I’m wanting to do this. I go to a BI group and the man and woman who run group did this last July. The man has said I wouldn’t manage them at min which has got me wanting to prove him wrong. This is same man who in another of my posts insisted me wearing gloves to hit a nail in last week.
Today I mentioned to him a few of us want to walk 3 peaks and would like him to come. Now I knew there would be some cautious measures he thought of and as he started the first sentence with “I would feel better if” I thought here we go over cautiousness, but he continued with “ if we did some smaller walks up hill to work up to 3 peaks. To which I instantly agreed if he’s got time to do that then yea. Honestly I’m pleased he suggested that as it means more time out with the group. So for once I will be happy to take the cautious option.
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keeley24
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I did the Yorkshire three peak challenge many years ago as a young fit teenager. It’s very challenging and you definitely need to train for it. Why not combine it with fundraising for Headway and getting some publicity; just the sort of thing that BBC Look North would report on. Good luck, I love your determination!
Yea I’m going to mention doing it as a fundraiser event for the BI charity I go to not headway. Also that will likely give them more reason to make time for us to do this.
Read a bit about this challenge and if I’m honest right now I probably wouldn’t manage it. I do manage a lot of walking but 24 mile even on flat ground would be tough. I still think I would do it out of determination just to prove I could but I’d struggle. I will for once in my life gladly take sensible option which will take longer and more fun. As I do want to do it this year September would be a good time as gives me time to train and also goes with another challenge of running a part marathon. The BI group I go to is putting 4 people in relay team in Hull marathon in September so could be busy month.
3 peaks challenge is a fair effort, I used to be very fast and sure footed, quite capable of averaging 4+ mph over that sort of land, I grew up in the Breacon Beacons. Nowadays 2mph on smooth flat surfaces, my nemesis is little white haired women who overtake me!
To be honest it should be doable, assuming your balance/mobility is normal.
The big things I’d advise is to practice walking on similar routes ie rocky paths and moorland both of which are unsteady under foot, and navigation, since the weather can come down fast, even in mid summer.
My balance isn’t great but that won’t stop me. Will have enough people round to help on bits if needed. It’s not bad enough to make me fall often so will get through. Will get practice in and work up to it.
Possible worth checking out what the paths are, if they are on the tourist trails which they probably are, then probably not too bad underfoot.
Depends on how you react I guess Though my balance systems are good, one doesn’t work well, (vestibular) and thus I find walking tiring and will start to “zombie” walk, particularly if it’s gravelly etc sort of surfaces, I could MTB with out bother, but on foot be very rash idea, for myself.
I've done all 3 prior to my TBI and I wouldn't do them again because in all truth Whernside is mind numbingly boring, Ingleborough so so and Phen y Ghent's only OK.
I hope your not thinking of doing the challenge, all 3 in one day it's hell I can confirm.
Lol yep. Well at least I think that will be the aim. I have been told by woman who works at BI group that they did camp there one night which could be used to split the walk. Will have a word with man about it as he is normally on cautious side could mean splitting it in 2 and I’m not going to argue either way.
Practice before the 3 has been mentioned and I'd also advise you do this. A nice walk to start with is Catbells, right next to Derwent water with Keswick near by.
It also has the advantage of fantastic views and the ability to do a longer ridge walk or you can shorten the circular route by coming down earlier.
I took my daughter up Catbells, her first peak, 2 years ago and she was hooked on walking. Wainright describes it as a walk for grandparents but he was a sadist.
I’m thinking as someone mentioned you need good/reasonable balance I mite ask Mam who’s done it before if there is any peaks that are worse for keeping your balance and get them done first. I’m sort of person that jumps into things to see how they go and he’s the opposite with us so least if I mention my balance he will know I’m aware where I may struggle and know I will be careful. I know this is going to be toughest thing he’s done with the group and he’s going to have added pressure of making sure everyone is ok. I’m thinking of getting people to sponsor me to complete the 3 peaks and once we done it tell everyone that I’ve raised money for the BI charity they run.
I feel you may not realise what you may be taking on if you're considering the hard ones first.
You certainly need a pair of very good boots with lots of ankle support, even the easier peaks can have sections where you'll be walking on jumbled rocks with many sharp edges.
A walking pole can be a great help if your upper body strength is good.
You have to remember walkers can twist ankles, knees and brake legs on a regular basis, hence the workload of mountain rescue teams which mainly relates to ill equipped and inexperienced walkers.
You can find many guides on the web which rate the level of each walk and many will advise where a particular part may have some degree of difficulty.
For the Lake district this website give information on degree of difficulty and any particular sections which may be boggy or rocky.
Hi Keeley, I did the peaks 19 years ago with my sister when I was 30, pre disability. It took our group 11 hours 20 mins. We did do some smaller walks as training first as we were new to hill walking , then the peaks individually, before doing the whole challenge. I would strongly advise that you spend a few weeks doing smaller challenges to build up your leg muscles ( I actually put weight on with the muscle increase during training ). Since you also have some balance issues, perhaps hiking pole/s would be useful. A good pair of hiking boots is also a must. Plenty of drinks and snacks - you burn a lot of calories ! Best of luck and have fun ! Pen- y-ghent is v.steep but interesting , Whernside easier but less scenic. My favourite was Ingleborough with the limestone scapes. Watch out for naughty sheep that want to share your lunch ! : ) x
Well it seems like we will be doing this hopefully this summer. Should get started with training in July. They will be finding out who wants to join in and planning some training walks I know about 5 who want to do it there could be more. I’m pleased to hear that both the staff who have encouraged me to get fitter will be coming and will be first time this year we done anything with them both so should be good as they joke about together.
All this as me thinking about the Lakes and I'm thinking my daughter may be up for a challenge.
If my memory serves me right, Helvellyn and Great Gable/Green Gable are a slog but nothing too difficult, although I was 20 years younger and fitter, last time I was up there.
I don't remember delusional being in my Neuropsych report.
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