Bucket List / Adventure Travel Goals
Complete The 3 Peaks Challenge
Ticked off in July 2015
Three nations, three summits and one ticking clock, with a sunrise somewhere between Lakeland and Wales you won't forget.
The adventure
The clock starts at the foot of Ben Nevis, usually in the early evening, and it doesn't stop for anything. Up the zigzags of the Mountain Track to Britain's highest point at 1,345 metres, back down on tired legs, then straight into a minibus for the long drive south through the night.
Scafell Pike comes in the small hours, a scramble over boulders by head torch with Wasdale asleep below. Then more road, more sandwiches, and finally Snowdon, where the last climb feels endless until the summit cairn appears and someone checks the time. Around 42 kilometres of walking, more than 3,000 metres of ascent and roughly 750 kilometres of driving, all squeezed into a single day. Finishing inside 24 hours is the badge; finishing at all is the story you'll tell for years.
Why it’s epic
- Summiting Ben Nevis (1,345 m), Scafell Pike (978 m) and Snowdon (1,085 m), the highest points in Scotland, England and Wales.
- Roughly 42 kilometres of walking and over 3,000 metres of climbing against the clock.
- A night-time ascent of Scafell Pike by head torch.
- One of the UK's most popular charity challenges, so it's a great way to raise money.
What it is
The National Three Peaks Challenge means climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours, including the driving between them.
How to do it
Most teams start at Ben Nevis, drive to Scafell Pike, then finish on Snowdon, with a support driver. Many people do it for charity with an organised group.
Top tip
Train on long hill days first; the hardest part is climbing tired in the dark.
Need to know
- You need a dedicated, well-rested driver, as the driving takes around 10 hours and nobody who is walking should be behind the wheel.
- Go between May and September for the longest daylight, and check mountain forecasts, as summits can be in cloud and gales even in summer.
- Keep noise and litter down at Wasdale and Pen-y-Pass at night; local residents have long asked challenge groups to be considerate.
- Map and compass skills or a qualified leader are essential, especially in the dark.
Do it yourself
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. More about this.
My experience
Ticked off, but the full story is still to be written up.
Comments