CARE 24 Peaks post event report

After a nutritious breakfast of pink cakes for some, the teams - bright eyed, fresh faced and seemingly not even fazed by the early morning start - were soon marching up the first of the day’s ten peaks, Red Pike. 

The teams successfully navigated one mountain after another, checking in regularly with challenge base by radio - Kirstin’s (of First Title) dulcet tones not only reverberating around challenge base, but the mountain range too by all accounts. After summiting no less than six mountains, the teams reached Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, by just gone 2.30pm.

After conquering another three mountains after Scafell Pike including Great End, Esk Pike and Bow Fell, day one was over by 7.30pm. This left enough time for showers and food before bed.

Sunrise brought with it day two of the challenge and another clear morning. The teams congregated at the bottom of Red Screes and after a quick health check from the first aiders, thus began the ascent up the first of the remaining fourteen mountains which included Fairfield and Helvellyn.

Litres of water and a substantial amount of snacks later, the teams reached the summit of the final mountain, Great Dodd. From there it was quite literally down hill to the finish line.

Just to add a little drama, Team Morgan Lewis completed with only 2 minutes to spare, in a time of 23 hours 58 minutes. In a fine demonstration of team work, some walkers even carried their colleagues’ back packs the last few yards to enable them to finish within the allotted time. The aptly named First Title Team finished the challenge in a neat time of 23 hours 23 minutes.

The ardent crew members pulled out all the stops with champagne, beer and plenty of water to greet their colleagues on the finish line. The jubilation and sheer relief of completing the challenge almost masked any aches and pains. After a few snaps and time to reflect on the huge task that had just been completed, it was back to the hotels.

With all teams completing the challenge by 3pm it left plenty of time to relax and unwind before the evening meal at the Low Wood Hotel situated on the banks of Windermere. The evening celebrations were an opportunity for CARE staff to thank everyone – walkers, crew members, volunteers and those who sponsored the teams - for all the money raised. CARE relies on support like this to fund emergency response work as well as long-term projects including micro finance projects in developing countries that offer loans to start up businesses in poor communities.

Not content with completing one of CARE’s most demanding challenges, the teams were last seen taking on the ‘Bar Challenge’. Here’s hoping that they finished that challenge in well under 24 hours.

Conclusions drawn: lawyers and property business services providers have stamina, and lots of it.

Thank you all for your unwavering determination and more importantly the money that you raised for CARE International.