Three Peaks Challenge 2011

We came from far and wide and met promptly at 7am; we set off at 7.30am up onto Pen-y-ghent our first peak before breakfast. The day started hot and sunny and got warmer and warmer as the day progressed.

The first peak conquered and lungs open wide we set off across the bogs for the nine mile stretch to where our support team waited with home made cakes galore, tea and coffee and everything yummy. As we enjoyed the hospitality whispers could be overheard amongst the group ‘crikey I am absolutely shattered now and two more to go – how am I going to do that?’ But do it they did!

Once fed and watered and all blisters tended by our amazing Nurse Rose we were off up onto the second peak Whernside – this was a hot slog up and the sun continue to beat down.

For those that sped up like mountain goats a lovely sunbathe was enjoyed whilst waiting for others and for those that took it more gently a few sunbathing stops en route were most welcome. A party atmosphere was felt on top as we looked around at what we had done and knew that we had conquered half of the climbing and more than half the distance. The end was in sight – but what an end our third and final peak loomed in front of us – Ingleborough which is almost 2,000 feel of vertical ascent up a rocky climb.

Onwards and upwards, now slowly, slowly as tiredness and exhaustion kicked in and a few choice words could be heard all around, not just from our party – there was a very large group – approximately 1,500 people - walking in aid of Marie Curie whose words were much more choice than ours!

Finally the trig point on Ingleborough – lots of hugs and shouts of delight – a sense of celebration as everyone got up there and we could now see the end 6 miles away down a gentle path to Horton.

The 6 miles seemed like 60 in the heat and limps appeared as limbs started to suffer.

After much a do, 25 miles and 5,200 feet later we all arrived home to applause from the support team.

Thank you so much everybody – from the report from you all on Saturday it would appear that we will have raised far more that our target of £2,000.

Well done everybody – we will post the final amount raised on the website once all the money is collected.