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Advice & Links

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This section contains advice and information you may find useful. Please pay particular attention to the sections on safety and the kind of equipment you should bring with you.

Choose from the following categories...

Equipment

Please pay attention to the equipment lists provided with each adventure. Each contains items essential for your safety and comfort. Feel free to add any items you would like to bring but remember, that extra item will weigh more at the end of the day than it did at the start! More Info >>

Three Peaks Challenge Blog

Read more about our Three Peaks Challenge adventures! More Info >>

Safety on the hills

Venturing into any mountainous environment carries with it an inherent risk. Arguably this is the very reason many undertake such a pastime in the first place. However at Mountain and Glen we firmly believe that the equipment we carry can significantly reduce such a risk. More Info >>

Three Peaks Challenge Top-Tips!

If you are participating in one of our Three Peaks Challenges or are participating in one of our Three Peaks charity events have a good read of these tips - we hope they make your Three Peaks Challenge a successful one! More Info >>

Equipment

For reasons of safety and to ensure maximum enjoyment of your adventure it is vital that your individual clothing and footwear are adequate for the terrain and prevailing weather conditions. We are more than happy to advise you personally on this matter before you arrive. Email or call us on 0800 5870988 for assistance.

Clothing

British mountain weather is renowned for its rapid changeability. In order to stay as comfortable as possible it is necessary to adapt ones clothing to changing conditions. We would advise that the use of a system of layers in order to remain warm/cool and dry is the ideal way to ensure maximum comfort. Whilst it is very much a process of trial and error combined with personal preference, there are many excellent products on the market which will assist in achieving the right balance.

The base layer is, in many ways the most important. This is the layer next to your skin and needs to wick moisture away from your body. We would, therefore advise against the use of cotton. Many synthetic products have been created and refined specifically for this purpose and are widely available. A good mid layer, such as a micro-fleece will assist in the wicking process and add warmth if required. Many are also made from a windproof fabric. The mid layer should be able to be easily removed if required, to prevent overheating. In wet conditions the outer layer needs to be both waterproof and breathable, to assist the base and mid layers in the wicking process. The most widely used material with these features is GoreTex, although many manufacturers now produce their own materials, which perform well under all conditions. In windy but dry conditions, lightweight clothing constructed from a material such as Pertex would be ideal, but it is important to ensure that an adequate waterproof jacket is carried in your rucksack for use should conditions change.

Footwear

Recently, many footwear manufacturers have developed the "approach shoe", like a trainer but with an aggressive sole. These are adequate for lower-level terrain in dry conditions. Whilst an extremely lightweight alternative to conventional walking boots, they lack sufficient ankle support for the terrain we cover on our mountain breaks. We would strongly advise the wearing of a minimum 2 or 3 season walking boot with a good sole unit and ankle support and padding. Additionally it is important that your boots have been correctly fitted to minimise the possibility of blisters, hot-spots or other injuries.

It is also important that your boots have been broken-in before heading into the hills. Wearing new boots around the house for a few days may be sufficient to achieve this. Consider also purchasing a pair of insoles with additional cushioning.

Rucksacks

As with walking boots, it's vital that your rucksack fits your back properly. So many variations are now available that it's important to try a few on before choosing. Here are a few tips to ensure you buy the right pack for you;

A good rucksack should distribute 70% of it's weight onto your hips. Ensure that the pack has a well padded hip-belt and walk around the shop with it on to ensure a comfortable fit.

Many larger packs allow you to adjust the backlength; this will assist in ensuring the hip-belt sits correctly. Be sure to carry out this adjustment before putting the pack on.

Ask an assistant to load the rucksack with a realistic weight and adjust the shoulder straps for comfort. If the pack has a lid pocket, fill this too. This will ensure that you can move your head back without the rucksack obstructing you.

Some manufacturers produce female-specific rucksacks with different shoulder straps and a shorter backlength. Be sure to ask if you feel this might suit your bodyshape.

Consider buying a rucksack liner. No rucksack can be 100% waterproof and a liner will ensure that the contents stay dry. You may also like to purchase some smaller "dry-bags" to allow you to separate items in your liner such as spare clothing.

Safety on the hills

It really never ceases to amaze us how many people venture into the hills and mountains with no apparent preparation or thought. People wearing jeans or even shorts tend to realise the error of their ways when the weather suddenly changes for the worst! "There's no such thing as bad weather - just the wrong equipment" goes the old maxim! There is an awful lot of truth in this. Even on a summer's day mountain weather can change suddenly. It's not unusual to wear gloves in July! Bear in mind that the temperature at the summit of Ben Nevis will be nine degrees lower than the temperature at the base and snow often lingers on the mountain long into the summer months.

Your safety throughout your time with us is paramount. Before venturing into the mountains we will brief you thoroughly on the days events, route and timings and familiarise you with emergency procedures. We will also ensure that your personal clothing and equipment is up to the task. It is therefore vital that you have adequate clothing before joining us and we encourage you to contact us as often as you like with any questions you may have. We also offer all our customers a discount of 15% on all purchases at Cotswold Outdoor.

Alternatively, why not book on of our skills courses? We run Three Peaks Challenge training events throughout the summer. We can also teach you basic navigation, hillwalking, wild camping, survival or winter skills. Call us today on 0800 5870988 to discuss your requirements.

Three Peaks Challenge Blog

Check out our blog and see what we've been up to lately. Just click here

3 Peaks Challenge
Top-Tips!

Booked a Three Peaks Challenge with us or taking part in one of our organised charity events? Here are a few tips based on years of experience of organising and participating in the Three Peaks Challenge:

1. Ensure new boots are well broken-in before the event. If you are unable to get out in the hills with them on, wear them around the office or at home for the week prior to your Challenge.

2. Ensure you have sufficient Compeed blister plasters and carry them in your rucksack. They can make the difference between success and failure! Available from chemists and sports shops.

3. Keep your baggage to a minimum! Space in the vehicles is at a premium and big bags mean small space to relax in. Instead of bringing lots of clothes, have one tracksuit or something similar to change into between each mountain.

4. Buy a hydration system such as a "Camelbak". These save a lot of time during the walk. Go for at least two litres capacity. - If the weather is warm you'll need it!

5. Have a clean pair of socks handy to put on before Scafell Pike and Snowdon. This will help prevent blisters.

6. Try having a pair of sandals/flip-flops handy to wear in the vehicle. It makes the journey bearable!

7. Be prepared to grab something to eat and drink as quickly as possible on completion of each mountain. Your support team will have something hot for you to drink/eat and will encourage you to get sorted and on the vehicle as quickly as possible. This will ensure that your labours on the mountains aren't wasted by losing time unnecessarily!

8. Be prepared for a certain amount of discomfort for the duration of the Challenge. You'll either be hot and sweaty or damp for the full 24 hours. The vehicles can be cramped when everyone is onboard trying to get comfortable, eating and drinking so stick something inspirational on your IPod! Consider bringing a travel pillow to stop your head bouncing around in the minibus!

9. There are no toilets at the start of the route up Scafell Pike! Try to plan for this en-route!

10. Make sure you have everything on the kit list! Everything is on there for a good reason and the staff do check!

11. If you are unsure of anything or have any kind of problem, ask a member of the event staff! Most drivers are also Mountain Leaders and can offer a wealth of advice and experience.

12. Above all else - enjoy the experience!

If you still have any questions feel free to contact the office on 0800 5870988.