The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Saturday 18th July 2009

Introduction

The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk from Horton in Ribblesdale comprising Pen-y-ghent 694m (2,277ft), Whernside 736m (2,415ft) and Ingleborough 723m (2,372ft) is one of the oldest established walks in the UK. These peaks form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Despite its popularity however, The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk remains 'unofficial'. It is not marked on Ordnance Survey maps for the area and it is not marked on the ground.
By tradition the grueling 37.5km (23.5 miles) must be completed within 12 hours though the actual time taken will vary depending on the stamina of the individual and the prevailing weather conditions.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk is a rugged, high mountain walk over a variety of terrains and should not be underestimated. It also includes three big climbs totaling 1586m (5,202ft) of ascent with the last climb up onto Ingleborough - when the legs are tired, with perhaps a couple of hurting blisters and the spirit is weak - being particularly steep. As with all mountainous areas, the weather can change frequently and very quickly. Prior to our Group’s challenge on Saturday 18th July 2009 there was continuous heavy rain for the previous two days so we knew we were up against stamina sapping bogs and the difficulties of crossing perhaps a number of beck’s in full flood flow.

The Group

The Group and the event were skillfully organized by Anna Cross (from Edinburgh) and most members were raising monies for various charities. Gareth Williams, owner of Striding Ahead LLP., was the “Leader” for the day and here Anna did chosen wisely as Gareth knows the route “with his eyes closed” and if anyone was to get the Group round within the twelve hour window he would.
At 8.30am on a nice dry morning we set of from the bunkhouse at Horton in Ribblesdale (see Group photograph in slide show) for what we knew would be a hard walk due to under foot conditions and a number had never walked over twenty miles or attempted three mountains in pervious walking activities.
The Group got on well with lots of laughs along the way. Other groups were ahead of us and others behind, as this massive line of people made their way round this famous route. One poor man slipped on an under water boulder as he thought he had made it safely across a fast flowing and flooded stream. The only sympathy he gained from a crowd of onlookers was for all to burst out laughing and think to themselves - “I am only so glad it is not me having an early very cold bath”. Another two people were seen up to their waists in black peat bogs, being hauled out by walking friends.

The End Result

Our Group got round very much unscathed and with only seconds to go the last member crossed the line within the twelve hour dead line. Yes we had done it.
There was a pub by our finishing line and here we all celebrated a wonderful and special day. For me I completed my third challenge in eleven hours nineteen minutes and I had done this with a wonderful Group. Special thanks to Anna for coming up with the suggestion and for making all the arrangements and to Gareth for getting us all round in one piece and within the twelve hour window. Thank you also to all the great people who supported this charity raising event.
A small slide show of pictures taken along the way can be seen.
18-7-09

Remote Emergency Care Course June 2009

Everyone walking or trekking in remote areas should attend this excellent course - "Remote Emergency Care" - which I attended in Manchester over the weekend of 27th and 28th June 2009. The course was taken by Will Skaskiw who is an experienced trainer and all participants very much enjoyed the two days where we did carry out live drama situations as to every possible accident situation. Active participation and discussion is encouraged by Will and he has a wealth of knowledge which he readily imparts. I came away from the course feeling good as I now know a lot more about "First Aid" and how to tackle accidents, that we all know can occur at the most unexpected of times. My view is that we all have a "duty of care" to help people who are in distress and not walk away from the situation not wanting to get involved.

Will's next course is at Hebden Bridge on 8th and 9th August 2009 - see Notice of Course which is included in the slide show. A further course on 17th and 18th October, will be held at The Conference Centre, Chancellor’s Hotel, Manchester - Address: Chancellors Way, Moseley Road, Manchester, M14 6NN. Traing Expertise is the Training Provider, Remote Emergency Care the certification body and Will Skaskiw the trainer, working for Training Expertise.

Please make contact with me should you want further information. There is a small slide show on my blog on the course.

Best wishes, Fraser.
29th June 2009.

The ZUGSPITZ 2,964m

It is Tuesday 7th July 2009 and I am at the top of The Zugspitz at 2,964m the highest mountain in Germany!! It was an early breakfast and the top of the mountain is covered in cloud and there is some rain but not too cold. Alas so far no views but I need to imagine these!! I have visited the highest Beer Garden in Germany - "The Gipelalm"- "Prost" Herr Cunningham!! I have had a warm soup - Festtagssuppe, Maultaschen, GrieBkloBchen, MarkkloBchen- many apologies if I got the spelling wrong!!

This is the second challenge of my Charity Fund Raising activities complete and I want to thank all the people who have supported me and who have already paid over their money in cash, cheques, direct to the bank and over the internet through JustGiving. Just magic by all of you and thanks ever so much. Sheila, thanks for your message and donation. Did not get an opportunity to say thank you before I left 4 Germany but will send an e-mail when I get home.

The 3 Peaks Challenge now to complete with a Charity Raising Group from Edinburgh but Gareth the Leader of the Group says that I will do the walk within 12 hours!!

"Prost "to all, from Germany.