The G Three Peaks Challenge for Planeterra

When thinking of the United Kingdom, one’s mind may not immediately imagine tall, looming, ice-capped mountains with harrowing ascents to the summit.  We often think of red phone booths, sheep, tea, and other stereotypical cozies.  But the United Kingdom is home to some impressive giants – Ben Nevis (Scotland – 1344 m), Snowdon (Wale – 1038 m), and Scafell Pike (England – 912 m), which have been known to have unpredictable conditions and have claimed lives.  This was the setting for The G Peaks Challenge – a 24 hour climb of the UK’s highest peaks to raise funds towards Planeterra’s Project.  The G Three Peaks Challenge raised over $3,300 in support of Planeterra’s projects going towards the Social and Environmental Fund.

From one “Summit” to three others, the G Peaks Challenge included : walking through the night, driving from country to country, and working as a team – comprised of a group of seven G Adventures staff and two of their partners – to ascend the three tallest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland.

Manu Blok, one of the climbers, describes the experience with his 3 Peaks Tale:
“I didn’t fully know what to expect when I so easily signed up for the 3 Peaks Challenge. I imagined it to be tough, but I always thought that with my relatively fit and young body I would not struggle much to keep up with the challenge. Little did I know… Most possibly one of the hardest things I have done in my life so far, equally challenging and rewarding, I will never forget to have achieved climbing the three highest peaks in the British Isles in just about 24 hours time. The rain, the mist, the moist, the wetness, darkness and the sadness, the sun, the wind, the rock, the green, the fresh air and the goodness. Lakes, trees, flowers and sheep… roads, snacks, pillows and sleep. Friendship, colleagues, smiles, talking, laughter, willingness, power, pain and blistering fun, all wrapped in a fuzzy warm blanket and held together with a freshly made bacony bun. Striding through snow, fighting with hundreds of flies, losing your sight to a monstrous cloud, guiding the way was always a task, drinking icy cold goodness out of a silvery flask. This my friends was a real (G) Adventure!”

A huge thank-you to Manu, Guy, Tristan, Jen, Dan, Kate, Carl, Leslie, and Chris for enduring, despite the freezing weather and blisters!  To continue to support the team and Planeterra, and to check out why these G Adventurers wants to be part of this challenge, follow their fundraising page here!

We are grateful for the support of the entire G Adventures’ Summit office and for the fellow G Adventures staff, family and travellers who donated and cheered them on.