The forecast for fresh snow flurries comes from Weather Commerce, a Newzealand weather forecasting group looking to take over the UK’s weather forecast from the Met Office.

Weather Commerce has predicted sleet and snow as well as foggy patches with a high risk of ice in the North and the East as well as temperatures of -3.

You may remember the second wave of snow last February, so now is the time to start dusting off your snow boots and getting ready for another frost, more travel chaos and the usual difficulties bad weather brings to the UK.

So with the country frozen to a standstill once again, I think it’s an excellent time to go for a walk and take in the clear blue skies and cool winter air -so long as it’s not raining of course.

It had taken months of planning to get us all here with a plethora of equipment, clothing and snacks as well as arriving on time. We had 4 walkers, 2 drivers, 2 cars and 3 peaks to conquer and it would be an experience none of us would ever forget.

Thankfully, I was just turning up to take part. Matt Wintrip had taken on the arduous task of rounding up people just as enthusiastic as he was to trudge over 25 miles of footpaths and mountain trails.

The idea to walk all three of the highest peaks in the United Kingdom was inspired by Matt reading the auto biography of British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes. In hindsight I suppose we should be grateful that Matt didn’t make us all march off to the North Pole.

He also found two drivers who would drive us the 450 miles between the bases of all three peaks. Meanwhile, it was up to the walkers to organise their own clothing and equipment for the climb. We were all giving a very specific shopping list and left to it.

For the uninitiated, the Three Peaks Challenge is a tour of the three peaks, the three highest points in the UK, which consist of Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in the Lake District and Snowdon in Wales. The aim of the challenge is to drive up to each peak, walk up it and have a quick celebration at the top before walking back down. You then get back in the car and drive to the next one, repeating the process until all three peaks have been conquered –and all in 24 hours.

Doing the whole thing in 24 hours is the hardest part. When you’re driving 450 miles and walking over 25 miles of steep mountain trails without any sleep, it’s very hard going.

As soon as we arrived at Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis in Scotland, all of our equipment had to be checked before we would be allowed to climb. Every time we arrived at a new peak to climb, our equipment was checked again. And if you didn’t have the full list of kit, they wouldn’t let you walk.

The first thing on the marshals’ check lists were always a tough pair of walking boots with good ankle support. We’re talking proper hardcore hiking boots. Any regular pair of outdoor shoes would not be up to the task of walking 25 miles.

Also on the check list was waterproof trousers and a waterproof (preferably Gore-Tex) jacket, moisture wicking base layers, gloves, back packs, head torches, first aid kit with Compeed and a pair of strong walking poles. You name it, we had to take it.

After a thorough equipment check we were on our way. Matt had prepared all manner of maps and means of navigation, but finding the path wasn’t so hard as we have been led to believe. There were marshals everywhere, pointing to the next bay station.

It was only later when we were finding our way through thick mist and pitch darkness that the head torches and maps really came in handy. Even then there were marshals up on the mountain.

When I started the challenge at the foot of Ben Nevis, I felt an overwhelming sense of space as if I could just leap up into the sky. It was incredibly exhilarating at first, but as time went on, the trek got harder and we call got gradually more tired, my focus was to simply keep walking. But one we got to the top we were treated to stunning views of misty mountains as we stood on a clear patch of ground which seemed to float above the clouds. It was a real life experience that I will never forget.

Celebrating that we’d got to the top we broke out the hip flasks to keep us warm, took out the cameras for some photos and then began our descent back down Ben Nevis.

Tired, we arrived back at the base of Ben Nevis where our drivers had prepared some super noodles and a mug of coffee for us. Due to the lack of time, we had to load up the car with our equipment before piling in, sipping coffee and eating our super noodles out of a mug on the way as we drove towards Scafell Pike in the Lake District.

It was 5am when we arrived at Scafell Pike. We strapped on our head torches to navigate through the darkenss and began our ascent up England’s largest mountain peak.

The sun rose over the mountains as we climbed. At 10am we reached the top and fuelled ourselves with another quick pick me up from the hip flasks at the top before munching on Mars bars as we spent another 5 hours walking back down. We threw our kit into the boot and got straight in the car, eating crisps, chocolate and whatever else we could find as the drivers took us to Snowdon. By this point we were all very tired and fell asleep during the journey.

A cold blast of air woke everyone up as the car doors opened, announcing that it was time to get up, get our kit and start walking up Snowdon in Wales. During the ascent is when we all feel the blisters we’ve been rubbing inside our hiking shoes and when the feeling becomes quite numb, it’s testament to just how physically and mentally tired we all are.

I can’t even remember climbing up and walking back down Snowdon. I was half asleep and just kept my feet moving. I do remember being at the top and feeling a strange sense of celebration with everyone. It gave me the extra surge of energy I needed to make it back down, by knowing that it was the third and final peak and that home, sleep and a nice warm bed were only a few hours away.

We came back down the mountain to more hot food and a celebratory beer and recounted our adventure before packing everything back into the car and falling asleep as our drivers drove us home.

