National 3 Peaks Challenge over 3 Days
The National 3 Peaks Challenge in 3 Days
The National 3 peaks challenge comprises climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales. On this challenge, we will take a leisurely 3 days, climbing one mountain each day. You will be escorted by our amazing team of fully qualified, fully insured Mountain Leaders who have vast experience all of the routes that you will use. These highly skilled guides have the minimum Mountain Leader (Summer) qualification provided by Mountain Training UK and are also qualified first aiders. They are personally vetted by your lead guides Chris & Nic and emcompass all of the skills and ethos that make our challenges so successful. They have a wealth of experience in the mountains and have been highly trained in navigation, especially in poor visibility. They also undergo continuous personal development to keep these skills current and up to date.
On the day, you will walk about 36km, climb over 3000m (and come down) and drive over 450 miles.
Preparation
You need to be comfortable walking in the mountains to complete this challenge. Mountain weather is very changeable and you should be happy walking in poor conditions as well as on uneven ground. Good tips for preparation would be to go walking (uphill), jogging, or even attend one of our training days. You'll find out exactly what is required and your Mountain Leader would then be able to advise you on a training plan to help you achieve your goal.
Itinerary
Your experience begins on the way to Fort William. We recommend joining our bus to Fort William from either Liverpool or Glasgow Airport. You will meet your lead guides Chris & Nic as well as your fellow challengers. This helps build up a comradery between everyone. We will then conduct our briefing once everyone is aboard the bus. This is a very detailed briefing about what to expect during your challenge and is very important. If you wish to make your own way to Fort William, we will send you a briefing summary. We will enjoy an evening meal and the rest of the evening is for your own enjoyment.
On day 1, we will meet for breakfast and then head to Ben Nevis to begin your challenge at 8.30am. We will head directly up the tourist path to the summit of Ben Nevis and descend via the same route. we will enjoy a nice leisurely pace returning to the bus for 3pm to head for our second nights accommodation at Gretna for 7.30pm. We will have our evening meal and the rest of the evening is for you to relax.
On day 2, we again meet for breakfast before heading to Scafell Pike for 10.30am. Another leisurely day heading up from Wasdale head to the summit and returning to the bus for 4pm. We will then head to our third nights accommodation in Chester for 7.30pm. Another evening meal and time to relax.
On day 3, another team breakfast and we head to Snowdon for 10am. We take a leisurely jolly up to the summit via the PYG track and reurn to the bus for 4pm.
After your challenge is complete, we will transport you back to Liverpool South Parkway train station via Runcorn train station. We should arrive back in Liverpool for 6pm. Both stations have good connections to all parts of the country.
Travel to and from your challenge
Our bus departs from Liverpool South Parkway train station at 10am on the day before the challenge and collects at Glasgow airport at 3.00pm. These options are included in the cost of your challenge. Please select a travel option when you book. You can change this option at any time.
- Make your own travel arrangements to Fort William. Select option 'Fort William - Liverpool'
- Join our minibus from Liverpool to Fort William. Select option 'Liverpool - Liverpool'
- Collection from Glasgow Airport. Select option 'Glasgow - Liverpool'
Available Dates
Our open bus challenge dates are listed below. If you wish to have a private event, we can cater for any date. However, there will need to be at least 6 people in your party. If you have a particular date in mind, then please contact us before booking.
2022 DATE!!
19th - 22nd August 2022
2023 DATES NOW AVAILABLE!!
21st - 24th Jul 2023
18th - 21st August 2023
Mountain Weather
Mountain weather is unpredictable, however, forecasting is also very accurate nowadays. You must be prepared to walk in poor conditions i.e wet and windy. No challenge would be cancelled due to weather unless under extreme circumstances. Your Mountain Leader will have a full, up to date weather report and will check this regularly during your challenge.
Equipment
Your equipment is vitally important for your enjoyment and safety on your challenge. The following list is a minimum requirement by Active Mountaineering. You can purchase equipment quite reasonably at outlets such as Go Outdoors, Decathlon, Millets and Mountain Warehouse.
Clothing
- Boots – Covering your ankle, well worn in.
- Thick socks x 2
- Liner socks (Worn under thick socks, helps prevent blisters)
- Lightweight walking trousers
- Waterproof over trousers
- Thin base layer
- Fleece or synthetic mid layer
- Waterproof jacket
- Gloves x 2 (Waterproof, 1 thin pair and 1 thick pair)
- Hat
- Spare trousers and top incase you get wet
Equipment
- 35 litre backpack with rain cover
- Waterproof backpack liner
- 2 litre water carrier (platypus or 2 x 1 litre water bottles)
- Headtorch with spare batteries
- Personal first aid kit/medication (group first aid kit supplied)
- Walking sticks (optional)
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- High energy snacks/gels
- Personal wash kit/deodorant
- Travel pillow, sleep mask, ear plugs (optional, for use on the minibus)
- Money for food/drink
Food
On the mountains, food is your fuel. It is vitally important that you are well fuelled before you start your challenge. Have a good, hearty breakfast at least 1 hour before your challenge starts. You will need a lunch for on the mountain as well as snacks such as fruit, cereal bars, chocolate, nuts etc.
Whats included
Mountain guides
Transport for the duration of the challenge
Twin room sharing bed & breakfast accommodation in Fort William, Gretna and Chester
Water
Whats not included
Lunches and evening meals
Drinks
Sponsorship
If you wish to raise money for a charity, and are funding this event yourself, it is best to set up a JustGiving page for your fundraising and book by adding your chosen event to your basket. If you wish your fundraising to pay for your event, the best way to do this is to set up a GoFundMe page and pay us from the money you raise, donating the rest to your chosen charity. You can, if you wish, opt to allocate your fundraising to our own nominated charities. We support the NSPCC and the Mountain Rescue teams that operate on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mt Snowdon.
Payment
When you book for a challenge with Active Mountaineering, we require only a 50% deposit at the time of booking with the balance due no later than 4 weeks before your challenge date.
After your challenge has been completed, you will receive a medal.
We recommend that you take out travel insurance for any cancellation/curtailment.