Martin Holmes
Ronnie's Three Peak Challenge
Fundraising for East Cheshire Hospice
Story
***UPDATE***
20/07/09
Only one day to go until the challenge starts!
We are pleased to announce that Gary Barlow, head of security at Ronnie's Bar, will be taking on the role of driver and team manager.
Gary will play an important role on the challenge, making sure that we get to each mountain on time and in one piece, brewing up and generally making sure the team are motivated throughout (by whatever means necessary!)
We are very grateful to Gary for giving up his time, and making the challenge possible.
Remember to visit this site again for photos of the challenge over the next couple of days.
***UPDATE***
15/07/09
Ronnie's new menu launch this week meant Chris was unable to join Ronnie and Martin for the second and final training session, Scafell Pike.
Research told us that the Brown Tongue route from Wasdale would be the shortest, but most strenuous route. And boy was it strenuous. The only respite from the steep incline was the short break at the summit where we had lunch (Ronnie provided French garlic sausage and English mustard sandwiches - an Anglo French culinary marriage made in heaven, Chris take note).
The descent was harder than the climb, with hamstrings and knees burning.
I think we now realise just how tough this challenge will be.................
***UPDATE***
08/07/09
Training session 1 now complete!
Ronnie, Martin and Chris completed Snowdon in 4hrs 20mins via the Miners track. This is quite a respectable time, and within the time that will be needed to complete the final leg of the challenge. It was tough, and it remains to be seen wether we will be able to achieve this time after completing Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike in the previous 16 hrs.
Sandwiches for this session were roast beef and onion, and cheese and tomato. Both Ronnie and Martin felt the cheese was sliced slightly to thickly. Chris apologised.
Background
Ok, so during a conversation at the bar the other day the subject of fell walking came up. To cut a long story short the usual mix of testosterone, brinkmanship and bare faced lies about mountaineering prowess resulted in four of us deciding to do the National Three Peaks Challenge. In two weeks time. Oh dear.
How difficult can it be?
Well, pretty difficult actually, as we are beginning to find out.
Basically, the challenge is to climb the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) - all within 24 hours - and that includes traveling time.
The plan is to leave Macc on the morning of Tuesday the 21st of July, and head for Ben Nevis.
The clock starts as we begin our ascent of Ben Nevis at 5 pm. We have around 5 hours to get up and back down the Ben, and then our driver (TBC) will be briskly (but legally) taking us to the next peak whilst we try and get some rest.
We then aim to start our ascent of Scafell Pike at around 5 am on the morning of the 22nd of July. Only four hours to conquer this peak, then its off to Snowdon to get up and down before 5 pm therefore completing the challenge. Easy.
What type of training have we done?
Erm....
Well, we have decided it would be a good idea to do some training. We will attempt Snowdon this Wednesday (8th July), the Scafell Pike the following Wednesday.
We will update this site with photos from these training sessions when (if) we get back.
Why?
Well, as I said earlier, ideas through conversations in the bar sometimes get out of hand, but this time we have all decided to put our money where our mouth is and actually get off our backsides and achieve (or attempt) something.
And, whilst we are at it, we thought we would harness the cynicism, sarcasm and mocking that we have encountered since announcing our challenge, and get people to put their money where their mouth is to sponsor us and raise money for East Cheshire Hospice.
So we may be foolhardy, delusional and destined for disaster, but we are having a go, and the least you can do is support us with a couple of quid. So please make an on line donation and help us hit our target of £5000 for East Cheshire Hospice.
We will be posting photos of the training sessions and the challenge here, so keep checking back. The challenge will also be featured heavily in Ronnie's Blog - visit www.ronnies-bar.co.uk to sign up for the Blog.
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