3 Peaks Challenge

[+The Bongtwashes]

I have been thinking about the transport some more and have a question? Will most people be parking at the start and needing a lift to the car at the end, or parking at the end and needing a lift to the start at the start?

 

I would imagine that most of us live a lot closer to Snowdon than Ben Nevis, therefore parking near Snowdon would seem more sensible, especially for the drive home afterwards with aching limbs.

[The Royles]

I'm interested if there is still space left.

 

That would be me (Andy) only.

[merseyventure]

Hi All,

 

What a great thread..! And it's great to see someone has posted a link to one of my webpages..!

 

I've lots of useful information regarding the Three Peaks Challenge, and also try to do a bit of caching in my spare time.

 

The area around Fort William and Ben Nevis has some wonderful caches, some which are easily accessed by 'none mountain walking' cachers. Support teams are often waiting 5 or 6 hours whilst their team are climbing Ben Nevis, and we encourage some support teams to visit some easy local caches to get them interested in caching, help pass the time, and let then see a bit of the local area.

 

When visiting Scafell Pike, you should be aware of some objections to this challenge - mostly aimed at large charity groups, and large groups arriving during the small hours - but it's worth making sure that everyone taking part understands the social and environmental issues before meeting the locals...!

 

Snowdon takes its toll on many tired walkers, especially on the way back down. The cafe has recently been demolished and a new one will open early 2008. The train is expensive, and friends/partners should note they can only stay at the summit for one hour, if hoping to meet people on the top. Caches in the area are excellent and fun. Parking can be very difficult.

 

Anyway - great idea - good luck. I cannot join you as we have a large Three Peaks event the same weekend, but starting Friday midday. There is a large charity event starting on the Saturday, but I can't recall who is organising it.

 

I've got loads and loads and loads of information regarding this challenge, so take a browse thru' my website www.merseyventure.com/threepeaks.htm and the attached forum (just skip past the advertising). If you need any help on anything from good hostels and bunkhouses, minibus rental, where to eat - to - fitness training, equipment lists or speed camera locations - please just email me.

 

richie at merseyventure dot com.

 

Stay safe,

 

Richie..

[merseyventure]

BTW,

 

Hope this is of interest - I don't mean to hijack the thread....

 

In May/June this year, we made a film with Get Shorty Productions for Channel4. It's 30 minutes long in total (the first 10 minutes is selection for the team) but looks 'briefly' at all aspects of the challenge, with some input from National Park Rangers, Mountain Guides, Mountain Rescue, local landowners, etc., and we hoped to give a balanced view of the pro's and con's.

 

My favourite interview was with Joss Naylor MBE who lives in Wasdale (you will pass his house). He is now 71 years old, and still goes fell running with his dogs each day. He completed the whole challenge in under 12 hours in 1971. A lovely gent.

 

Anyhow, I hope this video inspires those interested, and makes you aware of some of the impact this event has on local communities and the environment you visit. You will need sound on, and a good graphics/video set-up.

 

BMW THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

 

Richie..

[+The J J Noodle Fan Club]

Hi Folks,

 

Is there still room on the bus? I'm interested in this.

 

Cheers,

Jon.

[+scottpa100]

Just a bounce!

[+The J J Noodle Fan Club]

Bounce + is anything happening on this idea?

 

Jon.

[+scottpa100]

Bounce + is anything happening on this idea?

 

Jon.

 

Cool, glad to see a bounce. I was wondering with it all going quiet whether things were still happening... hope they are!! I'm in hill training! Stretching those quadraceps!

[+PopUpPirate]

I've put a link on the event page for Camping in Snowdonia 07, nice overlap!

 

http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...98-642c17fc8573

[Samurai Dan]

Ben Nevis -> Scafell Pike -> Snowdon

 

If there's enough interest I would look into funding for the hire of a minibus and ask for a supporting volunteer to drive.

 

 

Hi

 

I would like to do this event and feel confident that I will die at the end

 

My family will be attending the more sedate or not 'Pup' event so I may be physically challenged but my poor brain cell will get a good rest. A holiday

 

I would like a place on the mini bus please.

 

Samurai Dan

[+Simply Paul]

What is the current plan with the minibus? I'll be coming to Ben Nevis from Scotland, so would be looking to leave my car there, if I'm able to get back to it ok. If the worst comes to the worst I've driven fair distances after climbing each mountain so could transport myself at a push - if it was a 24-hour challenge this wouldn't be practical (I need my beauty sleep more than most!) but as it's a 3-day affair, I think I'd be ok.

