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PLANNING
& TRAINING
From
the idea 8 months ago we assembled the Team of 18 and put the outline
plan together by January.
Walkers
trained almost every weekend usually in the Chilterns. We had one
long weekend in the Brecons. Meanwhile the Support Team arranged
Mini buses, hotels, routes, walking food and drink, and communications.
We established a basic kit list, which would cover all conditions.
SPONSORSHIP
Local
businesses were contacted and WVC cars and the National Grid have
provided significant help. Some other businesses put up small sums
or sponsored sports drinks and energy bars. The bulk of funds have
been raised by the Team and fellow Rotarians on an individual sponsorship
basis. We are very grateful to every one who has helped.
THE
WALK
We
left Reading at 5am
on Thursday 13th and it took 12 hours to get to Fort William. Up
at 4am and on Ben Nevis by 5am. The weather forecast was poor with
difficult conditions for walkers. It was spot on and by the time
we reached the summit it was very cold, wet and the wind was strong.
The snow was deep. We were very glad that we had prepared properly
and had the right kit. Getting down was slower than expected because
it was so slippery.
After
a celebratory tot we were off to The Lake District. By 8 pm we were
in our Hotel and what seemed like a few hours later up again at
4 am for another 5 am start on Scafell. Conditions were much better
here and although cloud obscured our view at the summit, it was
dry and we made good progress. The route was difficult with a long
and dangerous section over what can only be described as a boulder
field. But we did it all as planned and were off again soon after
10 am on the long drive to Snowdon.
Once
again the Support Team did a great job of feeding us en route and
we arrived in Llanberis in time to get moving again by 4 pm. Snowdon
was more difficult than we expected, probably because we were so
tired, and it was a long and painful haul to the peak.
The
bonus was that by now the sun was smiling on us and we had a clear
blue sky and magnificent views all around us. Snowdon has the best
peak of them all and we had it to ourselves at 7pm. We were all
elated. It's surprising how quickly you can shower when a good meal
and glass are waiting and we celebrated into the early hours.
Now
all we have to do is collect the Cash!!
LOOKING
BACK
The
training and planning paid off. We will raise a lot for an excellent
cause. The support we had was superb and there were no serious injuries
or mishaps. We had some fun - smiled a lot, cursed, slept together
(in the vans) tried to teach the Teacher among us to count, sang,
made friends with some Irish walkers and looked away (most of the
time) when someone? was stripping off on each summit to put on her
knee supports for the climb down.
We
all pushed our own little personal boundaries and made some closer
friends.
Not
bad for a bunch of grumpy old men (and ladies).
Reading
Maiden Erlegh Rotary Club raised £7500
FOR THE AIR AMBULANCE
3 PEAKS CHALLENGE
Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon
May 14th & 15th 2004
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