National 3 Peaks Challenge

The National Three Peaks Challenge includes climbing the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours, so it is challenging. You don’t require any mountaineering experience for the 3 peaks challenge. We will set off at a pace which the guide feels is appropriate to attempt the challenge within 24 hours. Any cut off times implemented will either be for legal reasons to do with drivers hours or to benefit the majority of the group. It should be noted that there will be minimal time for breaks and this is not a leisurely walking pace.

Included - Qualified UK Mountain Leaders - professionalTransport throughout the challenge - Pickup/drop off from agreed locations - 1 Night twin room accommodation (minimum 3* B&B) in Fort William. Excluded - Travel costs to/from agreed pickup location. - Bottled and boiled water - Food

The walking pace for the National 3 Peaks will be set by the guide in order to set a pace in which the group can attempt to complete the challenge within 24 hours. This pace will be a relatively fast walk. Any breaks will be minimal and simply to drink, have a quick snack or catch your breath. The group will not at any point stop for longer than a couple of minutes to rest. If you are well off the pace or struggling the guide may need to discuss how this might be managed going forward. It should be noted this is not a leisurely walk. We will be aiming to walk at approximately 4/5km per hour. If you have concerns about your fitness levels or would like to take a little longer to complete the 3 peaks then perhaps consider the 3 peaks in 3 days event.

Walking Equipment: Below details the minimum items which are required for a mountain day. Additional items may be taken but all participants are expected to carry their own personal kit therefore keeping weight to a minimum is recommended. Walking Trousers T Shirt/Base Layer Fleece/Jumper Walking Socks Walking Trousers - Lightweight and not denim/jeans. T Shirt/Base Layer - Cotton is best avoided for better moisture management Fleece/Jumper - A lightweight fleece such as micro fleece is best Walking Socks - Thick walking socks Hat - Temperatures can be up to 10 degrees lower on the summits Gloves - Temperatures can be up to 10 degrees lower on the summits Walking Boots - Should be waterproof, have ankle support, fit properly, be worn in. THESE ARE A REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATION Gaiters - Optional Waterproof Trousers - Essential regardless of weather forecast Waterproof Jacket - Essential regardless of weather forecast Personal 1st Aid Kit - Small 1st aid kit to include blister plasters and any personal medication/inhalers etc. Head Torch - To allow your hands to be free. Ensure batteries are new. THIS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR PARTICIPATION Rucksack (25L Max) - Small rucksack with 2 shoulder straps. Waist belts are beneficial for carrying the weight of the pack on the hips. Food/Snacks - Walkers should eat little and often to maintain energy levels (cereal bars, nuts, bananas, pasta are all good examples) Water - At least 1.5 litres per mountain. Any energy drinks taken should be in addition to water to avoid dehydration. Walking Poles (Optional) - Walking poles have been proven to reduce pressure on the knees and can be of great benefit when descending. Camera (Optional) - Optional but great to capture the moments. Items to be left on the vehicle: Participants may wish to bring additional items to leave on the bus for the journey between the peaks. Please note that space is often limited and this should be considered when preparing kit. Pillow - To aid sleeping on the vehicle Food - Additional food to eat in between mountains. Pasta, sandwiches, snacks etc. Drinks - Alternative drinks to water for the journey Clothes - Non walking clothes to change into for comfort during journeying Ear plugs - To enable sleeping on the vehicle Eye mask - To enable sleeping on the vehicle Walking food x 3 - Enough food should be taken for all 3 mountains Water x 3 (1.5L) - Enough water should be taken for all 3 mountains. Don’t rely on being able to fill your water up at the start of each mountain. Walking Clothes x 2 - Additional walking clothes to change into if you get wet The above list is not exhaustive and you may have additional items you may wish to bring with you.

The National 3 Peaks Challenge includes overnight accommodation in Fort William in twin rooms. A single supplement is not available for this trip. Sharing a room is a great way to get to know your fellow trekkers.

Typically groups are no more than 10 people plus the guide. Please note that not all participants showing on the event will be together. The group is split into groups of 10 and if you have booked with friends or family you should make this know asap.

The challenge also includes the driving distance of around 450 miles and takes an average of 10 hours to drive. This means that the ascent and descent of the 3 mountains must be completed within 14 hours or less.

The aim of the National 3 Peaks Challenge is to climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours. The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3064 metres (10,052ft). Ben Nevis is the highest point reached at 1,344m

Day 1 10:30 Pick up in Warrington or Northwest agreed location (if needed) 15:00 Pick up Glasgow Central Station or/and International Airport (if needed) 15:30 Transfer to Hotel/B&B 18:00 Arrive at hotel 20:00 Challenge Briefing and Q&A session Day 2 07:00 Breakfast 08:00 Transfer to Ben Nevis start point 08:15 Final preparation 08:30 Start challenge (Begin Ben Nevis) 11:30 Summit Ben Nevis 13:30 Transfer to Wasdale Head (transfer includes a 45 minute maximum driver rest stop. This is a VOSA legal requirement) 20:30 Begin Scafell Pike ascent 23:00 Summit Scafell Pike 01:00 Transfer to Pen y pass Day 3 01:00 Transfer to Pen y pass 05:30 Begin Snowdon ascent 08:00 Summit Snowdon 09:30 Complete challenge at Pen y pass 10:00 Transfer to drop off point

18.

Pick Up Options are: Warrington - Leave your car 10:15am Warrington Bank Quay Station - 10:30am Glasgow Central Station - 15:00pm Glasgow International Airport - 15:30pm (flights should land to allow time to get to arrivals for 15:30pm) Fort William - 18:00pm Drop-off: The guides can drop you off at Chester or Warrington train stations on day 3 of your itinerary. Although we aim to complete the challenge on time between 08:30-09:30am times can vary depending on the speed of the group. **We strongly advise if getting a train you either pay on the day or book an anytime ticket as we cannot guarantee drop off times** Drop Off Options: Chester Station Warrington Central Station Warrington Bank Quay Station Warrington - Return to your car Please choose your preferred pick-up location on your trip form after booking (it's on your dashboard).

YES! As per our kit list, risk assessments and procedures we believe that it would not be defensible to go against the recommendations set out. With this in mind we will be advising all participants they need to be wearing boots as per our kit list. The terrain on all 3 mountains is rocky, very slippy when wet and given the nature of the event with people progressively getting more fatigued boots provide the best way of reducing the risk of strains, sprains or worse. We appreciate an ankle injury is not always a major problem however in mountain terrain far from help it can pose significant logistical issues and seriously impact the event. As per our kit list all participants are expected to be suitably equipped with the correct recommend footwear which is walking boots.

Yes - we highly recommend taking out travel insurance right after booking the trip. Unfortunately we can't recommend travel insurance providers (as it's a regulated industry in the UK), but we can confirm that many customers choose to take out BMC travel insurance or similar.