| PLANNING & TRAINING From the idea 8 months ago we assembled the Team of 18 and put the outline plan together by January. Walkers trained almost every weekend usually in the Chilterns. We had one long weekend in the Brecons. Meanwhile the Support Team arranged Mini buses, hotels, routes, walking food and drink, and communications. We established a basic kit list, which would cover all conditions. SPONSORSHIP Local businesses were contacted and WVC cars and the National Grid have provided significant help. Some other businesses put up small sums or sponsored sports drinks and energy bars. The bulk of funds have been raised by the Team and fellow Rotarians on an individual sponsorship basis. We are very grateful to every one who has helped. THE WALK We left Reading at 5am on Thursday 13th and it took 12 hours to get to Fort William. Up at 4am and on Ben Nevis by 5am. The weather forecast was poor with difficult conditions for walkers. It was spot on and by the time we reached the summit it was very cold, wet and the wind was strong. The snow was deep. We were very glad that we had prepared properly and had the right kit. Getting down was slower than expected because it was so slippery. After a celebratory tot we were off to The Lake District. By 8 pm we were in our Hotel and what seemed like a few hours later up again at 4 am for another 5 am start on Scafell. Conditions were much better here and although cloud obscured our view at the summit, it was dry and we made good progress. The route was difficult with a long and dangerous section over what can only be described as a boulder field. But we did it all as planned and were off again soon after 10 am on the long drive to Snowdon. Once again the Support Team did a great job of feeding us en route and we arrived in Llanberis in time to get moving again by 4 pm. Snowdon was more difficult than we expected, probably because we were so tired, and it was a long and painful haul to the peak. The bonus was that by now the sun was smiling on us and we had a clear blue sky and magnificent views all around us. Snowdon has the best peak of them all and we had it to ourselves at 7pm. We were all elated. It's surprising how quickly you can shower when a good meal and glass are waiting and we celebrated into the early hours. Now all we have to do is collect the Cash!! LOOKING BACK The training and planning paid off. We will raise a lot for an excellent cause. The support we had was superb and there were no serious injuries or mishaps. We had some fun - smiled a lot, cursed, slept together (in the vans) tried to teach the Teacher among us to count, sang, made friends with some Irish walkers and looked away (most of the time) when someone? was stripping off on each summit to put on her knee supports for the climb down. We all pushed our own little personal boundaries and made some closer friends. Not bad for a bunch of grumpy old men (and ladies). Reading Maiden Erlegh Rotary Club raised £7500
FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE
3 PEAKS CHALLENGE
Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon
May 14th & 15th 2004
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