Motionlab begin to scale the heights in the name of charity

Next year, several members of the Motionlab team will be attempting the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’ for charity, a challenge that involves walking the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within the space of just 24 hours. Their training began last Sunday with a trial climb up Cumbria’s Scafell Pike.

Head hiker Andy Windle takes up the story:

“We started at approximately 11:15am (seven men and one dog).  We’d aimed to start/meet at 10:00am but Stuart Cross had tooth ache and Dave Ellams wasn’t happy with taking the A roads and decided to take a detour over the mountain via Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass. As such, the start was delayed.

“The weather was dry and cloudy as we started, but the summit was looking cloud free at this point.  After walking around 100 meters, the initial enthusiastic mood seemed to be disappearing as some group members realised that climbing the highest mountain in England meant walking up hill significantly!

“The first big challenge of the walk involved crossing a fast, wide flowing stream.  There was always going to be one casualty and Mike Smedley duly obliged by sinking his left leg knee deep in water, much to the amusement of the rest of the team.

“After a couple of hours walking, we arrived at the summit, which was now unfortunately covered by cloud, with limited visibility and wet enough to force us to don our waterproofs.  Lunch was eaten at the summit with such gourmet meals as left over curry on a sandwich and mouldy bread barn cakes.

“The way down was much quicker and potentially kamikaze for some team members.  We had to yet again navigate the flowing stream near the bottom, which seemed to have swelled further.  Those that crossed first took suitable seating to enjoy watching the rest of the team attempt to cross.

“Danny Greaves was now odds on favourite to fall.  After navigating up down the stream for several minutes, he finally allowed a couple of children to test a crossing place up stream before having a go himself.

“Once at the bottom, a quick and well-earned pint was enjoyed in the Wasdale Head Inn as the rain started to come down heavily before the long drive back home.”

To be continued…