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13th….15th June 2008
The RYAN KEMP 3 peaks challenge 2008.
THE RYAN KEMP 3 -PEAKS CHALLENGE 2008.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Three_Peaks_Challenge
excellent 3 peaks challenge site.
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Well Friday 13th June eventually arrived, good job we were not superstitious,
After the previous 6 months practice walks etc, organising, I think everybody was now just itching to get going on the Challenge itself.
Friday 13th June 2007. till Sunday 15th June 2007.
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Following our minibus pick up’s, it was back to various homes for people to prepare themselves for the challenge.
12.15pm, earlier start this year to try to miss traffic on M6, as you will see this did not quite match expectations, was it the curse of Friday 13th ?.
Everybody ready on the 2 minibuses,
As we left Greenfield Avenue in our brand new minibuses, everything appeared fine, then the bloody bleeping started, the Taco in our brand new minibus, decided it would bleep every 30 seconds or so, clearly we could not put up with this, so after a drive round to Moulton Park , to the hire company office, we discovered no one in the office, a big hammer was suggested at this time, but no, we calmed down and decided to visit the main van dealer on the way to the M1, very “helpful” !!!!!!! guy suggested that he should perhaps remove the Taco, as he did not have any idea how to stop the bleeping, with Taco removed; we set off for the motorway at 1.35pm, so much for the early start.
As we reached the dual carriageway, the driver noticed that since the Taco had been removed, we did not have a speedo on the van, so no idea what speeds we would be travelling, so back in goes the Taco, along with the bleeping, good old co-driver after a lot of button pushing managed to control the bleeping, so that it only started when the bus speed dropped below about 10 miles per hour.
SCOTLAND HERE WE COME.
Off we went, the 1st part of the journey which is always a little anti climax, usually stuck in traffic for a while on the M6, this did not change this year, only about a 15minute hold up on the way to Sandbach Service station, chance for stretch legs etc.
We left Sandbach after about 20 minutes stop over, at 16.05
Another couple of hours M6 driving till we reached TEBAY Westmoreland service station at 18.05.
A very welcome "HOT" meal was taken here; this was to be our last decent meal until after we had completed our 1st peak, The BEN.
Leaving Tebay around 18.55, we then had another couple of hours driving, until we reached HAMILTON Service station,
We eventually reached Hamilton Services at 20.55, just stopping for toilet etc, and then leaving at 21.15 for the final leg of our journey through Glasgow, (M8) to Fort William.
After the weather forecast for the previous few days we were amazed to still see the sun shining brightly right through till about 10.00pm
It never really got dark at all due to the clear skies, absolutely fantastic weather.
Was this the Friday the 13th curse again, as we reached the split of the A82 and A83 at Loch Lomond, we discovered that the A 82, our road, was closed, not knowing the roads of Scotland that well, we followed our Sat Nav, the whole diversion route actually put approx 50 miles etc on the journey, plus an extra hour at least.
When we eventually reached the Glen Nevis Visitors centre Car park at 12.45am, A quick change of clothes etc, bags ready.
With dry weather at Fort William, there did not appear to be any of the annoying "Midges" about that we usually encounter.
After everybody had got ready for the climb, final farewells to drivers, we eventually started the "CHALLENGE" at 1.15am. Only about 15minutes later then the 2007 challenge.
So off we went 11 walkers all in a line starting our 1st ascent of Ben Nevis, "The BEN".
Mick, Irene, John, Shannon, Sarah, Bernard, Lizzie, Holly, Dave, Aaran, and Andy,
Leaving Cath, George, Victor, Brian and Tony, our drivers behind to get some well earned kip.
After about 2 hours walking, it really was light enough to turn off the majority of our head torches, Venus could be seen clearly in the Sky, Approx 3.15am we arrived at the "lake in the Mountain", this particular lake is used to supply fresh water to the Ben Nevis Distillery,
At this point, we noticed that the sun was starting to rise in the East. It was here that we decided to stop for a breather and some snacks etc.
After our snacks we continued for about 15 minutes, and then crossed the RED BURN, this is approx half way between bottom and summit.
The next stage of the of the walk starts to become quite steep in places, with the path now Zig Zaggin it’s way to the top, every time we stopped and looked east the Sun was rising steadily higher,
After some interesting walking across the normal snow patch that covers the path close to the Summit, (Due to the clear skies the snow patch was rock hard), like walking across a skate park.
On the summit it’self, the actual rocks were all covered in a thin layer of snow / ice, which made for a very tricky last few yards to reach the top of GREAT BRITAIN.
6.15am on the Summit of the BEN, with no view to speak of, cloud had enveloped the summit just before we reached the top.
After the Photo shoot etc, we finally started to Descend from the BEN at 6.30am in sunshine.
Due to clearness of the day etc, the group all split up for the trek to the bottom.
Final walkers arriving at the bottom at 9.15am, still a very respectable time for the BEN during a 36-hour 3-peaks challenge.
Breakfast at Morrisons went well, not too much waiting around this year.
After re-fuelling at Fort William, it was time to set off for the LAKES.
Leaving Fort William at 11.30am, slightly later than anticipated,
I think that most people suddenly found themselves very very tired, after the trek up the BEN and then full breakfasts; sleep was the order of the day.
As we reached Calendar, the weather began to change (As forecast), only a short sharp shower though, nothing like last years challenge.
Following a short stop at Gretna services ( 15.45 till 16.30) we left for the next leg of journey the 2.5 hour journey from Gretna to Wasdale.
Arriving at Wasdale around 18.55, in glorious sunshine.
After getting ready for the walk ahead, at Gosforth, due to large number of 3-peakers around we decided to change into our walking gear at the main car park, in Gosforth, we were then ready to jump off the bus at Wastwater while the drivers found somewhere to park the minibuses.
We started our ascent of Scafell Pike at 19.30, in wonderful late evening sunshine.
