The National 3 Peaks Challenge is undoubtedly a bucket list event. If you are seeking to create a real buzz, while smashing your fundraising targets then this could be the event for you. This highly popular challenge involves trekking to the summit of the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales; Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon with just the drive time between mountains to rest and recover.
While not to be underestimated, with plenty of training, the National 3 Peaks Challenge is achievable by anyone with a good level of fitness.
Join us for this exhilarating and fulfilling challenge, whilst raising vital funds for terminally ill children and their families across the Thames Valley.
This is a bespoke trek guided by Sky Blue Adventures.
Charity Trek Overview
Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis is the largest peak out of the three and attempting the climb with fresh legs is recommended.
- Height: 1,345 m or 4,413 ft
- Average Return Time: 5-6 hours
- Difficulty: The hardest climb of the National 3 Peaks
- Route: Mountain Track (also known as the Tourist Track)
Scafell Pike
Scafell Pike is the smallest of the national 3 peaks, but this doesn’t make it an easy climb. Scafell Pike boasts a steep start which can test your weary legs after completing Ben Nevis with a seemingly never-ending incline.
- Height: 978 m or 3,209 ft
- Average Return Time: 4-5 hours
- Difficulty: Smallest of the National 3 Peaks
- Route: Wasdale Track
Snowdon
Snowdon boasts a good mix of steady walking and small scrambles. There are a variety of tracks available for climbing Snowdon, which helps to manage the crowds on this popular mountain. During our National Three Peaks Challenge events, we use the Pyg track to climb to and return from the summit.
- Height: 1,085 m or 3,560 ft
- Average Return Time: 5 hours
- Difficulty: The easiest climb of the National 3 Peaks
- Route: Pyg Track
See a more detailed itinerary below.
Cost
By accepting this challenge, you take on the responsibility of meeting a fundraising target of £900 – a vital contribution that will make a real difference in the lives of terminally ill children.
Secure your spot by paying a registration fee of £95.
What is included?
- A Helen & Douglas House technical t-shirt
- Fundraising support and resources
- Training tips
- Highly experienced mountain leaders (fully qualified and first aid trained)
- Completion certificate and medal
- Logistics (all transport throughout the challenge)
- 1-night accommodation (hostel)
- Continental Breakfast before the challenge
- 24-hour support from our Mountain Leader team
- Team briefing
What is not included?
- Travel costs to agreed pickup location.
- Travel costs from agreed drop off point.
- Personal trekking equipment
- Alcoholic and energy drinks
- Bottled and boiled water
- Personal snacks
Who are Sky Blue Adventures?
Sky Blue Adventures are a trekking supplier who will be leading the trek on the day.
Sky Blue Adventures started in 2012 and provides world-class, authentic outdoor experiences and training. They provide enriching experiences that are safe, adventurous, accessible and inspiring. They are a small but talented team of passionate mountain professionals with a wide range of skills and experience ready to guide you on your next adventure.
Paul is the owner of Sky Blue Adventures. Paul is an experienced mountaineer who holds the UK Summer Mountain Leader Award. At present, Paul is also an Aspirant International Mountain Leader and began the training scheme in 2017.
Itinerary
10:15 Birchwood, Warrington (Leave your car)
Birchwood Shopping Centre
Dewhurst Road
Birchwood
Warrington
WA3 7PG
15:00 Glasgow Central Station (optional pick up point)
15:30 Glasgow International Airport – (flights should land to allow time to get to arrivals for 15:30pm) (optional pick up point)
18:00 Fort William (optional pick up point)
18:30 Arrive at Glen Nevis Youth Hostel
19:00 Evening meal in local restaurant (optional at own expense or self catering at YHA)
20:00 Challenge Briefing and Q&A session
06:00 – Continental Breakfast provided
06:30– Challenge briefing and kit check
07:00 – Start challenge (Begin Ben Nevis)
10:00 – Summit Ben Nevis
13:00 – Transfer to Wasdale Head (transfer includes a 45 minute maximum driver rest stop. This is a VOSA legal requirement)
20:00 Begin Scafell Pike ascent
22:30 Summit Scafell Pike
00:00 Transfer to Pen y pass
Snowdon
00:00 Transfer to Pen y pass
04:00 Begin Snowdon ascent
06:00 Summit Snowdon
08:00 Complete challenge at Pen y pass
09:00 Transfer to drop off point at Chester Railway Station or Warrington
10:30 Arrive back in Warrington
FAQs
- What support will I receive before the trip?
- How many people can take part?
- Who are the Trek Guides?
- What kit do I need?
- Is it safe?
- Is there an age limit?
- Is transport there and back provided?
- Will food and snacks be provided? Can I refill my water on the way?
- How tough is it?
- Will training be provided?
- How will the trek be managed?
- What will the weather be like?
- When and where will I be dropped off at the end of the trek?
- Where is my fundraising page?
- How can I pay in cash sponsorship?
You will benefit from a bespoke and personalised service from Helen & Douglas House Community and Events Team. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the event, and provide optional training plans to support your preparation for the trek. You will also be offered an online pre-event briefing to help you understand how the event will run.
The minimum group size for this trek is 8 persons.
