3 Peaks Challenge
14 May 2010
Fast Facts:
Min Age: 18
Max Age: Subject to medical
Registration fee: £75pp
Remaining cost to Challenge Company (which can be paid for by participant or raised in sponsorship):£264
Mininum additional sponsorship to be raised for Autistica: £136
Max Altitude: 1344m
Total Ascent (approx.):
2840m
Total Distance: 40km
Fitness Level:
This is without doubt one of our most popular challenges and one of the toughest at the same time. Climbing the three Highest Peaks in the home nations: Scotland, England and Wales. Starting with Ben Nevis before heading south for, Scafell Pike and then finishing at Snowdon. The challenge is all the more tough as we complete the whole lot in 24 hrs. Now that is going to be challenging!
A total of 480 miles of driving, a large part during the night, and climbing a total of almost 3000 vertical metres, makes this a special kind of challenge, and not one that everyone is going to manage. Why not give yourself a goal this year to train for. Why not say that you’re going to put yourself to the test, and join the Classic 3 Peaks Challenge 2010. Join a group of like-minded adventurous individuals who will be taking part in this event, looking for a tough weekend, with a few
laughs along the way to look back upon…. This challenge could change your life - so be prepared!
Itinerary
The following itinerary is based on running this activity over a long weekend, however it may be possible to alter this. All timings are approximate
Start - Friday
Meeting in Chester or Manchester (midday / early afternoon) or collection from Glasgow International Airport (16.30 latest arrival). All followed by transfer onto Ben Nevis area for overnight accommodation.
Saturday
Breakfast (06:15). Morning ascent of Ben Nevis - start 07:30.
Return to vehicle (approx 12:30), afternoon transfer to Scafell Pike Climb Scafell Pike Saturday night - typical finish approx. 24:00.
Sunday
Return to vehicle.
Transfer to Snowdon - expected arrival approx 04:00.
Early morning ascent Snowdon.
Return to vehicle (before 09:00 with luck!).
Celebratory Breakfast in Llanberis.
Transfer to Chester or Manchester (midday / early afternoon) - event
ends - Challenge Complete!!!
Accommodation
Friday night—shared bunk accommodation.
Saturday night—our mobile palace on wheels! Or should that be one of the least smooth nights sleep of your life!
You may wish to bring a travel pillow - and a good sense of humour!
Sunday night—not included, but accommodation in Chester can be arranged upon request.
What is a Level 4 Trekking Challenge Like?
You are now moving into the realms of serious challenges - where you are likely to encounter carrying loads, rough terrain, sleep deprivation, or high altitude. In any case - be prepared for an event which is going to take you to the limits of your comfort zone. Trekking days will be up to 13 hours, or slightly less if the event stretches over several days. The severity of the challenge may be magnified by various factors - as you will need to be more resilient - due to simple living conditions - ie using same clothes for several days, lack of washing facilities, simple food, variable weather conditions and maybe camping - this forms a part of the challenge! You need to be in good shape to undertake any of these events, and you need to be training regularly. The height gain each day is greater than for level 3 - so expect plenty of hills!
How Fit Do I need to be to join a Level 4 Trek?
To participate in these events you need to be in good fitness. You enjoy taking exercise, and do it regularly (a couple of times a week minimum). You partake in several different types of activity, possibly including the gym, swimming, running, circuit training. You probably are capable of running up to 5 or 6 miles, but in a good steady speed (around 9-10 minute miling). If you do not run - you should be regularly undertaking challenging walks or other strenuous exercise. You should be comfortable walking 18-20 miles in the English lowland countryside.
Medical Issues
You’ll need to ensure that you have a good number of long walks under your belt of at least 5 to 6 hours, and including some good hilly terrain too. Preparing for your sleep deprivation might be more difficult! Also—please enquire if you require assistance with planning your training. We can provide a 16-week 3 Peaks Training Programme if required. Consider issues such as your nutrition before and during the event. Ensure that you eat well before embarking on the challenge—and on Saturday—complex carbs being best. Ensure you are fully hydrated before and during the event.
