Three Peaks Challenge
June 21st, 2018. Club Solstice set off on their inaugural challenge; to summit the highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales in 24hrs.
The plan: Departing from Grindleford in the Peak District, we’d journey north to Fort William in Scotland and the base of Ben Nevis. At approximately 1700hrs we’d start the clock on the challenge and ascend Nevis. Next would be a drive through the night to Scafell Pike in the Lake District. Scafell complete, we would then travel into the early hours to reach Wales and the final peak, Snowden. All being well, the Three Peaks would be complete within a 24 hour time limit. Or at least, that was the plan.
“Off to a flyer”.
To summit Nevis, the highest point in the UK at 1,345m above sea level, we chose the simpler Mountain Track. Starting in Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, the route snakes around the hillside at a gradient steady enough take in the near-panoramic views.
Even in summer months the last few hundred metres up to the snow covered crest take us into thick grey clouds where the temperature falls. The Club, dressed in shorts and sunglasses at the base of Nevis, scrambled en masse through rucksacks for warm hats and coats.
Eager to make a good start, we’d surprised ourselves at the early pace. Having allowed around 5 hours to complete Ben Nevis, we’d done it in 3 and a half. Arriving back at the team cars around 2030hrs we were swiftly back on the road, heading south for Scafell.
Everything we’d read prior to the Three Peaks led us to believe that driving between each was a significant challenge in itself. Winding Loch-side roads, motorways, tight country lanes – we’d managed it all uneventfully travelling at night between Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike. That was, until the last corner before parking where a crater-like pothole blew a tyre on one of our much loved team cars. Time in hand after heroics on Nevis and a smooth journey, it was decided the tyre would be changed only once Scafell and peak number two was bagged. At circa 0230hrs, we began to ascend.
Head torches on, we again chose the quickest and simplest route, taking Brown Tongue upwards in darkness from Wasdale Head. Interweaved with tributaries to the Wastwater Lake, the path made for a steeper trek than the first peak. Climbing higher, the Summer Solstice’s shortest day of the year began to reward us with shades of an orange sunrise across Lake District peaks.
A memorable ascent, but to this day, it’s the myth of that Scafell descent that’s retold.
Part of the Club grabbed fate by the scruff with a hair-raising scramble down the second peak to change the car tyre. By the time we were back together having all completed Scafell, the car was once again ready to get on the road.
“No matter what, you’ve always got 10% left to give”.
Arriving at the foot of Snowden around 1030hrs – and though driving skills were tested by one loss of power steering – there was a comforting buffer of over 6 hours to complete the challenge. Or at least, that was the plan.
Awake for over 24 hours, now with sun on our necks and some weary legs, the lesser trodden route of Snowden’s Crib Goch was a final test of endurance.
A steep ascent with parts of sheer cliff took it’s toll and proved too much for some. One Club member, nauseous and sweat-drenched, relied solely on calm heads to safely guide towards the final peak.
Though this was far from the finish.
Not revived by sitting in Snowden’s summit cafe, talk of a Mountain Rescue helicopter being the only way down served as a cold reminder to how quickly cases of exhaustion (and all its forms) can become serious.
Time ticking, and with an unwell Club member, completing the challenge seemed both out of the question and irrelevant.
Alas, part of the Club went ahead and descended the better known Pig Track to reach the finish.
With few options left for the remainder of the Club who stayed at the top of Snowdon, walking down the train tracks seemed the simplest route to safety.
Somewhere between dizzy spells and a call to the emergency services, the unwell Club member saw clarity. Taking it steady, we all eventually reached the bottom of Snowden, narrowly completing the challenge within the time limit…and with a story to tell.
We’d done it the hard way, but by a slim margin the challenge was complete. An epic adventure to give birth to a new challenge concept seemed fitting and with it came a few lessons we feel obliged to pass on:
- Ok, so this isn’t Everest (yet), but don’t underestimate the toll it takes on your body. Eat and drink lots of the right stuff (see more below) and steal a few winks in the back of the car when you can.
- The UK has some truly underrated outdoors – make the most of it. Even if it’s not Three Peaks, at least one of these hills is within reasonable distance from many major cities.
- Take the hassle out of planning. It’s been done before and people have put a lot more effort into documenting it (see below) than us, so your best resource is an online search – it’s as simple as that, it’s just important to realise what’s achievable.
- It starts getting fun when things go wrong. (Easy to say that in hindsight at least).
Go on, do it yourself:
Three Peaks Challenge – see for itinerary and suggested driving routes.
Stay safe – simple food and hydration guide.
Written by Sam Bartram
clubsolstice.sport.blog 