2011: a year in review

gr8trails began 2011 with Rick mountain bike racing the Terra Australis ‘down under’. An amazing 7 day stage race through the Victorian Alpine region also known as the Snowy Mountains. Starting in Falls Creek and finishing in Beechworth 7days later crossing 550km of high country along the way. Rick and team mate Stuart finished 7th in category, against a very competitive and experienced field.

Whilst Rick was away, Adrian headed to Scotland for a weeks Winter mountaineering. Although the conditions weren't as good as the previous year, gr8trails still managed to bag a few snow capped Munro's, only another 224 to go! check out our Facebook and Flickr pages for some gr8 images!

gr8trails opened the UK Spring walking season with several weekends in the Lake District around Wasdale, Grasmere and the Langdales. This included kayaking on Lake Windermere and biking at Whinlatter Forest. Set in the beautiful area between Windermere and Coniston, our preferred accommodation providers in Hawkshead are The Kings Arms Hotel & the Queens Head Inn & Restaurant

May saw the gr8trails team support, guide and sponsor the Yoxall Dads 3Peaks Challenge, with a successful day walking Scafell & Wasdale in preparation for their 24hour Challenge, you can see how they got on at, Yoxall Dads.

gr8trails was also proud to support the annual Pike View Hike for young people in the Scout organisation, by participation in the events safety team. A safe and fun event marked the anniversary of the 10 years of this successful event.

Our second race of the year was in more familiar territory, Eastor Castle and the Malvern Hills for 24hours of Mountain Mayhem. gr8trails sponsored several teams in solo, 4man and 10man categories, you can see how we fared at OSMountain Mayhem.

June also saw us visit the hills and valleys of Wales for another of our short breaks. With stunning early summer weather our walk round the Snowdon horseshoe was very rewarding, followed by a days biking at the little known Penmachno trailhead. gr8trails recommends staying at a variety of accommodation in Wales including The Eagles in Penmachno.

 

July saw gr8trails announce their partnership with premium UK outdoor retailer Ellis Brigham, the UK’s favourite mountain, trek & travel store. With over 75years of expertise, Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports are an established and trusted name when it comes to offering the very best advice and latest equipment suitable for your next gr8 adventure. Stocking innovative outdoor brands such as Gregory packs, Source hydration and Meindl footwear in their 23 stores, it was a logical step for these brands to pledge their support for gr8trails in August.

Meindl have been producing quality handmade, durable, comfortable and award winning walking boots for over 300 years. Gregory is committed to making the most comfortable outdoor backpacks available and Source’s unique, care free antimicrobial hydration products provide a clean, healthy and easily accessible solution for clean water on the move.

August saw the gr8trails crew visit the off road, manmade biking trails of the 7Stanes in the Scottish Borders. Staying at Glentrail House, with days spent at Ae, Innerleithan and Glentress, groups built upon their own existing skills reinforcing their confidence on their bikes and these fantastic trails.

Friends Plush Hill Cycles, Church Stretton celebrated their first full year of trading earlier this summer and the gr8trails team joined up with them to give our support and promote mountain biking in Church Stretton and across the UK. ‘Plush’ is a combination of enthusiasm and mountain biking experience from around the world, dedicated to all that is biking. Big on service, Al & Kate offer a wide choice of well known brands as well as fixing and upgrading your bike, they offer a bike demo and hire service too.

The onset of Autumn saw the gr8trails team walking and biking the leafy, golden valleys of the Peak District. For our short breaks and outdoor activities here, gr8trails recommends our guests stay at the award winning, 5 star B&B, Underleigh House or the only 4 star hotel within the Peak District National Park, Losehill House Hotel, both hidden along a leafy lane in the Vale of Edale. Ensuite accommodation, allows you to relax and unwind in comfortable surroundings with your group of family or friends, after your days activities with gr8trails.

Winter is now all about the planning for the exciting weekends gr8trails will be running in 2012. Short breaks to cater for you, whether you are a large group or on your own wanting to meet new people, whether you are wanting to participate in a new sport or build on previous experience, gr8trails hopes to cater for you.

Looking forward to sharing your next gr8 adventure with you.

