Many years ago, Ellesmere College would run an annual attempt at the ’15 Peaks’ for those older pupils that were daft enough to try it. The official challenge (also known as the ’14 Peaks’ before an extra was added, or the ‘Welsh 3000s’) involves standing on the top of all of Wales’ 3000 foot mountains within the space of 24 hours. The ‘National 3 Peaks’ has become popular in recent years but is no match for the test of stamina which the 15 Peaks involves. The ‘National 3 Peaks’ includes long periods of driving from one country to another, during which you can have a rest and even get some sleep. There is no rest on the ’15 Peaks’, as it is all done in one continuous trek. This is not just a test of fitness, but of whether or not your body can continue to function when demands are being placed on it for so long without a significant rest. This year, we decided to resurrect the challenge.
We were due to have 6 students make an attempt at the challenge, but this reduced to 4 through illness and second thoughts by the time we came to go. So we headed out to Snowdonia on Tuesday evening and pitched our tents for half a night’s sleep, before getting up at 3.15am. We were ready to start from Pen y Pass at 4am and headed off into the darkness before the sun rose, making it to the first peak at 5.30am and ‘starting the clock’ for our 24 hour challenge.
After grabbing the peaks of Crib Goch, Garnedd Ugain and Snowdon, we headed back down to civilisation and met with our support vehicle just outside Llanberis for breakfast at 9am, 5 hours after we’d started. After 30 mins break, the group headed off again, but without me this time. Ranjit, a good friend, qualified Mountain Leader and member of staff at the College took the day shift as they headed up into the Glyderau in the sunshine.
Ranjit and I completed the ’15 Peaks’ together about 8 years ago and have not forgotten how psychologically demanding it is, especially by the time you get to the third and final section in the dark. Consequently, we had always planned to share the load, and Ranjit leading the middle section, gave me a chance to get some rest. Sleeping all day is not that easy (especially in a tent with the sun streaming through), so I spent some time doing some much needed shopping before retreating to my sleeping bag.
Having conquered Elidir Fawr, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and Tryfan, the team made it down to the Ogwen valley at 6pm, looking rather tired but determined to carry on. So, after a 45 minute dinner break, it was my turn to lead the group up into the Carneddau range. My hope was to get over Pen yr Ole Wen, Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn and Yr Elen before the sunlight disappeared. In the event, we managed to get to Yr Elen in the dusk, but needed the head torches to find our way off. The pace had been slowing (understandably) with tired legs, but mental tiredness started to take its toll as well. Joe was having particular difficulty after 2 days of military exercise, but encouraged / dragged along by the others. Every time I stopped to check the map, the lads would sit down and be asleep in seconds.
By the time we had made it over the last three peaks of Foel Grach, Garnedd Uchaf and Foel Fras it was 12.55am, giving a total challenge time of 20 hours 55 minutes. The sense of achievement was fantastic, but in reality we still had to get down which took nearly 2 hours.
This is a challenge which seems like a great idea, but needs careful thought and consideration. Climbing mountains through a full day and night places a huge demand on both body and mind, and shouldn’t be underestimated. We actually came across a group of 6 adults attempting the same thing at the start on Crib Goch – only 2 made it to the end. The fact that Joe, Sam, Ed and Mark managed to keep going to the end is a great testament to their perseverance and determination. Congratulations lads – you have my respect!
