A lack of sleep, sore feet and the fact I still have a bit of a cold does leave you feeling a little groggy. However, the experiences of the past few days make it all worth wild. To our professional guides' own admittance, it was one of the more dramatic three peaks challenges they have took part on. Weather conditions, problems with coaches, sickness, injuries, mountain rescue drama (not from our group, fortunately); it was a rather more eventful challenge than anyone would have hoped, but it all certainly added to the experience.
We arrived in Scotland at gone 8pm where we quickly settled into our accommodation for the night. My first thought on seeing my bed was that it looked a lot like being in a Nazi bunker! After eating very little of my meal (fussy eater problems) from the surprisingly fancy pub/restaurant situated at the bunk house it was time to go back to the accommodation and get some shut eye before departing for Fort William at 6:30am to begin the challenge.
We began our ascent of Ben Nevis at 7:10am and after the first 30-40 minutes we were quickly split into four groups that were dependant on our position on the mountain at the time. After just failing to make it into the front pack (I tried and failed to put on waterproof trousers which cost me my position/time and I never fully caught up) I was put in group two. Ben Nevis was a frustrating one as we lost a lot of time. Conditions were not great, but sadly injuries (and a race of 200-plus people taking place) meant that we had stop many times for people to catch up. The mountain itself was great, though. The weather was bad on the way up, but nice on the way down. Unfortunately the weather at the summit was poor so it spoilt the views that surrounded us, but when they were visible it was pretty darn spectacular. 
So as we reached the coaches back at the bottom of Ben Nevis we were already well behind the time. We reached Scafell Pike and began the climb at around 9pm knowing we really had to get a move on to catch up. After another stop-start beginning to our ascent we were given an ultimatum over timing which saw only seven (out of nineteen who attempted the mountain) continue to try and make up some time and bomb on to attempt to get as near to the top as possible. Known now as the 'Scafell Seven' we managed to do it in great time and were able to get to the top before the final cut off time for the mountain. This was my own personal highlight of the trip as we looked dead and buried (in regards to time), but we managed it and I was with such a great bunch of people too, which made it even better. Plans of a movie aptly named the 'Scafell Seven' are now in the pre-production stages. James Franco will be playing myself. This is where conversations turn too when its dark, wet, late and your descending down a mountain... We (the seven of us) had given ourselves a chance again of completing all three peaks, although time was still most definitely against us.Scafell Pike itself was horrible and I wouldn't rush back up there. The conditions really were not good at all. Despite being the smallest of the three, it is the steepest and very rocky under foot. Given that it was dark and very wet, this made it pretty dangerous, especially on descent. A bit of drama was also happening around us in the dark as mountain rescue had to be called to find two lost hikers (not members of our group). Fortunately the guide of group one was lucky enough to find them before the rescue services got there.
We knew time was not on our side as we headed to Wales to climb Snowdon. Unfortunately for a few of us some of our bags had been mixed up as the drivers (whilst we were out walking) had decided to move us on to a different coach. This meant that for myself all my clean clothes and some of my food (as well as my mobile) were temporarily unavailable to me as I got back from climbing Scafell Pike, which was not ideal. Thankfully the kind souls on the coach offered me food and water, so it was not all bad.
Our arrival at the foot of Snowdon was at around 7:20-30am. Thankfully 'The Scafell Seven' were kept together along with a few others and we made it up to a rather murky and cold summit. When it was visible, the views were brilliant. Unfortunately the weather was against us in regards to seeing anything at all from the top. A few of the group decided to get the train back down as the rest of us continued the descent on foot. Knowing that we were not going to complete it within the allowed time frame to classify it as completed within 24 hours was a disappointment, but the remainder of us ('The Scafell Seven') plus a couple of others were just determined to make sure we completed it. Snowdon was my second favourite of the three, behind Ben Nevis. The weather spoilt the views but the rocky, wet surfaces meant I did end up on my backside! It still blows my mind there's a cafe/shop on top of it too.
The weather/road conditions as well as injuries to members of the group meant that we lost a lot of time. I was told on completion that we lost around two hours just on the road itself due to the drivers having to go slower, which with all the other factors did nothing to help our cause.17 of us, including 'The Scafell Seven' and the majority of group one, were the only ones out of the 43 participants to climb all three peaks. The major disappointment, which left many of us frustrated, is that we were unable to complete it in the time required due to circumstances out of our own control. If things had not conspired against us we would have made it, which is rather annoying. Regardless though, it really was a great experience.
I am yet to know the exact total of my fundraising efforts, but it has definitely smashed the targeted £550 mark. This makes it so worthwhile and I would just like to thank everyone again who donated/has promised to donate. It is greatly appreciated and it really does go towards a fantastic cause!
So the dramatic weekend is over and now it's back to reality. I met some amazing people of which I hope to stay in touch with and it was an experience, for many reasons, that I will not forget for a long, long time. A few of us are already talking about doing the challenge again, so watch this space!
If anyone else would like to donate then you can still do so at my sponsorship page: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=Milkwasabadchoice&isTeam=true
Thank you.
Matt.
(First six: Ben Nevis. Final five: Snowden.)