Adrian and Rick.

Directors & Co-founders

Durable footwear, packed with technology, delivers the ultimate in comfort!

My Meindl Vacuum GTX walking boots are still going strong after 6 rigorous years of hard mountain walking and guiding around the UK and abroad.

What originally appealed to me was the patented ‘Digafix’ lacing system, which gives what I believe the most secure lacing and fit of any mountain boot available on the UK market. With the additional advantage of being able to unlace partway down the front of your foot, for very easy removal of your feet after a long days hill walking.

The hard wearing, durable Multigrip Vibram sole shows wear after 6years of use, but remains grippy in all conditions, with the high ‘rand’ around the front of the boot, protecting against knocks and scrapes whilst out there on the hill.

Whatever the UK weather can throw at these boots, they have remained watertight with the breathable Gore-Tex lining and Nubuck leather outer finish – remember to treat with Meindl Sportwax and Wetproof every so often to prolong the life of your boots.

The high, cushioned soft & comfortable leather upper supports your ankle. Cushioned memory foam insoles and the patented MFS Vacuum footbed ensure that even on long hill days you can still walk with comfort.

We know that buying walking boots is a very personal process, since we all have different shaped feet. However, this would be the first time I would re-buy the same brand and model of walking boot, having not quite found the most comfortable & durable all round boot over the many years of mountain walking I have enjoyed, until now.

Enjoy your walk! Don’t forget the rest of your essentials on our recommended kit list.

Mens, womens & kids sizes are available from our retail partner Ellis Brigham, Mountain Sports. Click here to find out more about the broader Meindlfootwear range, our recommended walking boot brand partner.

Source Widepac hydration bladders, easy to use and easy to clean!

gr8trails have used a variety of Source hydration bladders whilst guiding, believing Source to be the most affordable and easiest to use bladder reservoirs available.

Offered in a variety of sizes, 1.5l, 2l & 3l, Source Widepac hydration bladders can be used in packs available across the UK market, whether that be hillwalking packs, daysacks or lightweight action packs.

The Widepac version offers the enhanced benefit of an easy fill, wide top opening and slide closure. This opening makes it very easy to empty, fill, clean and dry, and yet has an airtight seal when the bladder top is sealed, by use of the simple slider. Remove the slider, drain the contents and leave to dry stood open, upside down, very simple too!

 The almost glass like appearance of the bladder is also a unique self cleaning design feature, preventing the build up of any biofilm. Furthermore, the liner technology has an anti microbial grunge guard treatment to block the growth of bacteria, with no plastic after taste found in some bladders.

The same anti microbial technology is used in the durable tube that connects the reservoir to the mouthpiece. This has a lock off valve at the base of the reservoir, very convenient when you may not wish to remove the tube from your pack, simply release, refill and reconnect….with no leakage! Much better than other systems available with similar technology, which may leak whilst in your pack.

As well as having the expected bite valve mechanism, the mouthpiece also features a twist ‘on and off’. Again, better than some alternatives, preventing the valve from being accidentally opened whilst in the back of a well packed car perhaps!

Source offer a broader range of hydration reservoirs and accessories to suit any budget, available at our preferred retail partner Ellis Brigham, Mountain Sports stores.

Enjoy your walk or ride! Don’t forget the rest of your essentials on our recommended kit list.

gr8trails supports Plush Hill Cycles, Church Stretton.

Plush Hill Cycles celebrated its first full year of trading earlier this summer. The gr8trails team joins up to give its support and promote mountain biking in Church Stretton and across the UK.

‘Plush’ is a combination of enthusiasm and mountain biking experience from around the world. A shop that is dedicated to all that is biking. Big on service, Al & Kate ask you to visit, chill out, have a brew, whilst watching the Tour on the big TV or flick through some bike mags, whilst sharing stories of trails ridden.

Now in its second year, Al & Kate offer a wide choice of well known brands; commencal, genesis, norco, yeti, ridgeback, Saracen, ragley, ghost, sram, blackburn, giro, fox, shimano, avid, troy lee designs, park tool, Madison & continental to name a few. As well as fixing and upgrading your bike, they offer a bike demo and hire service too.

