The National Three Peaks Challenge

The Challenge

The aim of the National Three Peaks Challenge is to reach the summits of the highest mountain in Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike) and Wales (Snowdon) within 24 hours.

Many people do this as a way of raising funds for various charities in which case guidelines drawn up by the Institute of Charity Fund Managers must be followed.

Information regarding a successful attempt on the Challenge can be found at:

http://www.ands.co.uk/3peaks/index.shtml

The Objections

There are a number of objections or reservations regarding the Challenge that have been voiced in uk.rec.walking, you should be aware of these objections before you raise the subject.

There are objections to:

• litter which needs to be collected
  

• half-day visitors who contribute nothing to the local economy
  

• walkers who drink the water supply of a hotel and campsite dry at 5am,
  causing paying visitors to think twice about visiting the area again
  

• dangerous high speed driving to get between the peaks in question
  

• noise from vehicles at night in quiet remote areas
  

• traffic congestion on narrow country lanes
  

• erosion caused by people racing down scree, when more careful progress
  reduces damage
  

• large groups descending on what should, ideally, be quiet mountain areas
  

• organisers of large events who *expect* mountain rescue to be on hand to
  offer assistance to people with little or no experience of mountain walking,
  inadequate instruction and physical condition, and, on occasions, woefully
  under equipped.
  

Please consider these points, and any on other sites, before requesting further information or advice from uk.rec.walking.

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