A Women’s Guide to the Three Peaks Challenge

Thinking of signing up to the Three Peaks Challenge? You’re in luck. WhoSki.com’s Sally is freshly back with insider tips on conquering the UK’s three peaks in just 24 hours.

Read on for her women’s guide to the Three Peaks Challenge, with the low-down on those less-discussed issues you’re dying to know about but may feel a tad awkward in asking…

Sally writes: There were three topics that came up again and again among our eight-strong all-women group in the run-up to our Three Peaks Challenge:

  1. Kit
  2. Food
  3. Loo stuff

Weirdly, these seemed to preoccupy us more than the training. Probably because they aren’t addressed on many blogs, which focus on how to prepare for the event through exercise, steps, hill walking and nutrition.

So here are my women-focused pointers for a Three Peaks Challenge newbie worried about what to wear and take, where you’re going to ‘go’ and what you need to eat to conquer a very challenging 2,957m of altitude over 26 miles in 24 hours.

Let’s start with kit

‘Pack light, don’t overthink it.’

  • Take walking poles and use them; you may sound like a clippy-clop horse on your gallop to the summit, but using them takes SOOOO much pressure off your knees. I borrowed walking poles from my sister and they were a godsend.
  • Pack a spare t-shirt and pair of knickers to change into for your final ascent. Simply swapping into a fresh top and pants was a massive mood and energy booster. Forget changing your trousers or shorts, though – it’s not necessary. 
  • Carry some handy wipes (biodegradable, of course) and a small roll-on deodorant for a swift freshen-up during loo breaks.
  • Take a light blanket for the mini-bus. It was a hot weekend for our Three Peaks Challenge, so I pulled my blanket over my head to block out light while resting on the journey between ascents.
  • Glasses – a total pain in the backside. I kept misplacing mine on the dark minibus; take varifocals if possible and keep them in an easily accessible pocket.
  • If you want to take photos (bear in mind that if you’re taking your Three Peaks Challenge seriously, you won’t have time to stop during ascents and descents), keep your phone / camera in a pouch on your front so you can easily grab it for on-the-go photography. 
  • Comfort is key when it comes to walking boots. Our final, relentless walk down Snowdon was the one that created the most foot problems – blisters on toes and bruised big toes (easily hidden using nail varnish). Socks are also so important: do not skimp on them.
  • Check your head torch at home before you set off on your Three Peaks Challenge. Wear it at night and in action to get the angle right to illuminate the path ahead of you. 
  • Use a heel insert if you suffer any pain during training. I bought some Skechers Arch Fit trainers and wore them every day before the walk. They removed all my pain within 10 days, meaning the training played havoc with my feet, but the challenge didn’t!  
  • Borrow kit or buy second-hand when you can – how often will you re-use walking poles or waterproof trousers? And clearly you should re-sell any kit after your event, if you’re not going to need them again. The WhoSki.com marketplace is a great place to do so!
  • We went with a Three Peaks Challenge company that provided a thorough kit list; make sure you take everything listed or you will not be allowed up those mountains.

food

Food: a Three Peaks Challenge essential
  • I reckon I spent most of my time beforehand visualising what food I would be eating and when, and fretting about whether it would fit the mark to keep my blood sugar levels consistent. All our Three Peaks Challenge pre-meetings included long conversations about food.
  • Our guides provided snacks, but do supplement these with your own snack choices. Make sure they are easy to grab while you walk and avoid anything too dry as they will be hard to swallow. (My bag of Cheddars didn’t do it for me, as I discovered…)
  • The guides we went with didn’t supply bananas as they were concerned about the skins being discarded then decomposing too slowly and in the wrong place. I would have killed for a banana en route…
  • Experiment with different snacks before you set off. I visited Holland & Barrett for the first time in my life, and discovered that they had some great options for a non-nut eater like me.
  • Being unable to clean your teeth en route is horrid, especially with all that snacking. Chewing gum is the perfect mouth refresher during coach trips between peaks – also a good ice breaker to share with fellow walkers.
  • Disappointingly, there was no cup of tea or bacon butty for us at the end of the final mountain, so make sure you plan an early pit-stop on your journey home. 

toilet stuff: we all have to do it…

Toilet stuff: we all have to do it...
  • If you are an all-women team, expect to queue. You literally cannot take a quick pee anywhere, on any of the mountains: there are basically ZERO trees and bushes to squat behind. Then, after you and everyone’s auntie have saved it up for hours, you will descend en masse for the paltry three public toilets – cross your legs, it can take a while. 
  • Being on your period during your Three Peaks Challenge would be really tough. You may have to go for up to five hours without access to a loo. It is worth investigating whether there is any way you can manipulate your menstrual cycle to avoid having your period while you are walking. At the foot of Snowdon, our final peak, we ended up in a car park so early in the morning that no loos were open.
  • Farting: yes you will fart. You will all fart and you’ll smell other people’s farts. But you won’t care. The snacks play havoc with your gut as does the sleep deprivation, the altitude and the lack of sanitary arrangements on demand (see above). We all talked a lot about farting. Just make sure it’s not the only topic of conversation. We all do it but that doesn’t mean we all want to talk about it the whole time…
  • Pooing – make sure you carry your own loo roll as the car park loos are often lacking paper or the dispensers don’t work (as I found out. Big shout-out to my Three Peaks teamies who responded to my pleas for help…).