The Three Peaks Challenge was a real life experience. Looking back it was brilliant, but also extremely tiring. The best part was being together with a great bunch of people who are sharing the task with you. Because there’s lots of you working towards the same goal, you get this wonderful sense of comradery and so when you experience success by completing the challenge you get an enormous sense of satisfaction and achievement. Perhaps the achievement is made even better by a slight sense of euphoria due to being so physically and mentally drained by exhaustion and lack of sleep.

So if you are thinking about taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity or for your own personal goals, I can wholeheartedly recommend the experience. But just remember that it will take a lot of planning, dedication and lots of high protein foods to keep you going.

The long distance trail known as The Great Glen Way was established in April 2002. It begins in Fort William, crosses the Highlands and finishes in Inverness. In the course of this trail you pass by the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, and follow the shores of one of Scotland’s most famous lakes, Loch Ness. Finally you reach the northernmost city in Scotland, Inverness, often known as the capital of the Highlands. The castles and forts dotted along the way are witness to this country’s turbulent past, from the Iron Age to the Jacobite Rebellion led by Bonnie Prince Charlie who was eventually defeated at the Battle of Culloden.

From Fort William the route follows the riverside and the Caledonian Canal with this part of the walk offering stunning views of Ben Nevis. From Gairlochy you walk first along Loch Lochy and then Loch Oich through beautiful woodland which is mainly ash, birch, elm and hazel. At this point the route offers fairly easy walking with two short steep ascents. The gentle descent from Aberchalder is perhaps the most secluded stretch of canal, passing the lovely Kytra Loch then through splendid mixed forest to Fort Augustus. On leaving this town there is a steep climb and when you reach the top of the hill there are good views back over Fort Augustus with its loch and abbey.

The Great Glen Way now goes along the shoreline of Loch Ness. It then follows steeply undulating forest tracks, at times high above the loch with beautiful views and at times descending almost to the road. The route then goes round Urquhart Bay, a flatter marshy area of alder woodlands around two river estuaries. En route you have excellent views of the 13th century Urquhart Castle. There is a short taxi transfer from Drumnadrochit, rejoining the path near Loch Laide. The last section of the walk towards Inverness is very varied with farmland, high moorlands and woodland.

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St Cuthbert’s Way, a 62.5 mile (100 km) walk, crosses from the Scottish Borders to the Northumberland Coast. St Cuthbert, who was canonised in the 7th century, was a native of the borders. Although this beautiful walk can be enjoyed in either direction, this route follows chronologically the life of St Cuthbert.

The walk begins in Melrose, the location of St Cuthbert’s early monastic life, and ends in Lindisfarne (Holy Island), the area of St Cuthbert’s later ministry and death. Along the way places associated with the life and work of St. Cuthbert can be seen along with features from Roman and medieval times reflecting the long periods of strife in this border area. The final stage of the walk is spectacular as it culminates in the crossing to Lindisfarne Island along a causeway which is only exposed at low tide. It affords one of the most amazing views in Britain.

Melrose Abbey was where the young Cuthbert began his work and where he eventually became Bishop. Holy Island is the place of his burial. He was canonised eleven years after his death when his coffin was opened and his remains were found to be perfectly preserved. Some monks moved his coffin to St. Cuthbert’s Cave, which is featured on the walk, to escape Viking raiders.

Starting from the attractive border town of Melrose, which is said to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart, in the remains of its famous Cistercian abbey, the walk heads over the conical covered Eildon Hills, with spectacular views of the Tweed Valley. The trail continues onto the little village of Ancrum and then across countryside and moorlands to the village of Kirk Yetholm which is at the northern end of the Pennine Way. It then skirts the northern slopes of the Cheviot Hills, crossing the beautiful College Valley, and on to the small market town of Wooler, finally crossing the border into England. The walk crosses moors and pastures to Fenwick from where there is a short transfer to the accommodation at Lowick. The final day’s walk crosses the famous sandy tidal causeway to Lindisfarne with its castle and Abbey ruins.

There is an optional two night extension to Bamburgh and then on to Craster, past two amazing castles. Weather permitting, you may like to take a boat trip to the Farne Islands, a group of 28 islands about two miles off the coast from Bamburgh. The Farnes are a National Trust reserve that protects the largest breeding population of Atlantic Grey Seals and a whole host of bird species.

The Farne Islands are also famous for being where Grace Darling lived and where her father was lighthouse keeper. They lived on Brownsman Island, one of the Farne Islands. Many of the islands are hidden by the water as the tides can be exceptionally high.

Inn to Inn 8 Days
Duration: 7 nights/8 days or 9 nights/10 days
Tour Code: WSC
Grade: Moderate
Day Stages: Minimum 5.5 miles, max 15 miles

Accommodation
7 nights/8 days
Our first night stop is at a charming B&B right by the ancient Abbey of Melrose. At Ancrum our B&B is part of a row of houses built around 1750. In Morebattle we stay in a recently refurbished establishment which is directly on the St Cuthberts Way. The hotel is the hub of the village in Kirk Yetholm and offers good food and ale. In Wooler our guesthouse is a charming 17th century stone-built house with all the usual modern comforts. At Lowick, (near Fenwick) our accommodation started life in the 17th century as an inn and it continues to be popular with locals and visitors today. The pub has an emphasis on home cooked, value for money meals. Our final night is spent on the island of Lindisfarne where we stay in a modern guesthouse that has beautiful views over the causeway and Cheviot Hills.

