For anyone else interested in attempting this challenge a website we’ve found very useful is:

http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/richieev/tp/24.htm

After the small set back of being one driver short it is now looking like we may have a replacement. I hope they will also be able to provide some music as I have heard the ‘treasures’ on Chris’s ipod and unfortunately Abba and Girls Aloud are not everyones cup of tea, James

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http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/blogs/?p=3122 In a scene similar to the dreaded playground picking of teams, it has been left to me to allocate folks into  cars so everyone can start to prepare in more details.

 www.justgiving.com/rb3peakschallenge

Colin, the most experience walker of the group, suggested that we try to use our torches as little as possible, as this allows your sight to adapt to the dark and gives you better vision of everything around you. This was quite hard to get used to, especially when walking through the woods, but once we realised that you could actually see enough of the track not to fall flat on our faces it actually worked quite well! Another learning was that glow sticks are a useful source of light when walking in the dark. They allow you to see the track quite well without blinding others around you. Apparently one of the team already has a stash of glowsticks available from a recent holiday so we should be fine!

In total we walked 5.2 miles in 1h 54 mins, which is around the pace we will need to maintain to complete our challenge within the 24 hour target time.

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Track details below;

Date: 16 Sep 2009 8:05 pm

Distance: 5.20 miles

Elapsed Time: 1:54:35

Avg Speed: 2.7 mph

Avg Pace: 22′ 01″ per mile

Min Altitude: 256 ft

Max Altitude: 656 ft

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Firstly, it was a cracking curry on the Friday night which was in itself well worth the 6.5 hours drive that the girls made to get to the Lakes (did I mention that there was an issue with map reading here as well?).

Secondly, and most importantly, – we did still climb a mountain, be it a slightly smaller one than planned. This is good news, and allowed us to gain a new perspective on Scafell Pike.

Thirdly, Russ did not break a leg in his courageous attempt to cross the river, so onwards and upwards from here.

Lastly, the early finish meant that I got home in time for a glass of Pimms and the X factor.

On a serious note, this was an invaluable exercise with some big learnings for all of us – the main learning being the importance of being able to read a map!

Not wanting to be defeated we began to descend the mountain in true three peaks style, until we realised once again we were heading for the wrong mountain…a small traverse along the edge of mountain number two and all that separated us from Scafell (which we should have now been coming to the bottom of) was a small river….Picture No 2

Although the team did not end up climbing Scafell, the walk they did complete was still great training.  We are now in a position where at least one person in the team is familiar with the starting point for all 3 peaks.

Thanks

James

http://www.justgiving.com/rb3peakschallenge/

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These were put up for auction at both Hull and Slough sites.  The auction was announced via email and within 10 mins my inbox was full of bids from my chocoholic colleagues all desperate to get their hands on one!

Whether or not it was purely the novelty factor or the fact people thought they may get an appropriately sized ‘break’ to eat it – the interest was unprecedented!

The winning bid was a very generous £80.  I would like to thank everyone who participated for their support.

We do still have 3 KitKat’s remaining.  If you are interested watch this space for possible further ways to win one of these giants!

Thanks

James

www.justgiving.com/rb3peakschallenge

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As this challenge involves climbing all 3 peaks in a 24 hour period at least one of the peaks will have to be climbed in the dark. This is a dimension of the challenge which not all team members have experienced yet.

With this in mind I have arranged a 12 mile walk around parts of the Wolds Way this coming Wednesday.  This will give everyone a chance to test their equipment and map reading skills in fairly familiar surroundings before we attempt the real thing.

This could be quite an interesting night an I imagine there may be some tired faces in the office on Thursday morning!

I will post details of how we get on shortly.

Our fundraising is going well and has picked up pace in the last week.  To see details of how we are getting on, or to make a donation please visit - www.justgiving.com/rb3peakschallenge

Thanks

James

www.justgiving.com/rb3peakschallenge

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I was amazed to hear that our dress down day at the Reckitt Benckiser site in Hull raised a massive..

£447.72

This is a really great effort from everyone involved.  Thanks for your support.

James

If you would like to find out more about our challenge please visit – www.justgiving.com/rb3peakschallenge

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Apparently Scafell Pike has become fed up with being climbed so has decided to move, leaving in its place a smaller peak which the team intrepidly (but incorrectly) climbed.

The views of Scafell Pike from this imposter peak were breathtaking apparently!

Not to be disheartened, and like the bear in the song, the guys came down the other side of the mountain and had a decent crack at Scafell

On a serious note, this has rammed home just how key it is that all of us get a little closer the art of map reading, and that we make the transport between peaks as slick as possible…..with darkness and tired limbs it could be easy to make mistakes.

2 weeks to go!