Garden House Hospice Care National 3 Peaks Challenge 2020

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                       Garden House Hospice Care
                  National 3 Peaks Challenge - 2020
Background
Garden House Hospice Care provides free specialist palliative care for patients, families and
carers facing life limiting illnesses from across Stevenage and North Hertfordshire including
Letchworth Garden City, Hitchin, Baldock, Royston and surrounding villages, serving a
population of over 230,000 people.
The Challenge
The National 3 Peaks Challenge is still one of the ‘must do’ challenges in the Country.
Completing the challenge for Garden House Hospice Care will not only raise valuable funds
for a brilliant cause but also make memories and friends forever.
Dates
The Challenge will take place from Friday 14th August to Monday 17th August 2020.
About the Challenge
The National 3 Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, Wales
and England, often within 24 hours. The mountains are from North to South, Ben Nevis,
Scafell Pike and Snowdon. The challenge can be completed in either direction. We will be
completing it from Scotland southward.
Each mountain includes walking anywhere between 7 to 10 miles dependant on route. The
challenge also includes two driving routes between the mountains. This allows time for rest
and some sleep.
The Mountains
Ben Nevis – At 1345metres high ‘The Ben’ is the highest mountain in the United Kingdom.
The challenge will start at the Glen Nevis visitors centre and will climb Ben Nevis first.
Scafell Pike – At 978 metres high this is the highest mountain in England. The route up will
start at Wasdale Head. This is the second od the peaks.

For further information or questions, please contact Richard Harbon at Garden House Hospice Care
on richard.harbon@ghhospicecare.org.uk or 01462 679540.

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Snowdon – At 1085 metres this is the highest peak in Wales. The route up will start at Pen y
Pass and ascend via the Pyg track. The route down will be via the Miners Track. The
challenge will finish at the car park on Pen y Pass.
What we will provide.
The challenge will include the following in terms of logistics.
   ❖   Transport to Fort William, Scotland in a mini bus.
   ❖   Overnight Accommodation in Fort William.
   ❖   Transport between each peak.
   ❖   Accommodation near Snowdon at the end of the challenge.
   ❖   Expert guide up each mountain.
   ❖   Food and drink during the challenge.
   ❖   Transport back to Letchworth Garden City.
Garden House Hospice Care will also provide:
   ❖   Advice on how to train for the challenge.
   ❖   Advice on what equipment you will need on the challenge.
   ❖   Fundraising tips to reach the sponsorship target.
   ❖   Training walks in the build up to the challenge.
   ❖   Technical T shirt.
Equipment Needed
Safety is a key element on this challenge. To prepare yourself and give you the best
opportunity to complete it you will need a basic level of equipment. The recommended
equipment will cater for a range of weather conditions. Quite often in the hills it will look
warm and calm from the valley floor but blowing a gale on top. Hence:
Essential.
   ➢   Walking boots/shoes dependant on choice. These must be worn in.
   ➢   Walking socks plus two extra pairs.
   ➢   Walking clothes including extra sets. (see below – clothing)
   ➢   Waterproof cagoule and over trousers.
   ➢   Gloves.
   ➢   Hat.
   ➢   Sun cream and sun glasses.
   ➢   Backpack with the capacity to take some of the above and all of the below.
   ➢   Survival bag.
   ➢   Food and drink for the walk. (see below – food and drink)
   ➢   First Aid Kit. **
   ➢   Mobile phone.
   ➢   Whistle.
   ➢   Compass. *
   ➢   Map. *
For further information or questions, please contact Richard Harbon at Garden House Hospice Care
on richard.harbon@ghhospicecare.org.uk or 01462 679540.

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*These will be provided by the Event Organiser.
**The minimum required in a first aid kit includes plasters, blister plasters, a triangle
bandage, large dressing, latex gloves, safety pins and saline wipes.
Optional.
   ➢ Walking poles.
   ➢ Camera/Go Pro.
   ➢ GPS.
Personal.
   ➢   Wash bag.
   ➢   Towel.
   ➢   Travel clothes and shoes.
   ➢   Travel pillow.
   ➢   Warm jacket. Useful as a blanket.
Walking Boots
For those experienced in the hills you will decide yourself whether to wear walking boots or
shoes. For those of you less experienced it is highly recommended that you wear a pair of
walking boots that give protection to the ankle and are well worn in.
Clothing
To cover the range of conditions we are likely to face it is recommended that you cater for
the following.
Base Layer – A thermal top to cater for cold conditions. It is often snow bound all year round
on Ben Nevis.
Mid Layer – Comfortable fleece or jumper to cover the base layer trapping body heat.
Outer Layer – Waterproof cagoule and over trousers for wet and/or windy conditions.
Food and Drink
We will provide all the food and drink you will need for the trip. This includes breakfast and
evening meals at or near to where we are staying. If you would prefer to bring your own
food for the challenge, this is also okay.
Whilst on the challenge it is important to keep on eating and drinking. Before we go I will
plan exactly what to take based on your tastes and requirements. However, I will split it in
two sections.
   1. Food for the walk. To include.
       Water, energy drinks, snack bars, fruit, sweets, filled rolls, crisps.
   2. Food for the driving sections. To include.

For further information or questions, please contact Richard Harbon at Garden House Hospice Care
on richard.harbon@ghhospicecare.org.uk or 01462 679540.

