Sunday 18 June, eleven students in the Lower Sixth Form took part in the Three Peaks Challenge (climbing the highest mountain in every country of Great Britain within 24 hours) to raise money for the Buikwe Water Project in Uganda.
The first challenge was Ben Nevis in Scotland. Their mountain guide, Chris, set a steady pace as they headed into the clouds that inevitably surrounds the highest peak in the UK. In three hours they were at the summit. The descent was pleasant with everyone in good spirits as they warmed to the nature of the challenge. They arrived at the minibus within 2 hours and drove through the night down to Scafell Pike.
Arriving at Scafell Pike in the early morning hours was something of a shock to the system. By the light of head torches, they booted up and set off up the Seathwaite path to the top of England’s highest peak. The last section of Scafell was a steep scree slope followed by a boulder field which was the first (and only) technical terrain we would encounter on the trip. Though slightly daunted, the students made it up quickly and were at the summit of Scafell in three hours.
The final challenge was Mount Snowdon. Although everyone was tired the students to their credit, rallied round each other and headed up the Pyg Track with real determination. The group made it to the summit of Snowdon in just over two hours.
To celebrate they headed down to the mountain lake on Snowdon to cool off. In jubilation, students collapsed into the refreshing water. This was a tremendous effort from all involved, many of whom had very little mountaineering experience.
We wish the Uganda trip well and hope that the money we raised can be of some use in alleviating such extreme poverty.
