UK 3 Peaks - July 15th 2018
Okay this was always going to be a long day in the outdoor 0ffice. This was a work day with a lovely ten person client group from Cardiff and Southampton. Names will be left out but the day’s events will not be as it was a pretty much awesome day.
Ben Nevis 1,345m, Scotland (UN High Point)
Well the Ben started at 5.30am on a cool, overcast morning but thankfully midge free. The ascent route up the pony track was busy with similar throngs doing the same thing. Up the Ben we went nice and steady, a bit slower than I would have liked but it was a group event so it was nice to keep everybody together. At about the 1,000m mark we were in the cloud but it still was thankfully dry with very little wind. There was some snow on the top section and after 3hrs 40min we were at the summit amidst the busy photo mongering throngs. It still took us nearly three hours to get back down to the waiting car and mini bus. As we arrived Big Dale (the client organiser) shoved cups of tea, coffee and much needed warm food into anybody’s hands that tapped his shoulder.
Interactive map of Ben Nevis route using Peakbagger.
Scafell Pike 978m - (World Country Hight Point - Not included in Peakbagger).
After the 5-6hr drive south to the Lakes it seems we were in another weather window world as we had blue skies, sun and it was glorious. We were behind on the 24hr completion clock and we set off at 6.30pm. It was a beautiful evening and the surrounding views were stunning as we set off from Wasdale. Our ascent was steady and the route took us around north of Pike’s crag as we had some slow members that I didn’t want to push up really steep slopes. As it was one member was very slow ‘but’ very determined. Though the lady slowed us down considerably I really wanted her to achieve the top of Scaffell.
After 2hrs 45mins we got to a rather windy top in the twilight of the day. The team was elated but also wanted to get down as the last hour had been at a very slow pace and were getting cold. By now our senior lady client was about done in so we went back down as fast as we could with two team members literally carrying our exhausted lady. This slowed us down again and we still took another two hours to get down and by the time we arrived it was well dark. Not wanting to waste much time we shovelled in some hot food and drinks and it was time for the drive to the last summit.
Interactive map of Scafell Pike route using Peakbagger.
Snowdon 1,085m - (World Country Hight Point - Not included in Peakbagger).
At 5.40am it was the time for the last one of this challenging day up Snowdon via the Pyg track and down the Miners. It was still dry, team moral was good and everybody was still physically functioning! A steady uphill grind saw us at the summit in three hours. After the elation of knowing the challenge was now complete and the obligatory photos it was time to head on down. The going down was slower and harder as everybody was by now feeling the demands of the day and the steady downhill gradient of the Miners was welcomed. Even then a couple of niggling injuries slowed us down somewhat and it still took us 2hrs and 40 mins to get back down to Pen Y Pass. However the day was complete…the UK three peaks was done and dusted.
Interactive map of Snowdon route using Peakbagger.
Route Statistics
Ben Nevis: 17.14km in 6hr 30m with 1,356m of ascent.
Scafell Pike: 10km in 4hr 53m with 902m of ascent.
Snowdon: 15.7km in 5hr 41m with 775m of ascent.
TOTALS: Distance: 42.84km Time: 17hr 4min Height 3,033m
GPX files: For gpx files go to the Peakbagger website by following the below links and go to the bottom right hand of the page and click ‘Download this GPS track as a GPX file.’
(as Snowdon had been done on a previous occasion this gpx file is from another ascent and in reverse - up the Miners & down the Pyg)
Route overview of Ben Nevis using Outdoor GPS
Route overview of Scafell Pike using Outdoor GPS
Route overview of Snowdon using Outdoor GPS
The client team
On the way up the Ben
The summit of the Ben
Jurassic park scenery on the way along Wasdale
Off we go
Skirting around North of Pike's crag
Stunning evening views
On the way up Snowdon
Snowdon...job done!