In partnership with plushhillcycles, gr8trails can offer guided mountain biking around the Church Stretton and Long Mynd area. As well as guided mountain biking and walking in North Wales and around the UK.

gr8trails founders, Rick and Adrian are passionate about the outdoors, with over 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK. Wishing to bring ‘adventure to everyone’, no matter what your age, experience or ability. 

Your gr8trails experience includes food and accommodation, transport during your short break, fully organized and guided activities, all tailor made to your own requirements.

Whatever your inspiration, your ability or experience, contact gr8trails to tailor make your perfect break.

Plushhillcycles is based in Church Stretton, 1 hours drive from Birmingham, 1hr45mins from Nottingham & under 3 hours from London. Church Stretton is also on the main Manchester to Cardiff line, within 2hrs of Manchester and 3hrs of London.

On behalf of gr8trails and plushhillcycles we look forward to welcoming you to the stunning Long Mynd area.

Gregory packs, Meindl footwear and Source hydration join up to support gr8trails.

Using innovative products such as Gore-Tex, Vibram and Memory Foam. Meindl have been producing quality handmade, durable, comfortable and award winning walking boots, hiking boots and shoes for over 300 years, from their factory in Bavaria, Germany. This shoemaking tradition is now in its 11th generation, managed by Lars and Lukas Meindl, who continue Meindl’s promise to produce high quality footwear. Every pair of boots are hand crafted, so we know you will feel the difference as soon as you try on a pair of Meindl boots.

Wayne Gregory designed his first backpack in 1977 to provide comfort and stability. This philosophy still holds true today. Gregory is committed to making the most comfortable outdoor backpacks available and know that a properly fitting pack will carry weight better, be more comfortable and improve performance whilst out on the trail. Designed to fit different back lengths and torso shapes, Gregory Backpacks are dedicated to offer superior comfort, fit and stability across their whole backpack range.

Source’s unique technology represents a quantum leap in hydration systems. Their care free antimicrobial hydration products provide a clean, healthy and easily accessible solution for clean water on the move.

Also, Source’s handcrafted adventure sandals achieve the perfect balance between comfort and performance. The innovative combination of patented technologies provide unmatched performance and durability.

In partnership with Gregory packs, Source hydration and Meindl footwear, gr8trails can offer guided mountain biking, walking and other activities in various parts of the UK.

gr8trails founders, Rick and Adrian are passionate about the outdoors, with over 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK. Wishing to bring ‘adventure to everyone’, no matter what your age, experience or ability. Your gr8trails experience includes food and accommodation, transport during your short break, fully organized and guided activities, all tailor made to your own requirements.

Whatever your inspiration, your ability or experience, contact gr8trails to tailor make your perfect break.

On behalf of gr8trails, Gregory packs, Meindl footwear and Source hydration we all look forward to creating a gr8 outdoor experience you’ll never forget & one that you will wish to share in years to come.

Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, the UK’s favourite Mountain, Trek & Travel store partners with gr8trails.

With over 3 quarters of a century of expertise, Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports are an established and trusted name when it comes to offering the very best advice and latest equipment suitable for your next adventure.

Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports’ 23 stores stock the world’s best brands and amazing products that will make your time spent in the mountains with gr8trails even more rewarding.   Across the UK they have fantastic shops with friendly, knowledgeable staff who are all enthusiastic about the outdoors and understand implicitly your needs. Ellis Brigham’s shops really do bring the spirit of the mountains to the high street so check them out, they have mountains of experience!

gr8trails founders, Rick and Adrian are passionate about the outdoors, with over 10 years of successful group guiding in the UK. Wishing to bring ‘adventure to everyone’, no matter what your age, experience or ability. Your gr8trails experience includes food and accommodation, transport during your short break, fully organized and guided activities, all tailor made to your own requirements.

Whatever your inspiration, your ability or experience, contact gr8trails to tailor make your perfect break.

On behalf of gr8trails and ellisbrigham we all look forward to creating a gr8 outdoor experience you’ll never forget & one that you will wish to share in years to come.