You will be accompanied by qualified UK mountain leaders on this trek. They have a wealth of knowledge about the environments they work in and often live local to the area. The Leader/s are friendly and empathetic to each client’s needs, ensuring that every client has the best possible experience they can. All leaders are outdoor 16-hour first aid qualified and hold the relevant public liability insurance to work on treks throughout the UK. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the event and the safety of your group.
Our trekking partner Sky Blue Adventures recommends the following kit list:
- Rucksack – about 35 litres
- Boots (with ankle support and soles which will grip on rock, grass and mud)
- Waterproof jacket (with hood)
- Waterproof over trousers
- General trekking trousers (not jeans or cotton material)
- Thermal top
- Fleece top
- Gaiters (not always essential)
- Warm hat
- Gloves or mitts
- Spare layer e.g. fleece top
- Torch (preferably a head torch)
- Food & Drink
- Emergency survival bag (polythene is OK) and Group Shelter
- Whistle
- First Aid Kit (small)
- Mobile phone
- Sunhat
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses
Sky Blue Adventures’ whole ethos is based on providing a safe and accessible event to all participants. They take health and safety very seriously and have a robust Safety Management System in place. This includes risk assessments, emergency procedures policy, radio communications and the support of an industry-leading adventure and crisis incident management company.
The minimum age limit for this event is 18 years old.
Transport will be provided from Birchwood, Warrington car park, to each of the mountains. Once participants have completed the challenge, transport will be provided to return participants to their car’s at Birchwood, Warrington.
Participants will be responsible for their own transport to Birchwood, Warrington.
Breakfast prior to the start to the challenge on the 10th August will be provided. There will be an opportunity for participants to buy supplies at a supermarket on the 9th August. Participants will be able to purchase additional water supplies from service stations between mountains.
The event is graded as ‘Challenging’ and preparation is key to help you enjoy this challenge. The trek is a unique experience and provides a great introduction to mountain walking and night hiking. A good level of fitness is required and will help you enjoy the experience more. A training programme is provided as part of the event sign-up.
Bespoke training plan with a three month timetable is provided to help you prepare for this event.
The National 3 Peaks Challenge is an accessible event, and we pride ourselves on ensuring that all participants have an enjoyable time. Each team will consist of one mountain leader with up to 8 clients. The leader will ensure that all clients are well cared for and will always be on hand to provide advice and assistance where required.
The weather is rapidly changeable in the UK mountains and it is important that you are adequately prepared for all seasons even during the summer. All events are weather dependent and it is possible the event could be postponed either prior to or during the trek if the weather conditions made it unsafe to continue. This decision will be made on the ground by the mountain leaders. We also use the www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/specialist-forecasts/ mountain for specific events.
Although we aim to complete the challenge on time between 08:30-09:30am times can vary depending on the speed of the group.
Drop Off Options:
- Chester Station
- Warrington Bank Quay Station
- Birchwood, Warrington – Return to your car Car parking (£10 additional cost)
Drop off can be anything from 11:00am to 15:00pm but this is still just a guide and we cannot be responsible for any missed connections.
**We strongly advise if getting a train you either pay on the day or book an anytime ticket as we cannot guarantee drop off times**
An Enthuse fundraising page was set up for you upon registration.
You can edit your fundraising page to personalise your fundraising target, profile photo, banner image, or content so your supporters know exactly who they’re donating to and how much the donation means to you.
- To find your fundraising page, click on ‘View your fundraising page’ in the second email you got after registering OR
- head to the Enthuse event page and at the top-right-hand corner click the hamburger menu -> Login
- Then, use your email address and the Order Number you received in your receipt email after registering.
- If you can’t find your order number, just email events@helenanddouglas.org.uk and we can send it to you.
- This will take you to your dashboard. Select ‘View Fundraising Page’.
- You can then share this with your friends or family.
- Finally, you can click on Edit profile pic / Edit background / Edit display name / Edit story / Edit target to make any changes you’d like to your page.
Any money raised on your online fundraising form, which is created for you automatically on registration, will come to us without you doing anything.
If you have cash sponsorship to pay in:
- You can send us a cheque (payable to Helen & Douglas House) to Events at Helen & Douglas House, 14a Magdalen Road, Oxford, OX4 1RW
- You can donate by credit or debit card over the phone by calling 01865 794749
- You can do a bank transfer – Account Number: 84326735; Bank Sort Code: 60-70-03
- You can take your sponsorship money to any one of our shops. Please make sure you put in an envelope addressed to Fundraising with your name and the name of the event on it.
- Or you can donate online via our website.
In all cases, please remember to include your name and the name of the event, Three Peaks Challenge.
A previous Three Peaks Challenge participant
“I highly recommend this challenge. I enjoyed it so much, I completed it twice!
The sense of achievement from this challenge is amazing! As I reached the summit on the top of the final mountain I felt on top of the world! Although the climbs are challenging, the camaraderie is inspiring. We all supported each other to complete the challenge as a team.”
Make memories while making a difference
Contact us
Find out more about the National Three Peaks Challenge by getting in touch with our Events Team at events@helenanddouglas.org.uk.