On Sunday afternoon, June 15, an eclectic team from the Tees Valley Youth for Christ set off to climb the three highest peaks in the United Kingdom in less than 24 hours (or less than 14 hours total hiking time). The peaks include Ben Nevis (1,344 m) in Scotland, Scafell Pike (978 m) in England, and Snowdon (1,085 m) in Wales. We had expectations of difficulty and great beauty ahead of us, but we really had no clue what was in store.
BEN NEVIS, SCOTLAND
The first leg of the journey is a five hour drive up through the north of England and into magnificent Scotland. The trip was peppered with conversation and laughter. Our energy was high and our bodies were healthy. As we crossed into the land of the many lochs, we were overwhelmed with the splendor surrounding us! Clif bars and fruit were being scarfed down all around; we were ready to go. Ben Nevis: bring it on.
As the van pulled into the Glen Nevis car park, our starting point for the hike, we each felt a nervous excitement fill the air. After months of planning and expectation, we were ready to embark. Eagerly, we searched the sky for our peak but it was not in sight. We began to walk, and started the clock as soon as we crossed over onto our trail – 19:00.
27 miles, 24 hours, 11 hikers.
Our first taste of the trails gave fuel to the fire in us. We were off, and we were determined. Ben Nevis provides a 5.4-mile rocky path leading with a steady incline up to the summit of the mountain, 1,344 meters high. Ben Nevis is the highest of the three peaks, and the highest point in all of the United Kingdom.
The mountains are calling and I must go.
— John Muir
As we neared the summit, the sun was beginning to gently settle into the mountains over in the West. White began to cover the trail; determination kicked in as we trudged through two feet of wet snow.
Ben Nevis has an average annual snowfall of 784 inches.
The trail (or what we could find of the trail – as you got closer to the summit, the trail faded into the surroundings. Instinct became our guide.) began to level out and we knew that the end was near. Brian, Brittany and Christieanna arrived first, taking a well deserved break and recharging with some food and water while waiting for the rest of the group. One by one, each hiker crested the peak and walked triumphantly forward to touch the summit stone.
As we gathered around the summit stone, cold and shivering, we smiled wide as we gazed into the radiant sun setting before us. Views like these are so difficult to truly comprehend. I was reminded of our terminality, our finiteness as my small human mind gasped and struggled to hold all of the glory that was on display. Sensory overload is a very real thing.
Time was always of the essence, and there was not much to spare here. We huddled together for a prayer and group photo, then it was off again to the base. Sunlight was fading, and we wanted to use every last bit of it. With gravity now on our side, the first stretch progressed much more quickly.
Surprisingly, going down the peaks was often more taxing than going up. Step after step, all of the weight in your body is pressing against your knees and ankles. The team encountered some difficulties; some suffered from cramps, others from sore joints. As the last few finally reached the bottom, we were running slightly behind schedule; there was some discouragement in the air.
However, we were making progress! The first peak was now behind us – only two more to go. We piled onto the bus after some stretches and sock changes, and headed off to the Lakes. Farewell, Ben Nevis.
SCAFELL PIKE, ENGLAND
As we drove past the Lochs, this time on the way back into England, the sun will still slightly visible in the sky. It was now about 1:30 in the morning, and we prepared to settle in for a few hours of restless sleep. All were silent; there was no time to talk as we scarfed down our food, trying to recharge our hungry bodies.
Around 6:20, we pulled into the car park in the Lake District. Scafell Pike loomed before us, waiting to challenge our band of travelers with her uneven trails and steep incline. I had already thought that the second peak would be the most difficult – we were tired, sore, and still had another mountain waiting for us. This was the moment of truth; this one counted.
Fresh socks and sore muscles; pre-hike prep in the car park below Scafell.
Soft, golden light kissed the leaves and grass as we began on the trail. The stillness of the morning served as a sort of calm before the storm. I thought for a moment we had entered into the Shire and were on our way to see Bilbo in the hills. Once again, my tired mind was struggling to understand what was truly happening – the beauty around us was so vast, so magnificent. It seems as if I was trying to fill a shot glass from a crashing wave – there is just too much to take in.
We continued on at a steady pace up the Pike. This time, our group stayed closer together, and we enjoyed each others’ company and encouragement along the way.
On a clear day, mountain peaks in Wales, Scotland, and even Ireland can be seen from the Scafell Pike summit.
Grazing sheep peppered the trail as we walked along at a steady pace towards the peak. All around us, rolling green meadows, rocky crags, deep blue lakes and horse pastures covered the landscape. There is something about England that is magical, transcendent, ethereal. It is easy to see why some of the most notable English authors and poets came to the Lakes for solace and inspiration.
