Another kind donation...

We have just received yet another item, which we will plan to raffle off in a few months time. After a very slow start, we are now having some joy in receiving a few very welcome donations.

We have so far approached many companies, but it has been hard going and we have not been very lucky in attracting donations, despite the efforts we are going to in order to prepare for this task.

However, the nice people at Conkers have come up trumps! Thanks very much...

Thanks to Royal Crown Derby

Many thanks to the kind people at Royal Crown Derby who have donated an extremely collectable porcelain paperweight. After a bidding war, we managed to raise £38 for this lovely item. A cheque is on its way to Cancer Research UK.

If you wish to donate an item please e-mail us - threepeakschallenge2008@ekit.com.

Mam Tor

There is a bit more momentum to the preparation now as the number of team members attending our training walks is on the up. The word is getting around the office that the training walks are well worth the effort.

Nine, initially energetic, team members set out from beneath Mam Tor in the Peak District and completed a circuit of ascents and decents of the ridges. In total, we covered a total of 500m of ascents which we completed in a combined time of just over an hour.

In terms of the ascent of Ben Nevis this compared well, so we are all pretty chuffed with how this walk went for us. Obviously, there were quite a few flat bits in between, but in terms of analysis of the walk, we were able to use Ian B's nifty phone with GIS functions to calculate this.

All in all, this was a fantastic day to be out walking, and we are steadily making progress towards the final challenge.

Edale Training Walk

Well… it’s that time of month again – another Three Peaks Sunday training walk! Whilst Andy and Steve were braving the elements mountain biking up in The Lakes, a few others decided to take a trip up to Edale, Derbyshire.

Ian B, Mat, myself and Stan did a 6.5 mile walk, consisting of a leisurely stroll from Barber Booth to Upper Booth before a much more strenuous climb up the infamous Jacobs Ladder.


Once we had gathered our breath at the top, we struggled across an exposed Brown Knoll in 20mph winds, which to make matters worse was pretty wet underfoot too. We eventually finished the trek over Brown Knoll a little dirtier, but still in good shape – all our kit seemed to be functioning well.

We all noticed that Mat’s boots seemed to have some miraculous ‘self cleaning’ properties that meant his boots looked like they were brand new, whilst the rest of us had our gaitors and boots coated in peat!

The last leg of our walk had us dropping down the Chapel Gate track, which led us back towards Barber booth via Manor House Farm. This was a slightly shorter version of our planned walk with a stop at a local pub to finish.

All in all, we had a pretty good training walk, which has left all of us waiting for the our next outing in mid February. Watch this space for the next update!

It's the New year; and with it a new training schedule

Yes indeedly it's 2008 (Happy New Year etc etc)

Now a few of the twits have been clowning around; pretending that drinking beer was a good way to start training (no ... it's not). However all that was to change, now in the new year things were to get serious... A training schedule!

Basically I came up with the idea of heading into the nearby Peak District, every two weeks to start, to get fitter and to tryout new gear! Everybody was incredibly enthuastic and I thought i had 10 for the first walk on Sunday the 6th January 2008....

.... Well I suppose two wasn't bad; yes that's right me and Richard set out at 8:50am, on an icy January morning into the Peak District. It started well; we got 10 minutes out of Derby before Richard remembered he left his walking boots in his kitchen. Top tip number one check you've got all your kit... So we will start again.

Yes that's right me and Richard set out at 9:15am, on a icy January morning into the Peak District. We had looked though an AA walking book and decided our destination was Hartington (God help Hartington).

Arriving at 10:15am we sprung into action; like a Ferrari F1 car Richard and I were speedly on our way. However unlike a Ferrari F1 car, we were going the wrong way. Top tip number 2. Don't give Richard the map!

The walk was about 7 miles and the weather was fantastic; it wasn't that cold and the sun was beaming through a cloudless sky. Even the ground being frosty helped our journey, making the ground more firm instead of a muddly field. The views were fantastic and there weren't many other people about (well; what other twit would be up at 10:15am, on a Sunday in January, for a walk).

After our initial set backs we rarely had any other problems and soon we had made it to Pilsbury Castle. This was an 11th Century motte and bailey castle, used for a couple of decades to defend the valley. Obviously there wasn't much left of it now, however it was easy to picture how it would of looked like.

When I said we rarely had any other problems I, of course, spoke too soon. When we arrived at Crowdicote, we found the farmer, very nicely, had ploughed the field we had to walk across. This was made even more difficult as the field was on one side of the valley. No problem!!! We took a forced detour around the field and up to the top of the valley. Unfortunately Richard let me go first, which i gratefully obliged, straight into the worlds biggest bog .... 8 minutes later and two very muddy boots I pulled myself out onto edgetop.

Apart from stopping for lunch and cautiously walking through a field full of bulls the trek was pretty straight forward. We arrived back in Hartington 4hrs later and I looked at the stats my pedometer had given:

• Distance: 7.556 Miles
  

• Total Steps: 13,303


• Kcal burned: 470.03

After a well earned drink in the local "Posh" pub we left, heads held high that we two had not only conquered Hartington, we also had started our Three Peaks Training!!!