Insurance Details
Travel insurance is not compulsory for UK adventures but it is strongly advised. Insurance can be purchased through Ventureguard.
Special Notes
Although every effort will be made by the Challenge company to complete this event within a 24 hour window, certain factors remain outside of the comany's control which may hinder completion including traffic on roads and weather. Also, as a team event, there may be situations where certain members of the party walk at different speeds. The speed at which the party progress remains the decision of the mountain leader/guide whose word on this matter is final.
Note - in 2010, the event has a mandatory driver stop at Motorway services near the England Scotland Border, minibuses are all now limited to 62 mph, and also we use the slightly longer Seathwaite route for a variety of reasons. Hence we now allow 25.5 hrs for the completion of the challenge - in order to make it comparable to the previous 24 hours without the constraints as we have mentioned them. Should the event time run past 24 hours, the Company will still attempt to complete the trek of all 3 peaks should members of the group wish to do so providing they are in a fit shape. We set a maximum time limit of 30 hours on this challenge, and will curtail any attempts on Snowdon if it is deemed by the leader that the team will not reach the summit in time to return to the bottom inside the 30 hours. Again, the decision of completion is entirely down to the mountain leader/guide.
Fitness Levels: due to the time sensitive nature of this challenge, slow moving participants may be asked to drop out, in order for those participants who are well-prepared and moving properly to complete the challenge within the maximum time frame.
Included In Trip
- Challenge Pack – maps, instructions etc
- Minibus Transport - from Chester / Manchester to Fort William
- Minibus Transport - between peaks and back to Chester / Manchester
- Full pre-event consultation
- Driver
- 1 night's accommodation (inc breakfast)
- Guiding for the 3 Peaks - Experienced Qualified
- Safety equipment
Excluded From Trip
- Transport to either Chester / Manchester or Glasgow International Airport
- Transport back from Chester / Manchester
- Meals while on the Challenge
Equipment Required
For a list of essential equipment you will need to take on this challenge, please download here
Transport
The start point for this event is Chester / Manchester (this will be confirmed at time of booking) where you can meet the minibus for transport to Fort William. Arrangements can be made for pick-up at Glasgow International Airport, you MUST arrive before 16.30. From here all your transportation for the event will be included. The event finish point is Chester or Manchester. It is up to each individual participant to organise their own transportation to both the start and end of the event.
Safety Information
By nature all activities contain an element of risk. Your leader will be first aid qualified and will carry the appropriate safety kit for the activity, such as mountain safety shelters, walking rope and from time to time mobile
radios. Safety equipment carried will be appropriate to trip. The leader's primary role is to ensure your safety, but it is your responsibility to listen to their guidance and instructions.
Weather
Expect variable weather conditions. We are after all trekking at dark, during the day, in Scotland, England and in Wales. So be prepared. We may encounter scorching temperatures but equally freezing cold or even snow (Especially in May on Ben Nevis) pack at both ends of the spectrum. Especially expect rain at some time… all three mountains are on the Western Seaboard and hence bear the brunt of prevailing weather systems coming in moisture laden from the Atlantic.
IMPORTANT
This challenge has been organised by Adventure Cafe Ltd on behalf of Autistica. To participate in this event you will need to make a registration fee payment to Adventure Cafe Ltd. of £75 -(further details will be supplied once you have registered your interest in taking part). This will secure your place on the challenge. For this challenge you need to raise a further minimum of £400 either from total sponsorship monies or, if you prefer, by funding the cost of the trip yourself (£264) and £136 in sponsorship.
All fundraising monies should be made payable directly to Autistica and will assist in providing further research into autism spectrum disorders. Adventure Café will be operating this Adventure Challenge but is not responsible for collection of payments from participants. Please read the terms and conditions of entry.
If you have any questions about this system of payment and participation please email Philippa Stannard or telephone her on 0118 9016876.