As we were ascending to Scafell Pike we could see the path that we would normally descend by (mickledore and Brown Tongue) footpath, however due to erosion this path is now deemed to be too dangerous to descend by, so the decision was made to ascend and descend via same route.
The last leg of the ascent to the summit of SCAFELL PIKE we had a wondrous sunset out to the west over the Irish Sea, with the Isle of Man visible in the distance.
However as we reached the summit, the wind was making for a very cold stop at the top, following photo’s etc we then started our descent.
Arrived at the summit of SCAFELL PIKE at 22.00, leaving the top at 22.15.
The descent from Scafell Pike was, as usual quite laborious, why do the descents always appear to have bits added on, whilst you are coming down the Mountains.
Arriving back at the minibuses around 1am.
AT THIS POINT I MUST SAY A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DRIVERS, WITHOUT DRIVERS THE WHOLE CHALLENGE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE PLACE; WE CAN NOT PRAISE THE DRIVERS TOO MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH LADS AND LASSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
CATH , GEORGE, BRIAN, VICTOR AND TONY.
Following a change of clothes etc in the minibuses, we left the Lakes (Wasdale head) AROUND 1.45AM for our journey to North Wales.
We journeyed down the M6, stopping briefly at Lancaster services for fuel etc (4.00am till 4.25am).
The weather as we reached North Wales was not too bad, quite dry, but some high cloud,
We reached Pen Y Pass car park at 7.05am, still on time for completion of the 3-peaks challenge within 36 hours.
When we arrived at the car park, Elaine and Lee, were also on hand to meet us, after sleeping in their car for a few hours till we turned up.
Lee was also to Join us for the Mount Snowdon Walk.
Due to the footpath ( The Pyg Track Route) being reasonably clear to the summit of Mount Snowdon, the group left to make their own way to the Summit and back, starting our ascent of Snowdon at 7.45am, the last group reached the summit, thankful to be on the last summit at 10.40am, quick photo’s then the descent, the last group arriving for the picture call by George, at the foot of Snowdon taking individual photo’s of everybody has they passed the "FINISH" line.
The final group arriving at 13.05pm, 3-peaks in 36 hours completed by everybody.
Hot tea was made available to everybody supplied by our "Back up" van drivers.
Then of course the customary wine , beer and Cider etc also came out.
In conclusion of the challenge.
The Start of the Challenge was BEN NEVIS, with the weather the views etc on the ascent and descent on this mountain certainly made for a very good start to the Challenge,
ON A PERSONAL NOTE I WANT TO 1ST THANK ELAINE, LEE, IRENE AND ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF YOUNG RYAN FOR INVITING ME TO LEAD THE GROUP FOR A 2ND TIME ON THE CHALLENGE THIS YEAR.
I FEEL SO PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS CHALLENGE, WITH SO MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF Ryan’s TAKING PART,
This HAS CERTAINLY BEEN FOR ME, ALSO A VERY EMOTIONAL 8 MONTHS, culminating again in this wonderful Challenge.
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On a personal note, I would like to thank all the walkers for allowing me a moment of solitude / quite on the summit of each Mountain, this helped me a great deal, in dealing with my own personal losses over this past 8 months, and many thanks for joining with me with our little NIP of Whisky on Scafell and Snowdon,
Dad, Ken and Greg were all there with me.
THEN OF COURSE I CAN NOT EXPRESS MY THANKS TOO MUCH TO ALL THE WALKERS / DRIVERS , HELPERS ETC WHO HAVE MADE THIS CHALLENGE POSSIBLE, THIS YEAR MY CLIMB OF BEN NEVIS WAS MY 21st, I have taken Church groups, 3 -peakers, family members and friends up over the last 13 years, but for me the emotion of the event this year is certainly one that I shall not forget.
MANY MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME TO TAKE PART WITH YOU.
MICK FINCH
Next year the 3-peaks challenge shall take place over the weekend of 12th, 13th and 14th June, with Fathers day being on June 21st.
As next year I am celebrating my 50th year, I am trying to arrange for new participants, plus past participants to join with me, please do e-mail if you would like to be on the provisional list.
I shall be splitting proceeds from next years event 4 ways, 4 charities that have been dear to me over the last 13 years, they are :-
RNBT, (Royal navy benevolent trust ), Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice, Tools for Self reliance, Northampton and C A N Northampton.
28A Clare street
Northampton.
Phone 01604 631679(Day) (01604 642551)(night/weekends) Fax 01604 631973
Mobile 07885 298611.
e-mail mick@finchelectrical.co.uk
Please find below walking list for this coming years challenges etc Swiss (Sept2008) and Mount Kilimanjaro’ (October 2008)
If you are able to come on any of the following walks, can you please let me know in advance, so that I can try to organise transport etc, also if you are able to offer transport, that would be appreciated.
It is strongly advised for you to bring with you on each walk, appropriate clothing, for the weather etc, and also a TORCH.
If you require further info’ etc on any of the following please either e-mail me or phone.
This year I am leaving some of the walking venues open, If anyone would like to suggest a walking area etc for any of the dates, please e-mail me asap. Either local walks, Derbyshire, Cotswolds, Shropshire etc etc etc.
A few places are still available for Kilimanjaro 2008 and Swiss Challenge 2008 , please e-mail for further details.
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Sunday 13th January 2008 Bleaklow area Leave Northampton 7.30am
Saturday 26th January 2008 Mam Tor / Jacobs ladder Leave Northampton 7.30am
Saturday 2nd February 2008 Derbyshire Leave Northampton 7.30am
Saturday 23rd February 2008 Shropshire, LongMynd Leave Northampton 7.30am
Saturday 29th March 2008 Peak District area. Leave Northampton 7.30am
Sunday 20th April 2008 (KENT WALK, Seven Sisters or other) Leave Northampton 7.30am.
Saturday 10th May 2008 Edale area, to include Jacob’s ladder, Kinder etc, leave Northampton 7.30am
Bank Holiday weekend 24th, 25th, 26th May 2007 Possible Lake District Weekender
Please do\ feel free to bring along friends / families etc for any of the walks, also please do feel free to offer any suggestions for any of the walks.
