44 Days to go... Fundraising Update

July has been a great month for fundraising, doubling our joint total so far!

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has sponsored us this month…
Glen Harman, Rich Henstock, Lynne Madlin, Cameron Blacklaw, Bola Ogunjimi, Ciaran R, Win & Bruce, Irfan, Rachel Prier, Anonymous Philanthropist, Mikkel Sarbo, David Boyes, Stacey Madlin, Thai Gnome, Galia, Linda Martin, The Copas Partnership and David

Fundraising Total = £1,028

48 Days to go...Chiltern's 20 Miler

On the what must have been the hottest day of the year so far, I joined a group of HAWOGians for a 20 mile walk around the lovely Chilterns.

It was a good brisk pace - although at the beginning I was unsure of whether I'd keep up with them all as it was a lot faster than the pace normally set on Backabush hikes! But it was very good training for me, and if we get 25degree heats up Ben Nevis I'll be ready for them!

As the weather forecast was fantastic I opted to wear shorts, however I am now undecided if I prefer nettle stings, or hot clamy legs from wearing trousers!

50 Days to go... Meet the Team!

This is probably a post we should have done a while back when we all signed up for this crazy challenge! But hey, better late than never....

MEET THE 3 Cs...

CARRIE

I am doing the 3 Peaks Challenge because: I’m always looking for crazy challenges to do. And needed the motivation to get fit!

The Mountain I am most looking forward to climbing is: Ben Nevis

The distance I think I’ll walk before encountering my first blister is: 20 Miles - I managed to walk this far last weekend in new boots, with no blisters...
The thing I am most concerned about on the challenge is: Being the slowest up those damn hills!

Before training for this challenge I used to spend my Sunday afternoons: Outdoors, probably thinking up crazy challenges to do!

Favourite alcoholic beverage: When I'm not training, Malibu and Pineapple
Favourite pastime: Being outdoors, taking too many photos
If I we an animal I would be a: Cat, I've always wanted to be able to stretch like a cat! And not feel guilty passing most the day just chilling.
Describe your other team members in one phrase: Very trusting! To be following me up those mountains!

One word to sum up the 3 Cs as a whole: Unique

CRAIG

I am doing the 3 Peaks Challenge because: My body says I need too
The Mountain I am most looking forward to climbing is: Mount Snowdon

The distance I think I’ll walk before encountering my first blister is: A foot!

The thing I am most concerned about on the challenge is: Climbing in the dark!

Before training for this challenge I used to spend my Sunday afternoons: Lying around

Favourite alcoholic beverage: Guiness

Favourite pastime: Guiness

If I we an animal I would be a: Cat

Describe your other team members in one phrase: Tenacious
One word to sum up the 3 Cs as a whole: Bonkers

CLAIRE

I am doing the 3 Peaks Challenge because: I’m mad. Officially.

The Mountain I am most looking forward to climbing is: Scafell Pike

The distance I think I’ll walk before encountering my first blister is: Going to be ambitious and say 15 miles, haven’t had any blisters from walking yet. Touch wood!

The thing I am most concerned about on the challenge is: Sore knees

Before training for this challenge I used to spend my Sunday afternoons: ummm, that was too long ago to remember

Favourite alcoholic beverage: Depends on my mood. Monteiths Summer Ale is up there right now.

Favourite pastime: Other than walking you mean?! Doing nothing

If I we an animal I would be a: non-endangered big cat

Describe your other team members in one phrase: Equally mad!
One word to sum up the 3 Cs as a whole: Diverse

53 Days to go...Video Evidence of our training

Here's a little video evidence of the training Craig, Claire and I are doing...

Kindly put together by David.

55 Days to go… Craig is introduced to Mountain Climbing

With less than two months to go until our challenge, Claire, Craig and I headed to Wales for a weekend of serious hill walking.

This was the first time that Craig had tackled any slopes, so it was a sort of baptism by fire for him, with a 21km walk in the Black Mountains on Saturday and a shorter, but definitely steeper 11kms up Pen Y Fan and the surrounding peaks in the Brecon Beacons on Sunday. He still seems to be in a state of shock that he actually survived, as I think he was actually expecting a lot worse. He did however exclaim that fresh air and amazing views are a great cure for after effects of over indulgence, but also that going down hill kills the toes, and if given the choice he would just stick to the up hills!

Carrie discovered that being the navigator, figuring out where you are on the map, and where you want to be seriously slows you down. Her two quotes of the weekend will be remembered as ‘Well, we are meant to be here….’ And ‘Almost there!’ I don’t think the others will ever trust her saying that phrase again – it’s all relative though isn’t it, and when you have already walked 20kms, what’s one more?!…

Claire’s finally agreed that she needs a bigger day pack, as her nifty little orange one is great, on a summer’s day when there’s no threat of four seasons in one day, but if as soon as you need to start adding waterproof jacket, trousers, glove, hat, food, water, more food and emergency kit the zip does start to protest a little! Carrie’s also finally admitted that her beloved boots no longer love her feet so will be replaced very very soon. So, add those to all the kit Craig needs and it looks like a shopping spree is soon to be on the agenda…ouch!

Take a look at our photos here of the weekend.

Overall it was a great weekend – Thanks to Pash, David and Kirsti who came along and allowed themselves to be lead around the welsh countryside for the weekend.

Our next big weekend trip will be to attempt the Yorkshire 3 Peaks at the end of August, so if anyone is keen give us a shout!

62 Days to go...On holiday but still training!

Carrie took a week out for a well deserved summer holiday in Malta. However it wasn’t all sun, sand and relaxation. She spent most of the time diving and swimming, and at one point even had 200 steps to climb, down and back up again, fully kitted and weighted for diving, in 32 degree heat! Who say’s she’s slacking off then aye!?

77 Days to go... Our First Month's Fundraising

Huge thanks to everyone who has sponsored us in our first month of fundraising….
Chris H, Sarah Palmer, Andy Tappern, Kevin C, Fiona, Andy Constable, Jayne Hemingway, Dade Freeman, Jonathan Tuttle, Steve Yianni, Chris Weller, Michelle Spratt, Pete Li, Debs, David McLoughlin, Martin Tiller, Nigel Baker, Maria Vitelli, Stephanie Holm, Jerry England, Tom Mullins, Stephen, Janine Mollen, Your Godparents, Sally Cocks, Joanne Regan, Mum and Dad, Hayley Freeman and Frank.

It’s a good start, but we still have a long way to go!

Fundraising Total = £520