Gregory Miwok18, a lightweight pack with abundant versatility!

From off the shelf, this pack is impressive. Loading it with gear from my old hydration pack before heading out on the trail, it still had loads of room to spare, without looking in any way big & unwieldy on my back. Access to the hydration pouch is a full length zip down the left side of the back of the pack, giving direct access for inserting & removing your hydration bladder – genius!

I didn’t even need to use the myriad of stretch mesh pockets this pack includes or the zipped extension to the centre front pocket to allow you to carry your helmet when not riding.  Inside, you have 2 medium sized mesh organizing pockets with key loop, always useful! in the front zipped pocket with dual zip access. In the main dual zipped compartment, there is cavernous storage space and a zipped mesh pocket for all those small essentials that you always loose. Furthermore, on the pack top there is direct, zipped access to a large fleece lined mp3/phone pocket (but no port?).

There’s also all the normal things you’d expect to see on a pack of this quality; haul loop, high vis hits back and front, hydration port on either shoulder strap, adjustable chest strap, high wicking mesh on all contact areas, mesh side bottle pockets etc, etc. Not sure of the purpose of the Velcro, elastic cord combo on the left shoulder strap – using it to guide my hydration hose through at the moment?!

Whilst out biking, the straps & unique BioSync ATS compression mechanism keep the pack close to your back. In fact, without any formed structure in the back system (keeping it lightweight), this pack seriously hugs your back! The Miwok moves with you, ensuring if any sudden movements, it doesn’t knock you off balance.

Loved the off centre waist buckle, so it doesn’t sit over your shorts buckle & it reduces the number of webbing straps you have wafting around! The integral zipped waist compartments on both! waist fins, allow easy access to snacks on the move too.

Overall, very impressed with not only the look and feel of the pack (fabrics feel ‘silk’ like, cool to the touch!), but more impressed by its feather weight and yet abundant versatility.

Enjoy your ride! Don’t forget the rest of your essentials on our recommended kit list.

The larger 22l Miwok is available from our retail partner Ellis Brigham, Mountain Sports. Click here to find out more about the broader Gregory pack range our recommended pack brand partner.

gr8trails has teamed up with 2 award winning, prestigious accommodation providers in the Peak District National Park.

For our short breaks and outdoor activities in the North Peak, Edale and surrounds, gr8trails recommends our guests stay at the award winning, 5 star B&B, Underleigh House or the only 4 star hotel within the Peak District National Park, Losehill House Hotel, both hidden along a leafy lane in the Vale of Edale.

The prestigious Losehill House hotel has 21 beautifully appointed 4 star contemporary en- suite bedrooms and suites. All with TV, DVD facilities and extensive views over the beautiful valley of Edale. After a day’s activity with gr8trails in the surrounding area, you will be able to relax in the hotels Drawing room and enjoy afternoon tea or drinks from the bar, whilst taking in the views. Alternatively, the hotel offers something unique to the area, an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and hot tub on the terrace with those fabulous views and Spa treatment rooms for you to relax. 

Once you have freshened up from your day out, you can join us in the restaurant, offering a delightful table-d-hote menu, prepared by the Head Chef and his team. Using locally sourced produce, they create superb, genuinely home made, cuisine befitting of this lovely location.

Alternatively, the multi award winning, 5 star homely Underleigh House offers 5 ensuite bedrooms on a more personal and private scale, allowing you to relax and unwind in comfortable surroundings with your group of family or friends, after your days activities with gr8trails. Vivienne will ensure that you are made exceptionally welcome to her B&B, offering an award winning breakfast to get you ready for your day out.

Dinner out can be arranged for you by gr8trails at nearby Losehill House or at a variety of other local establishments (transport provided).

Whichever style of accommodation suits your pocket, we can guarantee that the owners of both our preferred accommodation partners will make you feel very welcome to this beautiful area and will ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay with them.

Post dinner, at either location, kick back and relax with your friends, family or group, as the sunsets in the beautiful valley around you and enjoy sharing your experiences of the day, whether that be guided mountain biking, walking or various other activities gr8trails can provide.

