We are now starting the challenge season. I’ve already
done a National and a Yorkshire 3 Peaks with more on the calendar in May. I’m also already
seeing some of the same mistakes that people make every year and which taint
their experience. This blog is directed primarily
at National 3 Peaks but most of the principles apply to all challenges.
If this advice makes sense and you are looking for someone
to help with your challenge then I’ll be glad to be of service. Please check out my website here:
Respect
the environments and local areas.
Before we get into the detail, the first thing to say is that Challenges
put a lot of strain on the natural environments in which they are held, as well
as the local infrastructure. They are
not generally loved by the people who live in the areas – particularly the
Lakes where they see no financial benefit but do suffer the consequences of
path erosion, property damage, litter and being woken up at unsociable hours by
rowdy challenge crews! You should read
the advice and guidance provided for challenges and follow it as closely as
possible. If using a provider, choose a reputable one who does follow the code
of practice and take on board the instructions provided by them and the leaders
on the hill. This is about enjoyment for all, not just a few and a good cause
does not excuse bad behaviour. I once confronted a challenger who just dropped
by his energy bar wrapper on the ground; his response was “Its okay, I’m doing
this for charity”!!
Check out the code of practice here even if your
challenge is not for charity:
Most people don’t achieve their sub-24 hour target. This comes as a surprise to some people. Some fail through lack of preparation, some through bad luck (e.g. major
traffic problem) and others through lack of focus on the target. So here are my top 10 tips, pointers and plain old home truths which may help!
1.
Know
what you are letting yourself in for! I’m always amazed when people turn
up not knowing the length, or height involved, nor even the names of the peaks. All this is public domain knowledge and no
doubt on your provider’s website. Make
sure you read and understand what you are attempting and if it is feasible, before
you commit. Simply signing up and telling
yourself you will manage it is not enough.
2.
Prepare
for it. Let’s get
something straight here and now - if you
are unfit and/or inexperienced at hill walking you will find it a
struggle. Some people seem to think that
a positive attitude, determination and ‘I’m doing it for charity’ will get them
through but it won’t ! In my experience, determination and willpower start way before, when you should be preparing. To put it another way, most people recognise
that doing a sub 4 hour marathon takes time, commitment and fitness gained
through training, yet those same people turn up for a N3P totally unprepared
and still expect that they will magically do sub 24 hours. Preparation means getting out walking in the
hills at a pace which is fast enough for your challenge. If you can’t get to big
hills, repeat little hills or do lots of them at a time. Walk up and down the
stairs of your office block instead of the lift - anything to get your muscles
used to the repetitive movement of ascent and descent. If you are mainly confined to the gym I highly
recommend the stairmaster to help on the ascent side. You also need to be used to walking on rough
uneven ground, which you can find in your local forest, coast path or maybe
even little used local footpath. By the way, don’t forget descent – many a
challenge has foundered on a slow descent after a good ascent time; joints will
suffer more in descent and some people find descending steep rough ground very
unnerving.
3.
Pick
your team carefully. Make sure you are as evenly matched as possible and/or set your target with the slowest in mind. Many a challenge has foundered and
friendships/work relationships strained because groups decided to do it
together even though they had wildly different aspirations and levels of
fitness. If you have done some training walks together, this will be much
easier.
4.
Set
a realistic target.
Most groups I guide on N3P want to do sub 24 without any real insight
into what that means, then fail to achieve it and are disappointed, when
actually they should be celebrating the achievement of finishing the challenge! If you have done some preparation you
should have some idea of how hard walking a sub 24 hour schedule (i.e. around
13 hours walking) is going to be for you.
If it’s borderline, then think about resetting your goal more
realistically.
5.
Give
yourself space.
You don’t have to take 10 people just because that’s the maximum group
size per ML and you can squeeze them on the bus. It may be cheaper per head but it won’t feel
that way if you miss your target.
Ideally you want plenty of space e.g. 2 seats per person to relax,
stretch out, be able to get some sleep and have your kit organised. I think 6 or 7 evenly matched people is a great
size.
6.
Don’t
expect that hiring a guide is automatically going to ensure you succeed. A comment sometimes made when discussing
targets is “I’ve hired you to get me under 24”.
Actually, NO. I can’t make you any faster! All I can do is stop you losing time from
navigational errors and unnecessary stops. I can set a pace that’s fast enough,
but for the reasons already mentioned if you aren’t prepared you won’t be able
to keep up and then I’ll have to slow down. In reality, I am here more for your
safety and confidence.
7.
Be
swift at the start and end of each leg. Understand that
gaining 20 mins on the hill requires significant effort whereas losing 20 mins
at the base of the hill or pit stops is really easy! I often see people put in sterling efforts on
the hill and then blow it by hanging round at the bus after they finish,
chatting about what a great time they’ve just done or loitering in motorway
service stations for 30 mins or more. To
reduce ‘dead’ time:
i. Be
prepared and organised with your clothing and equipment to minimise faff time
and do as much as possible on the bus - safely of course - whilst moving
between peaks.
ii. Get
on the bus and away as quickly as possible after Ben Nevis/Scafell Pike.
iii. Ensure
everyone is awake and ready to go as soon as you stop at Wasdale. This means
getting ready at least 20 mins before you arrive, as the last bit is a vomit
inducing roller coaster if you don’t sit still! Repeat again at
Llanberis/Pen-y-Pass.
iv. Have
only 1 pit stop on the way down to Wasdale, time it appropriately and keep it
slick. If you are using commercial
transport you will be constrained by VOSA rules so use the time intelligently
to eat, prepare kit etc.
v. Make
sure your drivers are fully wired
into the best route and are checking traffic reports. Notice the plural – you need 2 drivers,
asking 1 guy to do it all is unfair and likely to lead to mistakes or
accidents. Don’t trust sat nav around
Wasdale and get back to the main road as soon as possible afterwards.
8.
Use
the right kit:
Make sure you are kitted out with the essentials your provider requires, including enough food and water but as little extra weight as possible. Pack it in a
comfortable rucksack that is properly adjusted i.e. most weight carried on your
hips. Don’t skimp on boots and ensure
they are properly fitted AND worn in on your training walks – I’ve seen some
horrendous blisters! Make sure they are
boots not shoes– you need good ankle support especially when ascending Scafell
in the dark when you are tired and clambering through the boulder field. The only exception to this is for very experienced hill walkers who use walking/tail shoes all the time and have strong ankles to cope! You can have summer and winter in 1 day, so
have both a sun hat and a woolly hat available on the bus.
9.
Think
about your food/drink requirements before you get underway!
Buy them before you start. Relying on
getting a BK at Annandale Water is not the way forward! If possible eat a really good breakfast - bacon & eggs is perfect - then
snack regularly on the move before replenishing with something a bit more
substantial on the bus. If you can get your drivers to pre-boil water before
you get down and put it into catering style flasks you can get a brew, some
soup or a dehydrated meal on the go in the bus. You will also need more water
than you think. Most people focus on carbohydrate during the challenge because of
the energy required, but don’t forget protein, which is needed to help your body
repair and recover.
10.
Enjoy
the experience! This should be tough and challenging
but not so much so, that it makes you miserable and puts you off our glorious
mountainous areas. If it is going to be
a struggle, downgrade your target. I’d advise all parties to consider doing the
challenge over 3 days – a peak a day. That way you still climb all 3 and get a cumulative time, but also have
a chance to admire the scenery and enjoy each region a bit more – the Lake
District especially – plus you get a good meal, a pint and a decent night’s
sleep after each one!