Thanks, Any Further questions etc, please e-mail or ring me.
Many Thanks
See you soon Mick
Possible Other dates to be added later.
M.R FINCH
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
28a Clare Street, The Mounts, Northampton NN1 3JF
PHONE 01604 631679. MOBILE 07885 298611. FAX 01604 631973
e-mail 3peaks@finchelectrical.co.uk
THE SWISS “SCHILTHORN” CHALLENGE 2008.
PARTICIPANT APPLICATION FORM.
I ………………………………………………………………………………..
OF (home address)…………………………………………………………………………
E-Mail address…………………………………………………………………
CONTACT NUMBER…………………………………………………………
MOBILE NUMBER……………………………………………………………..
Passport number…………………………………………………………………..
AGREE TO TAKE PART IN THE SWISS “SCHILTHORN” CHALLENGE 2008.
OVER THE WEEKEND OF 13th….16th SEPTEMBER 2008.
(CLIMBING THE “JAMES BOND” SCHILTHORN MOUNTAIN, In the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland.
I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE SUBMITTED ITINERARY IN FULL, AND AGREE TO TAKE PART, ENTIRELY AT MY OWN RISK.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ORGANISERS OF THE EVENT (i.e M. R FINCH) SHALL ACCEPT NO RESPONSIBILTY WHATSOEVER FOR ANY INJURIE’S and/or ACCIDENTS THAT MAY OCCUR DURING THE EVENT.
(Please REMEMBER to arrange your own personal travel insurance, this event does not involve any rope work, just trekking).
Continued.
Page 2 Continuation.
I ENCLOSE A CHEQUE FOR £ 150.00. BEING A NON-RETURNABLE DEPOSIT.
And agree to raise a further minimum sponsorship amount of £ 500.00
I Further agree to hand over to my chosen Charity 50% (£ 250.00) of my sponsor money 14 days prior to the event taking place, with the remainder of my sponsorship monies being handed over in full, within 8 weeks of the event taking place.
PLEASE MAKE ALL CHEQUES PAYABLE TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING :-
I AGREE TO RAISE THE MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP AMOUNT AGREED ABOVE FOR THE FOLLOWING CHARITY.
Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice
Tools for Self Reliance
C A N Northampton
PLEASE DELETE ABOVE AS REQUIRED.
SIGNED………………………………………… DATED…………………….
Please return as soon as possible to above address.
Please note that included within your minimum agreed sponsorship amount of £ 650.00 total is the following :-
Return Flights to Switzerland, from Luton Airport
Return Train ticket for travel whilst in Switzerland, to and from Our Base in Lauterbrunnen.
3 nights hotel accommodation based upon a bed/breakfast and evening meal basis, at the
HOTEL OBERLAND, LAUTERBRUNNEN.
Cable car ticket for the Descent from the Schilthorn Mountain.
Expenses you shall require to fund yourself :-
General spending money,
Money for cable cars during practice walk on Sunday.
Please see following page for Itinerary of this event.
ITINARY.
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Saturday 13th September 2008,
Leave Luton Airport 07.40 for our flight to Switzerland,
Arrival in Switzerland, our train trip to our base in Lauterbrunnen, shall be broken by a few hours stop over in the medieval city of LUZERNE or BERN.
Arrival at HOTEL OBERLAND approx 6pm.
Time to settle in rooms, and be ready for evening meal at 7.30pm.
Following dinner, the rest of the evening is free time.
Sunday 14th September 2008.
Quite an early start today, Breakfast at 8am.
Leave hotel at 9.30am for our “Practice” walk, this walk involves quite a steep ascent from LAUTERBRUNNEN up to the wonderful Skiing Resort of WENGEN.
Following coffee etc at WENGEN, we can then catch the local Cable car up to the mountain top of MANLLICHEN, from here we have Fantastic views of (Weather Permitting) Interlaken, Grindlewald, and the Massifs of the big 3 mountains of the area, The EIGER, MONCH AND JUNGERFRAU.
Following a lunch stop at Manlichen, we can start the 2nd stage of our Practice walking day, walking from Manllichen to Kliene Schiedieg, this walk involves walking in the Shadow of the famous
NORTH FACE OF THE EIGER.
After reaching Kliene Scheideig, we then catch the local train back down the mountain to LAUTERBRUNNEN.
Evening meal again at 7.30pm.
Rest of Evening Free, However, please remember, tomorrow is a very Early Start.
Monday 15th September 2008.
Breakfast at 05.45, and be ready to leave Hotel by 06.30am at very latest.
Today we trek up to the SCHILTHORN,
Our trek starts from directly outside the hotel Oberland, the 1st part of the trek takes us up through the wonderful forest above Lauterbrunnen, up to the Alpine village of MURREN, this involves a trek of approx 3 hours.
At Murren we can then take a coffee etc, plus replenish water / food stocks etc required for the next stage of the walk, from the local Co Op.
After leaving Murren we can, on a clear day, see our objective, the Schilthorn.
On our way to the summit of the Schilthorn, we shall be making 2 break stops, plus other stops that people may require.
Reaching the Summit of the Schilthorn in the late afternoon., perhaps even time for a coffee etc in the revolving restaurant on the summit of the SCHILTHORN.
Before we catch our cable car for the descent back to LAUTERBRUNNEN.
Evening meal again at 7.30pm.
Following evening meal perhaps celebrations in the local late Bar, the HORNER BAR.
Tuesday 16th September 2008.
We are scheduled to leave LAUTERBRUNNEN approx 3.30pm, so today is a free day for everybody, I can however recommend a trip to the TRUMMELBACH water falls.
Arriving back in Luton Airport around 11pm
SPONSOR FORMS TO BE HANDED OUT UPON SIGNED COMPLETION OF THIS APPLICATION FORM.