As we drew closer to the top, the trail transitioned into a difficult and steep climb – the Mickledore Scramble. This scramble is not a recommended route, filled with loose rocks and uncertain footing. However, it proved no match for our team. Fearlessly, Mike Taylor led us up the face. After some time struggling up the rocks, trailing a few falling ones behind us, we crested the top. We were met with a vast expanse of mountains as far as the eye could see.
Christieanna Apon taking some time to rest and hydrate soon after we finished the Mickledore Scramble.
From the scramble, we had a short stretch until we reached the summit. After losing the trail for a bit, we discovered a new path that would lead us to the end. Brian and I pulled ahead and reached the summit, stepping into the clouds. The rest of the team soon followed, and we stood for a few moments in awe of the splendor.
Reaching the Scafell Pike summit, 978 meters.
Every second counts, and we didn’t have many to spare. Quickly, we gathered together for a group photo and then spent a short time praying. We praised the Almighty Creator whose majesty was displayed in all directions. Then, it was back to the start for us. Two peaks down, just one more to go. Knowing that the hardest was behind us, we set out with new fervor and determination.
On all of the trails, some of my favourite moments were the conversations had with fellow travelers as they walked past us on the path. Frequently, little phrases of encouragement were exchanged. There was a mutual understanding of what the other was enduring, and it provided a level of common ground that made relationships easier to form.
When you get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, from the busy schedules and never-ending commitments, you begin to remember how simple life can be. Out on the mountains, you really only have one goal, one thing in mind – get to the top, get to the bottom. The only sound you become aware of is the lack of it. All of the petty things that so often divide and disperse people seem to fade away, and relationships become easier. Unfortunately, we always must step back into reality. However, we don’t have to forget what was realized on the mountains. Don’t forget to be simple.
Nearing 10:30, we reached the base of Scaffel Pike. After a few minutes stretching out our muscles and using the toilets, our team piled one-by-one back into the van, setting off for our final peak. So long, England. Snowdon, bring it on.
SNOWDON, WALES
After a long drive through the countryside of England, we began to see the roadsigns change around us from English to Welsh. The time was drawing near – excitement rose as we realized how close we really were to being finished. Along the way, we had encountered a number of setbacks that led to increased driving time, leaving us now with about two hours of climbing time for Snowdon. The 3 Peaks standard for Snowdon is four hours, and we had agreed that if we did not meet the actual 24-hour deadline, we would still credit ourselves with completing the challenge as long as our total hiking time was under 14 hours.
Black rock and forest green grass painted the landscape as we hugged the edges of mountains, winding our way towards the start. A few of us decided to go as quickly as we could on Snowdon, trying our hardest to still complete under the 24-hour deadline. As we arrived at the base of the trail, we quickly jumped out of the van and started on our final ascent. Our legs were sore and tired, our bodies telling us to stop, but we pressed on.
I had decided to stow away my camera for the sake of time, so unfortunately I did not take any pictures on Snowdon. The beauty that surrounded us here was, in my opinion, the most astounding of all the peaks. Clouds swirled above us around the looming peak, and vast green valleys stretched for miles. After climbing up what was probably the biggest incline of the hike, we crossed through a small tunnel and I was met with a view that took my breath away. Merely a few feet in front of me, a steep drop-off extended hundreds of feet down to the valley floor, and I was surrounded by towering mountains. I frequently checked my watch, looking with dread as every precious second ticked by. As I neared the summit, the time read 18:25. I figured I would have around 30 minutes to try to make it all the way back down the mountain.
Finally, I reached the top. The view was impossible to comprehend, especially in such a brief time. I only had about 2 minutes before I had to start back down. I drank as much water as I could, ate some chocolate, and started the descent. I passed Brian and he shouted out how much time I had, encouraging me to give it all I had. I am so thankful for the team that we had, all offering encouragement and a healthy dose of competition, pushing each other beyond what we thought we were capable of.
There were many moments on the way down that I considered giving up on the run, especially once I realized I could not make the deadline. However, I knew that the rest of the team was not giving up, and I wanted to give it all I had. I thanked the Lord for a body that functioned, for the opportunity to push myself to new limits. The trail seemed to go on and on, but finally, I neared the finish. As the end came into sight, I gave it all I had. At last, the 3 Peaks Challenge was completed! I laid down, resting, knowing that I had given my all and pushed myself to the max. One by one, the rest of the team finished, all crossing the finish line with a satisfied smile and wide eyes. We all celebrated with some much needed Subway, and then settled in for the ride home.
Although we were right back to the real world the next day, we wouldn’t forget what we had experienced out on the mountains. There is nothing like that feeling of utter “smallness,” that reminder that there is far more out there than your own life and world. We remembered that this life is not about us, and that is what made the whole thing worth it.
From time to time, we all need to be reminded just how small we are.
Bram VanderMark // Summer Intern
Posted on June 23, 2015 by Mike Taylor and filed under Ministry Related and tagged three peaks adventure TVYFC Scotland, Wales, England.