Both partners are located within 35 minutes drive from Sheffield, an hour from Manchester or 70 minutes from Leeds on the Hope to Edale road. Alternatively let the train take the strain, you are 3 hours from London to the local Edale station, where gr8trails will collect and transport you to both our preferred accommodation partners.

On behalf of gr8trails, Losehill House Hotel and Underleigh House B&B, we all look forward to welcoming you to the beautiful Valley of Edale.

Want to learn the skills to have a safe day out in the Great British Outdoors with your friends?

www.gr8trails.co.uk unravel the complexities of the nationally recognized Mountain Leader Award Scheme, and what process you would have to follow to ensure that you gain your qualification first time. Allowing you to safely enjoy the power and beauty of the Outdoors, with your friends and family.

The Great Outdoors has a meaning for everyone. Some like the challenge, some like the experiences shared, some like the unplanned surprise of lofty views or mist clad valleys, some like the sense of achievement gained, some enjoy something new, or discovering a whole new world is out there for them to experience and enjoy. There are rewards for everyone, young or old, experienced or inexperienced alike.

However, the mountains of the UK are remote, technical and exposed to harsh and unpredictable weather. This makes them a hazardous place for a group of novice mountain walkers unless they have the benefit of supervision by a well trained and experienced leader.

You may be interested in sharing these opportunities with others, allowing everyone who would like to achieve more, to see more, do more and meet more. Hence you could set out to earn the nationally recognized Mountain Leader qualification.

To attain the Mountain Leader (Summer) Award you have to complete 2 weeks of ‘Training’ and ‘Assessment’, where you will learn such skills as group management, navigation and gain an understanding of how to deal with mountain hazards, emergency procedures and equipment. You will also learn about access and conservation issues, increasing your awareness of environmental issues and learn about managing group security on steep ground as part of the expedition element during both your weeks.

However, before undertaking the Mountain Leader initial ‘Training’ course you need to have a minimum of 12 months mountain walking experience and have logged at least 20 quality mountain day walks. You will need to be registered with Mountain Leader Training England (MLTE) & the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) before attending your ‘Training’ course.

Not sure what qualifies as a ‘quality mountain day’? think about such things as the conditions you’ll experience both overhead and underfoot, difficulty of the terrain covered and the physical and mental challenge to you….go explore new areas! You would be expected to take part in the planning and leadership of each of your ‘quality mountain day’s’, be involved in the navigation (on or off waymarked paths), paying attention to group safety and being able to respond to changing weather changes. The expectation would be that your day would be 5 hours or more out ‘on the hill’.

‘Training’ courses are usually run over 6 days with a minimum of 60 hours contact time, but you can also do your training over weekends and evenings. The MLTE website gives contacts of providers running courses throughout the mountain areas of the UK at most times of year.

Some recommended reading for both your ‘Training’ and ‘Assessment’ would be ‘Hillwalking’ by Steve Long. A very easy to read book, giving you exactly the information you need to know in a great format – a great introduction to hillwalking and safe party management.

If you have an exceptionally high level of experience, you may be granted exemption from the ‘Training’ course and proceed directly to ‘Assessment’, check with the MLTE.

Once you have completed your weeks ‘Training’, and before you can attend your ‘Assessment’ week, you need to ‘consolidate’ your experience by logging a further 40 (minimum) quality mountain days, which should include additional leadership experience. Do not underestimate the importance of this, and believe you can do your ‘Assessment’ straight after completing your ‘Training’! You can learn so much in this consolidation period, which your assessors will be looking out for. The exact period of time, personal skill development and group supervision practice will be different for everyone. You just need to be comfortable with your skills and confidence before you go for ‘Assessment’.

It’s a good idea to get as many of your quality days across the various UK mountain Parks. This broadens your experience dealing with different terrain, rock types, micro climates and local issues. Its probably a good idea to go for ‘Assessment’ at a different centre and mountain area, broadening your experience again.

The assessor will ask to see your logbook when you book on the course to check you have completed the ML training course (or successfully gained exemption from training), satisfy the pre-assessment experience requirements and have a current First Aid certificate. ‘Assessments’ are 5-6 days long and either continuous or split into two three day elements. 