[The Red Kite]

What is the current plan with the minibus? I'll be coming to Ben Nevis from Scotland, so would be looking to leave my car there, if I'm able to get back to it ok. If the worst comes to the worst I've driven fair distances after climbing each mountain so could transport myself at a push - if it was a 24-hour challenge this wouldn't be practical (I need my beauty sleep more than most!) but as it's a 3-day affair, I think I'd be ok.

 

I could put you in touch with a minibus owner/driver if you can let me have definite numbers and details of exactly what you want him to do. We are based in Aberystwyth which is a tad south of Snowdonia, so everyone could park up at the camp site and travel on the bus. Thereby getting chance of a quick kip between peaks. If numbers were more than the minibus could cater for he also has a midi coach. Is this of any help to you?

[+Papakas]

Not forgotten this! Working on the subject of transport so should be moving this forward soon.

[merseyventure]

Just a point on transport.

 

If you are going to climb Scafell Pike from Wasdale, keep your minibus as small as possible. Anything larger than a standard 16 passenger bus will find it very difficult to get access - a midi-coach or other long vehicle may struggle getting round the bends or over some tricky bridges...

 

To allow for luggage space, and a bit of room to spread out, we work on a maximum of 10 walkers plus 2 drivers per 17 seater minibus.

 

Good luck,

 

Richie..

[+Papakas]

Thanks for that gem Richie, how many times have visitors to the lake district met a wall of coach coming at them! Commercialisation over common sense considering the nature of the roads around the lakes!

 

The caching event will be submitted on the grounds that all who wish to attend will be responsible for their own transport arrangements. That's normal! However, I'm planning on personally funding a 16 seater minibus to depart Bryn Gloch on Fri 29 Jun via Auchintee, Wasdale, Pen-y-Pass arriving back at Bryn Gloch sometime on Sun 1 Jul. The options I'm working on:

 

Hire minibus and driver and cover the cost

Hire minibus and driver and recover a proportion of the cost per seat

Rent a self drive minibus and trawl for volunteer driver

Do nothing at all and leave participants to sort out amongst themselves

Consider proposals from the floor!

 

I'll make a decision on this aspect before I submit the cache event for publishing so I can necessarily agree a transport plan with the driver/operator and include it in the listing. But, before the fight for seats begin bear in mind this transport proposal is not new, read back through this topic, and I'm already sitting on (excuse the pun!) a list of first come first serve compiled mainly from this topic.

 

More soon!

[+lizzardman]

Been watching this thread and wondering if I was fit enough, but now it's over a slightly longer timeframe, stick me down as interested (just checking out the dates, but they look OK).

[+pirate_matt]

Thanks for that gem Richie, how many times have visitors to the lake district met a wall of coach coming at them! Commercialisation over common sense considering the nature of the roads around the lakes!

 

The caching event will be submitted on the grounds that all who wish to attend will be responsible for their own transport arrangements. That's normal! However, I'm planning on personally funding a 16 seater minibus to depart Bryn Gloch on Fri 29 Jun via Auchintee, Wasdale, Pen-y-Pass arriving back at Bryn Gloch sometime on Sun 1 Jul. The options I'm working on:

 

Hire minibus and driver and cover the cost

Hire minibus and driver and recover a proportion of the cost per seat

Rent a self drive minibus and trawl for volunteer driver

Do nothing at all and leave participants to sort out amongst themselves

Consider proposals from the floor!

 

I'll make a decision on this aspect before I submit the cache event for publishing so I can necessarily agree a transport plan with the driver/operator and include it in the listing. But, before the fight for seats begin bear in mind this transport proposal is not new, read back through this topic, and I'm already sitting on (excuse the pun!) a list of first come first serve compiled mainly from this topic.

 

More soon!

 

thanks for the update,

I think i put my name down a while ago to get on the minibus if it becomes available, i would also be happy to pay my way if needed, not sure i will manage it if i need to sort out my own transport though but we will see.

[alistair_uk]

Bryn Gloch on Fri 29 Jun via Auchintee, Wasdale, Pen-y-Pass arriving back at Bryn Gloch

My only thought is for some it would be more convenient to park at the end and some at the start. If we do hire the bus and it is a 50/50 ish split is it worth getting the bus to start at the finish, go to the start, do the trip to the finish, and then go to the start again. Perhaps I need to draw a map as that description was rubbish. :-)

[+scottpa100]

I have been thinking about the transport some more and have a question? Will most people be parking at the start and needing a lift to the car at the end, or parking at the end and needing a lift to the start at the start?

