As you did the walk last year Boltonred can you offer any advice as its Beckys first time? thanks Sue
Not BoltonRed but having completed the 3 Peaks I'll have a go. Having read posts on this board for a few years, I suppose this first question will probably sound all wrong, but - How fit is Becky? Any experience of walking reasonable distances (3 Peaks is about 25 miles), any experience of walking up 'hills'? With about 10 or 11 weeks to go, probably the best solution would be to start and get some miles under the belt. Try and walk wherever possible, instead of driving. Make an effort to get out 3 or 4 nights a week and just walk for 2 or 3 miles, increasing the distance each week. On a weekend get out into the Dales (or Peak District) and have a go up and down some of the steeper hills. Don't be too concerned about finishing the 3 Peaks in a set time, walk at a comfortable pace, especially at the start. Windy's spot on with the footwear, make sure the shoes/boots are just right and 'broken in'. On the day be prepared for whatever the weather may be doing. It is not unknown for it to be cold and wet, so keep an eye on the forecast and take appropriate clothing. If it is a hot and sunny day, take a hat, suncream and plenty of water. Loads of young people can do the 3 Peaks without any proper preparation, but it can become a bit of a slog. Doing some preparatory fitness work will pay dividends in making it easier to complete and hopefully making it more enjoyable. I am up in the Dales tomorrow and will hopefully, weather permitting, be walking up Whernside and Ingleborough. PM me if you have anymore questions. Hope Becky enjoys the walk.
SUNCREAM Of the three of us who did it, I was the only one to bother, me being a pasty bugger. The others all thought they were too hardy to need it. I was right. They were wrong. Other than that: Footwear - as mentioned Small pack with energy foods and at least a litre of water. Check the weather and dress appropriately. Try to stick to a few thin layers so you can take layers off and stick in backpack if you overheat.
She is not fit. Not at all. The only walking she does is between her car and her office! It will be a challenge though to get fit enough in time. There is a group of about 16 of them doing it from her work so they might end up carrying her. She's going to go to the gym and they are going to do lots of training walks.
RE: don't spend too long in that pub at the bottom of Ingleborough The Hill Inn. It is a temptation (to some) as you have to walk right past it, but alcohol will probably be the worst possible drink at that stage of the walk. Much prefer the ice creams from the farm shop just before reaching the pub.
RE: SUNCREAM A few years ago on a round of the Coniston Fells on a very hot day, with no hat, no suncream and not enough water - badly burned and dehydrated, took days to recover. Big lesson learned. Water consumption - I would say on a hot day, for a walk of that nature, 3 to 4 litres minimum. I assume there will be refreshment points if it is an organised walk, so that all the water doesn't have to be carried all the way.
