Ingleton Wood Again take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks for WaterAid Friday, 8th July 2016

With an even bigger team and greater goals, our intrepid explorers are back!

Further to last year’s expedition, Ingleton Wood again entered the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge for our charity of the year WaterAid.

Our explorers set out on a clear sunny morning towards the first peak Pen-y-Ghent with an elevation of 691m. Moving swiftly along with the large crowd, the team inevitably split up creating two groups. After a few beginners struggled with the first peak, both groups managed to reach the summit and reunited.

After a pit stop at the peak of Pen-y-Ghent, group 1 set off at speed for the long 8-mile trek to the second peak, Whernside with the second group setting off shortly afterwards. The new route between Pen-y-Ghent and Whernside was a little longer than last year, but an easier route with stunning views! After a few hours of walking, group 2 finally saw the viaduct up ahead which meant they were nearing Whernside.

Group 1 fragmented at the burger van at the foot of Whernside with the front runner, Pablo quickly set off again with mountain goat like agility! Those with more human abilities stayed for a reasonably priced burger and cup of tea before tackling Whernside with renewed vigour.

Once group 2 reached the viaduct, they stopped for a bite to eat and also set off for Whernside. After a light shower of rain, humidity levels increased and the team were swarmed by an army of midges, however Mother Nature compensated with a beautiful rainbow at the peak (728m).

Unfortunately, due to diminishing levels of daylight, group 2 had to return to camp after they completed Whernside. Group 1 were well ahead and already taking on Ingleborough, contending with midges and foggy conditions.

As the light began to fade the front runners of group 1 were already on the decent from the peak of Ingleborough on track to complete within the 12-hour limit. The lagging half of the group were just approaching the assent of Ingleborough, described by some as looking at the steps into Mordor.

After conquering the peak, a further 3 hours later the remaining members of group 1 limped back to camp to finish the challenge within 15 hours; welcomed by a cup of tea and some fish and chips.

Well done to the front runners, Pablo, Ryan and Howard who were the first to make it back to camp!

We would like to say a thank you to Duncan Stewart for booking the campsite and arranging the trip along with the assistance of Jasmin Dooley, and also extend our gratitude to the group of strangers that assisted with first aid by supplying deep heat, ibuprofen and motivational support to Alex and Simon aiding them to the finish.

Huge congratulations to everyone that took part: Alex Gibson, Chris Brown, Duncan Stewart, Howard Sheldon, Jasmin Dooley, John Dixon, Laura Mansel-Thomas, Maria Johnson, Pablo Casuso, Ryan East, Simon Gorst and Stuart Norgett, along with friends and family including Tasha the dog!

We will certainly be taking on this challenge again next year, with hopefully more team members and possibly attempt a double lap of the route! We would greatly appreciate if you would visit our Just Giving page here to donate to Water Aid.