4 seasons in one day
On the way to the 3 Peaks Challenge
Friday 26th April saw us driving north towards Glasgow and a National 3 peaks challenge climbing, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Snowdon, the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales all within 24 hours.
We’d been contacted by Advocate Events to help lead a group of intrepid 3 peak adventures. Along with 2 other leaders Terry Thomas, Hazel Jonas and support team, including my brother Paul we met at a hotel just south of Glasgow.
Intrepid adventurers
There were 21 in the team from Barclays and Southern Seaters, all rasing a massive amount of money for various charities. We didn’t realize it at the time that the weekend would be fun and an Epic.
The weather forecast wasn’t favorable with snow still falling on Ben Nevis, winter was sure hanging on. We had passed snow covered mountains in the Cumbrian Fells, Howgills, North Pennines and high winds.
North Pennies in Snow
So Saturday morning in glorious sunshine we departed en-route to Fort William and a 4:45pm start from the Ben Nevis visitor center car park. After a lovely drive up, we stopped for supplies at Fort William, with a quick bite at the Clachaig ( would have been rude not to). All teams converged on the car park and after a kit check,briefing from Martyn from Advocate Events we were off.
Snow Bridge
The team made good time to the Zig Zags and we could see the snow line above, with cloud encompassing the summit from about 900 meters. We’d climb on until the conditions and the mountain close the door. We passed over hard compact snow in the burn and after the 3rd zig zag we hit hard, very hard compacted snow where crampons would be required – winter mountaineering terrain. It was a decision we didn’t take lightly, but with safety paramount we turned back and descended. It was very disappointing for the team, but with the light fading, cloud base falling, wind increasing and snow falling it was the right decision.
Snow on the Ben
Scafell Pike– this was the best and worst all rolled in to one epic trip. The ascent to Sty Head from Seathwaite, the wettest habited place in England, was a very demanding one for the team. The weather was well, horrid, rain, rain , rain and wind, 45mph wind and the team and we took shelter at the stretcher box before heading along the corridor route. The climb up towards Lingmell was in the cloud and facing into the wind, rain and now sleet. We passed over a snow bridge and continued towards the summit.
Wet and tired walkers on towards Scafell Pike
Some members of the team chose to return to the mini buses. We continued with the ascent with the remaining team and with all the team being strong we summited Scafell pike -8 and ice forming. A few quick photo’s, bite to eat we made a hastily descent in near zero visibility. After 7:30 hours on the hill we returned tiredly to Seathwaite, a quick bite to eat and change into dry cloths we headed to Snowdon.
A cold Scafell Pike
Zero Visibility on Scafell Pike
The weather hadn’t really improved by the time we arrived at Pen Y Pass car park. Low cloud on the summit, with high winds. We set off up the Pyg Track only to be presented with a rescue of another walker descending, who was safely airlifted to Bangor Hospital. After speaking to the Mountain Rescue and taking into consideration the teams tiredness, clothing, we turned around and headed back to the Car park.
Cloudy Snowdon
Sad but this weekend was not a good time to enter the mountains, but with 14oo miles driven, 3000 meters climbed and 26 miles walked – the team did well.
The mountains will only let you in when they’re are ready. May be they wanted a rest from the long winter, who knows. But for sure, they will be there and lets be sure we are, we go back when the door is open.