Just beyond the southern end of Lauterbrunnen village, the delicate Staubbach falls – at nearly 300m, the highest in Switzerland – gush out of a sheer cliff, like a lacy decoration on the rugged precipice. It’s a scenic half-hour walk, or an hourly postbus, 3km up the valley to the Trümmelbach falls (daily: July & Aug 8am–6pm; Sept–June 9am–5pm; Fr.10). These impressively thunderous waterfalls – the runoff from the high mountains – have carved corkscrew channels through the valley walls: a stepped catwalk leads you over and around the enclosed, boiling cauldrons of rushing water (up to 20,000 litres a second), which throw up plenty of spray and have gradually eroded the rock into weird and wonderful shapes. From the top, trails from Mettlenalp connect to paths leading to Wengen and Wengernalp.
http://uk.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=slv8-msgr&p=Staubbach%20falls
PLEASE COPY AND PASTE THE ABOVE FOR FULL DETAILS OF WATERFALLS ETC IN THE LAUTERBRUNNEN AREA.
South of Bern and Luzern lies the grand Alpine heart of Switzerland, a massively impressive region of classic Swiss scenery – high peaks, sheer valleys and cool lakes – that makes for great hiking and gentle walking, not to mention world-class winter sports. The BERNESE OBERLAND is the most accessible and touristed area, and also the most spectacular, best known for a grand triple-peaked ridge of Alpine giants at its core – the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, cresting 4000m. However, the Oberland takes in a vast tract of territory, and the approaches to the high mountains have their own, less daunting pleasures: the twin lakes of the Thunersee (with the atmospheric old town of Thun at its head) and the Brienzersee (with Brienz) offer Alpine horizons and beauty enough to merit a stop of their own. Between the two, the bustling town of Interlaken is the main transport hub for the region, but the sheer volume of tourist traffic passing through can make it a less than restful place to stay. Coming from the big cities, many people aim for Interlaken as a supposed necessary stop, but it truthfully has little to offer beyond dozens of hotels and a handful of souvenir shops, and you’d do better to head straight for the mountains.
On a visit to the region, and stunned by the natural drama all around, the composer Felix Mendelssohn wrote: “Anyone who has not seen the scenery which surrounds Interlaken does not know Switzerland.” Once you’ve seen it, you’ll know what he means. Arguably the single most captivating place in the entire Alps lies just a short way south of Interlaken – the gorgeous Lauterbrunnen valley, with the resorts of Wengen and Mürren perched on plateaux above providing excellent winter skiing and summer hiking. Grindelwald is another bustling resort in its own valley slightly to the east. Both offer access to one of Switzerland’s top excursions, the amazing rack-railway journey winding up through spectacular mountain scenery to the snow- and ice-bound Jungfraujoch, a windswept col nestling at 3454m just below the peak of the Jungfrau itself, and the site of the highest train station in Europe. Further west, the Oberland rolls on and on through little-visited wooded valleys and pastureland, out to the borders of the German-speaking area, where sits probably the most famous name in the region: Gstaad.
Tourist offices, centred in Interlaken but scattered throughout virtually every town, control the Oberland’s thousands of chalets and private rooms, most of which, at higher altitudes anyway, close along with hotels and many resort shops and services in the quiet “between-seasons” of April–May and October–November. The flipside of this is that hoteliers and many chalet owners concoct high-season prices, generally applicable in late December and throughout February, which can be much higher than the rest of the year. Tourist offices can also provide details of the region’s numerous mountain huts (generally open June–Sept), which offer hikers or ski trekkers a bed and simple comforts in the wilds of nature. The co-ordinating Bernese Oberland tourist office has administrative offices at Jungfraustrasse 38, CH-3800 Interlaken (033/823 03 03, www.berneroberland.com & www.berneroberland-hotels.ch).
It’s hard to overstate just how stunning the LAUTERBRUNNEN VALLEY is – even hardened Alpinists shrug their shoulders and call it the most beautiful valley in Europe, bar none. An immense U-shaped valley (the world’s deepest) with bluffs on either side rising 1000m sheer, doused by some 72 waterfalls, it is utterly spectacular. Staying in Interlaken or Grindelwald comes a very poor second to basing yourself in or above Lauterbrunnen for your time in the Oberland. However long you stay, two hours or two weeks, you won’t want to leave.
Lauterbrunnen village itself lies on the valley floor, while the slopes above nurture two of Switzerland’s most appealing little resorts. Mürren to the west is the transfer point for the dramatic cable-car ride up to the Schilthorn peak, while Wengen to the east is a stop on the train line up to Kleine Scheidegg and the Jungfraujoch. Both of them are car-free, perched on narrow shelves of pasture way above the world below, and both offer some of the best hiking and skiing to be had in the Alps.
The road south from Interlaken shadows the train tracks and the Lütschine river through Wilderswil and on into the deep countryside. Cliffs close in either side as you reach Zweilütschinen: the Schwarze Lütschine tumbles in from Grindelwald further east, while the road and railway continue south alongside the rushing Weisse Lütschine (named “white” for its foaminess) through a charming wooded gorge. At the point where the valley opens up, airily broad, sunlit and impossibly picturesque, you enter the busy little village of LAUTERBRUNNEN. The train station here is the junction point for journeys up to Wengen and on up to the Jungfraujoch.
The wealth of opportunity for sightseeing and exploring around and about is virtually limitless. At the entrance to the village is a funicular cresting the west wall of the valley: this serves Grütschalp, from where a cliff-edge train – one of the most scenic rides in Switzerland – trundles its way to Mürren. You might, however, prefer to follow the steep path up to Grütschalp (rising 690m in 2hr), to take advantage of the panoramic stroll alongside the tracks to Mürren (1hr 10min).
Just before Lauterbrunnen, precipitous roads and footpaths wind up west to Isenfluh, an isolated little hamlet on a tiny patch of green alp, from where little-trod hiking trails fan out and a cable-car rises to the Sulwald alp, at the foot of the distinctively jagged Lobhörner crag (2566m).
