uk3peaks.com

Safety The three peaks challenge is a hard physical and logistical challenge. You should not undertake it unless you have a good level of fitness and have properly planned and trained for it. This is not like the London Marathon where if you get in to trouble there are marshalls and paramedics around to help you. If you need help on the mountains you will be relying upon moutain rescue organisations which are all made up of volunteers giving their own time for free to help you. Your group should also have at least a few people who have a good level of experience walking in the mountains of the Lake District, Snowdonia, or Scotland. Everyone should also have basic navigational skills, have correct and suitable clothing, and also be prepared for the harsher weather you can encounter on the mountains even in summer. The better equiped and the more planning you have done beforehand, the more enjoyable and satisfying the challenge will be.

Guidelines The three peaks challenge has received some criticism over the years due to the behaviour of some people typically doing the challenge for charity. Doing any event, including this one, for charity is not an excuse for selfish behaviour. There is no need to be inconsiderate to the people and areas you pass through, and you should ensure that you leave each mountain in the condition you found it in. You should ensure that any litter you have is taken back to your car or minibus, and that it is binned properly. You should also try and do the challenge in small groups, and never aim to do mass participation events with over 20 people. There are some guidelines for the three peaks challenge on the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team website and you should try and follow them. Three Peaks Code of Practice

Fort William If you are on a similar timetable as we will be and not starting Ben Nevis until late afternoon/early evening you may find you have some time to kill during the day after leaving your accommodation. There is plenty to do in an around Fort William apart from the obvious of looking around the many outdoor equipment shops. I have put together a brief list of things which might be of interest, although there is comprehensive information from the Undiscovered Scotland website.

Museums & Visitor Centres • Ben Nevis Distillery Visitor’s Centre Fort William • Clan Cameron Museum Achnacarry, by Spean Bridge • West Highland Museum Cameron Square, Fort William • Fired Art Pottery Painting Cafe High Street, Fort William Trips on Loch Linnhe • Crannog Cruises short daily cruises from Fort William pier • Sea Explorer short cruise from Fort William • Seaventures from Fort William pier Outdoor Attractions • Caledonian Canal crosses from Fort William to Inverness also see the locks of Neptune’s Staircase • Old Inverlochy Castle medieval castle ruins north of Fort William • Nevis Range cable car up to 2,100ft with Snowgoose restaurant & bar at the top		Local Pubs & Restaurants • Ben Nevis Inn Glen Nevis • The Eagle Barge Inn Laggan Locks, South Laggan • The Inn at Ardgour Corran • Crannog Restaurant Fort William pier, with Seafood 2 Go takeaway outside • Glen Nevis Restaurant & Bar Glen Nevis • The Grog & Gruel High Street, Fort William • Inverlochy Castle Hotel & Restaurant Torlundy, Fort William • Loch View Restaurant Corriegour Lodge Hotel, Loch Lochy, Spean Bridge • Lochy Bar Caol, Fort William • Nevisport Bar High Street, Fort William • Old Pines Restaurant Spean Bridge
There is also a good street map of Fort William which you can download from here. It is the Fort William streetmap in the "Other Useful Links" box on the right hand side.

Donations As well as the many typical charities that people raise money for, it is also worthwhile considering raising money, or at least pledging part of the sponsorship you raise, for the following charities who are all very relevant to the challenge itself. The three mountain rescue teams are all volunteer organisations made up of people who give up their own time for free to come and help you if you were to get in to trouble. They often respond to many calls during the summer months from teams who go up the mountains underprepared. Click on any of the logos below to go to their website, and follow the links to donate.

Alternativley, here are three charities which are involved in maintaining the paths on the three mountains. The paths on each mountain require constant repair from the thousands of people who use them every year whilst attempting the challenge. Click on any of the logos below to go to their website, and follow the links to donate.