Three peaks challenge
Discussion
Plenty of people do it in under 24 hours. Even those with very little background in hill walking.
For novices, it is usually the fast descents that cause the knee pains....
Tips would be, don't get lost, especially on Scafell. Push really hard to be coming down Scafell in daylight. Will save you at least an hour over all if you are off the top before its full dark.
Pissing about with torches and maps in the dark on rough ground takes time. So go hard on the big Ben.
More a driving/logistics challenge than a physical one imho....
Did it two years ago last weekend. Our approach was Ben Nevis the Saturday evening, down before dark, on road to Skafell overnight for a 4/5am start then Snowdon in the afternoon. All three peaks in daylight.
I went with a big group which meant things like toilet stops took ages as well as hugely varying ability / fitness which meant circa 27 hours was the best we could do. A smaller team could no doubt easily manage 24 hours.
Ben
I went with a big group which meant things like toilet stops took ages as well as hugely varying ability / fitness which meant circa 27 hours was the best we could do. A smaller team could no doubt easily manage 24 hours.
Ben
Gargamel said:
Plenty of people do it in under 24 hours. Even those with very little background in hill walking.
For novices, it is usually the fast descents that cause the knee pains....
Tips would be, don't get lost, especially on Scafell. Push really hard to be coming down Scafell in daylight. Will save you at least an hour over all if you are off the top before its full dark.
Pissing about with torches and maps in the dark on rough ground takes time. So go hard on the big Ben.
More a driving/logistics challenge than a physical one imho....
Good advice and I certainly agree with the last bit (bold).For novices, it is usually the fast descents that cause the knee pains....
Tips would be, don't get lost, especially on Scafell. Push really hard to be coming down Scafell in daylight. Will save you at least an hour over all if you are off the top before its full dark.
Pissing about with torches and maps in the dark on rough ground takes time. So go hard on the big Ben.
More a driving/logistics challenge than a physical one imho....
OP - you're not far from the Yorkshire 3 peaks - Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough & Whernside. Highly recommended for a training walk. If you can do them in 12 hours you'll have no trouble with fitness for the 3 peaks.
Once you've done the 3 peaks then doing the 5 peaks is fun. Then if you're keen Trail Trekker is a fantastic challenge, although my toe nails are still black a month later
GadgeS3C said:
Gargamel said:
Plenty of people do it in under 24 hours. Even those with very little background in hill walking.
For novices, it is usually the fast descents that cause the knee pains....
Tips would be, don't get lost, especially on Scafell. Push really hard to be coming down Scafell in daylight. Will save you at least an hour over all if you are off the top before its full dark.
Pissing about with torches and maps in the dark on rough ground takes time. So go hard on the big Ben.
More a driving/logistics challenge than a physical one imho....
Good advice and I certainly agree with the last bit (bold).For novices, it is usually the fast descents that cause the knee pains....
Tips would be, don't get lost, especially on Scafell. Push really hard to be coming down Scafell in daylight. Will save you at least an hour over all if you are off the top before its full dark.
Pissing about with torches and maps in the dark on rough ground takes time. So go hard on the big Ben.
More a driving/logistics challenge than a physical one imho....
OP - you're not far from the Yorkshire 3 peaks - Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough & Whernside. Highly recommended for a training walk. If you can do them in 12 hours you'll have no trouble with fitness for the 3 peaks.
Once you've done the 3 peaks then doing the 5 peaks is fun. Then if you're keen Trail Trekker is a fantastic challenge, although my toe nails are still black a month later
If you don't have much hill experience; just remember, you're out on the hills. Hope you have a great time, but don't let the pressure to do all 3 in 24 hours lead you to making silly decisions.... decide your bug-out criteria beforehand and stick to it, not when you've got summit fever 
Don't shortcut and come straight down from Ben Nevis, this really wrecks the knee's especially if scaffell is next on the list. Have plenty of food and drink ready and keep your bonce covered with sun cream on where ever it is needed.
Oh and most important don't go on the lash the night before!!!!!! still completed in time but a few where blowing a little at the start line.
Have fun and enjoy.
Oh and most important don't go on the lash the night before!!!!!! still completed in time but a few where blowing a little at the start line.
Have fun and enjoy.
Walking poles are very good for saving your knees, if used properly. As is ibuprofen cream.
I agree with a previous post, the 3 yorkie peaks are lot harder. Did them 3 time in a month in training for this in 2011 http://www.wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/events/eve...
The 6 peaks.
I agree with a previous post, the 3 yorkie peaks are lot harder. Did them 3 time in a month in training for this in 2011 http://www.wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/events/eve...
The 6 peaks.
2pintsoflager said:
Walking poles are very good for saving your knees, if used properly. As is ibuprofen cream.
I agree with a previous post, the 3 yorkie peaks are lot harder. Did them 3 time in a month in training for this in 2011 http://www.wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/events/eve...
The 6 peaks.
That looks like fun! One for the to do list I agree with a previous post, the 3 yorkie peaks are lot harder. Did them 3 time in a month in training for this in 2011 http://www.wateraid.org/uk/get-involved/events/eve...
The 6 peaks.
My pieces of advice:
Use stair climbing for training - running opportunities on the hills are rare and take too much out your legs, you need to have strong legs not fast legs
If you have bad knees, take supports and wear them from the start
Get some sleep in the car
Don't carry any un-necessary equipment, especially cephalopods
That said, always have something warm and dry available, the weather can change in an instant
Don't litter
Be courteous to other walkers
Don't pee (or poo) on the paths
Remember it's Scafell Pike, not Sca Fell.
Try to enjoy it
Use stair climbing for training - running opportunities on the hills are rare and take too much out your legs, you need to have strong legs not fast legs
If you have bad knees, take supports and wear them from the start
Get some sleep in the car
Don't carry any un-necessary equipment, especially cephalopods
That said, always have something warm and dry available, the weather can change in an instant
Don't litter
Be courteous to other walkers
Don't pee (or poo) on the paths
Remember it's Scafell Pike, not Sca Fell.
Try to enjoy it
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