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       Hot food, hot drinks, snacks, sweets, fruit.
Training
Each of the mountains is a full day out for the average walker. Doing three in less than 24
hours will test the physical and mental strength of all that take on the challenge. Getting
yourself in as fit a condition as possible is important if you want to complete the challenge
and enjoy it on the way.
The challenge includes 24 miles of walking and over 3000 metres of ascent (and descent).
Event participants will receive training tips, nutrition advice and also guided walks in the
build up to the event.
I will plan team training walks before we go. These will include an opportunity to get to
know each other and also test your level of fitness. We are blessed with some fine walks on
our doorstep, including Pegsdon Hills, the Ashridge estate and the Greenway footpath.
Timing Guide
This is a rough timing guide based on previous experience and maximising the daylight
available.
Friday 14th August 2020
8am – Leave GHHC , travel to Fort William in the mini-bus.
6pm – Arrive Fort William, book into accommodation, evening meal.
Saturday 15th August.
After breakfast. Briefing on the challenge, kit check and route plan.
Down time to see the sights of Fort William.
Visit to Whiskey Distillery and Mermaid Steps, Fort William. Optional.
5pm – Start the ascent of Ben Nevis.
10pm – Complete Ben Nevis. Drive to Wasdale Head.
Sunday 16th August.
3am – Start ascent of Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head.
7am – Complete Scafell Pike. Drive to Pen y Pass.
12 noon – Start ascent of Snowdon.
4pm – Complete the challenge. Cheers, hugs, champagne.
5.30pm – To accommodation, evening meal. Bed.
Monday 17th August.
10am – See sites of Capel Curig. Travel home to GHHC.
For further information or questions, please contact Richard Harbon at Garden House Hospice Care
on richard.harbon@ghhospicecare.org.uk or 01462 679540.

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3pm – Arrive back at GHHC.
Sponsorship
You are asked to aim for a minimum sponsorship of £500, all of which will go to improving
the lives of so many people who are cared for and supported by the Hospice.
The Fundraising Team at the Hospice will provide advice and guidance to help make
fundraising easy for you.
Cost of the Trip
The cost of the trip is only £250 per person. This includes twin room accommodation at each
end of the challenge. If you require a single room there will be a single room supplement.
Registration for the Challenge costs £50, payable to Garden House Hospice Care
Frequently Asked Questions
   ▪   How fit do I have to be to be take on the Challenge?
The challenge is both a test of mental and physical fitness. A good level of fitness is
recommended. However, having the right positive attitude is more important. I will provide
training programmes to those people who want them. There will also be group walks on
offer in the build-up. Some of these will also be planned to test mental strength as well.
There is a well-worn phrase about the 3 peaks challenge that it is an event that anyone can
do, they just have to have the will to do it.
   ▪   How much money am I expected to raise?
The target for sponsorship is £500. I have a team of experienced fundraisers who will assist
with support and guidance on how to reach this total. If you are new to fundraising I can
reassure you that with the right sort of help, the target of £500 is well within the reach of
everyone.
   ▪   Will I get help and guidance to raise the money?
I have a team of experienced fundraisers who will give plenty of advice and support on how
best to raise the target amount. We also have a fund-raising pack which includes all sorts of
good tips and advice.
   ▪   Is there someone to provide help and guidance in relation to preparing for the
       challenge?
I have had the pleasure of doing the National 3 Peaks challenge 15 times and enjoyed it
every single time. I have also been walking in the hills and mountains for the last 45 years. I
will be your first port of call in relation to help and guidance. I have also recruited fitness
coaches and experts in relation to nutrition to provide you with support on how best to
prepare.

For further information or questions, please contact Richard Harbon at Garden House Hospice Care
on richard.harbon@ghhospicecare.org.uk or 01462 679540.

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   ▪   Will I be able to sleep during the challenge?
There will be a limited opportunity to sleep in the mini bus between peaks. It is worth
preparing for little or no sleep at all and making the most of what sleep you get. With the
numbers going there will be an opportunity to stretch out a bit in the bus. Please bring a
travel pillow and blanket with you.
   ▪   Can I have a single room?
There cost of the trip is based on sharing a room with someone. However, if you would
prefer a single room, please let me know and I will book one. There will be a slight added
cost for you.
   ▪   Will you be able to take into consideration my food tastes and allergies?
Food and drink are essential in giving you the best opportunity for success and you will need
to eat and drink a lot. You will be asked many questions in the build up to ensure we are
aware of any allergies and tastes that you have. These will be built into the overall nutrition
plan for the event.
   ▪   What is the best type of footwear to use?
Footwear is the single most important item of gear for this event. It is vital that you get this
right. For experienced fell walkers you will have your own personal choice for high
mountains. I will leave it to you to decide. For others, please make sure you obtain boots
and shoes that fit, give plenty of forward movement in the footwear to compensate for
going downhill and give stability to the ankle if you need it. With all footwear that you will
be wearing for about 15 hours on the challenge, make sure they are well worn in.
Further Information
If you have any questions about the challenge, please contact Richard Harbon at Garden
House Hospice Care on richard.harbon@ghhospicecare.org.uk or 01462 679540.
Thank you.
Richard Harbon (Event Organiser)

For further information or questions, please contact Richard Harbon at Garden House Hospice Care
on richard.harbon@ghhospicecare.org.uk or 01462 679540.