The Way Up

Only a week and a half to go before we attempt the three peaks challenge. Here’s what we are trying to do:

Peak 1 – Skiddaw

This is the first hill of the day. We’re hoping to make an early start (getting started before sunrise) from Omathwaite (bottom right of the map) and follow the tourist path straight to the top. It’s about 7 miles there and back and we should manage it inside four hours – back in time for a late breakfast before heading for our next hill.

There’s a good description of route here.

Peak 2 – Helvellyn

This is a shorter, but steeper climb than Skiddaw. Starting from the Thirlmere car park we plan to summit both Lower Man and Helvellyn itself and be back down in time for a late lunch.

Both of the peaks on Helvellyn are over 3000 feet so if it takes longer than we hoped to climb our first two mountains and there’s not the daylight left to attempt the third, we will still have achieved our challenge of bagging three 3000 foot peaks in one day.

Peak 3 – Scafell Pike

We’ve saved the biggest until last. Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and the hardest climb of our three. We’re hoping to get going by mid afternoon and be down again by nightfall.

Please visit out sponsorship page and pledge a little to help us raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. A pound or two per peak will help us reach our target of £1000.