Scafell/Wasdale familiarisation days for group leaders. Please email if you want any more details. |
Looking for an organised event to join? All of the latest events are promoted on the forum as dates and details become available. If you would like your event listed, please email details to me. If you would like to take part in our event - look at the information below: Open Three Peaks Challenges 2009 9th - 10th May 2009 The years first event - the Spring Stroller. A chance to take part in a more relaxed challenge event. If you can supply your own small team, drivers and support, and team transport - take a look at our events. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. |
Mountain Rescue Teams Ben Nevis: Lochaber MRT (No website - contact MRC-Scotland) Scafell Pike: Wasdale MRT Mount Snowdon: Llanberis MRT |
Three Peaks Challenge 'T' shirts From only £10 per 'T' shirt..! |
Next Event: Spring Stroller Three Peaks Challenge 2009 Entries now open for the first event- the Spring Stroller Sat 9th - Sun 10th May 2009 |
