My time was 23 hours and 35 minutes.
The challenge had many difficulties:
- One of our hired minibuses didn't show up. (It had been "involved in an accident earlier".) So at last minute we had to change plans and use 1 minibus and 2 cars.
- Our other hired minibus, which we were able to use, was electronically speed-limited to 62 mph. So we had the joy of being overtaken by lorries on the motorways, while knowing our valuable time was running out.
- The weather was fantastic, but almost too good. We set off to climb Ben Nevis at 6pm while it was still around 24C. The initial ascent was very very steep and we set a (LITERALLY) blistering pace. So within 1 hour I could already feel a blister starting on my heal. Every step uphill became painful.
- To add to the blister I managed to stub my toes many times on the boulder fields on top of Scafell. (Having looked this morning, it might be up to to 4 toes nails which I lose.) The bruised toes made every step downhill painful. After Scafell my feet were raw, and I was ready to give up. But the rest of the team didn't allow it.
- On Scafell the wind blew like there was no tomorrow. It was horribly cold.
- While driving across North Wales towards the final peak, Snowdon, we hit a traffic jam on the A55 in which we were stuck for 40 minutes. Our chances of 24 hours were getting slim by this stage.
I will certainly never repeat this challenge. It would be too painful. But I, and the others in the team, do now have some great memories which we will treasure.
Some of the organised members of the team have already posted pictures, and I'm sure there will be more to come. If you want to see any, have a look at Tracey's or Martin's pictures.
