At 6 am on Saturday May 29th, our shrunken and somewhat better prepared group consisting of Dominic, Brett, Matt, Jacqui, and I begin our second attempt at the 24 peaks challenge.

The Saturday peaks included Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks (which doesn’t count because it is under 2400 ft), Green Gable, GreatGable, Lingmell, Sca Fell Pike, Great End, Esk Pike, and Bow Fell. From Great Gable until our final descent we were navigating in hill fog with visibility down to 50 meters. The ten peaks took us fourteen hours.

We finished Saturday's hike at Stool End Farm near Little Langdale after a six mile hike down from Bow Fell. 

Wear and tear incapacitated all but two of our team. The Sun was well up on Sunday May 30th when Jacqui and I arrived at Kirkstone Pass to begin our ascent of the remaining fourteen peaks. 

Starting with Red Screes the peaks are Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Seat Sandal, Dolly Wagon Pike, Nethermost, Helvellyn, Lower Man, Whiteside, Raise, Stybarrow Dodd, Watson Dodd, and Great Dodd. 

The broken clouds were well above the peaks so we could see where we were going. This made navigation much easier. As if to counter this advantage, a chilling north west wind gusted to 45 knots throughout the day.

Coming down Fairfield, climbing Seat Sandal, and then Dolly Wagon Pike tested our resolve. Then things began to get easier, which was a good thing because we still had eight peaks to climb.

Walking along the ridge granted our tender feet and aching muscles some welcome respite. The remaining peaks were closer together. We were astonished and delighted to arrive at the summit of Great Dodd after 8 hours and 58 minutes to complete the 24 peaks over 2400 feet in 24 hours challenge in 22 hours and 58 minutes.
Thanks and congratulations to all of our supporters, particularly Roland who ferried us about. Thanks to those who kept us going throughout the preparation hikes and made it through the gruelling first day.
Getting some much needed exercise was only part of the plan. Raising money for Cancer Research seemed a worthwhile thing to do. If you think so too, please make a donation. Any amount will help.

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Last year, we band of optimists comprising of John, Chris, Dominic, Brett, Jacqui, Tom, and I set out to complete the 24 peaks challenge. It involves bagging 24 peaks over 2400 ft in 24 hours of walking. The peaks are in the Lake District. After five peaks, we had accumulated a collection of wear and tear problems from persistent cramp to knee injuries and had to abandon the attempt.

Then someone said, let’s try again.

This weekend, on Saturday May 29^th, our shrunken and somewhat better prepared group consisting of Dominic, Brett, Matt, Jacqui, and I begin our second attempt. 

The Google Earth picture with the yellow squiggly line shows the first days trek. The peaks include Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks (which doesn’t count because it is under 2400 ft), Green Gable, Great Gable, Lingmell, Sca Fell Pike, Great End, Esk Pike, and Bow Fell. We finish at Stool End Farm near Little Langdale.

As the sun peeks above the horizon on May 30^th, we will be starting the second leg which begins at Kirkstone Pass. The fourteen peaks are Red Screes, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Seat Sandal, Dolly Wagon Pike, Nethermost, Helvellyn, Lower Man, Whiteside, Raise, Stybarrow Dodd, Watson Dodd, and Great Dodd.

The physical challenge is not all we have to contend with. During a practice session last month, a Royal Navy helicopter rescue reminded us of the need for concentration and care. A walker had fallen fifty feet from a scramble on the path up Lingmell. View the pictures.  

If you contributed last year, I hope that you consider us worthy of your support. If my appeals have brought you here or if you have arrived by some other serendipity, please encourage us on by making a donation to Cancer Research.

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