National 3 Peaks Challenge tips

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:

www.climbandtrek.co.uk

 and if you can please like my facebook page: Climb and Trek- Andy Dawson 

So, lets get started ... 

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:

http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/guidance/code-of-fundraising-practice/guidance/outdoor-uk-challenge-events/preparation-and-procedure/

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!

www.climbandtrek.co.uk