Just beyond the southern end of Lauterbrunnen village, the delicate Staubbach falls – at nearly 300m, the highest in Switzerland – gush out of a sheer cliff, like a lacy decoration on the rugged precipice. It’s a scenic half-hour walk, or an hourly postbus, 3km up the valley to the Trümmelbach falls (daily: July & Aug 8am–6pm; Sept–June 9am–5pm; Fr.10). These impressively thunderous waterfalls – the runoff from the high mountains – have carved corkscrew channels through the valley walls: a stepped catwalk leads you over and around the enclosed, boiling cauldrons of rushing water (up to 20,000 litres a second), which throw up plenty of spray and have gradually eroded the rock into weird and wonderful shapes. From the top, trails from Mettlenalp connect to paths leading to Wengen and Wengernalp.
Practicalities
Lauterbrunnen’s train station is at the northernmost end of the village, directly opposite the Mürrenbahn station. A 200m walk up into the village brings you to the tourist office on the main street (Mon–Fri 8am–noon & 2–6pm; July & Aug also Sat & Sun 8am–3pm; 033/855 19 55, www.lauterbrunnen.ch).
Lots of places offer dorm accommodation. If you go behind the station, cross the river on a tiny bridge and turn right, you’ll come to Matratzenlager Stocki (033/855 17 54; Fr.13) with good dorms in a converted farmhouse and kitchen use. A little before the tourist office and down by the tracks is cosy Valley Hostel (Tél. & fax 033/855 20 08; Fr.20), most rooms with a balcony. There are two campsites, both at the southern end of the village: Jungfrau (033/856 20 10) is on the west bank, while quieter Schützenbach (033/855 12 68) is on the other side, alongside the road to Stechelberg – both also have dorms (Fr.15–20) and rooms (a). Among the hotels are jovial, backpacker-ish Horner (033/855 16 73, fax 855 46 07; a), just beyond the tourist office, whose staff may slash rates to Fr.10 per person for post-9pm check-in if they have space. Beside the station is the Bahnhof (033/855 17 23, fax 855 18 47; b), with cosy, uncomplicated rooms and cooking to match. Silberhorn (033/855 14 71, fax 855 42 13; b–c) is up off the main drag but only a minute from the station, with pristinely quiet rooms – slightly pricier ones with a view. Eating and drinking are best done in the various hotels along the main street: the Horner has bargain pizza/pasta meals for under Fr.13, while the hotel Oberland (Mark and Ursula your hosts) (http://www.hoteloberland.ch/mainframe_e.htm) and Schützen, either side of the tourist office, are solid places for solid fare, both also specializing in afternoon tea with fresh apple strudel. The Horner has Internet access (Fr.12/hr).
Since both Wengen and Mürren are car-free, Lauterbrunnen has built for itself a huge multistorey car park directly behind the train station at the northernmost edge of the village – horrendous though that sounds, the community knows the value of its views, and has ensured both that the car park doesn’t disturb the eye, and that it filters most of the traffic away from the village centre. Parking for a 24-hour day costs Fr.9 (July to mid-Sept), Fr.11/15 (mid-Dec to mid-April weekdays/weekends) and Fr.7 at other times; eight-day equivalents are Fr.59, Fr.76 and Fr.56. Two other small open-air parking areas within the village cost Fr.5–7 per day. Stechelberg has another large parking area at the foot of the Schilthornbahn cable-car (Fr.5/day, Fr.21/week).
Switzerland’s most popular (and expensive) mountain railway excursion is unmissable. Trains trundle through lush countryside south from Interlaken before coiling spectacularly up across either Wengen or Grindlewald’s mountain pastures, breaking the treeline at Kleine Scheidegg and tunnelling clean through the Eiger to emerge at the JUNGFRAUJOCH, an icy, windswept col at 3454m, just beneath the Jungfrau summit. It’s the site of the highest train station in Europe, and offers an unforgettable experience of the mountains. You’d be missing out if you decided against shelling out the exorbitant sums necessary to reach the place.
However, good weather is essential – if there’s a hint of cloud you’d be wasting your time heading up. Check the pictures from the summit, broadcast live on cable TV throughout the region, for an idea of the weather conditions, call the Jungfraujoch weather line (033/828 79 31) or ask your hotel or nearest tourist office for the latest forecasts. Remember, too, that it takes two and a half hours to reach the summit from Interlaken, and weather conditions can change rapidly. Coy though it sounds, even if you plan nothing more adventurous than looking out of the summit station window you should still bring sunglasses with you: the snows never melt up here, and if the sky is blue, the sun’s glare and glitter can be painful.
There are two routes to the top. Trains head southwest from Interlaken Ost along the valley floor to Lauterbrunnen, from where you pick up the mountain line which climbs through Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg; different trains head southeast from Interlaken Ost to Grindelwald, where you change for the climb, arriving at Kleine Scheidegg from the other direction. All trains terminate at Kleine Scheidegg, where you must change for the final pull to Jungfraujoch – the popular practice is to go up one way and down the other.
Currently, the adult round-trip fare to Jungfraujoch from Interlaken is a budget-crunching Fr.159 – the Jungfraubahnen Pass, and the broader Bernese Oberland Regional Pass, both pointlessly stop short at Kleine Scheidegg, requiring passholders to shell out an extra Fr.50 to reach the summit. One way to cut costs is to take advantage of the discounted Good Morning ticket (Fr.120; Eurail Fr.105; Swiss Pass Fr.94), valid if you travel up on the first train of the day (6.35am from Interlaken), and leave the summit by noon (or Nov–April: first or second train plus later departure permitted).
Walking some sections of the journey, up or down, is perfectly feasible in summer, and can also save plenty, with fares from intermediate points along the route considerably lower. The undiscounted Good Morning ticket from Grindelwald is Fr.103, from Lauterbrunnen Fr.102, from Wengen Fr.91, and from Kleine Scheidegg Fr.58. Excellent transport networks and vista-rich footpaths linking all stations mean that with judicious use of a hiking map and timetable you can see and do a great deal in a day and still get back to Interlaken, or even Bern or Zürich, by bedtime.
