Cold, wet, and exhausting. One dislocated knee, two mountains conquered, and £1,510 raised so far for a charity making a life-changing difference. This is the story of a challenge that didn’t quite go to plan, but still achieved something truly worthwhile.
The Challenge Begins
Taking on the National Three Peaks Challenge is no small undertaking. Climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon within 24 hours demands plenty of physical endurance and mental resilience. Add in two nights of poor sleep, unpredictable weather, and an old knee injury, and you have a challenge that tests you in ways you might never expect.
We set off at 6:00am on Saturday morning, ready to tackle the highest mountain in Scotland before making our way south to the Lake District. I wasn’t starting with quite the energy reserves I would have liked, but I had a much bigger reason for being there, and that was more than enough to get me moving.
I was taking on this challenge for Meseret for Women, a charity that means a great deal to me, not just as a supporter, but as a trustee. Every step was an opportunity to help them continue their vital work, and that thought became increasingly important as the day went on.
Ben Nevis: The First Mountain and an Unexpected Setback
Physically, Ben Nevis turned out to be the hardest of the three for me. Carrying my backpack and taking very few breaks, I pushed on for over six hours. My group completed the climb in just under six hours; they were an incredibly fit bunch, including some former Army soldiers aged between 25 and 40. I was, by quite some distance, the oldest in the group!
Unfortunately, the climb didn’t go entirely to plan. Partway through, I slipped and dislocated my knee, which was already vulnerable from an old injury. The pain was intense, and suddenly I had a much bigger obstacle to overcome than just the steep incline.
Despite the fall, I kept going and completed Ben Nevis well within the average time. There was certainly a sense of frustration, I had trained hard, committed to the challenge, and wanted to give it everything. But sometimes, no matter how determined you are, your body has other ideas. With two more mountains ahead of me, I knew I was going to have to be careful.
Scafell Pike: Pushing Through the Pain
After Ben Nevis, we piled into the van and drove south towards the Lake District. By the time we reached Scafell Pike, the knee injury was making itself known in a big way. The wet conditions made the terrain trickier, and with an old ACL injury already affecting that knee, I knew one wrong move could make things a lot worse.
I managed to reach the summit and complete the descent in just over four hours, which was still great progress. But the physical cost was mounting. By the bottom, my knee was shaking and becoming increasingly swollen, and I could feel that I was pushing my absolute limits.
It was one of those moments when determination alone isn’t quite enough. I desperately wanted to carry on, but I also had to think about the consequences of making the injury worse.
The Hardest Decision: Knowing When to Stop
By this point, the question wasn’t simply whether I could climb Snowdon, it was whether I should. My group was moving quickly, and I didn’t want to hold them back. More importantly, I didn’t want to risk causing long-term damage to my knee.
So, I made the difficult decision not to attempt the third and final mountain.
There was disappointment, and I’ll admit there were a few tears. When you set yourself a challenge like this, you naturally picture reaching that final summit and celebrating the finish. I had really wanted that moment, and accepting that it wasn’t going to happen was hard.
But I also knew that continuing at any cost wasn’t the right choice. I had already climbed two of the UK’s highest mountains, pushed through considerable pain, and completed both in times I could be proud of. Sometimes overcoming adversity means finding the strength to keep going; sometimes it means having the courage to recognise when you need to stop. For me, this challenge involved both.
Finding Motivation on Jelly Babies and a Higher Purpose
Throughout the challenge, there were moments when the pain and exhaustion really threatened to take over. I had slept badly, struggled to find food I actually fancied at service stations, and probably hadn’t eaten enough to fuel the effort properly. My supplies were fairly basic: a little muesli, fudge, and a lot of Jelly Babies. Looking back, I could certainly have planned my nutrition better!
Yet whenever things became difficult, I had something to focus on beyond my own discomfort.
Meseret for Women means so much to me. As a trustee, I understand how vital fundraising is to keeping the charity running and enabling us to support the mothers and babies who need help. At my lowest points, all I could think about was the babies over there who rely on us.
That thought helped me find a purpose beyond the physical challenge. This wasn’t simply about proving what I could do; it was about contributing to something much bigger than myself. And that made every painful step count.
Breathtaking Moments
For all the discomfort, the challenge gave me some truly unforgettable memories. The sunrises and sunsets were beautiful, and walking beneath a sky full of stars was an experience I will never forget. There was something extraordinary about being out in the mountains at night, and it gave me a welcome distraction from my painful knee.
And, remarkably, I finished the two climbs without a single blister. My well-worn walking shoes clearly did their job!
I started at 6:00 AM on Saturday and was back down from Scafell Pike shortly after 11:00 PM that night, including the long drive down from Scotland. I remember very little of that journey because I slept right through it!
Despite everything, the experience has left me wanting more. We’re already planning to return in May, when the weather should be a little warmer. This time, I’d love to share the mountain experience with my family—though I can promise you, we won’t be attempting all three peaks within 24 hours!
£1,510 Raised — And Every Donation Matters
While the physical challenge didn’t go entirely to plan, there is something I am incredibly proud of: the money raised for Meseret for Women. So far, we’ve raised £1,510 plus Gift Aid, and donations are still coming in.
To put that into perspective, the charity needs around £3,000 every month to keep going. That means this challenge has already raised a substantial contribution towards its ongoing costs and the life-changing support it makes possible.
I am so grateful to everyone who has donated, encouraged me, and supported the challenge. Knowing that so many people got behind the fundraising gave the whole experience an even greater sense of purpose. Every pound helps towards keeping that work going, and that is something truly worth pushing yourself for.
Not the Finish I Planned, But a Challenge Worth Taking On
I set out to complete the Three Peaks Challenge, and I didn’t quite get there. There is no point pretending otherwise. I would have loved to stand on that third summit, but I also came away with a huge sense of pride in what I achieved.
I climbed Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike despite an unexpected injury, recognised when it was time to stop, experienced some beautiful scenery, and helped raise £1,510 for a charity I care deeply about.
The mountains were tough, the weather was miserable at times, and the pain was real. But so was the determination to do something meaningful. I may not have conquered all three peaks this time, but the challenge has made me even more determined to keep supporting Meseret for Women. And who knows? Perhaps May will bring that final summit after all.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the challenge and donated. Your generosity means a great deal, and donations are still very welcome. Together, we can help the charity continue its vital work for the women and babies who need it most.
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