Ben Bloody Nevis - anyone else done it?

[fimm]

Why?

Not the best way to see/enjoy the mountains, plodding up and down as fast as you can (at least one in the dark).
It is at least as much a driving exercise as a walking one.
It causes particular problems for the village of Wasdale, at the foot of Scafell, which gets people rolling up in the middle of the night making a noise (it is hard not to set off up a hill without making some noise) making a mess and occasionally overwhelming the facilities.
More here, if anyone is interested:
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/three-peaks-challenge
https://www.thebmc.co.uk/the-three-peaks-challenge--what-do-you-think

 

[Crackle]

There is also the three peaks yacht race, which a friend of mine does.

http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk/

The BMC does tend to get awfully angst ridden and twisty knickered about things, they are extremely cautious and overbearing.

 

[fimm]

There is also the three peaks yacht race, which a friend of mine does.

http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk/

The BMC does tend to get awfully angst ridden and twisty knickered about things, they are extremely cautious and overbearing.

Or possibly just want to point out some of the downsides of and issues surrounding the standard Three Peaks challenge?

 

[BrumJim]

I'm fascinated by their idea that for some the Three Peaks Challenge is their first experience of mountain walking. Having done the latter but not the former, I wouldn't have thought anyone would do TPC without having climbed at least one serious peak in the past.

 

[Crackle]

Or possibly just want to point out some of the downsides of and issues surrounding the standard Three Peaks challenge?

I'm not sure a fictitious account of an apocalyptic event helps them make the case. I'm torn on it personally. There are more and more of these events everywhere, which goes against my rather old fashioned view of self sufficiency and personal adventure but perhaps I'm out of touch and if it encourages more people to take their fitness seriously it can only be a good thing.

 

[Tim Hall]

To me the "Three Peaks" are Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent.

Blimey, I've just been googling. It seems there's a whole industry based around three peaks of many different types.

 

[Mark1978]

Doing the 3 peaks in 6 weeks, starting with Snowdon (doing the Pyg with the ridge walk too). Then in September we are off to climb Kilimanjaro on the Lemosho route. The reason behind these is ..... (and if you do have a spare few quid, a small donation would be most appreciated)

http://www.isobels29challenges.co.uk/

 

[swansonj]

There is also the three peaks yacht race, which a friend of mine does.

http://www.threepeaksyachtrace.co.uk/

Not to mention the cycle version. (Or versions - one where someone transports your bike from Borrowdale to Cockley Beck while you're walking over Scafell Pike and one where they don't.)

I was so inspired by Nick Crane's account of doing it with his cousin in 48 hours that I did it myself. In nine days.

 

[Bobby Mhor]

Phew..
47 year ago
and we camped half way by the lochan..
Finally completed the Three Peaks Challenge two year ago
It only took 45 years
2,400 ft less height last Friday

 

[arranandy]

I've done Ben Nevis a couple of times in my hill walking days. Once by the tourist path - bit of a long slog - and also by the CMD arete - great views of the north side of the Ben and surrounding mountains. Last time I did it there was a company of US marines running up and down. Turned out they were the US marines silent drill squad who were appearing that year at the Edinburgh military tattoo and were running the Ben on their day off

 

[Smurfy]

I've been up there in January. There was snow all the way up, and the shelter at the summit was almost buried under hard pack snow.

 

[classic33]

To me the "Three Peaks" are Whernside, Ingleborough and Penyghent.

Blimey, I've just been googling. It seems there's a whole industry based around three peaks of many different types.

You also have the four National Peaks & the five National Peaks Challenges. 36 & 48 hours respectivly.
But, as you say the Three Peaks Challenge remains, Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.

 

[Smurfy]

But, as you say the Three Peaks Challenge remains, Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside.

http://3peakscyclocross.org.uk/photo-gallery/

 

[surfdude]

did it 4 years ago and as some have said ,once is enough . my knees were killing me me on the way down . couldn't walk the next day , spent it laying in bed and crawling to the loo . bloody kids got up and went skate boarding and playing in a park . the joys of youth .

 

[Mr Celine]

My first attempt at Ben Nevis was in the middle of July one year. We set off up Carn Mor Dearg, half way up a fine smirr began which gradually got heavier. We were within sight of the summit of CMD for a short time before it disappeared in what had become thickening sleet. By this time I was wearing all the spare gear that had been in my rucksack and was still frozen, so we gave up and returned to the campsite, popping in for a quick distillery tour on the way.

Second attempt about ten years later on a dull overcast August day so with apparently no prospect of a good walk we tried the tourist path. This was heaving with tourists and walkers, including a group from the local ASDA, some of who were wearing gutties with only the best equipped having trainers. They all carried their supplies in carrier bags. Oh how they laughed at us in our full hill walking gear as they ran past us. The view disappeared as we entered the clouds at about 500m and the temperature dropped several degrees. Oh how we laughed at the shivering ASDA mob in their jeans and tee shirts as we strolled past them. At 1200m we walked out of the top of the clouds into blazing sunshine and an aeroplane- like view of the clouds. As we toiled towards the summit, sweat lashing off us, the ASDA mob passed us again...

The view of the CMD arrette with cloud pouring over it like a waterfall was simply stunning and well worth the walk.