Stretching east of Interlaken, the Brienzersee (Lake Brienz) is much vaunted as the cleanest lake in Switzerland, beautifully set in a bowl amidst forested slopes, streams tumbling down from on high, overlooked to the south by the Faulhorn (2681m) and to the northeast by the Brienzer Rothorn (2350m), the latter served by a nostalgic old rack railway from the main town of the lake, Brienz. East of Brienz, a tortuous road crosses the Brünigpass into Canton Obwalden, heading for Luzern, while the main road scoots along the valley floor, beside the youthful Aare, to Meiringen, scene of the “death” of Sherlock Holmes and final staging post before the major trans-Alpine routes over the Grimsel and Susten passes.
Well Friday 29th June eventually arrived, after the previous 6 months practice walks etc, organising, I think everybody was now just itching to get going on the Challenge itself.
As will become apparent, the weather was not all it could have been to help us all during the challenge.
Friday 29th June 2007. till Sunday 1st July 2007.
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Following our minibus pick up at 9.30am, it was back to various homes for people to prepare for themselves for the challenge.
12.45pm.
Everybody ready on the 4 minibuses, plus our back up vehicle, just as we prepared to leave the heavens above Northampton opened up and dumped quite a substantial amount t of rain on the buses, at this point us in Bus no 1, thought we might be in for a wet weekend, as water was pouring through the roof of the minibus, just above 1 of the single seats, funnily enough nobody wanted to "Bag" this seat.
After about a 10 minute "Shower", the rain cleared and the sun came out to smile down on us all.
Off we went, the 1st part of the journey which is always a little anti climax, usually stuck in traffic for a while on the M6, this did not change this year, only about a 15minute hold up on the way to Sandbach Service station, chance for Coffee, stretch legs etc.
We left Sandbach after about 45 minutes stop over, at 15.40.
Another couple of hours M6 driving till we reached TEBAY Westmoreland service station at 17.45.
A very welcome "HOT" meal was taken here; this was to be our last decent meal until after we had completed our 1st peak, The BEN.
Leaving Tebay around 18.50, we then had another couple of hours driving, until we reached HAMILTON Service station, it was during this journey that I started to get slightly concerned about the minibuses, The minibuses that we had hired this year now have speed limiters fitted, this limits the maximum speed of the buses to 65mph, due to this we were starting to lose time slightly with our travelling, not so much because of the maximum speed, but because of the time, after slowing the vehicle down or going up hill, that the buses actually took to regain the 65 MPH.
We eventually reached Hamilton Services at 20.55, staying for tea, coffee etc and then leaving at 21.20 for the final leg of our journey through Glasgow, (M8) to Fort William.
After the weather forecast for the previous few days we were amazed to still see the sun shining brightly right through till about 10.00pm
It never really got dark at all due to the clear skies, absolutely fantastic weather.
When we reached the Glen Nevis Visitors centre Car park at 12.15am, we met up with rest of the group, Elaine’s 2 cousins, plus the 11 Royal Navy Guys, Elaine’s father and other relatives had also driven up from Polmont to join us at the start of the Challenge.
With dry weather at Fort William, there did not appear to be any of the annoying "Midges" about that we usually encounter.
After everybody had got ready for the climb, final farewells etc, we eventually started the "CHALLENGE" at 1am.
So off we went 46 walkers all in a line starting our 1st ascent of Ben Nevis, "The BEN".
After about an hours walking, it really was light enough to turn off the majority of our head torches, Venus could be seen clearly in the Sky, along with the glow of the FULL MOON, just hiding behind the mountain (Strangely enough Saturday’s full moon, was also known as a BLUE MOON, this occurrence happens approx every 3 years, when 2 Full Moons appear in the same month, the last full moon was 1st June).
Approx 3.am we arrived at the "lake in the Mountain", this particular lake is used to supply fresh water to the Ben Nevis Distillery,
At this point, we noticed that the sun was starting to rise in the East, quite a substantial orange glow appearing. It was here that we decided to stop for a breather and some snacks etc.
After our snacks we continued for about 15 minutes, and then crossed the RED BURN, this is approx half way between bottom and summit.
The next stage of the of the walk starts to become quite steep in places, with the path now Zig Zaggin it’s way to the top, every time we stopped and looked east the Sun was rising steadily higher, quite an emotional time, as I, even after several treks up Ben Nevis, had never witnessed such a beautiful sun rise on Ben Nevis, the clear skies were boding well for clear views when we reached the summit.
After some interesting walking across the normal snow patch that covers the path close to the Summit, (Due to the clear skies the snow patch was rock hard, like walking across a skate park.
On the summit it’self, the actual rocks were all covered in a thin layer of snow / ice, which made for a very tricky last few yards to reach the top of GREAT BRITAIN.
5.15am on the Summit of the BEN, with Fantastic views all around the Mountain, what a wonderful experience for all the 1st timers on the BEN.
Quite uncannily at 1 point, some very fine mist dropped over the summit, due to the moist air, and the strong sun, this then created quite a wonderful RAINBOW for a few seconds.
After the Photo shoot etc, we finally started to Descend from the BEN at 5.45am in wonderful sunshine.
Due to clearness of the day etc, the group all split up for the trek to the bottom.
Final walkers arriving at the bottom at 9.45am, still a very respectable time for the BEN during a 36-hour 3-peaks challenge.
Breakfast at Morrisons went well, although longer than expected due to the long waiting time for the breakfasts.
After re-fuelling at Fort William, it was time to set off for the LAKES.
Leaving Fort William at 12 noon, slightly later than anticipated, again due to the waiting time for the Breakfast.
I think that most people suddenly found themselves very very tired, after the trek up the BEN and then full breakfasts; sleep was the order of the day.
As we reached Loch Lomond, the weather began to change (As forecast), it was now raining, quite heavy showers between Fort William and Seathwaite.
