Tiverton u3a Take on the Three Peaks Challenge
Tony from Tiverton u3a talks about their experience of climbing three peaks to celebrate 40 years of u3a
Tiverton u3a take on the Three Peaks Challenge!
Normally this would involve climbing the UK’s highest peaks of Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis but Tiverton u3a decided this was going to be a bit too ambitious for them, so devised their own West Country version.
Essentially, the plan was to tackle the 3 highest peaks in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset (Brown Willy, High Willhays and Dunkery Beacon respectively) in under 12 hours as a way of celebrating the u3a’s 40th anniversary.
So it was that a group of 13 trekkers set off from Tiverton early on 7 July for the first stage of their journey to Bodmin Moor. At this point the weather was cool, dry and breezy, so ideal for the initial climb up Brown Willy which was reached ahead of schedule.
Buoyed with their success, the group then set off on their next leg – a drive to Okehampton for the ascent of High Willhays. This proved to be a straightforward slog up a rocky track, thoughtfully provided by the army, and enabled the group to take a late lunch at the top with fine views across much of Devon. By now the sun had finally come out, the temperature was rising and it was time to move on.
The next leg towards Exmoor involved a lengthy car journey but also allowed time for trekkers to relax and regain a little energy before the final push up Dunkery Beacon. The summit was finally reached by 6pm and weary walkers assembled in glorious sunshine at Somerset’s highest point before a hasty dash back to a local pub for well-earned refreshment.
A grand day out for all concerned despite 200 miles of driving, 11+miles of walking and well over 2,000 feet of ascent!