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The 14 th October finally arrived and a team
from Countess Anne Church of England School, three teachers, their
Head teacher and an ex governor boarded an Easy Jet headed for
Glasgow, Scotland.
The mission was simple' to climb the three
highest mountains in Great Britain in as close to 24 hours as
we could possibly make it! We had called it a School Sponsored
Trek' and hoped to raise money for much needed improvements to
our school dining room. Next time if there is such a time I
think we should add the word endurance to the title!
The adventure started on Friday 15 th October,
after a nights rest in the Glen Nevis Distillery B and B an
excellent place! Breakfast had been a slightly nervous affair
as we scanned through books of the Scottish mountains spectacular
but far safer from an arm chair! We were aware that there was
going to be snow on the top and were all apprehensive that we
would soon be up there ourselves! The pleasant weather meant that
we were able to start 11.00a.m giving us enough time to get down,
in the car and down to Glasgow just missing the rush hour. With
such a challenge it's these type of details that we had to consider
eating had to be done in the car, 24 hours garages and had been
noted on the way up and alternative routes planned incase road
works were to scupper our best laid plans.
The climb of Ben Nevis is a simple but long
climb. For some of our party it was the first time up a mountain
and the effort that was going to be required was soon painfully
clear. Fortunately the weather was fantastic affording us wonderful
views and I can honestly say that for at least a few hours I didn't
think about work! It was only as we neared the top that the clouds
seemed reluctant to let go of the mountain and the last 15 minutes
were in the cloud and across the snow. At the top there was exultation
and relief that we had made it and team work took its rightful
acknowledgements!
The descent was almost harder although happy
to have finished the climb, legs were tired and soon finding the
relentless call upon their muscles tiring! However we eventually
made it to the bottom and we were greeted by our driver, (aka
'Stirling' ) who phoned through for chips to be prepared and picked
up as we vizzed through Glen Nevis and headed for the Lake District.
The next climb was to be the night climb of
Scafell Pike. This I knew was gong to be an altogether different
prospect and I sat quietly, nervous of the responsiblity of leading
the team in the night along a compass bearing. The journey went
without interruption and we found ourselves at the foot of Scafell
Pike at 12.00 midnight. The climb was going to be a steep and
rugged climb the path often interrupted by huge rocks or streams
that needed clambering over. We quickly equipped ourselves with
head torches and flash lights and headed for the mountain. The
climbing party was now only three, Ben Nevis having taken its
toll, and we made quick work of the first part of the climb. However
the next two hours proved to be a test of our spirit as well of
our physical strength. The path become obscured amongst the rocks
and we found ourselves wandering from its course on a number of
occasions. The night seemed to become thicker and our torches
less effective. At times I had to separate from the party in order
to find the path and can remember feeling panicked when I couldn't
see their torch lights. Indeed we were hindered by the fact of
there being no moon and that by the time we had reached the final
part of the climb we were we wrapped in cloud. I remember quite
clearly almost walking into the top a triangular pillar. I am
quite sure that if I hadn't turned on my halogen lamp at that
moment we could well have walked past the top; it was that dark!
As you can imagine we didn't hang about on the top; once photographic
evidence was gathered we were heading downwards careful not to
stray from the path. Although quiet from being physically drained
it was so nice to drop into a warm car and before I knew it I
was fast asleep as we were driven through the valleys off to the
last mountain Snowdon in Wales.
Snowdon is often regarded as the easiest of
the three especially via the more tourist paths no the train
route up was not allowed! However after the previous two this
climb was not going to be a breeze. As you can imagine our legs
we almost set and ached like mad moving only for relief from cramp!
However we got our boots back on and set off via the old miners'
route. What I remember was meeting people coming down who had
quite clearly only climbed one mountain that day and who insisted
on saying cheery hellos to us I'm afraid a weary smile was about
as much as I could muster for the first part of the walk! In time
though my legs loosened up and the fact that this was the last
climb gave me an extra spring and determination to get this mountain
climbed. Again team work played its part as we encouraged one
another up the slopes of Wales' highest and reaching the top was
a most satisfying moment for all of us. Our Countess Anne / Three
Peaks flag' was brought out and photographed proudly! We had
done it and all that remained was to get back as quickly as possible
a hot bath and fancy hotel awaited and we didn't want to waste
anytime!
For me one of the nicest features of the challenge
was when we were driving out of the valleys and our mobile phones
started to pick up their signals we were often busy responding
to text messages of encouragement from other staff and this was
very important in keeping morale and purpose high! Cards and words
of encouragement before and after the challenge were received
by the team both of these aspects gave the occasion a sense
of community and a reminder of why we were doing this whole mad
thing anyway! A big thank you to the team for the trust and commitment
that they all showed it was a great time to have together!
David Lodge - Head Teacher |
