by The 3 Peaks Challenge demands that one criss-crosses the three nations, summiting the peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden all within a 24hr period; not something to be considered for the un-trained or faint of heart.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks on the other hand tempts one with the lush green rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales interspersed with a clamber up the local heights of Ingleborough, Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside.
Surely a bunch of merry men and women can manage such a jaunt?.. even if one or two had breakfasted on a McDonald’s burger and packed a paratha or two.
And with that thought 25-odd supporters of The Citizens Foundation UK found themselves at 6am in the misty morning parking up, stretching up and loading up at Chapel-le-Dale at the foot of the 724m Ingleborough.
“Have an oat bar“, “wear the T-shirt” they said with high spirits…12 hours and 24 miles later… of that bunch only two would be left standing.
Coronation Sunday 7th May 2023, TCF Yorkshire Chapter organised a Yorkshire 3 Peaks meet attended by supporters from across Yorkshire and London. It turned out to be a beautiful sunny day, a reality check in just how much one can walk and an opportunity to make new friends. A staggering sum of over £25,000 has been raised simply by reaching out to one’s network and asking them to support.
The day started off with a kit-check. The 3 Peaks guides take safety seriously with ankle boots and waterproofs being critical. Unfortunately some of our cohort faltered at this first hurdle.. but it’s a free country and they just made their own way through this area of national beauty.
The rest of us started the ascent of Ingleborough. Winding our way through the mist, invigorated by the early morning mountain air and bonding with our group and guides, before we really knew what was going on we had reached the summit by 8am.
“This shouldn’t be too bad” we thought… and with very little time to rest (a theme that would become apparent throughout the day) we descended a 100 metres or so and veered off towards the direction of Pen-y-Ghent; ‘direction’ being the keyword as it turned out Pen-y-Ghent was 7 miles away!
And now the challenge of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks was starting to dawn upon us… it’s not just about the peaks.. it’s about the distance between them as well… and it turns out it’s a race against time as well. You have to be hitting the checkpoints in time in order to complete the circuit within the 12 hour challenge time and earn the fabled certificate.
A few more of the crew started to drop off by the time we reached the foot of Pen-y-Ghent… blisters, fatigue and cramp starting to set in. The rest of us made it to the top to take in the wonderful view; for the whole of 2 or 3 minutes before our guides rushed us on if we were to have any chance of completing the challenge… but our fate had already been written long before.. and it was not to be…
Of course it turned out the walk to the foot of Whernside was another 7-8 miles away, but it was through lovely countryside full of bleating sheep and spectacular views across the dales enhanced by glorious sunshine.
If we were to have any chance of reaching Whernside in time we would have to knuckle down, phase out the world around us and march on focussed on the goal ahead. Turns out that would be just two of us… the rest of us succumbed to existential questions, cramp, fatigue, delusion and that most nefarious of time-delayers… gup-shup.
With about a mile or 2 to go before Whernside we were informed that we had missed the cut-off and would not be able to ascend it. Our 3 Peaks Challenge was over… some of us were broken-hearted … most of us were relieved.
Refreshments in the form of tea and cakes were made available and a bus took us back to Chapel-le-Dale. As we gazed back upon Ingleborough, scaling it just 9 hours earlier seemed like a dream.. had it really happened?
We said our good-byes and parted ways.
Congratulations to Raza (right) and Tariq who made it to the top of Whernside and back to Chapel-le-Dale within the 12 hour limit.
Yorkshire 3 Peaks was a fantastic day out and raised a spectacular sum for The Citizens Foundation. Take the time, make the effort, reach out to your networks.