team spirit

Team spirit on the Three Peaks Challenge

I was lucky to be walking in a super-supportive Three Peaks Challenge group of women I regularly exercise with through FitState. We took it seriously, but not TOO seriously and felt able to admit ‘I could have thrown in the towel walking down Ben Nevis’ – ie our first peak – and still be picked up again by companions. Support and logistics would have been pretty difficult without doing the Three Peaks Challenge as part of an organised group.

The rest times en route between mountains really do re-energise you. Even when you pile onto the bus after a tough peak and think you can’t take another step, you’ll be surprised by how the journey puts things into perspective. 

Lastly, I 100% recommend you share private transport – we had a mini-bus – on the way home. You’ll stink, be knackered and the public probably won’t want to be near you. But you can stop for a McDonald’s or a Greggs and not feel bad about it. And you can laugh to your heart’s content at your AMAZING shared experiences, however gruelling they felt at the time.

Now I’m back home, our achievement is still slowly sinking in – what we went through and how far we travelled together, with joyous flashbacks to some hilarious situations and memories of awe-inspiring scenery. 

That will stay with me for a long, long time.

Walking for teenage mental health
Walking for teenage mental health

Sally walked the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of teenage mental health, raising money for WhoSki.com’s charity partner stem4. Visit her Just Giving page here if you wish to donate. We give a proportion of our commission on every sale via the WhoSki.com marketplace to stem4.

3 ways to beat the weeds

A weed is of course just a plant in the wrong place. And when that ‘wrong place’ is stinging your legs while you’re on the trails, weeds are a pest. So how to stop the stings and beat the weeds next time you’re out biking, hiking or walking?

Our three tips on ways to beat the weeds:

1 LEGS UP!

Ouch! Cyclists, mountain bikers and trail bike commuters know. When weeds are right on your leg and ankle level, brambles and stinging nettles can be mighty uncomfortable. The solution? Sit down – legs up: freewheel through the worst and hope for the best.

2 ZIP-OFF TROUSERS

Convertible zip-off trousers may just be the spring hiker’s best friend. Legs on while you are thigh deep in skin-irritating weeds and nettles, then zip them off for comfort once you’re clear of the undergrowth.

Zip-offs have numerous benefits, and are perfect for DofE expeditions as they are so versatile.

Visit the WhoSki.com shop to buy and sell secondhand walking trousers in all styles.

3 LONG SOCKS

Warm enough to wear shorts at last? Walkers know, this wet spring has been boom-time for weeds with cow parsley growing higher than your head and super-strong nettles just waiting to do their worst. How can you beat the weeds when you’re staying cool in cut-offs?

Cover up is your best option. If you can’t face long trousers as above, opt for long socks and roll them down when you’re out of the weeds and into the meadows.

Long socks will also help prevent ticks jumping aboard if you’re in an area where infestations have been reported, or livestock have been grazing.

PS Don’t get us wrong: we LOVE weeds at WhoSki.com. In fact, we would say they probably aren’t weeds at all. Wild flowers and plants are essential for the bugs and birds that make the great outdoors even greater.

We are just not such a fan when weeds are causing us aggro on the trails (says WhoSki.com co-founder Nicola, who slipped on a muddy hike recently and landed in a patch of super-strong stinging nettles. Skin was still a-tingle THREE DAYS later. Ouch.)

Walking for teenage mental health

This week is Mental Health Awareness week and at WhoSki.com, we donate 25% of our commission on every sale to teenage mental health charity stem4 . On top of that, our Co-Founder Sally has signed up to walk the Three Peaks Challenge in June.

Sally writes: That means I will be ascending (and descending, obviously!) the three highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within a 24-hour (ish) period. Yikes!

I’m walking in aid of teenage mental health, raising money for our charity partner stem4, as is the organiser of the expedition Viki Potter, who runs the FitState fitness coaching business in Wimbledon.

my training programme

A major part of my training schedule is walking. Walking, walking, walking. The challenge – I live in London and there aren’t many mountains. But I have discovered the vibrant diversity of urban nature in the heart of the city. Check out my Instagram reel to see more.

Want to support me?

Help me reach my goal by donating to stem4 either directly through their website or through my Three Peaks Challenge fundraising page.

WhoSki.com is proud to support teenage mental health as part of Mental Health Awareness week 2023

Hey AI, what’s my walking style?