Following a short stop at Gretna services ( 16.10 till 17.00) we left for the next leg of journey the 90-minute journey from Gretna to Seathwaite, via Keswick and Seatoller.
Arriving at Seathwaite around 18.15, in the rain.
After getting ready for the walk ahead, we started our ascent of Scafell Pike at 7pm, in a torrential downpour, which lasted for about 45minutes.
As we were ascending to Scafell Pike we could only just make out the huge hill in front of us "GREAT END", however, looking back to Seathwaite / Seatoller, we had a fantastic view of DERWENT water, with the sun shining down, strange how the sun is always "OVER THERE".
With climbing to GREAT END continuing the weather was starting to deteriate in front of us, with the fog starting to envelope us, by this time, 8.30pm, again due to the cloud cover, it appeared that darkness was not far behind, we were also still having quite frequent showers.
After crossing the stream to reach GREAT END, I made the decision that we would continue to ESK HAUSE, and review the situation from there.
Because of GREAT END, we have to make a detour to the left here so as to get round Great End.
After reaching ESK HAUSE, due to the thickness of the Fog, Night walking, Rain, and the very slippery rocks ahead around BROAD CRAG, I decided that the summit attempt should not now go ahead, at this time of the evening with visibility dropping to around zero metres, it would have been quite foolish to take a such a large group of people (46) over BROAD CRAG ETC to the summit of SCAFELL PIKE.
Following photo’s etc, in the mist, we started our descent back down to Seathwaite.
The descent back to Seathwaite did present a slight problem, After summiting SCAFELL PIKE we were due to descend down to Waswater, our minibuses already having left Seathwaite to meet us at Waswater, Mobile phone signals are notoriously difficult to obtain around Waswater etc.
Eventually after a call back to Northampton, and then a landline call from Northampton back to the Wasdale head pub, contact was eventually made with our drivers, who polished off their meals and promptly drove the 2-hour journey back to Seathwaite.
AT THIS POINT I MUST SAY A MASSIVE THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DRIVERS, PLUS THE 3 NAVY DRIVERS, WITHOUT DRIVERS THE WHOLE CHALLENGE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE PLACE, WE CAN NOT PRAISE THE DRIVERS TOO MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Following a change of clothes etc in the minibuses, we and the drivers, had an hour or so of sleep, before we left the Lakes for North Wales.
After leaving Seathwaite at 2am, we journeyed down the M6, stopping briefly at Lancaster services for fuel etc (4.20am till 4.35am).
The weather as we reached North Wales was not too bad, quite dry, but cloudy, then when we reached Llandudno the rain started.
We reached Pen Y Pass car park at 7am, still on time for completion of the 3-peaks challenge within 36 hours.
Again, as we set off the heavens opened, this torrential rain was to continue on and off, mostly on, for the next several hours.
Due to the footpath ( The Pyg Track Route) being reasonably clear to the summit of Mount Snowdon, the group left to make their own way to the Summit and back, starting our ascent of Snowdon at 7.40am, the last group reached the summit, very wet and bedraggled, but thankful to be on the last summit at 10.30am, quick photo’s then the descent, again still very wet with quite torrential showers all the way to Pen Y pass, last group arriving for the picture call by Elaine, who also was quite wet after waiting for a couple of hours in the rain at the foot of Snowdon taking the individual photo’s of everybody has they passed the "FINISH" line.
The final group arriving at 12.45pm, 3-peaks in 36 hours completed by everybody.
Hot tea was made available to everybody supplied by our "Back up" van drivers.
Then of course the wine , beer etc also came out.
In conclusion of the challenge.
The Start of the Challenge was BEN NEVIS, with the weather the views etc on this mountain certainly made for a very good start to the Challenge, I think due to the fabulous views on the BEN, this more than made up for the wet miserable weather on Scafell and Snowdon.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE I WANT TO 1ST THANK ELAINE, LEE, IRENE AND ALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF YOUNG RYAN FOR INVIITNG ME TO LEAD THE GROUP ON THE CHALLENGE THIS YEAR.
I did not know Ryan, but through this challenge and over the past 6 months of practice walks etc, I feel that I have learnt so much about Ryan and do now feel as though he was a friend of mine.
I FEEL SO PROUD TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THIS CHALLENGE, WITH SO MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND ROYAL NAVY COLLEAGUES OF RYAN TAKING PART, IT HAS CERTAINLY BEEN FOR ME, A VERY EMOTIONAL 6 MONTHS.
THEN OF COURSE I CAN NOT EXPRESS MY THANKS TOO MUCH TO ALL THE WALKERS / DRIVERS , HELPERS ETC WHO HAVE MADE THIS CHALLENGE POSSIBLE, THIS YEAR MY CLIMB OF BEN NEVIS WAS MY 20TH, I have taken Church groups, 3 -peakers, family members and friends up over the last 12 years, but for me the actual sunrise this year made for a very special 20th time.
MANY MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME TO TAKE PART WITH YOU.
Trek to Everest Base Camp, October / November 2006.
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27th / 28th October 2006.
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Finally after all the months planning / saving etc, the day has now come along for our trek to Mount Everest Base camp.
Our group from Northampton consisted of Myself, Mick Finch, My Wife, Sue Finch, Max and Di Lang, special thanks to these two for organising the whole trip, Tammy Seaman, Ted Collins and Mike Lawrence.
As a group we had known each other for several years, everybody meeting during one of our annual National 3-peak challenges.
Friday evening around 4pm, Leave Northampton for the trip to Heathrow Airport for our late evening flight to Kathmandu, via Qater, (we were actually flying with Qater Airlines).
We arrived in Kathmandu around mid afternoon / early evening, straight from airport to our Hotel, Which was located in the THAMEL area, quick wash / brush up, and then down to the foyer for our pre trek meeting.
It was our pre trek meeting that we met the rest of the group who were to join with our group for the whole of the trek to Base camp.
So a big Hello to Kiri, (New Zealand), Lee (Bournemouth).Richard (Stourbridge) plus of course the 2 Aussies, Shane and Andrew.
