Yesterday myself and Andy were fortune to guide the Yorkshire three peaks challenge walk that colleagues at the Royal Bank of Scotland were taking part in. Twenty three of us were walking the twenty-five miles (40.2 kilometres) of distance which involves ascending the mountains of Pen-y-ghent (694 meters) Whernside (736 meters) and Ingleborough (723 meters). Walking over this distance with 1400 meters of uphill is a long day on your feet. We had all prepared the best we could. Time to start.

Heading in an anti clockwise direction from Horton we reached the top of the first mountain, Pen-y-ghent, with ease. Not put off by the slippery limestone and the low cloud we had our first mountain completed.

The long descent down to the first checkpoint (Louise and Alice were great support) can be a drawn out affair. Keeping morale high we stomped down to Ribblehead viaduct to refuel with water, coffee and assortment of deadly rich biscuits and chocolate.

Passing the viaduct we headed up to the top of Whernside to achieve our second mountain. The weather was drawing in by this time and we were expecting rain. At the summit of Whernside you have great views of Pen-y-ghent, (where you have successfully walked from) and Ingleborough (where you are walking to next). After taking photographs and a quick rest we headed down the steep slippery mountain to Alice and Louise’s refuelling checkpoint. It had started to rain by this point but we had achieved two out of the three mountains. A last push was needed to complete the challenge.

We set off from the last checkpoint knowing that we had Ingleborough to ascend and then the gradual long walk to Horton to finish. Ingleborough is surrounded by limestone pavement which is lovely to look at but after eight hours of walking and an early wakeup call (3-4am for most people) this came second in importance to competing the challenge.

Wet, tired but determined we touched the top of Ingleborough and started the long walk down to Horton to complete the challenge.

We arrived back at the start of the walk in Horton over a range of times of twelve to fourteen hours of hard walking.

The levels of determination, humour and teamwork that we all experienced have created friendships and memories that will last for the rest of our lives. We also raised a lot of money for our charities; Lochaber Mountain Rescue team and Salford Royal hospital.

Rest up now everyone after an enjoyable and successful day in the Yorkshire dales. A special big thank you to Alice for her tireless support and enthusiasm after months of planning. A glass of wine you deserve.

Plenty of videos below to view. Please email me your photographs folks. I will enjoy them.

 

Well done everyone. Time to celebrate.

• Pete
• Aidan
• Rachel
• Steph
• Paige
• Hollie
• Lee
• Melissa
• Louise
• Egle
• Andy
• Tom
• Joanna
• Elena
• Marcin
• Ela
• Richard
• Marie
• Marie’s determined husband
• Michelle
• Danielle
• Mark Duffy
• Alice
• Louise
• Andy