Protecting the Peaks Together

PRESS RELEASE: An essential bit of kit for Three Peaks Challengers

Three Peaks Challengers Invited to use an Essential Bit of Kit

Three co-ordinated Mountain Care days are being held across the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales this weekend to highlight the launch of a new piece of ‘kit’ for charity challengers.

The new kit won’t be found on the slopes of the nation’s favourite mountains, but online, as a central resource with useful route maps, environmental information, health and safety tips and a simple one stop registration process.

Thousands of people each year scale Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon, with many trying to summit all three peaks in one trip. The longer days of summer see numbers taking part rising dramatically, with consequent impacts on the paths and nearby communities.

The new Three Peaks Partnership logo
The new Three Peaks Partnership logo

The website, www.threepeakspartnership.co.uk has been created by the guardians of each respective peak; The John Muir Trust, The Glen Nevis Visitor Centre (Ben Nevis), The National Trust in the Lake District (Scafell) and Snowdonia National Park Authority (Snowdon), with funding from the British Mountaineering Council, through their Access and Conservation Trust.

The website is aimed at anyone preparing to tackle the Three Peaks Challenge,(especially groups of over ten that are encouraged to register), a professional challenge organizer, fundraiser or as a participant. The Three Peaks Partnership aims to reduce the physical and environmental impacts on the peaks and their surrounding communities. By registering their challenge participants show their commitment to competing sustainability and maximizing their experience on the hill.

Sarah Lewis, Conservation Officer for the John Muir Trust says: “The website has all of the best practice steps you can take to reducing path erosion, habitat degradation and congestion. Signing up shows you are committed to minimising your impact in these fragile habitats.

“The website will also advise how anyone can get involved and give back, whether that’s volunteering for a day caring for the landscape, or getting involved with a local project’ plus all sorts of local information, so people can prepare themselves for conditions on the hill.”

This weekend’s work parties will be cleaning out cross drains, clearing litter and looking at routine path maintenance. Contacts for each mountain are below.

Steve Jolley, Area Ranger, Wasdale, National Trust says: “By putting conservation at the heart of our partnership, we’ve been able to launch a one-stop shop for the thousands who take part in a Three Peaks challenge. It’s got all the essentials for planning your challenge.

Helen Pye, Area Warden, Snowdon, Snowdonia National Park Authority says:

“The key to an enjoyable and successful Challenge is in the pre-planning and that’s where we’re here to help. Challenges are often planned for weekends and holidays and this is when our car parks and mountains are at their busiest, so parking can be a huge problem. There are also huge volumes of litter produced during a Challenge to, with piles of bin bags (and worse!) being dumped in the car parks.

“There’s detailed info an advice on our new website as to how to plan for parking and litter disposal. We’re also actively encouraging a different approach to the Three Peaks Challenge – Three Peaks over Three Days – it’s as physically demanding as the 24 hr challenge but with the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscapes you’re visiting.”

The Three Peaks Challenge is a popular and successful fundraising activity for a range of charities, however, there is a net cost for the conservation charities that care for the landscape. Path erosion is significant, as is the loss of habitat which reduces the natural diversity of the mountains.

Ends

Notes to Editors

The Three Peaks Partnership exists to protect the stunning landscapes that are home to the three highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales: Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Snowdon. Established in 2013 and consisting of organisations and charities responsible for the management of these mountains the Three Peaks Partnership aims to provide the help and information needed to ensure people who undertake the Three Peaks Challenge, do so in a way that means these iconic mountains can be enjoyed for centuries to come and beyond. The group consists of representatives from Snowdonia National Park Authority; The Lake District National Park; The National Trust; The British Mountaineering Council ; The John Muir Trust; Highlife and The Nevis Landscape Partnership.

Media contacts:

Ben Nevis, Sunday 19th April, 9am start at Glen Nevis Visitor Centre, soup and rolls provided at the end of the day. Contact Sarah Lewis, John Muir Trust Conservation Officer

e:Sarah.lewis@jmt.org T: 01471 866388

Scafell, Saturday 18 April, contact Steve Jolley, National Trust Ranger

e:Helen.pye@eryri-npa.gov.uk T: 01766 890522 (Beddgelert) 01248 872555 (Pen y Pass)