The 3 Peaks
Ben Nevis lies in the Scottish Highlands, near Fort William, there is an established tourist route from the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel, (GR 128718). This is classed as the most practical short route, and involves a steep climb from the Youth Hostel, rather than the longer but shallower starting point from the track that starts behind the distillery on the A82 by Achintree, (GR 126729).
This Pony track route was constructed to service the meteorological observatory that opened in 1883, and remains wholly intact. It traverses the SW side of Meall an t-Suidhe, then zigzags the broad west slopes of Ben Nevis to the exposed summit plateau, and consists of a rocky path over steep boulder fields. The problems encountered on this route include the cornices at the head of Gardyloo Gully and Tower Gully, mistaken descent into Five Finger Gully and crossing the top of Red Burn.
Despite all this, the Pony Track remains the safest route to take.Ben Nevis is 1344m (4409ft) high, and involves 1325m (4347ft) of climbing from the Hostel which is 30m above sea level. The route difficulty is regarded as intermediate to strenuous and the distance from the start to the summit is approximately 4.75 miles (7.6km).
Snow remains on the top of Ben Nevis well into the summer making it particularly hazardous. In low visibility conditions it is wise to use a map and compass and follow the recommended descent route below.
During your attempt, you should be able to complete Ben Nevis within the following times:2.5 hour climb; 2 hour descent.
Remember that as Fort William is at sea level, you will have to climb almost the full 1344m to the top. The start to Scafell and Snowdon both allow you to gain some height in your vehicle first. This is one good reason to start your challenge in Scotland rather than Wales !!
Maps
OS Landranger (1:50,000) no 41. Outdoor Leisure 1:25,000 no 38: Harvey's Walkers Map (1:40,000), and Superwalker (1:25,000) Ben Nevis - this includes a 1:12,500 enlargement of the Ben's summit.
Tourist Information: Fort William.
Recommended route of Descent From The Summit Of Ben Nevis
Warning: These bearings and distances are only likely to be of assistance if you are already a competent navigator. Even very experienced mountaineers can have great difficulty navigating accurately in severe wind or 'white-out' conditions; such as occur frequently on the Ben Nevis plateau.
Note: The marker poles are reported to have been removed recently (November 1996) by vandals who took a hacksaw to them and threw them away.
Scafell Pike involves a mere 913m (2995ft) of climbing, and is the smallest of the three mountains on the challenge at 977m (3206ft).
Past experience from other walkers suggests that the best route to choose is the one starting from the National Trust Camp site at Wasdale Head, (GR 181076).
Starting at Seathwaite has its advantages in that it's easier to get to from Scotland, and saves total driving time, but the walk itself takes a lot longer. Also navigation from this side is more difficult in low visibility conditions or at night. Whichever way you climb Scafell, it's always going to be tough. It's not a very touristy mountain like Ben Nevis, and especially Snowdon, which has a cafe and a train station at the top. Thus you are going to find yourself on a rubbish track rather than a well-groomed motorway. The terrain is a rocky path from rough crag to scree and has a rock summit. The route difficulty is regarded as strenuous. The distance from the start to the summit is approximately 2.5 miles (4km). As a rough guide, you should be aiming to achieve these times on the mountain
From Wasdale : 2 hours climb, 1 hour descent.
Maps
OS Landranger (1:50,000) no 90 and 89: OS Outdoor Leisure (1:25,000) no 6 and 4: Harvey's Walkers Map (1:40,000) and Superwalker (1:25,000) Lakeland West.
Tourist Information: Windermere, Keswick or Ambleside.
There are three routes for Snowdon:
Of the three routes, the Llanberis Path is the flattest but the longest. Crib Goch, which is a sharp arete can be downright dangerous and bad for those with vertigo, while the Miners' track which is relatively flat until the later, short, sharp, steeper sections are reached is probably the best.
Originally an access track to the mines, the Miners' track begins with an easy gradient to Llyn Llydaw and then onto Glaslyn, after which it joins the Pyg track and zigzags up to Bwlch Glas. The Pyg Track which lies parallel to the Miners' track also starts from Pen-Y-Pass but is slightly higher up and slightly more difficult. The total ascent from the Pen-Y-Pass starting point is 725m (2381ft) with the summit standing at 1085m (3560ft). The terrain consists of a rocky path and craggy corries with a steep headwall climb to an exposed col (Bwlch Glas) which leads on to a broad summit ridge up by the railway track. The route difficulty is regarded as intermediate, and from the start to the summit the distance is approximately 4 miles (6.4km). The return route follows the same path. Remember though to stop the watch at Pen-Y-Pass car park on the way back, hopefully under 24 hours. (GR 647557.)
As a rough guide you should aim for the following times 2.25 hour climb; 1.25 hour descent
Maps
OS Landranger (1:50,000) no 115: OS Outdoor Leisure (1:25,000) no 17: Harvey's Walkers Map (1:40,000) and Superwalker (1:25,000) Snowdonia West.
Tourist information: Llanberis.
