Planning for the Pure Three Peaks

With the South Coast Sprint now complete, albeit not in the way intended, my thoughts now move on to the next challenge of the 4 planned for 2018. It is just one month to go until the Pure Three Peaks challenge.

 

What’s up next?

In July 2017 I took on a solo attempt at the National Three Peaks challenge – climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 24hrs. Walkers climb each peak in turn and are traditionally driven from the foot of one mountain to the next, as it was solo clearly I drove myself. Out of the 13 challenges I took on last year, it was by far my favourite and as such I knew I wanted to come back and do it again and that’s where the idea of this Pure Three Peaks challenge came from.

What’s different this time?

Returning to do the same thing again wouldn’t really be a challenge, unless I was going for some kind of record…which is incidentally is 14hrs 36mins, set by Bob Wiseman in 2015. I’m not, by the way.

So for my second challenge of the year I am taking on a similar challenge to the one completed by Radio 1’s Greg James back in February. Greg completed his Pedal to the Peaks as part of Sport Relief, raising a significant amount of money and awareness for Mental Health charities.

I would, however, hate to be too similar to anyone else so I’m planning to complete my challenge in 3 days, as opposed to Greg’s stellar 5 day effort. That said, to I guess I can only dream of making the impact Mr James has done – but it does remind me that you have to try and you have to stand up for something, anything is possible right!

What is the Pure Three Peaks

Same three mountains, just no car which means I’ll be completing this challenge using my own power, pedal power that is. The cycle route of the National Three Peaks Challenge covers around 494 miles and around 4000 metres of ascent (13,200ft). There is no set route and can be done in either direction.

So, much like both my National Three Peaks and JOGLE challenges of last year, I’ll be starting in the North and heading South.

The basic itinerary at this stage is to;

• Start at Ben Nevis at 5am on Wednesday 20, climb, descend the mountain on foot and cycle on to Abington, a village in South Lanarkshire.
• On Thursday I’ll leave Abington and head of Scafell Pike, again climbing on foot before cycling the remainder of the days mileage on to Carnforth in North Lancashire.
• The final day will be a straight push from Carnforth to Llanberis and Snowdon, where I’ll be hoping to have reached the summit and descended before dark.

All in all my route will consist of 450 miles of cycling (approximately 150 each day) and 24 miles of walking, solo and unsupported. Doing both a walking and cycling challenge solo is going to make packing for this one tricky – the need to be lightweight vs the need for different clothing and supplies is going to be a difficult balance.

Why

As ever this challenge is in order to raise money and awareness of Make-A-Wish UK and the incredible work they do to support children, and their families, living with the challenge of a life threatening illnesses.

I’m hoping to raise £5,000 by the end of 2018, money which will all go towards granting magical wishes for children at a time when they need it most. Challenge 1 – the South Coast Sprint – raised an additional £200 in donations so I am hoping we can do the same again, if not a bit more this time.

If you’d like to donate and help me support Make-A-Wish then please head over to my JustGiving Page;

www.justgiving.com/milesforwishes