Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon.
In 24 hours. Sound easy to you?
The Three Peaks Challenge is
definitely far from easy – but the venture is a perfect one for anyone wishing
to test their fitness and endurance, or to feel the great sense of achievement
that comes with the completion, or even to build stronger bonds of trust and
friendship within groups.
To ensure that you stay safe and
well in order to complete each peak - here are some handy Three Peaks tips that
you may find useful.
Plan ahead - Get
the right postcodes for your starting point to avoid extra stress. Getting lost
before you start would be a nightmare! By choosing timings and routes you can
plan which mountain to climb in the evening/night – which is sometimes
inevitable – to do so safely and in a prepared manner. Importantly - use the
most up-to-date maps and ensure everyone is able to read maps and navigate, in
case the group is separated.
Chauffeur, anyone?
Driving in-between walks is a huge no. You won’t be your most alert after a
long day climbing – and you will need this time to rest up for the next
mountain. Ensure you plan driving routes and parking to avoid stress. Take
travel sickness tablets for the drive – just in case you feel car sick. Feeling
sick will make it difficult to eat; something you must do to keep your energy
up.
Be prepared for any weather
– A common tip is to start off cold as you will get warmer. However this
doesn’t mean to say you won’t get cold again throughout the journey! Carry
extra layers as it can get cold at the summit – as there is always a chance the weather will make a dramatic change.
Bring plenty of fuel
- lots of high calorie snacks such as cereal bars and dried fruit/nuts are
perfect for the cause. Eat little and often even if you don’t feel hungry – you
will need the energy. It’s a great idea to bring sandwiches and pasta as they
are high in carbohydrates, and slowly release energy.
Stay hydrated – This
is incrementally important! You’ll need lots of water; at least 2 litres of
water per mountain is recommended. Hydration packs are perfect as you won’t
have to carry your water bottle by hand. Ensure your back pack is fitted with a
water pack function.
Don’t overdo it –
don’t ‘push on’ if the situation is unsafe. Admitting defeat can be really
tough, but you need to be sensible. If you are hurt, the likelihood is it’s
going to get harder the more you troop on. Remember that mountains are
unpredictable and situations can change fast – especially where weather is
concerned.
Let the slowest in
the group set the pace – this ensures everyone will keep up and stay as
a group. For faster walkers, this could be seen as a tactic to preserve energy!
Buy decent walking
boots – Boots are arguably the most important part of your kit. You need
proper support on rocky terrain. Breathable and waterproof materials are ideal,
so look out for those functions when purchasing. Break your boots in some
months before you embark on the challenge to ensure they will not rub or cause
pain. Blisters are one of the largest reasons why challengers fail The Three
Peaks – don’t let that be you!
Practice is key –
ensure you reach a good level of fitness before attempting the challenge.
Familiarise yourself with the types of terrain you will face by going on long
walks or by attempting one of the mountains beforehand to build stamina.
Photo credit: Henry & Jane
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