To give you an idea of costs, ‘Training’ courses cost around £400, ‘Assessment’ around £525 (depending on whether you need accommodation). A 2 day Rescue Emergency Care (REC) course at Thornbridge Outdoors for example would cost around £110 – remember your first aid qualification only lasts for 3 years.

Hopefully this gives you an insight into the simple process of attaining your Mountain Leader Qualification, allowing you to safely enjoy a day out in the Great Outdoors with your family and friends. If however the Mountain Leader Scheme sounds abit more than you wanted, then don’t forget there is a variety of other levels of awards available to you, eg ‘MLTE’ Walking Group Leader (WGL) and the ‘Sports Leaders’ Basic Expedition Leaders Scheme, for those of you who would want to know more about lowland party management, navigation & campcraft.

Once you have attained your Summer ML, there is the opportunity to attain Winter Mountain Leader, following the same approach as above ie a ‘Training’ course, followed by a period of consolidation, then ‘Assessment’. MIA & MIC are even higher qualifications that you can do if you so wish, it all depends on what you want to do, and what you want to get out of the experience, to give you and the groups that you manage a safe and memorable day out in the Great British Outdoors…..enjoy.

Adrian of gr8trails qualified as a Mountain Leader (Summer), building up over 140 quality mountain days between ‘Training’ and ‘Assessment’. I ended up doing my ‘Assessment’ 5 years after completing my ‘Training’ course and within those years I learnt so much, which I now know helped me with my ‘Assessment’. I passed my ‘Training’ week at White Hall Centre in the Peak District, with my expedition in North Wales and my ‘Assessment’ was at Plas-y-Brenin, also in North Wales.

Walking the National 3Peaks, a challenge and a gr8 experience to share!

Walking the National 3 Peaks, may seem an arduous & pointless task to some, but its not a task that is unachievable, whether that be within the 24hours, 3days or a week. Whatever your background and fitness, all you need is the right preparation for when you set out to complete the challenge. Hopefully the following article helps you with achieving your goal.

The Great Outdoors has a meaning for everyone. Some like the challenge, some like the experiences shared, some like the unplanned surprise of lofty views or mist clad valleys, some like the sense of achievement gained, some enjoy something new, or discovering a whole new world is out there for them to experience and enjoy. There are rewards for everyone, young or old, experienced or inexperienced alike. The same will be on your 3Peaks challenge.

Ben Nevis, your first and the highest mountain you’ll walk in the whole of the British Isles, is located at the western end of the Grampian Mountains in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, close to the town of Fort William. Simply known as ‘the Ben’, it attracts an estimated 100,000 ascents a year, around three-quarters of which are made using the well-constructed Pony Track from Glen Nevis on the south side of the mountain. The highest summit in the UK, at 1,344 metres (4,409 ft) above sea level, features the ruins of an observatory, which was permanently staffed between up until 1904.

Your second summit (highest in England) is Scafell Pike. At 978 metres (3,209 ft), it is located in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. The summit was donated to the National Trust in 1919 by Lord Leconfield in memory of the men of the Lake District "who fell for God and King, for freedom, peace and right in the Great War".

The final summit (highest in Wales) is Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) lying at an altitude of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level. Described as "probably the busiest mountain in Britain”, is located in the Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd. The Old English name Snow Dun, meaning "snow hill" originates from  Snowdon offering significant amounts of snow fall from October to April, but in the past, rare fresh late-seasonal snow has been reported to fall on Snowdon, well into the months of May and June!

Your first step towards achieving your goal is to invest in the 3 maps you’ll need for the areas you’ll be walking in. Notably these are Snowdon (OS Explorer Map17), The English Lakes: South Western Area (OS Explorer Map6) and Ben Nevis and Fort William (OS Explorer Map392). As part of your preparation ensure you know the routes you’ll be taking, try to envisage what the terrain will be like as you climb each hill ie where valleys should be, what streams you should cross, what ruins/lakes/tarns/junctions you may come across. It’s also worthwhile checking out points of safety, where to go to in the case of an accident etc.