 

I think transport to the start could be the biggest problem. As we'll be meeting up with the other Snowdon camping thingymebob, I imagine that most people will be travelling back along the A55 then travelling their respective norths and souths on the M6. Surely we'll be able to cadge lifts of other geocachers?

[+Papakas]

Bryn Gloch on Fri 29 Jun via Auchintee, Wasdale, Pen-y-Pass arriving back at Bryn Gloch

My only thought is for some it would be more convenient to park at the end and some at the start. If we do hire the bus and it is a 50/50 ish split is it worth getting the bus to start at the finish, go to the start, do the trip to the finish, and then go to the start again. Perhaps I need to draw a map as that description was rubbish. :-)

 

No problem working that one out, only 'cause I know you Alistair! Logistics suggest a good idea, finance suggests otherwise!

 

Merseyventure, many thanks for your message, one step ahead of you I'd already ruled out minibus and driver on financial grounds!

 

So to everyone out there I'm trawling for a volunteer to drive a minibus. For any prospective volunteer terms and conditions will apply, to protect my wallet mainly(!):

 

Eligibility to drive regulations can be found on the DVLA website:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Drive...ions/DG_4022498

 

This is based on the rental of a 16 (17 incl driver) seat minibus from 09:00 Fri 29 Jun til 09:00 Mon 2 Jul

Although the rental term will be paid by myself in advance you'll be required to cover the deposit

You'll be required to collect the minibus in your name and return it as required by the rental company

You'll be totally responsible for the minibus for the full duration of the hire

For the event you'll be required to take rest/sleep during the periods the group is on the mountain

The event is not a race to attempt the peaks in as quick a time as possible therefore I would expect you to take reqular driving breaks as necessary

Passenger pickup will be from Bryn Gloch campsite evening of Fri 29 Jun to arrive Auchintee by first light Saturday morning

The event will flow through to conclusion at Pen-y-Pass on completion of Snowdon with a final driven leg back to Bryn Gloch campsite sometime on the Sunday

 

Please either reply to this topic or email me through my account if you wish to volunteer.

[The Royles]

I too would be happy to pay my way on the minibus (assuming I made the "cut" of course)

[+Papakas]

I decided to press ahead with this idea last December after my second week in the Highlands and feeling in pretty good shape to carry into this year a fitness level required to take on the challenge! However after suffering reoccurring back problems for the last two months I've not been able to maintain my fitness. So what? I say, I've got time before the end of Jun!

 

It's as very busy schedule I have with my work and related activities with some weekends taken up for such. My company is based in an office building in Winchester which has just been sold and the new landlords have given notice to all businesses in the building. I can only presume they wish to redevelop! So that's that then! There is no way I can now find time to dedicate to this challenge now I have to relocate my business whilst maintaining operations!

 

Apologies to all who have shown interest and support, thanks. What I suggest is, if someone else would like to carry the idea forward and go ahead this year as planned please do, otherwise I'll be looking for another opportunity next year.

[+The Cache Hoppers]

 

Sad ... although that's the strain off the old body with the exercise schedule for the time being! Unless someone else is able to pick this up and run with it ..... it's not something I have enough experience of to take on myself.

 

Good luck with the move etc Paul.

[+Simply Paul]

Such a shame but real life has to come before caching, so I understand why you want to pass this baton on Paul. Good luck with the move as well, and I hope to take part in your 2008 version of this 2007 event - If it still goes ahead around the same time (end of June, beginning of July) I may still be keen to be involved, as I'll be in Scotland for my own event on St Kilda.

[+PopUpPirate]

Sorry about this event not going ahead "as is", please can the 3 Peakers "confirm or deny" whether they will still be attending the Snowdonia Camping Event : http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...98-642c17fc8573

 

Thanks!

[+Simply Paul]

At this stage I guess it depends if a revised 3 Peaks goes ahead under someone else's management?

[+PopUpPirate]

Aye, no rush... just any excuse for a bump

[lakeuk]

On the topic of Scafell Pike, tonight on BBC4 there was a programme on Wainwright's guide to Scafell, the programme is repeated regularly over the next 2 weeks

 

Wainwright's Walks

 

Series in which Julia Bradbury explores the work of the great British fell walker and author, Alfred Wainwright. Julia faces the ultimate Wainwright challenge - Scafell Pike, England's highest peak. Before tackling the 3,000ft ascent, she seeks advice from celebrated fell-runner and local sheep farmer, Jos Naylor. Then it's just a case of getting herself and her film crew to the roof of England before darkness falls.