Three Peaks Challenge
WE HAVE ONLY GONE AND DONE IT!
Twenty two hours after setting off from the foot of Ben Nevis in deepest darkest Scotland, we summited the peak of Snowdon in deepest darkest Wales!
And survived the deepest, darkest night of our lives on Scafell Pike in the process!
I’m elated, worn out, emotional, hungry, thirsty and exhilarated in equal measure.
Only around 40 per cent of people who set out on this adventure get to complete it but we had a full two hours to spare when we put the final tick in the box to confirm that the Give Local Three Peaks Challenge was in the bag. How about that?
After the misery of climbing Scafell Pike in the dark, we approached Snowdon in good light and with a spring in our step but the mountains still had one last brickbat to hurl our way in the form of terrible weather.
As soon as we started climbing the clouds came down and the wind picked up to make progress slow but we were in no mood to be stopped.
As the summit approached the wind was near gale force and when we got to the top we couldn’t unfurl the flags that had flown so proudly on Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike.
Not that it mattered because we had finished!
Doing the national three peaks is by far the hardest thing I’ve ever done: it tests you both physically and emotionally and I don’t think I’d have got through it without the support of all the awesome people around me.
I was first person to reach the trig point at the top of Snowdon, and I’d like to thank Kevin Sinfield for ushering me through to get there. I felt proud and I know Danny would have been proud.
For all the 22 brave walkers went through, none of us ever lost sight of why we were doing it: all the funds we raised will go to the defibrillator fund to help amateur and junior clubs purchase a life-saving defibrillator and help pay for cardiac screening for players of all ages.
Every single person who did the challenge was brilliant but we couldn’t have done it without the support of an awful lot of people and they all have my heartfelt thanks.
Julia Lee did a brilliant job with the logistics and the people at Carnegie Great Outdoors brought lots of invaluable mountain leadership and expertise to the challenge.
We were well fed throughout and a lot of that is down to the catering provided Le Munch Bunch in Halifax and the wonderful Mr and Mrs Hicks whose hearty fare at the foot of Scafell Pike was just what was needed.
The support of our sponsors Give Local Yorkshire, Arrow Self Drive and Canterbury was invaluable – thanks guys!
I’m sorry that there’s been a bit of a delay in getting this final blog online but after coming off Snowdon we all badly needed a hot drink, a hot bath, some hot food and one or two cold drinks, but not necessarily in that order!
Thanks to everyone who has sponsored the walkers and donated to the defib fund – we really appreciate you helping us to help save lives and make Rugby League safer for thousands of young people across the country.
You can still support us by making a donation here
Thanks again – and now for a lie down!
Lizzie
Pictures from Three Peaks Challenge