Three Peaks Challenge By Rail 2010
Climb the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales with a special train taking you between the mountains.
Date: 24th to 26th June
Size of team: 4
Fundraising: £3,500 per team
What's involved
Some people estimate this is probably the equivalent of three half marathons on quite difficult terrain and of course there is little prospect of much sleep during the event – you will spend the first night climbing Snowdon and the second night sitting up on a train.
The train departs from Euston on Thursday evening and stops at Crewe on the way to Bangor.
Snowdon
Coaches will take us from Bangor Station to Pen-y-Pas car park. From there we will climb up the Pyg Track and descend by the same route. The total ascent is 725m (2381ft) with the summit standing at 1085m (3560ft). From the start to the summit the distance is approximately 4 miles (6.4km). It's not a difficult path to follow in the day but remember we will be climbing Snowdon at night so head torches are obligatory. Unfortunately the café at the top is not going to be open in the middle of the night. Incentive to get back down to the train! The route difficulty is regarded as intermediate.
Approximate walking time: 4 hours
Scafell Pike
We travel on the charming Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway from Ravenglass to Dalegarth Station. Our route up Scafell Pike is longer than the traditional Three Peaks route as we will be walking from Dalegarth Station. Our route takes us past Boot village and across the Eskdale Moor past Burnmoor Tarn to Brackenclose. It's a gentle walk over rolling countryside, approximately 4.5 miles. We will then climb up past Brown Tongue and bear left over Hollow Stones towards Lingmell Col and bear right up to the summit. Scafell Pike is the smallest of the three mountains at 977m (3206ft). The terrain is a rocky path from rough crag to scree and has a rock summit. Minibuses will pick us up from Brackenclose to take us back to Ravenglass. The route difficulty is regarded as strenuous. The distance from Brackenclose to the top of the mountain is approximately 2.5 miles (4km).
Approximate walking time: 6 hours
Ben Nevis
From Fort William, coaches will take us to Glen Nevis to go up the established tourist route from the Glen Nevis Visitors' Centre. The path zigzags the broad west slopes of Ben Nevis to the exposed summit plateau and then a rocky path goes over steep boulder fields. Ben Nevis is 1344m (4409ft) high and involves 1325m (4347ft) of climbing. The distance from the start to the summit is approximately 4.75 miles (7.6km). The route difficulty is regarded as intermediate to strenuous.
Approximate walking time: 5.5 hours
Party Time!
It's then time for a well-deserved glass of champagne on the journey home and the party begins! Enjoy the beautiful views as we travel through the beautiful Scottish Highlands and bask in the glory of having completed an amazing personal challenge!
Food and drink
You will be provided with all meals on board the train as well as a plentiful supply of water for the mountains and lots of snacks and chocolate!
Onboard services
First aiders will be available to help out with any minor problem. There will also be doctors on board for the more serious ailments. For your mental wellbeing we will be accompanied by masseuses who will, for a small charge, provide massages.
What's included
- Transportation on the train between the mountains.
- Transportation to the mountains.
- Communications support on the mountains.
- Food and drink on the train.
- Challenge t-shirt
- Challenge medal
Not included
- Personal injury insurance