Most people will ascend Ben Nevis via the well trodden, well built and easy Pony Track from Glen Nevis (GR 123732). If you are trying to complete your challenge within 24hours, there are various recommendations as to when to set of, but the general idea would be late afternoon, ensuring you get to the summit and back as the sunsets and within 5-6hours. This is particularly inspiring, as you get the biggest hill ‘under your belt’, the descent as the sun goes down is truly awe inspiring and motivational. Do not however, ‘race’ this big one, remember it’s a marathon not a sprint and you need to conserve your fitness for the next 2!

A dusk finish allows you and your team to then get some well earned rest on the journey south. We’d recommend sharing this challenge with a group of friends/family or work colleagues and have a designated pair of drivers (who share the driving/cooking). This allows you all to motivate each other, and the last thing you will want to do, is start driving/cooking etc each time you ‘bag’ every hilltop.

An overnight drive to Seathwaite in the Lakes avoids most traffic. And although you’ll start your ascent in the dark (remember your head torches!), by the time you get to summit the Pike the sun will have risen, hopefully with spectacular views down Wasdale and out to the Irish Sea. Most people start at Seathwaite Farm (GR 235121), and walk up to Styhead Tarn on the mostly paved/stepped path. Upon reaching the pass you continue on up the Corridor Route to the saddle between Scafell and Scafell Pike. From there, it’s a short, steep ascent to the summit. We’d recommend descending down into Wasdale via the easy well built path, to join your drivers (who would have transited to your pickup point whilst you where walking some 4-5hours earlier)

Traffic should be light late morning, to drive round to Pen-Y-Pass/Llanberis, North Wales. Most people take the Miners or Pyg track from Pen-y-Pass, which is a shorter but steeper and more exposed route. Others decide to take the longer but easier well constructed tourist path up from Llanberis (GR 584596) which runs beside the railway line. If you think you have enough time, you can now take in the view from the brand new visitors centre and coffee shop at the summit. Making sure you return in time for your 24hour challenge (4hours return)!

Note: Snowdon has one of the wettest climates in Great Britain, receiving an annual average of more than 0.45m (180 in) of rainfall. In fact, any of these hills could throw some different weather at you whilst you are taking part in your challenge, so don’t forget to pack your waterproofs and several changes of clothing for this (spare socks are worth their weight in gold!). But, at the same time, don’t carry everything. Be prepared. Another great reason to go as a group, not only from a safety and motivational perspective, but also from a ‘sharing and lightening the load’ point of view. Ensure that between you, you have a 2^nd set of maps, an emergency shelter and 1^st aid kit. A couple of whistles, compasses & some emergency snacks, will also not go amiss.

So, that’s all about the event, but 60% of achieving your goal is about the preparation…the training. Most people will do a few single 5-8hour day walks in either the Lakes, North Wales or maybe the Peak District as preparation. Make sure that you get used to reading a map and using a compass. Some useful reading would be the book ‘Hillwalking’ by Steve Long. A very easy to read book, giving you exactly the information you need to know in a great format.

The best thing is to do these day walks with some or all of the people you are going to complete your challenge with. You build up an understanding as to what motivates each of you and also what doesn’t! You quickly learn how to interact with each other, which is extremely important when you have to climb out of a warm minibus at 3am in the rain & dark, to walk up Scafell Pike, when you’ve had little proper sleep!

Don’t forget, there’s also working out at your local gym to help support you between your training days ‘out on the hill’. And probably a few exercises you can do at home. This all helps, believe me!

Hopefully, these are a few bits of advice that have made you think about what you are setting out to achieve. As we said at the start, this challenge is not unachievable for anyone, you just need the right preparation to get it right on the day, 3days or throughout your week away. This is about creating positive memories which will last a lifetime and give you all something to talk about back in the pub on a rainy winters day for years to come!

Adrian, a qualified Mountain Leader (Summer), with his business partner Rick, have more than 20years experience guiding in the Great British Outdoors. Adrian has completed the National 3Peaks challenge on several occasions, in various weather conditions!, as well as successfully managing teams to also ultimately achieve their own 3Peaks goals. We can help you also succeed at this gr8 challenge.