The Three Peaks Challenge

As you might have heard, I managed to complete the 3 Peaks Challenge this weekend, and here are the photo's to prove it. Had the weather been a bit better, it would have definitely been less of a challenge.

The very misty picture where we are standing on top of a cairn was taken on Ben Nevis.
The guide time for getting up Nevis was 4hrs, but we managed up in 2hrs 15mins! It was snowing at the top of the mountain (but I had expected that) but the rest of the way was very warm.

Because it was nice and dry we made good time coming down too (2hrs) and set off for Scafell after a respectable total four hours. We were way ahead of schedule because we had set off earlier too (being too excited to wait for 6pm). I suffered a bit going up Nevis because I hadn't been able to eat much before we set off (too anxious) and my blood sugar got very low quickly. But once I got going with the glucose tablets I felt fine. I found the trick for me was to have a sweet every 15mins.

We arrived at Scafell at 3am. And the weather was atrocious- heavy rain and wind and of course pitch black. When we got there the blue flashing light of the Mountain Rescue was at the foot of the mountain and not letting anyone up. Apparently 2 teams from the night before had not returned and were lost up the mountain in the wind and rain.

We waited around for about 1 1/2hrs and were eventually let up (the lost people were found), although the conditions were still treacherous. I took a picture of one of the rivers of water we had to cross. I don't think the picture does it justice, but if you look at the top right you can see how small the figure of the man is and that might help with the perspective. When I waded across it was up to my knees in icy cold mountain water. And this was at 4.30am on a Sunday morning. I kept thinking about you all, nice and tucked up in bed!

We managed Scafell in 3hrs 35mins (expected time was about 5hrs) so again, we did well on the run/walk time. But we were definitely walking mostly on this mountain. Even on the descent, you daren't run because it was too slippy with all the rain water. Even walking, I managed to slip and fall about 3 times.

We started our last climb, Snowdon around 12.30pm on Sunday. We were slower on this mountain than the others. Obviously due to fatigue but also the weather. Again, there were people being turned away at the foot of the mountain (those who were doing it for large charities with guides etc). We managed to get up, but the wind was craxy. I heard later that the gusts were at 80mph at the top. You couldn't stand up straight at the top, you had to crouch in case you got blown over the edge. I'm not sure if I've ever been so scared! I was just repeating to myself positive affirmations: 'it's ok, you can do this!' Our total ascent/ descent time was 3hrs 30mins, so only 30mins shorter than the expected time of 4hrs.

So despite the delay at Scafell, we still completed the challenge in 23hrs and 20mins! In my team was me, my work mate Maggie and her daughter Aimee. Maggie's husband Mike was our driver and he met us at the end with a celebratory bottle of champagne, which he duly sprayed us with Grand Prix style. We weren't too fussed about the lost champagne... we all wanted a bath, chocolate and a hot cup of tea!!

Anyway, it was a great weekend (although I'm sure there are easier ways to spend your Sat nights!) I would thoroughly recommend it (perhaps in finer weather though). The next day my legs were fairly stiff from the climbing, and I hobbled about John Wayne style for a bit, til I noticed that it was actually less painful to run than walk!

Today is Tuesday and I've taken the night off running to make sure I'm recovered. Maggie has entered into another event this Saturday and if I had the money I would seriously consider joining her, but at £50 it's a bit steep after last weekend. The race this week is a Cornish coastal challenge 44miles from the Lizard to Lands End along the coastal path. Sounds fab- 6am til 6pm! But, I think I need to earn some more money first.