I've been planning to do the three peaks challenge in the Dales for a couple of months. Finally, last Friday I set off with three mates up the M1 to embark on our little adventure. We stayed at the youth hostel in Grinton, an old hunting lodge. We had some real ale and a nice meal in the local pub accompanied by some live music from an amateur musician's circle. One of my friends had never been to the Dales so I was pleased to show him such a quintessential village welcome. Back at the Lodge I began to feel unwell. I unfortunately couldn't sleep. I must have picked up a stomach bug which left me unable to eat anything in the morning and with a severe headache and stomach cramping.
However, I really wanted to give the three peaks a go and thought I might be able to run it off so we drove to Horton to start the 24-mile round trip of Pen Y Gent, Wernside and Ingleborugh. We planned a very light assault, wearing running shoes and light clothing for speed. Our goal was to complete the route in under six hours.
I didn't feel right but persevered to the top of Pen Y Gent where it was lashing down. Instantly I became cold and spent the next eight miles just trying to get warm. Even running rather than walking and changing out of wet clothes into dry ones didn't help. At the Ribble viaduct I gave in and hitch hiked back to Horton (second car I held my thumb out to. He'd done the three peaks and was very sympathetic about me getting mud all over his leather Saab seats.)
Once back at the car it took me two hours of the heater on full blast, a hot chocolate and me in a sleeping bag to warm up. It just goes to show how debilitating a minor illness can be in the wild. My companions didn't make it to the end either, the weather was too inclement for them. They were soaked and shivering when they made it back to the car.
I learned some things this weekend. First, don't bother attempting anything arduous unless you are 100 per cent fit. My stomach bug and lack of food inside me severely affected my ability to keep warm.
Second, it's not weak to quit if there's a chance you could get into difficulty. I could possibly have gone on but may have suffered hypothermia judging by the state of my fit and healthy companions.
Third, there's no beating the weather. Some walkers did complete the challenge but it took them all close to 12 hours and they were wearing heavy boots, full waterproofs and had hot soup and drinks with them. If you go light and fast you better hope for good weather.
I came away from the weekend thoroughly depressed. When I'm ill all I want is to be in my own bed. But I take heart from learning from the experience and will have another attempt next summer when the days are longer and warmer and I am hopefully 100 per cent healthy.
However, I really wanted to give the three peaks a go and thought I might be able to run it off so we drove to Horton to start the 24-mile round trip of Pen Y Gent, Wernside and Ingleborugh. We planned a very light assault, wearing running shoes and light clothing for speed. Our goal was to complete the route in under six hours.
I didn't feel right but persevered to the top of Pen Y Gent where it was lashing down. Instantly I became cold and spent the next eight miles just trying to get warm. Even running rather than walking and changing out of wet clothes into dry ones didn't help. At the Ribble viaduct I gave in and hitch hiked back to Horton (second car I held my thumb out to. He'd done the three peaks and was very sympathetic about me getting mud all over his leather Saab seats.)
Once back at the car it took me two hours of the heater on full blast, a hot chocolate and me in a sleeping bag to warm up. It just goes to show how debilitating a minor illness can be in the wild. My companions didn't make it to the end either, the weather was too inclement for them. They were soaked and shivering when they made it back to the car.
I learned some things this weekend. First, don't bother attempting anything arduous unless you are 100 per cent fit. My stomach bug and lack of food inside me severely affected my ability to keep warm.
Second, it's not weak to quit if there's a chance you could get into difficulty. I could possibly have gone on but may have suffered hypothermia judging by the state of my fit and healthy companions.
Third, there's no beating the weather. Some walkers did complete the challenge but it took them all close to 12 hours and they were wearing heavy boots, full waterproofs and had hot soup and drinks with them. If you go light and fast you better hope for good weather.
I came away from the weekend thoroughly depressed. When I'm ill all I want is to be in my own bed. But I take heart from learning from the experience and will have another attempt next summer when the days are longer and warmer and I am hopefully 100 per cent healthy.