Mr B's Training Session - Nov Update

Bloody hell, November already and the cold days are making the training harder all the time. So what have I been up to this month I hear you ask. Well first and foremost the beer was flowing extremely well at the Red Cow last night so I am happy with my current performance on this front. The walking, however, is a different matter. Earlier in the month I dragged the Mrs round Carsington. A fairly easy 8 miler but a lovely day out with lunch at the Knockerdown Pub - highly recommended. The highlight of the month though was the sponsored walk Mick and I did for the British Heart Foundation. A 17 mile walk along the High Peak Trail starting from Cromford and ending at Hurdlow taking in the three inclines. I looked on this as an opportunity to see what I was made of. The walk took place last Sunday ( you remeber the day it pissed it down all day, except for when it was snowing. ) We managed it in a shade over 5 hours and raised a stack of cash (thanks to all those who sponsored us). The feet took a pounding though and it has taken a week to recover. Mind you at least I now have a good idea where to apply the plasters before we attempt the mighty three. I think the photos tell the story.

Days to go

227 days before the fun begins

Yet more driver training

Over the weekend - I stepped up the driver training by taking a minibus full of people to Bradford and back. It was an old minibus, without power steering and not only did we get succesfully in and out of Bradford (whew - a task in itself)I got the chance to practice with high winds and snow.

It's not long now.

I have also done some training

As the driver - I thought I should also do some training, so I have been messing with tom toms web site to chose my favourite english speaking voice for those moments between Scafell and Snowdon when I am the only one awake. So far it's a toss up between Kristina - the English speaking Russian and Billy Connolly - the comedian who if you miss a road goes, (imagine this in a Scottish accent) "Ohhh Nooo!! you shudda turned then, now I'll haf tea find ye a noo roooote!"

I've also been practising on Colin McCrae Rally school on the PSP.

Keep on truckin'

New Team Member!

Great thing about working for a council is there is always another twit hiding around a corner, making tea and not doing much. When the Three Peaks Challenge team became one member down, I was that twit! I jumped at the chance to climb the three highest peaks in the UK; within 24 hours, possibly in cold, wet and windy conditions for Queen and Country.

I will be taking my training very seriously. Already I play 5-a-side football once and karate twice a week. I thought of a strict training schedule consisting of:

• Diet
• Gym
• Tennis
• White water rafting
• Bungee jumping
• And scuba diving

Though possibly just a few practice walks in the Peak District starting January would be just as good! I have to say though, I maybe able to compete on fitness levels with these guys, however I will not be able to compete on the number of alcoholic units consumed within the weekend. To see why please view my profile.

More from me when I've actually done something constructive towards this challenge!

Mr B's Training Sessions update

Ok it has been a month since my last posting and you will be pleased to hear that I have used the time productively. I have started my walking training in earnest and completed two (yes that's two) circular walks out of some book my Dad gave me. The first took in the magnificent Thors Cave and doubled as an attempt to break in a new pair of walking boots. I did this on a wettish day with the mrs and my lad. It was only 3 miles but fairly steep. I did have a 10 year old moaning all the way round but I suppose that will be mild compared to the winging and wining that some of the Dim Whits will be doing next July. (no names mentioned co that probably includes me). The second walk I did was a 6 mile around Hartington (cracking bit of cheese) made all the better by a nice pint of IPA and a hot lunch at the Devonshire Arms afterwards.

Look out for next months update. Cheers

Training... Rocky Style!

Whilst Jon and Mr B have been busy getting in some serious training time in foreign climbs I have been at least giving the thought to some form of exercise. Whilst looking for an exercise plan that would provide me with the all round fitness I need, I came across a guy doing some improvised Rocky style cross-training!



You can't beat a bit of 'Eye of the Tiger'....

Progress so far...

Following Jon's hunt for the best deal, Matt has been down to Excel Vehicle Hire in Derby and put a deposit on a 17 seater minibus. In case you should ever need a reasonably priced and reliable hire vehicle, a competitive quote can be obtained from them by phoning 01332 200007, or calling in at Unit 1-2, Ascot Drive, Derby, Derbyshire DE24 8GW.

Slowly but surely everything appears to be coming together nicely...

• Minibus hire has been arranged.
• The accommodation in Scotland is booked.
• The accommodation in Wales has been chosen.
• The Bobby Moore Fund is our official charity.

Jon en Espana

It’s my turn for some training. I wondered what 990 miles would feel like. So I jumped on a plane and found myself in sunny Menorca.

Did three lengths of the pool this morning to kick off the fitness regime, and used the stairs on a couple of occasions when going to my room on the first floor. I’m making an effort to walk to the pool bar more often to get those calves ready. Wanted to seriously train on the beer front – but the Pina Colada’s and San Miguel’s are too addictive.

