Open Three Peaks Challenge Series 2009

tahoepatrol · Three Peaker Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 12

Hi Richie, a couple of questions re equipment:

I am assuming that each member will need to carry their own first aid kit as per the kit list.

For group items i know we are supplied with a cooker and fuel but I couldn't help wondering what we were supposed to cook on it if we needed it for some reason? Should we be eating our team mates or is it intended solely as a heat aid in case of trouble?

Your advice welcome as ever

Chris

mlees · One Peaker Joined: 13 May 2008 Posts: 5 Location: Marlow

Hi Chris,

I don't think we need take cookable food up with us, but a means of getting hot drinks might be useful, especially in a hypothermia or nighttime situation. As people would have drinks with them anyway, something like a tin mug or even a sigg bottle might be useful to heat them with!

Another question to Richie though: Must the cooker and fuel be carried up each mountain? or can they be left with the support team?

Mark.
_________________
Mark Lees
Cobham Graduates Team

tahoepatrol · Three Peaker Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 12

So i can't cook my lobster and chips on Snowdon? Damn!

richieev · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:21 am Post subject:

Hi Guys,

Each individual will need to carry a personal first aid kit, and we recommend it includes headaches tablets, tea tree oil, blister pads, suncream, anti-midge/insect bite cream, heat rub, as well as the normal items. Most 3 Peaks areas suffer biting midges at this time of year, and blisters are common too - a team of 8 will consume all of one persons consumables just on Ben Nevis..!

Each team will be provided with a Coleman Exponent F1 Lite cook set. This includes gas cartridge, cooker, 2x aluminium pans and a handle, and packs down neatly. Some gas cartridges are 100ml, some 250ml so you will have to fight over the smaller ones..!

You are not required to carry any food or drinks specifically for use with the cookers, but we recommend you carry a couple of cup-a-soups or instant hot drinks (tea, coffee, chocolate, etc). That's up to you.

Each mountain will have a number of safety staff at various locations, and if for any reason you should need to stop on the mountain for any period of time, they will have some food/drink, but need to know you have the means to heat it. We need to know that your team will be 'relatively' comfortable until it is safe for you to be removed from the mountain.

However, even just sipping warm water can help keep hands and body stay warm and comfortable when you are all cold and wet.

This applies to each mountain, not just Scafell Pike, and you will also need the other items such as a head torch, for each mountain, even Ben Nevis and Snowdon.

If you want to cook lobster on Snowdon, I'm sure our guide at the summit would be more than happy to join you !

Richie..
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Regards, Richie

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tahoepatrol · Three Peaker Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks Richie, I'll save some Lobster for you too don't worry!

gtempleton · One Peaker Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

Hi Richie, Sorry if I'm being a bit thick, but are you saying that we need to take the cooker up the mountains even if we have no intention of using it. We'll be pressed for time, so at no point do we intend lighting it, and I really hadn't intended carrying it, so can we leave it in the van? Regards, George

tahoepatrol · Three Peaker Joined: 25 May 2008 Posts: 12

Hi George, yes somebody in the team has to take the cooker up each mountain, its on your equipment list as a group item. It is a safety item and not something that anybody will be wanting to use.

I think Richie has answered my question in that Marshalls will have food/drink spare in case of an emergency situation where a team has to stay on the mountain for a period of time. Of course it is also a heat aid. Lets hope we don't have to use it!

Are you trying to muscle in on some of this lobster?!? Rolling Eyes

richieev · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:16 pm Post subject:

Hi George,

Apart from 'ALL' of the items on the kit list which we expect 'YOU' to supply, we will supply each team with:

A cooker and gas
An emergency group shelter
A VHF radio c/w battery

We will require teams to carry all of this equipment, on every mountain, and also hope that you will not need to use it. If you cannot produce this equipment at a kit check area, you will not be allowed onto the mountain.

We will also be supplying a team identification bib for each team leader, which MUST be worn, and on display on all mountain checkpoints. If this is not clearly displayed at a staffed checkpoint - you will not be allowed to proceed.

Please remember that this weekend is by far the busiest for Three Peaks Challenge events, and the NDCS also have a huge event at the same time. Mountain rescue will be kept busy with independent groups arriving with a roadmap for navigation, wearing jeans and T shirts, and phoning 999 when they get lost..!

We need to be 100% sure that firstly we know where all YCT teams actually are, and secondly that if they get into any kind of difficulty we know they have the equipment to remain 'comfortable' on the mountain until we can remove them.

Previously teams have still been on both Ben Nevis and Snowdon in the dark, and a very experienced team had to await rescue from Scafell Pike for 5 hours until it went light.

The required kit list is not designed for what you may intend to use - but for what may save your life, and my career - if you are unfortunate enough to have an accident in the hills.

Regards,

Richie..
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Regards, Richie

http://open-three-peaks-challenge-2009.weebly.com/index.html
http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/richieev/tp/
www.merseyventure.org