9 nights/10 days
On the 10 day tour the first night you spend at a well equipped hotel in Bamburgh beneath the towering castle walls. The final night is spent in a small hotel at Craster

Notes
Waymarks
The route is marked with the distinctive St Cuthbert’s Cross waymark.

Accommodation and Meals
Bed and breakfast throughout, in comfortable Inn’s, B&B’s and guesthouse’s. Ensuite facilities most nights.

Start and End of Tour
The starting point is Melrose, reached by bus (not Sundays) from Berwick-upon-Tweed (the nearest train station) or from Edinburgh. Both stations are on the East Coast main line route from London. The nearest airports are Edinburgh and Newcastle.
The tour ends after breakfast on Day 8 at Lindisfarne. Taxi to Berwick Upon Tweed train station (approx £15). It is possible to do this journey by bus, but the schedule is rather unpredictable because of the tide. Edinburgh is only 50 minutes and London is reached in a little over 4 hours by train.

On the 10 day tour there are local buses to the mainline rail stations at Alnmouth and Newcastle Upon Tyne.

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Linking Britain’s largest lake, Loch Lomond, with its highest mountain, Ben Nevis, this tour takes us into the majestic countryside of the Highlands of Scotland following most of Scotland’s famous footpath. Most of the day stages of the route follow the famous droving and military roads that linked the highlands to the lowlands. Many of the hotels along the route were originally old droving inns and have been described in the travel writings of many famous authors including Dr. Johnson and William and Dorothy Wordsworth.

The path threads its way along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond before we come upon the wild ramparts of Ben Lomond which rise from the water to just under 1000 metres. The ‘Way’ then leaves the loch and passes through moor and forest to Crianlarich which is dominated by Ben More, the highest mountain south of Strath Tay and one of the most imposing in the southern highlands.

As we walk along glacial valleys, past the Bridge of Orchy and over to Loch Tulla, surrounded by remnants of the old Caledonian forest, we pass into Rannoch Moor and a welcome stop at the Kings House Inn, Scotland’s oldest and remotest licensed inn. We then leave the moor by the Devil’s Staircase with fantastic views back to the peak of Buachaille Etive Mor, guarding the entrance to Glencoe. The Way then goes down to Kinlochleven at the head of Loch Leven and sea level. Finally we walk the Lairigmor pass and down through forests, into the deep glaciated valley of Glen Nevis at the foot of Ben Nevis, at 1342 metres Scotland’s highest peak.

N.B. To fit into the time available our walk misses the first official day from Milngavie to Drymen, and you are also transferred along a section of the route from Ardlui to Crainlarich. Alternatively you choose to walk this section of the route but you should plan for a 22 mile day.

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Inn to Inn 8 days
Duration: 7 nights/8 days
Tour Code: WWH
Grade: Moderate
Day Stages: Min 9.25 miles, max 14 miles

SELF-GUIDED Dates 2009
Any day April – October
(Not during Loch Lomond Golf Tournament 9 – 12 July & PGA 17-20 September).
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ESCORTED Dates 2009
Group Size: Min 4, max 12, plus trek leader
EWWH12 Sun 12 April – Sun 19 April
EWWH27 Sun 27 Sept – Sun 4 October
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Accommodation
7 nights/8 days – The first night is spent in Drymen at a very comfortable guesthouse. Our Loch Lomond hotel is close to the waters edge, offering expansive views towards Ben Lomond. At Ardlui we use a comfortable hotel which is located on the edge of the northernmost shores of Loch Lomand. Our hotel at Loch Tulla is well off the main road and the setting reminds one of its original use as a cattle drover’s inn. There is a small restaurant offering good quality home cooking. Our next hotel is in the wilds of Rannoch Moor near the entrance to Glencoe. The rooms are fairly basic, but the bar is a very cosy place to be as it was in 1745 when it was used after the Battle of Culloden. At Kinlochleven, our guesthouse offers a warm welcome. The West Highland Way finishes near our final guesthouse at Nevis Bridge, just outside Fort William.

Waymarks
This is a well signposted National Trail, relatively easy.

Accommodation and Meals
On a bed and breakfast basis, in comfortable country inns and hotels. Ensuite facilities are generally available for each night’s accommodation, except night 4.

Start and End of Tour
The nearest major city to the start and finish of the trek is Glasgow, which has two international airports, Prestwick (45 mins to Glasgow Central by train) and Glasgow (20 mins to Glasgow by bus). Then take the train to Balloch, then bus to Drymen. From London take the train from London Euston to Glasgow Central (5 1/2 hours). Then train to Balloch, and take the bus or taxi to Drymen.
After breakfast on day 8. Short walk or taxi ride to Fort William station. Train to Glasgow approx. 3 hours 40 mins, then taxi/walk to Glasgow Central Station and, as above, to Prestwick or Glasgow airports. For trains to London there is a direct overnight sleeper service from Fort William to London via Glasgow (not Saturday night).

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