….the 3 peaks challenge has come and gone and incredibly we are still here to tell the tale!

Firstly though, on behalf of the team I would like to offer sincere gratitude to everyone who has given background support during this event. Many contributed, not only financially, but also by providing items such as vehicles, walking equipment, stoves etc. You know who you are and a very big thank you goes out to each of you.

Of course the most important contribution made is from everyone who donated to our ‘Just Giving’ website or indeed via any other channel. We genuinely never expected the level of support that has been generated and we cannot thank you all enough.

As for the challenge itself, well that began on Friday in EMA with a photo shoot by the Derby Evening Telegraph who managed to give us some more exposure for the Rainbow Trust. At that stage, everyone was in buoyant mood, blissfully unaware of what lay ahead. It was not too long before we finally realised the seriousness of the challenge that we had set ourselves all those months ago in a London Bar!

After a long drive north to , under the care of our splendid team of drivers, (thank you Peter, Nick and Dave) we had final drinks and a potential ‘last supper’ on Friday night. Early to bed with much to be prepared for the following evening when we were to start the first and highest part of the Challenge, .

After what seemed an eternity during the day, we finally set off at around and the pace set by the more physically prepared individuals in our team (James, Yvonne, Liz never out of breath) was rapid indeed! It didn’t take long to start feeling the effects and already it seemed like the only thing keeping some of us going was the gigantic sugar intake – something that was very prevalent throughout the challenge. Maybe if anyone from Mars Inc. is reading this, you could offer a donation given the exposure that our team gave your product this weekend! Reaching the first and highest summit in good time felt good, if a little windy. After around 5 hours, we eventually staggered off the mountain in darkness with the first blisters already adding to the pain, mine in particular. Other than what seemed like a searing pace, proved a relatively straight forward obstacle in the context of the event.

Then it was time for the driving team to get to work. After ensuring we were all fed and watered (in 10mins) we were shovelled onto the vehicles and transferred 6 hours South, through the night at hyper-speed to the foot of Scarfell. Redbull may also wish to make a donation on behalf of the drivers!

SCARFELL

Upon our arrival, we were greeted with lashing wind, rain and darkness and this was only in the car park. Suffice to say, this was set to be the most painful part of our challenge and I think we knew it. It was not long before we were lost in the darkness during the ascent. After significant lost time and energy and a nervous stand-off with a seemingly territorial sheep, we eventually found our way through the storm, onto the right path but only to see the weather worsening with every step. Visibility was negligible and communication was nigh on impossible due to the driving wind and rain. Even after covering some distance in the wrong direction and never quite being certain where the summit was, we eventually made it just as light was coming up. Despite the fact that morning had broken, the apocalyptic weather thundered on. Some were struggling to see the funny side. So much so that Martin had already made a promise to himself to write and demand an explanation from Mr Gortex as to why his equipment wasn’t actually waterproof afterall! (no donation from him then!). Weighed down with waterlogged boots, clothes, bags and chocolate bars, at least we were now on the way down. Easy some would think. However, it was about this time that the descent actually became more dreadful that the climb. Knee impact was about to make walking downhill a torturous affair for some of the team, myself included! After around 5 ½ hours of what should have been a 4 hour walk, we eventually made it from the smallest, yet most demanding of mountain’s, marching to the tune of the ceaseless storm. ‘Cup-a-soup’ seemed scant consolation for such a quest.  

The 4 hour ride from Cumbria to North Wales for our final ascent should have been a depressing, uncomfortable affair, but the rigours of the event forbade the unnecessary wasting of energy on lament. Body and soul were just about in tact even if sense of humour had taken a huge broadside by Scarfell.

Upon arrival, with the turmoil of Scarfell still weighing heavily on the mind, an infectious morbidity stemming from very tired limbs, wet gear, exhaustion, hunger and depression could so easily have set upon the group. But with amazing vigour and prowess, certain participants (the fit ones again!) encouraged us to believe that we could actually pull this thing off with just one more effort. Like the proverbial ‘lemmings’, off we all went, wet gear and all, daring to dream….

Without question, provided the most scenic and interesting climbs of all. As if by nature’s fine balance, the team was rewarded with bright skies and the ambience was temperate, at least for much of climb. The steep ascent, albeit a little slow due to ever-increasing weariness, seemed to go like clockwork and even the colder, brisker wind on the final ridge couldn’t dampen our enthusiasm for making it to the final summit. A small, ‘hip-flask’ libation was forthcoming. We had all thought of this moment many times, unaware of what it would take to get there. In actual fact, the alcohol proved to be of more medicinal value than anything celebratory. The analgesic effect helping to dull the developing knee pains throughout the descent. I for one needed much more of it but instead resorted to increasing amounts of the magical nurofen gel. Despite the fact that one or two of us wouldn’t have looked out of place behind a Zimmer frame by the end, and the fact that we had not made it within 24 hours (actual time 27 hours and a bit, due mainly to the horrors of Scarfell!) there was an overriding air of success permeating the team – mixed with a huge dose of relief!

Many many thanks to Donna for the hugely enjoyable cache of booze awaiting us at our hotel thereafter. We did it justice!       

The reason for all of this madness, you may recall, is the ever worthwhile requirement of the Rainbow Trust. All of you who gave are supporting a necessary and noble cause in a much more important manner than anything we did during this challenge and you all should be specially recognised and applauded for your generosity. Your efforts will go towards the needs of those families whose lives are incomparably difficult to anything that any of us can imagine. PLEASE KEEP GIVING!

Thanks from team. Me (Colin), Liz (team captain), James, Yvonne, Richard, Adam, Martin, John, Karen, Jan, Peter, Dave and Nick.