AlanQ saying hello!

AlanQ here – I’m acting as honorary dimwit for this expedition as I don’t actually work for the Council. I like to view these expeditions as a duathlon, combining the disciplines of sustained physical exertion and heavy drinking. Unfortunately I train much harder for one than the other. In my defence I have done Snowdon before, but only on a mountain bike – I’m hoping it will be easier this time!

Latest Training

Here in Rome and doing lots of walking in preparation for the assault on Britains finest peaks. Weather is red hot so I am getting out of this internet cafe ASAP to get some more of it. Taking in lots of carbs with as much pasta as the Romans can throw at me. Training on the beer side is a bit poor just that bottled lager crap. Hey but when in Rome !!!! Ciao

Mr B's Training Sessions

My training has started in earnest for this event, despite my jokey attitude I am fully committed to the task, of course not wanting to let my fellow dim-wits down. You will be pleased to know that I can now drink 8 pints without falling over. I believe this is an excellent start to becoming an all round athelete. I aim to reach 10 by Christmas.

After a long wait with plenty of training, we finally completed the Three Peaks 24hour Challenge. 12 of us headed up to Fort William on Friday 4 July and stayed at the Ben Nevis Inn Bunk House, which is situated at the base of Ben Nevis. The weather was lovely and the view of the mountain spectacular. The food in the Ben Nevis Inn was fantastic – I certainly recommend the Ben Nevis Burger with salad.

After a long night (the bunk house has people coming and going at all hours), we started the challenge at 8am Saturday morning. Again, the weather was great and we completed the ascent and descent of Ben Nevis in 4 hours 40mins.

We programmed the tomtom for Wasdale Head in the Lake District and enjoyed a few sing-a-longs. Andy made a compilation CD containing everyone’s favourite hits. This ranged from Queen to Abba! With only one quick service stop, we arrived at the base of Scafell Pike for 7.35pm. At this stage we were about an hour behind our original schedule and took the decision to cancel all the remaining pit stops and set off the minute the last climber reached the bus. We reckoned we could get back on track if we could make time savings.

Scafell Pike was extremely tough. The rain poured down within our first 15 minutes and we all got drenched. But spirits were high and we pushed on for the top. The ascent took approx 1hour 45mins, which was really pleasing considering the bad conditions. The descent was rather more tricky. The rain had made the rocks wet and slippy. Furthermore, by 10pm it was pitch black. The last walker was back in the bus by 11.10pm and we set off immediately for Mount Snowdon. A total time of 3hours 35mins.

The drive to Mount Snowdon was much quieter. We were all starting to feel the aches, pains and tiredness. With no stops we reached Pen-y-pass car park at 4am exactly. We gingerly poured out of the bus and took the ‘miners track’ route up Mount Snowdon. Everyone found the scree climb particularly hard due to built up limb abuse and 20hours without sleep. But with persistence and very little talking, we reached the summit for 6am. For the first time, we realised that the 24 hour goal was well within our reach. With a lot more enthusiasm, we took the same route back down to the base of Snowdon, arriving to our drivers smiling face and a warm hand shake. Time on the clock 7.40am (TOTAL TIME 23HOURS 40MINS).

After a quick change out of our wet clothes, we enjoyed a lovely cuppa at the Snowdon base café and some of us even managed to polish of a full cooked breakfast.

All in all, it’s been a fantastic event. The limbs are now aching like mad, and we’re all walking like c3po from Star Wars. But it’s a proud achievement for us all, and something to look back on forever.

A special thanks goes to our dedicated driver Matt. He was fantastic – driving all the routes, getting us to our destinations safely. He also bought sandwiches and drinks whilst we were climbing, therefore saving valuable time and keeping us all well fed and motivated. Having a good driver is the most valuable asset for the whole event.

Wonder what event we’ll try next year……………………..probably something with less walking and more beer!
Jon

Ben Nevis 4hours 45mins
Scafell Pike (Wasdale Head return) 3hours 35mins
Snowdon 3hours 40mins

Total distance on foot 22.8miles


Jon, Richard, Ian B, Steve, Andy, Manny, Aidan, Ian W, Mick, Alan, Matt and Matt the driver.

Group update

Following the inception of the blog, the group has now moved on to the planning stage. We have agreed on a date, and have booked our accommodation for the Ben Nevis leg of our trek. We have opted to set our base camp as the Ben Nevis Inn, which satisified all of the necessary requirements - it is a pub as well as a bunkhouse. A link to the Ben Nevis Inn can be found located to the right of the blog.

We have decided that we will be attempting the three peaks with the aim of collecting as much cash as possible for a charity. We have yet to agree on which charity we will collect for, but once we have decided, we will post a link on the blog to the justgiving website where you will be able to make a donation.

We are also currently attempting to find a 17 seater minibus that will be able to cope with the 900 mile journey. Matt's previous, somewhat ambitious attempt to obtain a minibus for the challenge failed:

Let's get ready to ruuummbblleeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!