The Three Peaks Challenge

The Three peaks challenge was one of the most spontaneous challenges that I decided to go for. The story began at work, when I was talking to a work colleague, he was telling me about this challenge he was going to attempt the following week, to climb the highest three mountains in England, Whales and Scotland, It sounded so exciting and I passed the comment that I would love to do that, "Come along" he replied and I for some reason accepted his invitation.

I was so nervous because I had no experience, no equipment or I didn't know if I was fit enough for the challenge but yet I had sealed the deal, I had a week to prepare, my equipment, and try to cram the right type of exercise to try to prepare myself for the day, I borrowed a bag, I used my work waterproofs and used my steel toe cap boots from work for walking shoes. I had no idea what I was letting my self in for  the total distance is estimated at 42 kilometres (26 miles) with a total ascent of 9,800 feet within a 24 hours.

We started with Ben nevis the Largest, I was routing myself as i began to struggle  

But my strength and determination helped me battle on

Scarfel the smallest became the hardest, It was very steep and we were climbing it a night. The wind was howling and other climbers were turning back, but we battled on. 

And Snoden the easiest of the three but I was very fatigued so I was still a struggle. 

This is the object that I associate with that experience. It is the boot that got me to the top. I kept it as a memento.
The whole experience defines me as a determined individual, that will battle on and do my absolute best, This applies to my working life and art life.

Thinking about the culture of  this challenge shows that there are a lot of adrenaline junkies out there taking part in challenges around the world. It also shows the nature at its best. But yet again it shows that we can commercialise anything, These experiences are been sold as packages to people, you only have to look at Mount Everest, people are a waiting in line to go to the top. I could see this at Snowden, people were gathered at the top waiting to touch the stone that represents the top, there was a cafe, even a bloody gift shop. Its a shame in one way.