Three Peaks Challenge: LFGSS 'slains up some real hills

Nice advice

Good one dude!

i haz all the maps, if you need them CB..

Even better!!!

the key is to climb scafell pike before sunset.. most of the foot traffic was heading back down to wast water car park around 10-11pm.. .i think we got down a 3am..

climbing in the dark spotting cairns for the route up was a bit meh, and not recommended.. the mountain rescue won't thank you either.. we saw some casualties there too :(

From my really patchy knowledge, I thought it was okay to ascend Scafell Pike in the dark? (okay is in doable, not okay as in pleasant)

Good tips though Al, thanks :) Very much looking forward to hallucinating mid-way through it all.

not good climbing if the weather is bad hats.. with poor visibility really slows the team down and the route is not easy to find, so psychologically tough.. also descending off in the right direction is critical.. there are many ways down, not necessarily in the right direction though

Ah - yes, I know oh-so-well the feeling of trying to descend a mountain in poor visability. I tried to walk off a cliff a few months ago, properly scary stuff.

Can everyone else ignore that comment please, I'm a good walker normally! Just woefully underprepared and overly reckless that one time...

Don't let mountain rescue hear you talking about Scafell Pike in the dark. Was up there in September and they were moaning about people going up in the dark, taking a wrong turn and off a rocky drop.

This is the way we did it last weekend:

5:00pm start for Ben Nevis
4:15am start for Scafell Pike
and climb Snowdon when you get there.

The routes we took are here http://www.peakschallenge.co.uk/routes

Personally I wouldn't be happy to do Scafell Pike at night as it's the trickiest out of the three to climb. Snowdon was for me by far the easiest and Ben Nevis the most exhausting one.

i like this Jaw.. good advice
btw i won't being doing 3 peaks again..

I think we can safely assume that other people should take the lead on organising the actual climbs. I am happy to sort out transport and bottles of port for when we have finished Snowdon, but have managed to embarrass myself with piss poor mountain knowledge. Ironic, really, as I worked for a hiking organisation for a while.

Routes are relatively straight forward and there usually are plenty of climbers on the mountains, so personally I wouldn't worry to much about getting lost and leading the climb.

Pair up with someone of your own ability and have staggered starts so you're not waiting on anyone once you've descended.

Jaw, you'll have got out and back inside the weekend, no?

Your timings seem pretty good to me, I've read through a few variations but I don't think that they make quite as good a use of the daylight.

Also, heading out in July (early) vs August (late) could mean about an hour's daylight difference at each end of the day. I'm not sure how significant this is with regard to where along the route the walkers would be at sunrise/sunset, but it's something to consider.

The person in charge does it twice a year and likes to do it late May to late June for the exact reason, nights are longest up North and sunrise is nice and early.

We left Edinburgh in the morning, do Nevis in the late afternoon/early evening.
Overnight drive to Scafell Pike. Set off just before sunrise, storm up as quick as you physically possible and get the hell out of there before the crowds arrive. The drive to Snowdon is a long one and gave me plenty of time to rest.

To do it within 24 hours is quite stressful and in all fairness it's probably not worth it because you don't get to appreciate the mountains.

If you're considering to do it in July/August you might want ascend a little earlier to be on the safe side.

You can look up the sunrise and sunset times here http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/astronomy.html?n=90&month=7&year=2012&obj=sun&afl=-11&day=1

which 3 peaks would you be doing? The BIG three, or the Yorkshire three?

Workmate is doing this in July. Possibly too late but she might come back with some useful info. Charity thing I think. Looks like a pretty popular activity. I reckon I'd prefer to remove the driving and do it self-powered as quick as possible instead. Walking+Cycling.

I reckon I'd prefer to remove the driving and do it self-powered as quick as possible instead. Walking+Cycling.

Purer Three Peaks

Top tips!
DON'T DO IT
If you must do it, preparation is everything
Make sure you’re fit enough. Try a 24hour challenge first

I'd love to think I would have enough dedication to do something like this but unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to train for something that gruelling.

so you're not talking about this:

1 Attachment

Sounds like good fun Sparky I've been thinking about it for a while.

Would need some better walking shoes but I'm in!

Would there be any charity amount raised or not? Just thinking this forum is huge, surely we could raise a bit of cash?

Sounds like good fun Sparky I've been thinking about it for a while.

Would need some better walking shoes but I'm in!

Would there be any charity amount raised or not? Just thinking this forum is huge, surely we could raise a bit of cash?

I bought some hiking trainer things from that outdoor shop in Norwich, near the Castle Mall. They're really comfy, protect your ankles and weren't too pricey. Bloke helped me choose for ages, then gave some Rambler's Club discount on the sly. Recommend.

Wasn't planning any charity fundraising. Just for fun.

Blacks?

I might pop in there.

I've been tempted to try a few distance night walks. My sisters other half has walked back from London to Norwich before, tried taking my sister once but she gave up by the time they got just outside Epping!

defo get some decent walking boots, with ankle support, vibram sole, goretex / waterproof, if you can afford it.. they will need breaking-in plus get proper socks

great discounts here:- http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/edgware-road

Just had a look and mine are these, with Vibram:

Merrells rock (scuse the pun:-))

I wore something similar but made by NB. In hindsight I wish I'd bought a pair of boots. You'll need all the ankle protection and stabalinyou can get.