Doing the 3 Peaks challenge is great fun but can present the inexperienced with a significant risk especially if they happen to be unprepared - so careful and detailed planning including time management is key as is having the right mountain walking equipment.
We recommend you have a seperate driver for the event and make sure they are prepared NOT to participate in the walking so that they can remain alert enough to drive you to and from each mountain. The driving can be quite taxing especially in the early hours of the night and if your driver has walked a mountain they run the risk of being seriously fatigued increasing the risk of a driving accident.
If there is a big group of you it’s best to be travelling in a mini bus rather than trying to all cram into small cars. If you happen to be lucky enough try to get MPV's - they're probably a little quicker and as we understand more comfortable than an old mini bus, useful of you're trying to get some rest ready for the next mountain challenge.
We recommend your driver not only takes care of the driving but also your meals, this will give the people doing the 3 Peaks more of a chance chance to rest and sleep. If the driver makes the meals and drinks for when you are about to return from the mountain this will save you time when you get back to the vehicle.
Driving Map
As a group you will have to make sure you have enough water plus ensure the right kind of food is available for team members - pasta is usually chosen as it is a good source of carbohydrates and quick and easy to cook on a camp stove. Make sure you take tea too - a warming drink will certainly improve team morale.
We would recommend the Coleman Perfect Flow Propane Double Burner plus 2 cylinders of Gas as more than suitable to take care of the team.
Also for group use, you will need to take:
- Good first aid kit (one small per member and a group med kit)
- Survival blanket and whistle (1 per member),
- 2 x Compass and OS map OL391 Ben Nevis, OL6 Scafell Pike and OL 17 Snowdon. One map and compass per 4 members should be sufficient. Plan your route well both walking and driving.
Each person on the 3 Peaks challenge should have the following:
- Waterproof and breathable Jacket and Trousers packed in your rucksack
- Walking Boots or Walking Cross Trainer(with good ankle support)
- Walking Socks plus thin layer of socks as a second skin if you prefer to help minimise blisters
- Baselayer T shirt(non cotton)long sleeved
- Quick Dry Walking Trousers
- Lightweight Fleece Jacket
- Micro Fleece (100g) Hat
- Sun Hat and Gloves.
- Wicking and Breathable Underpants are a nice bonus as well.
Other equipment you will need to take:
- 25-35 Litre Day Sack
- Compeed (for blisters)
- Swiss Army Knife
- 2 Litre Platypus water Bladder (make sure you drink 2-3 litres per walk).
- 1 Litre Water Bottle
- Mars Bars and/or Kendal Mint Cake
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Head Torch
- Toilet Paper
- Ipod (for use in the minibus or car - NOT for use on the hill!)
- Small or lightweight Camera
- Whistle (one per member)
- GPS unit - recommended but we recommend you brush up on your map reading and compass skills - its too late if your batteries fail out on the hill in inclement weather
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