Here’s what we learned about walking styles when we asked the AI chatbot ChatGPT to explain the difference between walking, hiking, rambling, trekking and forest bathing…

Walking: a low-intensity activity

ChatGPT says: Walking is generally considered to be a low-intensity form of exercise or activity that involves moving at a leisurely pace on flat or even ground. Walking can be done almost anywhere and at any time, and it can be a great way to get some fresh air, clear your mind, or simply get from point A to point B.

We say: get yourself a decent pair of socks, however short your walk. Your feet will thank you for it whether in wellies, trainers or walking boots.

Hiking: a more strenuous activity

ChatGPT says: Hiking is a more strenuous and challenging activity that involves walking on uneven terrain, often through wilderness areas or natural settings. Hiking can involve climbing steep hills, navigating rocky trails, crossing streams or rivers, and even scrambling over boulders. Hiking can be a great way to explore the outdoors, challenge yourself physically, and enjoy beautiful scenery.

We say: every hiker needs a robust pair of hiking boots, waterproof for winter and breathable for summer.

Rambling: longer distance walking

ChatGPT says: Rambling is a more leisurely form of walking that is done for the purpose of exploring the outdoors and enjoying nature. It often involves hiking on trails or through countryside areas, and it may require more specialized equipment such as hiking boots and maps. Rambling can also involve more challenging terrain and longer distances than regular walking.

We say: invest in a comfortable backpack and tuck a thermal flask into a handy pocket, for a refreshing cuppa while you are out rambling.

Trekking: a multi-day hike

ChatGPT says: Trekking is a form of outdoor recreation that involves walking or hiking for an extended period of time, usually on trails or paths in natural environments such as mountains, forests, or wilderness areas. It often involves multi-day trips, with hikers carrying backpacks and camping gear to stay overnight in remote locations.

Trekking is typically more challenging than a simple day hike, and may involve steep inclines, rugged terrain, and exposure to the elements. It requires physical endurance, good planning, and adequate equipment to ensure safety and comfort during the trip.

We say: sounds like a DofE expedition? Buy and sell the kit your kids need via WhoSki.com.

Forest bathing: a mindful wander

ChatGPT says: Forest bathing, also known as Shinrin-yoku, is a practice that originated in Japan and involves spending time in a forest or other natural environment to improve one’s health and wellbeing.

During forest bathing, individuals typically take a slow, leisurely walk in a forest or other natural setting, focusing on their senses and taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the environment. This can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and boost the immune system.

Forest bathing is not a strenuous activity and does not involve hiking or exercise. Instead, it is a form of mindfulness meditation that encourages people to slow down, disconnect from technology, and connect with nature. Many people find that forest bathing helps them feel more relaxed and centred, and can be a useful tool for managing stress and improving mental and physical health.

We say: leave the electronics at home and breathe in that sweet forest air. Gorgeous!

Go properly equipped

Whatever your walking style, equipping yourself with the right kit, whether it’s a waterproof jacket, hiking boots, Nordic walking poles or a thermal tea flask, will help keep you safe and comfortable on the trails.

Boost your sustainability credentials by thinking secondhand before you buy new outdoor kit for your next trip. WhoSki.com: the secondhand marketplace for all kinds of outdoor clothing and equipment.

Images by Freepix

Buy and sell ALL your outdoor kit at WhoSki.com

NEW: Our marketplace just got bigger. You can now buy and sell all your secondhand outdoor kit at WhoSki.com.

From wetsuits to walking boots, kagoules to camping equipment. Buying and selling secondhand clothes and outdoor kit at WhoSki.com means you are helping keep even more durables in active usage within the circular economy.

As regular WhoSkiers already know, re-sale and re-use beats recycling every time, being less costly in terms of energy and materials than buying new or throwing away items you no longer use.

Keeping kit in active usage

Many thanks to all who have bought and sold ski kit via the WhoSki.com marketplace this season. Your actions have helped keep heaps of ski and snowboard clothes in active usage, reduced their carbon footprint and earned you useful spending money from no-longer-needed clothes and equipment.

We hope you will be inspired to do similar with our expanded marketplace, buying and selling the outdoor clothes and equipment you use for the other activities you enjoy all year round.

It is simple: same platform, same name, same log-ins and now with more departments. The only real difference? A summer-ised WhoSki.com logo: spot the sunshine. Plus more categories for you to list your outdoor clothing and equipment.

list your outdoor kit now

Perhaps your kids have a backpack or sleeping mat left over from a Duke of Edinburgh or Scout group expedition? Maybe there’s a pile of unwanted wetsuits in your loft, used just once during that trip to Cornwall or the Scillies? Has a child out-grown their walking boots?

Buy and sell ALL your outdoor kit and clothing at WhoSki.com.

Outdoor clothes and equipment that is still in good condition but of no further use to you could be exactly what another WhoSkier is looking for. List it now, boost your eco credentials, earn a bit of money on unwanted items and help make someone else’s outdoor activity trip a bit more affordable and accessible.

Questions and comments? Please drop us an email or get in touch via social media. We always love to hear from you.