Challenges
Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge
You have probably heard of Yorkshire’s Famous Peaks of Penygent (694 m), Whernside (736 m) and Ingleborough (723 m). This classic walk usually started from Horton and taking in these three mountains is a must for any serious walker. Why not take advantage of our experience and let us organise a day for you on this classic Yorkshire circuit. We can organise your attempt from inception through to successful completion, including training schedules and support in your build up to the big day. We can offer training days on the course itself or further afield – evening trips or full mountain days. Our highly experienced leaders will advise on appropriate kit and please take advantage of our many years experience in competitive mountain marathons to keep your gear down to what is not only light but practicable and appropriate. We can supply most clothing and equipment required for UK mountain days at very competitive prices and in some cases, we can lend out some of the more expensive kit for you to try.
On the day of your attempt we will provide a support vehicle and all your food. (*Many attempts fail before setting off due to a lack of preparation. Here we have years of experience in ultra marathons and mountain racing to call on when designing your itinerary.) You will be accompanied throughout your attempt by one of our qualified mountain leaders who will guide you on the optimum route and pace your attempt in order to complete in under your chosen time. Whether you want an easy stroll round during the day, or a gruelling run round in a morning, our guides will accommodate whatever pace you wish them to set.
If you have previously completed this course and want a slightly more challenging experience, why not stage your attempt over night?!
The National Three Peaks Challenge
Have you thought of attempting Ben Nevis (1344 m), Scafell Pike (978 m) and Snowdon (1085 m) – not individually but as a continuous circuit!
This is a route that is becoming increasingly popular but if you strive for a more private attempt away from the masses of Midsummer’s Day – then allow us to organise an attempt with no pressure of sponsorship and no marshals telling you what to do. From our base in Lancashire we can organise a challenge weekend which includes all food and transport at very competitive rates. As mentioned above, our experienced staff will guide you throughout the experience, from the initial idea through training and till completion. We can offer advice and supply gear, tailor specific training schedules to individual needs ...or you can simply turn up and go. This is as involved or as simple as you want to make it – you can elect for an easy walk over a couple of days or we can ‘up’ the pace and attempt a quicker time. Whatever your wishes and choices, our aim is to supply a service that meets your requirements and from which you can take away lasting memories.
Typically we will assess a group’s fitness before designing a tailored training schedule suitable for your aspirations. We will set achievable goals during your build up to the event, before taking your group on a mountain training day, not only for our instructors to gauge your fitness level but also for your personal confidence.
(* Prior to departure for the challenge you can select from a delicious lunch menu which will be prepared for the event – no service station sandwiches on this trip – by our partners at ‘The Cabin’ in Barley/ a great little cafe and tourist information centre.
On the attempt itself you will be accompanied by one of our experienced leaders at all times and between mountains you will be free to relax, sleep and eat – whilst we do the driving for you.
For the event itself a typical schedule could be:-
- 5 pm: Climb Ben Nevis
- 10 pm: return to mini bus and sleep whilst we drive to Wasdale
- 5 am: arrive Wasdale and climb Scafell Pike
- 10 am: return to mini bus and drive to Snowdon
- 1 pm: arrive Snowdon and climb from Pen-Y-Pass
- 5 pm: finish challenge
After completing the challenge we will return to our base in Barley where all participants will be issued with a photo quality certificate. We can also arrange personalised commemorative T-shirts, Fleeces etc; at very competitive rates.
A more challenging schedule is to complete the challenge within one calendar day although this requires that a large proportion of the walk is carried out in darkness. We can advise and supply an excellent range of head torches suitable for this type of challenge at considerably below retail prices.
Our schedules are ultimately flexible, we can start and finish at times to suit you, either mid week or weekend and we will accommodate whatever plan you wish to set.
The Welsh 3000s
The Welsh 3000’s is a challenging route over some of the roughest terrain in the UK! This is not a route suitable for everyone but for the capable mountain walker with the right preparation it is eminently doable.
The challenge is to visit all 15 summits over 3000’ in under 24hrs. Timed from the first to the last this challenge usually starts at the Snowdon end of the route and the clock stops some 26mls further on after climbing over 13000 feet. Make no mistake this is not an easy stroll but if you have previously completed some of the long distance challenges and wish to take a step up to the next level then this could be the one for you!
As with any of our trips you will be supported throughout. That includes through your training days when it seems easier to give it up and whilst selecting your gear when others may point you toward the expensive shelf. We have extensive personnel experience of 24hr challenges and know how to prepare and complete them. Over the years our instructors have completed some of the countries most demanding ultra marathons and have gained the knowledge to advice you on what does and doesn’t work when it’s needed and not just what looks good( and usually costs the most) when you are in the shop.
You will be accompanied throughout by one of our experienced guides and met at all road crossings by our support vehicle. We can supply all your nutritional requirements throughout your attempt as well as offering advice and assistance in your build-up to the big day.
We try to offer a complete package, from which you will take away lasting memories and experiences. We hope to leave you with a feeling of fulfilment and satisfaction, confident in the knowledge that after completing a challenge such as this you can tackle anything that everyday life can throw at you.
Please call us for a more in depth chat about what up and under can offer you.
Lakeland 3000s
The Lakeland 3000s comprises the eight mountains that rise above 915m (3000ft) with at least 15m of re-ascent on all sides. This Long distance challenge is not for the fainthearted as we will be covering around 30ml’s and climbing over 11000ft - but the sense of satisfaction at completing such a naturally pleasing route is tremendous.
This is a route not often tackled with others choosing the more popular mountain challenges; but if you want a big day in the hills, for the most part away from the crowds, this could be the challenge for you. Our day takes us over some of the less frequented areas of the lakes keeping away from the masses before a nifty route between the two - and Scafell finishes of the day.
As with all our services we will support you from the initial idea, through training and up to the day itself. You will be accompanied at all times by one of our experienced guides who will endeavour to make your day as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible. Our experience of long days in the mountains allows us to organise everything to suit you; we can supply a support vehicle at all road crossings, your food for the day can be freshly prepared by our partners at The Cabin or you can elect for a simpler choice and just use our guiding services. The choice is yours.
We can work with you or your group way before we get to the mountains and one of our instructors will discuss all your requirements well before we set off. Whether you want us to supply you with a bespoke training package or just to guide you on the day, we are happy to accommodate your requirements.
Please call or e-mail for a chat when we will be happy to discuss your requirements.
