One of the client companies that I was working for earlier this year had a couple of teams attempt the Three Peaks Challenge. This prompted me to consider doing it as well. After contacting several friends and colleagues I have put together a small team consisting of:

Myself, Marting and Richard will attempt the peaks, while Denise supports us and does the driving.

 

 

In terms of date, we should aim for some time during the summer months to give us as much daylight as possible. However, it has been recommended that challenge attempts do not take place during June / July and not at weekends, to avoid crowds.

 

However, since we will just be one team attempting the challenge we should be able to attempt it in June or July without attracting too much attention. In additoin, and following our first planning meeting we will start the challenge on a Sunday, so as to finish on a Monday.

 

In terms of actual timing, I believe the most sensible option is:

 

5pm	Start Ben Nevis.
10pm	Finish Ben Nevis and start drive to Scafell Pike (seven hour drive).
5am	Arrive and start climbing Scafell Pike
10am	Finish Scafell Pike and start drive to Snowdon (three hour drive).
1pm	Arrive and start climbing Snowdon
5pm	Finish Snowdon, and complete challenge.

 

As long as we have a dedicated driver this will enable all the walkers to have a seven hour sleep between Ben Nevis and Scafell.

 

Start locations.

Ben Nevis

The logical place to start is the Glen Nevis visitor centre

Scafell Pike

It is a significantly shorter drive to Seathwaite than it is to Wasdale Head. However, the walk may take longer. After the initial planning meeting we have decided to start from Wasdale.

Snowdon

The place that springs to mind is the visitor parking area on the Llanberis pass.

 

Given the geographic separation of the team members most of the fitness training will be a personal thing. However, we have tentatively planned three training walks:

 

The January and February events will be weekends in Wales, while the Easter weekend will see us attempt all three peaks on successive days.

 

While the weekends in Wales will be aimed at getting out on to steep terrain the Easter weekend will be aimed at becoming familiar with the ascents we will use on the challenge. The only risk is that Ben Nevis may still be covered in snow at Easter. We will therefore have to go prepared for cold weather while trying to plan for warmer conditions (hopefully).