Challenge Completed!
Chris Boughton sent us the following report on his successful attempt at the Three Peaks Challenge in June 2010.
Following Chatham Songsters’ trip to Reading Central Corps, three mountaineers along with their driver set out from Reading Central at 6.25pm Sunday 13th June to waves and tears for the great challenge ahead. Iain Hudson, Jim Cassidy (Reading Central) and I were the mountaineers and Colin Crosby (Reading Central) had to drive and prepare the logistics for feeding and getting us from Ben Nevis on to Scafell Pike and finally to Snowdon on time.
Mountaineers
L to R: Chris, Jim and Iain
Our drive via the M40 was okay until Warwick, when the heavens opened and it poured until we arrived at Stockton-on-Tees where Ruth and Richard Smith (Iain’s aunt and uncle) had graciously offered to accommodate us for the night. What a welcome stop it was. On arrival at 11.40pm we had coffee and toast. One person who shall be nameless asked if Ruth had smoked salmon sandwiches! – that’s the last time we take him along!
One problem we found out very early is that Iain has an enormous appetite, requires regular fixes of proper coffee and as a result requires numerous comfort stops. His first comfort stop choice was to be Leicester Forest services, which just happened to have temporary loos no one knew about. I am sorry that I cannot describe the interior as anyone reading this report who has a delicate disposition would find it very upsetting. If you are ever travelling up the M1 do not stop at Leicester Forest services, they are awful and to be avoided at all cost!
Our journey from Stockton to Fort William took just 6 hours with stops again for Iain at Berwick (Morrison’s) and Tyndrum (the Green Welly). Our arrival at Fort William was again at Morrison’s supermarket. Iain needed something substantial to eat “to fortify himself for the climb”.
Ben Nevis – first target
By 5.00pm we were all ready and kitted out for the ascent of Ben Nevis and we set off at precisely 5.15pm. The time was important, as this was the time that would be required to reach the peak of Snowdon, 24 hours later. During the descent Jim thought it would be quicker to slide down but big Iain stopped him. When we picked him up he was shaken but as they say, “not stirred”! Iain’s comment when he got down was “that mountain is a monster”. The ascent took us two hours and fifty minutes and the descent two hours and thirty-five minutes, which meant the drive down to Scafell Pike would be through the night.
Breathtaking
Triumph – summit of Ben Nevis
The overnight drive to Glasgow was better than expected, we managed to average 50 mph to Glasgow and that was apart from the 3 scares! 3 times we had deer alongside the road looking at us (probably thought we were mad!) Once again on the M74 Iain needed an urgent comfort stop!! This time he chose Gretna Green Services only to find they were closed. So it was a quick sprint to the filling station close by. The SatNav took us off the M6 at Carlisle and down the A7 towards Workington. However, it then directed us onto an unclassified C road, which bypassed Cockermouth, Egremont and Gosforth. Whilst it was a quiet road it was a difficult drive as the road was only wide enough for one car. Fortunately dawn started to break at around 4.00am, which made it a little easier, and enabled us to dodge the sheep – they were everywhere!
I am reminded that we relied totally and put our trust on the little SatNav giving us directions. We didn’t know where we heading, but it had our destination in the memory.
Psalm 33:11
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Colin quickly roused the intrepid warriors who apart from Iain had slept some of the drive down! We started the ascent at 5.00am. The climb was more difficult than Ben Nevis as there weren’t paths all the way up and we were required to physically climb. However, we made the two-and-a–half hour target for the ascent, descending in two hours. A quick break, change and more tomato soup and we were off to Snowdon.
Here we go again
Scafell Pike
The drive to Snowdon was probably the worst to negotiate, due to the area where Scafell Pike is located. For those not familiar with the area it lies on the west coast of Cumbria. The A roads are not the best but once again the SatNav took us off into the wilderness and cut a huge slice off the journey. The M6 and M56 were clear, as was the A55 to Bangor (North Wales). We arrived at the car park for the Old Miners Track ascent at 2.45pm and the three weary mountaineers were kitted out and ready by 3.10pm. We almost had to push Iain off as he was complaining about his knee but fortunately we had Jim in the team and in no time at all following a quick work over had his knee back in working order. On the summit we took time for a celebratory coffee and cake, which was welcome relief from dextrose tablets, isotonic drinks and water. We completed the whole challenge with 5 minutes to spare! We arrived back at Iain’s house in Reading at 1.00am, tired, aching, smelly and ready for bed.
Last time
Snowdon - made it!
Throughout the challenge we were overcome by the splendour and beauty of God’s creation. The panorama from the top of each mountain was breathtaking and I often reflected on the words found in Psalm 8……”Your greatness is seen in all the world………..what is man that you think of him;……….yet you made him inferior only to yourself..” It was also good to be reminded of the grace and strength given to us, when we feel we have reached the end of our hoarded resources. Psalm 121: 1-2. I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Appreciations and thanks go to:
Ruth and Richard Smith for providing the team with a bed, feeding us and also for the 6 flasks of hot tomato soup. Thank you also to Russell Crosby for providing the car and the fuel for the entire trip.
A big thank-you to everyone who has sponsored me for the Three Peaks Challenge. To-date I have raised approximately ₤400, including Gift Aid, for Chatham Corps Building Fund and ₤342, including Gift Aid, for the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Unit at Medway Maritime Hospital.