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3 Peaks Challenge - Diary |
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Planning |
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Routes |
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Equipment |
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Training |
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Points to Remember |
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Next Time... |
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Other Stuff |
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3P HOME |
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It soon became clear that Helen and John were coping with the demands of the challenge a lot better than Kathryn and myself. Helen and John were off in front and had to keep stopping to wait for us to catch up. By the time we reached ????, thoughts were beginning to creep into my mind about calling it a day.
It was an extremely difficult time mentally as well as physically. Having done all the weeks of training and raised over �1,000 for charity we couldn't stop now surely. I kept telling myself 'just a few more steps, it'll get better'. But deep down inside I think I knew what the outcome was going to be. |
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The drive up to Ben Nevis took about 5 � hours. By the time we hit Glasgow the city was starting to wake up, but not enough to hinder our progress. It was however raining very heavily. We reached the Glen Nevis camp site, checked in, found a place to pitch our tents and we were off on the last leg - it was 11am, 6 hours left if we were to make it inside 24 hours.
The rain had eased, but it was quite misty and there was a light drizzle in the air. Not long after we had started, the drizzle got heavier and the waterproofs had to go on. By now my legs were really starting to feel the strain and with waterproof trousers on my movement was more restricted and this meant working even harder to climb the path. |
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We reached ???? and Kathryn and I both decided it was best to turn back. Our legs were like lead weights, heads were thumping, we were completely exhausted and we still had over half the mountain to climb. If we did make it to the top, would we get back down inside 24 hours and more importantly could we do it safely? The stone steps were very wet and if we caught our trailing leg coming down, we could be in trouble. It was also clear that without having to wait for us to catch up, Helen and John stood a good chance of making it to the top and getting back down in time.
So it was, with much disappointment, Kathryn and myself wished Helen and John good luck and we turned to head back to the camp site. |
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We got back to the bridge and turned to look back at Ben Nevis, but it was covered to quite a low level in mist. Somewhere in there Helen and John were making their way to the summit. We put our tent up, had a shower and at 3.30pm I crashed out. Kathryn waited for Helen and John to return whilst I slept through till 7.30am the following morning.
Finally at 4.45pm, Helen and John arrived back at the campsite, the watch was stopped as they crossed the footbridge at a time of 23 hours and 25 minutes - they had completed the 3 peaks! |
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The following morning I felt surprisingly good but very hungry. There was a caravan selling bacon butties on the site, so off I went and promptly ate two and felt ready to tackle the Ben once more. Instead I opted for packing the tent up and heading for home. Helen and John were justifiably pleased with what they had done, it was a great achievement. For Kathryn and myself, there is always next time... |
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11:00 Base of Ben Nevis � 6 hours remaining !
14:05 Ben Nevis Summit
16:30 Ben Nevis Foot Bridge |
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Backto Page 2 |
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