The 3 Peaks Challenge

This is a formidable challenge, and completion within 24 hours is a fine achievement that doesn't come easy. However you finish this event, you're likely to feel very happy about crossing the finish line with all those mountain ups & downs behind you. It's certainly a difficult event to fully prepare for, indeed when else might you scale England's highest mountain in the dark?!

So this is unique, challenging, difficult, fun, and satisfying - all rolled into a 24 hour period.

For many, climbing Scafell Pike is the most difficult and most worrying part of a 3 peaks challenge. Often teams ascend during the hours of darkness, and for this you will either need to be highly proficient with map and compass, or hire a guide to take care of the navigation for you. It's not unusual for parties to become lost on Scafell Pike even during the daytime, so imagine what it will be like at night. Hard to imagine really, this has to be experienced to be believed, there's no other way.

Climb Scafell guides are very knowledgeable about the area and know the route every step of the way, day or night! We have ascended Scafell Pike hundred's of times, often during 3 Peaks Challenge events, so rest assured you're in safe hands.

Using a qualified and experienced guide enhances your enjoyment and increases the success rate for participants.

We keep in touch with you during your journey from Ben Nevis (or Snowdon) and meet you at Wasdale Head all ready for the ascent.

In advance of your event date we will be on hand to offer help and advice on areas such as: what equipment to bring; weather; training tips; travelling times; walking distances & times; starting times for the first mountain and knock on effects of this; fitness; group size.

We know all 3 mountains very well, and will do our best to answer any questions relating to any of the mountains and anything else to do with the event.

We also provide training and preparation days for the 3 Peaks Challenge.

Where to meet us:

The National Trust Lake Head car park, Wasdale Head. Here’s a map showing where the NT campsite is, the car park is adjacent to the campsite: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Wasdale+National+Trust+Campsite/@54.4563142,-3.2639738,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x487cc8ca788053b7:0xe20674faf78b53f6

Once in Wasdale the road follows the shores of Wastwater, when near the head of the lake look out for a right turning, this leads over a metal bridge and to the parking area which is 2nd left after crossing the bridge. The parking area is surrounded by trees so whilst it is signposted it isn’t immediately obvious when arriving at night.
If instead you arrive at a large, open parking area this means you’ve gone a little too far and have arrived at Wasdale Green, please turn around and drive about 1 mile back to the turning for the NT campsite.
 
If you’re unsure about these directions please let us know in advance as the mobile signal in Wasdale is very limited.

Being good neighbours:
The meeting location is very close to the campsite and set in a beautiful valley, where people come to get away from hustle and bustle, and noise! For those arriving at night to complete the 3 Peaks challenge, please be as quiet as possible, so the campers and locals can enjoy a good nights sleep, thanks :-)

Flexibility of start time:
We understand not everyone walks at the same pace, and traffic can alter arrival times for 3 Peakers. We are happy to stay flexible - within reason - with our meeting time in Wasdale. Even though we live in Ambleside, due to the narrow lanes it takes us around 1 hour 20 minutes to reach Wasdale. We need plenty of notice of your ETA in order that we arrive in good time to be ready. To achieve this we ask that you text or call us as soon as you are all down off Ben Nevis and contact us again before leaving the M6 motorway.
 

Returning from a successful evening on Scafell Pike

Summit plateau

Looking back to Langdale on our way to Scafell Pike