"Challenging Three Peaks Ordeal"
The ultimate in gauntlets was laid down during a rather testosterone fuelled conversation between the A shareholders 8 months previously. "Come on let's see if we can do the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours - bet you can't"... The Tonsley "Challenging Three Peaks Ordeal" (C3PO) was born.
Momentum, support and interest then gathered pace over the next few months and by July the scale of the planning had overtaken Operation Desert Storm.
The Tonsley Challengers were as follows: Chingu, Georgie B, Henri, Niki, Woolfy, Floody, Rob, Pete, Mark, and the support crew made up of Robert (senior) and Joe (withdrawn Challenger due to injury) who would drive, cook, clean and be emergency support to the Challengers over the 24 hours.
> 38.5 kilometres (24 miles) horizontal walking
> 3,407 metres (11,178 feet) vertical climb
> 700 kilometres (435 miles) driving
16:00 - Ben Nevis
We had decided to do the official thing and touch sea level at either end. This would mean we did it properly and would set a somewhat sterner test for the Challenge.
On the 26th July the weather was stunning and following a briefing, bang on 1600hrs the team touched the water and set off in the minibus to the foot of the highest peak. At the youth hostel the team set off up the side of the mountain with great spring in the step. Base camp followed progress with binoculars all the way up the mountain and kept in contact using the two-way radio system. With a short cut or two and a bit of scrambling the team made it up and down in good time. With hot food prepared and dry clothes at the ready the team boarded the bus for the drive through the night from the highlands of Scotland to the Lake District of England.
1600 - Water touch start, sea level - Fort William
1607 - Depart foot of Ben Nevis
1852 - Arrival Ben Nevis summit
2111 - Arrival foot of Ben Nevis
03:34 - Scafell Pike
I am not sure many of us got much sleep but the roads were clear and we made good time.
The Team disappeared into the darkness with lightsticks attached to packs and after a lively debate at a stream junction about whether the path crossed it or not. The Challengers stuck with Rob's conviction and route plan and it was to pay off as the mountain was ascended and descended in good time, all while the sun rose over the Lakes.
The support crew had about 20 mins of rest time and had hot breakfasts ready as the team arrived changed and boarded the van for the drive to Wales.
03:34 - Depart foot of Scafell Pike
05:37 - Arrival Scafell Pike summit
07:09 - Arrival at foot of Scafell Pike
11:10 - Snowdon
The drivers made excellent time and arrived at the foot of Snowdon in a light drizzle. The joints, a little bit stiffer at this stage, began to loosen up enough to get out of the minibus and begin the third and final climb. The mountain was conquered and the joy was made all the more sweeter when the Team, whilst on their way down, passed a rather bedraggled Oxford University team on their way up. It was quite a different looking team than the youthful and energetic one which had started at the same time with the Tonsley crew at Nevis some 20 hours previously.
The jubilant Challengers marched in together to board the bus and drive down to Carmarthen (a route which had been planned out by the support crew whilst they walked) for the final touch of the water at the foot of Carmarthen Castle, some 23hrs 24mins after they touched the water in Fort William. Mission Accomplished. A superb effort by one and all.
11:10 - Depart foot of Snowdon
13:19 - Arrival at Snowdon summit
15:02 - Arrival at foot of Snowdon
15:24 - Water touch finish, sea level - Carmarthen
