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Latest News » Oxford Academy students rise to Three Peaks Challenge
November 2009
The John Henry Newman Sailing Club decided that, as the club’s young sailors had completed a number of successful events to raise much needed funds for equipment during the year, it was time the adults embarked on a fund-raising event and it was agreed to attempt the THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE.
The Three Peaks Challenge consists of climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales consecutively.
The club team was made up of five adult climbers and two young adults from The Oxford Academy. Both volunteer members of the sailing club were Sarah Babu is an AI (Assistant Instructor) and Rescue Boat Operator and JJ Pudwell is a Rescue Boat Operator
The challenge started on Thursday 27th August and the team were driven 479 miles to Fort William in the Highlands of Scotland (8 hours and 20 minutes), on arrival the team was greeted by the sight of BEN NEVIS the highest mountain at 1,344m - 4,408ft which was awe - inspiring. The team learned that due to extreme weather conditions there had been no attempts to climb the mountain over the last two weeks. They decided to wait to see if the weather would improve.
The following morning the weather had improved slightly and the team decided to go for it, starting their ascent at 0845. The climb became more and more challenging as the weather deteriorated but the peak was finally reached by all of the team at 1445 hours. The team then descended down the mountain arriving back at base at 1745 hours, the first part of the challenge was now complete and had taken 9 hours.
The team realised that, due to the adverse weather, it had taken them nine hours to complete the first climb, normally completed in five to six hours, the challenge ahead of them was considerable. However, spirits remained high and after changing into dry clothes the team were driven to a local tourist spot (Waterfall) where Sarah was given a surprise birthday cake. The team sang “Happy Birthday” and congratulated her on the great achievement of climbing the highest mountain in the UK on her 15th Birthday.
Leaving the Highlands of Scotland the team were driven 264 miles overnight to SCAFELL PIKE 978m - 3,209ft situated in the Lake District of England (5 hours and 50 minutes). Arriving in the early hours of the morning the team attempted to get some sleep in the vehicles. The following morning they awoke in a rain storm and to the realisation that there was nowhere to get hot drinks or breakfast and no toilets to use. This was a desolate place. With boots still damp from the previous climb the team decided somewhat hesitantly to go for the second climb of the challenge.
The ascent started at 0915 hours and proved to be as much of a challenge as the first. But, despite poor visibility, rain and hail storms, the peak was reached by the whole team at 1415 hours. The team then descended down the mountain arriving back at base at 1745 hrs, the second part of the challenge was now complete and had taken 8.5 hours
With all the team back safely in the vehicles we started the third part of the challenge –again driving overnight to our final destination. However, it was decided that as everyone was wet, cold, exhausted and in need of a hot meal, we would find a suitable place to stay overnight.
We found a Premier Lodge with large family rooms and here attempted to dry out our things - boots and clothing hung on every window sill, radiator and chair! After a hot dinner, a hot shower and a good night’s sleep, the team continued on their journey - driving a further 201 miles before arriving at their third and final challenge SNOWDON 1,085m - 3,560ft situated in Snowdonia North Wales (4 hours and 19 minutes).
The ascent started at 1030 hours on Sunday 30th August. This final ascent proved as challenging as the first two. After a back-breaking initial climb into storm level weather we were met at the half way point by Mountain Rescue. They informed us that the storm was gusting at 100 miles per hour and visibility was down to zero so it was no longer safe to continue and instructed us to return to base.
The team descended down the mountain arriving back at base at 1300 hrs, the third part of the challenge was complete, as far as humanly possible. The team’s spirit was still high and it was not physical endurance that prevent them from reaching the peak, but the tail-end of a hurricane. The team are determined to return to conquer this final peak.
The team were then driven home 200 miles to Oxford (3 hours and 45 minutes)
The team climbed for a total of 20 hours each and travelled a total of 1,144 miles (21 hours and 34 minutes).
Well done to everyone.
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