Excitement was at fever pitch as most of the team flew into
Glasgow Airport on Friday evening. The minibus was collected and we headed
north to the Highland Hotel – thanks to Lochs and Glens for the rooms!
After just 5 short hours sleep we met at the bus for the
short drive to the foot of Ben Nevis – Peak #1. There was a desire to chat at
the bottom, but the midges put pay to that!
Nevis offered a good challenge; gravel paths, boulders, with
freezing fog, ice & snow at the summit. Tough going for the older members
of the group but we were back at the bus shortly after lunchtime, on track, on
time and with a welcome tray of doughnuts and Iron Bru courtesy of team driver
and photographer – Tony Atkinson.
No time for a rest though as we needed to bag Peak #2,
Scarfell Pike, before the end of the day so a long journey later (with one
allowable food stop) and by 5pm we were off again.
Stunning views made up for the wet and slippery rock
path….but yet again thick fog clouded the summit.
A welcome stretch for a few hours in an M6 hotel and we were
off again – fuelled courtesy of McDonalds – with Tricker sporting homemade
hotpants – much to the delight of Charli.
Snowdon proved a clearer climb, right up until the last 10
minutes when it unleashed the worst of the weekend weather at us – fog
(for a change) with driving rain and freezing winds! No summit shot this time
as the café proved too appealing. Warmed with coffees and pasties we set off
for the final descent….then a long drive home.
We conquered the 3Peaks in just 30 hours and raised £3,150
for Edukid.
Thanks to Lochs & Glens for the rooms, Ellis Brigham for
the discounted kit & Tony “the driver” Atkinson from Just Focus
Photography.