The age difference for the group ranged from 18 up to 66, quite a variance.
29th October.
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Full day tour to Monkey Temple, ( Swayambhunath), Durbar Square, Pashupatinah and Bodhnath etc, for the whole group.
30th October.
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Today was an early start for our bus ride to Kathmandu airport, for our Spectacular flight to Lukla Airport.
After the fog eventually cleared from Kathmandu airport, we were able to board our plane, a twin prop , twin Otter, with only room for 17 people on this particular plane, we found the space very confined to say the least when we discovered that there would be 16 passengers, 2 pilots, 1male and 1 female, plus the stewardess, yep we even had a stewardess, quite amusing as we taxing ready for takeoff, our stewardess complete with airline uniform, wandered down the centre aisle, sorry squeezed down the aisle with boiled sweets and ear plugs, the twin otters are very noisy beasts, when I say earplugs, the tray she was carrying was actually filled with boiled sweets and COTTON WOOL, yep the ear plugs were just small rolls of cotton wool.
Our take off went very well, bumpy but OK.
The flight lasted for approx half an hour, out of the left side windows the mountains of the Himalayas gradually came into view, lots of photo’s.
Now for the Landing, as we were all admiring the views from the side windows, someone mentioned that the airstrip must be close by, with this remark everybody strained to look through the cockpit window, whoa all we saw was a tarmac strip that appeared to be rising at about 90 degrees in front of us, all of a sudden the pilot pulled up the front of the plane, before we had a chance to draw breath we felt the judder of the wheels on the tarmac.
With the runway being only 1472 feet in length, we knew that the landing and braking had to be spot on, also
There is about a 700-metre (2,000 ft.) angled drop at the end of the runway to the valley far below.
No room for mistakes then.
At the end of the 1472 foot runway the pilot must make a sharp right turn into the disembarkation area, obvisously after hopefully slowing down in time, if this manouvre is not made then there is just a small mountain of rock to aim for.
Thankfully we slowed enough for this turn.
As we were leaving the plane, we noticed quite a crowd waiting at the wire fence, apparentlly the locals treat these landings has quality family time, perhaps waiting for the inevitable.
The airport at Lukla is situated around 2850 metres ( 9350ft), so quite a substantial height to land at.
Following Tea at the hotel, and given time to sort out porters etc, we started the 1st leg of our trek, at 12 noon.
The 1st leg of our Himalyan trek takes us from Lukla at 2850 metres, to Phakding at 2640metres, so our 1st days trekking saw us actually lose height.
Arriving in Phakding at 3.30pm, we were shown to our rooms, mains electricity was available for lighting.
The Tea houses on the Himalyan trek arte basically wooden constructed buildings, with 10mm plywood walls, although quite comfortable, not very private, but eh, we could have been camping, as you will see later in the “log”, the tea houses did really make the difference to our trek.
Following our evening meal we al retired to bed quite early.
31st October.
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An early morning call for breakfast, around 6.30am, time to pack bags etc, then on the road for 8am..
Today, unbeknown to us, was to be quite a difficult day, walking from Phakding at 2640 metres to Namche at 3450metres, a rise of 800metres, approx 2800ft.
We also had our 1st treat of the suspension bridges, quite interesting wooden slated suspension bridges.
Actually broken in places, but we were assured that all 6 were very safe.
Whilst on the last leg of the journey to Namche , we can across a very unfortunate Sherpa walking in the opposite direction, with what appeared to be a very severe case of frostbite on his toes.
We stopped off at a small tearoom at JORSALE for our lunch stop, following our crossing of the final suspension bridge, we then had a very steep trek up to our finish for the day at Namche.
We arrived at Namche around 3pm, and booked into our teahouse, which we would be staying in for 2 nights for acclimatisation.
1st November.
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Today was to be an acclimatisation walking day, after breakfast we all trekked to the EVEREST VIEW hotel, although a bit cloudy we did see some fantastic views.
Following tea at the hotel, we then carried on with our acclimatisation trek to KHUMJUNG, at 3790m (12434ft), this was our highest point of the whole trek so far.
Whilst in KHUMJUNG we had lunch at 1 of the many tea houses in the village.
Whilst visiting the local monastry we came across a Yeti skull locked in a glass case, quite a surreal moment.
After our return to Namche, we were taken to the local Everest museum and given a guided tour, inside the museum were Everest stories, past climbs, obituaries etc.
2nd November.
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Today we left Namche for full day trek to TENGBOCHE, not too long after leaving Namche we got our 1st glimpse of AMA DABLAM to some this is one of the worlds most beautiful mountains, due mainly to it’s shape, I must admit the mountain does appear quite breathtaking when this close up.
TO BE CONTINUED.
The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo,
5,895 metres. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits. The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Johannes Kinyala Lauwo who climbed it nine times before realising there was a crater. Lauwo served as a guide for the first ascent by nonindigenous climbers, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6 1889. Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi (5,149 metres), the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and Shira (3,962 m). Johannes’ Notch is named after Lauwo. In 1989 Lauwo was presented with a house at Ashira Marangu by the West German government in recognition of his role on the Meyer expedition. His relative, Trilas Lauwo (1952- ) was the first Tanzanian woman to reach the summit via the Mweka route in 1972.Due to the equatorial location as well as huge height, climbers can experience almost every
climate type on earth during the journey to the top.Kilimanjaro is also the highest point in the world to be covered by a
GSM mobile phone network. The service is provided by Vodacom.After the Western Breach route was closed in January 2006, many expeditions that had intended to use this route have instead used the Lemosho/Barafu route. As the Western Breach route, this route starts to the west and goes up the Shira Ridge towards Lava Tower. Instead of going up to Arrow Glacier camp and the breach, however, this route goes around the southern edge of Kili towards Barafu camp. From Barafu Camp, around 15,200 altitude, a nighttime summit attempt is usually attempted.
 | GFF on Ryan Kemp 3-peaks challenge… |
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Mick's CHARITY Walking pages. 