4 PEAK CHALLENGE

The 4 peaks challenge was completed between 9th to 12th September 2005. The aim was to complete the 4 highest peaks in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and england. There was no time constraint apart from that we had to be back at work on Monday morning! The participants were Clive Gomm, Russell Evans, Carl Diggens and Cami Falkstedt.

The Journey started in London 3am Friday 9th. We arrived at our first challenge, Snowdon at 10.00am. Half way up the mountain we realised that we had taken a wrong turn up the Rhydd Ddu path, it helps to read the directions, but we could see the Watkin path on the other side of the valley so headed for that. After an hour of walking through swampland we joined the other path and headed up the mountain. As we entered the clouds we noticed the ascent getting steeper until we found ourselves climbing up slippery wet slate. After 30 mins of climbing we heard voices and knew we were near the top. At 1pm we reached the summit.

We were now behind schedule and missed our ferry from Holyhead to Dublin. However, we did manage to get on the 20.15 ferry to Dublin instead. We drove from Dublin to the start of Slieve Donard at the seaside town of Newcastle, Northern Ireland. It was now 1am Saturday morning. The instructions for this climb were easy, follow the river until you reach a wall then follow that to the summit. Yet again we found ourselves in a swampy bog and kept losing the track in the pitch black. As we approached the summit we entered the clouds and visibility was near zero. It was now 3am. We had 3 hours to descend and drive back to Dublin to catch our ferry.

We arrived at Dublin just in time and caught a ferry back to holyhead. We then drove from Holyhead to Scafell Pike in the lake district, arriving at 14.30 on Saturday. It was a glorious day and we reached the summit at 17.15. After the descent we drove to Fort William in preparation for the tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. We arrived at 3.30am and got some well earned sleep.

8am and we went for a large Scottish breakfast to help give us that finial push. The ascent began at 11am Sunday morning and we arrived at the top at 14.00. By 17.00 it was all over, we had completed our challenge. Apart from the 11 hour drive home!! Thanks to Carl and Russell for not only climbing the 4 peaks but also driving 1600 miles around Britain and Ireland.

£300 was raised for Ravens Youth Football Club, Chelmsford. This money went towards buying a new football kit for the under 7's team.