BA Flying Start Ben Nevis Triple Challenge
Highlights
- The ultimate Scottish Highlands adventure weekend for British Airways Flying Start personnel only
- Tackle all terrains as you cycle, trek and canoe in the heart of the Scottish wilderness
- Conquer the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the UK at 1,345m
- Experience the beauty and the brawn of the legendary Scottish landscape
- Two night’s accommodation, bike & canoe hire are all included
- Find your adventurous spirit in the iconic Scottish Highlands in support of Comic Relief…
Overview
The ultimate way to experience the rugged landscape of the Scottish Highlands with this cycling, trekking and kayaking adventure. From the sea to the summit of Ben Nevis and covering some 100kms through Scotland you will experience some of the most stunning landscape in the UK. This adventure sees you cycle through the Great Glen in the Scottish Highlands, one of the most famous mountain landscapes in the world, kayak the stunning Laggan Corridor before heading for the summit the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis at 1,345 metres. You will enjoy stunning views of the Scottish Highlands and experience a fantastic sense of achievement when you complete the Ben Nevis Triple Challenge in support of Comic Relief.
Included during your challenge:
- Cycling & Trek Leader and Kayak Instructor who are all first aid trained
- Support crew who are first aid trained
- First aid supplies
- Accommodation on night one and two on a twin shared basis
- Snacks and water at checkpoints
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner during your challenge as noted on your itinerary
- Kayak instruction, kayak hire with paddles and buoyancy aids
- Support vehicles, fuel and toll charges
- Radio communications
- Luggage transfers each day
- Risk assessments
- Incident and emergency management
- All challenge management before, during and post event.
Not included on your challenge:
- Travel to Inverness
- Travel from Fort William
- Bike hire. This can be organised at at £55 per person. Please contact us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk to organise
- Travel insurance (for flights)
- Clothing and equipment detailed on your Kit List
- Personal spending money
Itinerary
Day 1
Travel to Inverness and check into your hotel in the afternoon or early evening. Details will be provided closer to the event date.
A full event briefing will be given by your Adventurous Ewe Leader prior to dinner.
Day 2
Inverness – Loch Lochy
Your challenge begins today in Inverness on the East Coast of Scotland at Inverness Castle. You will meet early for an introduction to your Adventurous Ewe Leader and crew. You will have an introductory briefing which will include important safety information. Then it’s time to start your exciting adventure weekend with the cycling section. Accompanied by your Cycling Leader, you will begin your ride following the River Ness and cycle through the Great Glen following the Southern Shores Loch Ness on quiet country roads with stunning views. You will arrive in Fort Augustus for lunch enjoying the back drop of the Scottish Highlands.
Your afternoon continues with short 9 mile ride on a mixture of cycle paths and road continuing through the Great Glen. Ben Nevis will be looming in the distance before you arrive in Loch Lochy where you’ll change your bike for your Canadian canoe ready for a 2-hour canoe down Laggan Corridor. This is a stunning sheltered section of the Caledonian Canal of which you will be accompanied by your Canoe Guide. You will receive a lesson on canoeing and by fully kitted out for this section with a buoyancy aid and paddle.
Overnight in a nearby Scottish Highland Hostel.
Day 3
Loch Lochy to Ben Nevis
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, you’ll be back on your bikes for final 22 mile ride to Ben Nevis where your third and final activity begins. Swapping your bikes for boots, you will begin your climb of highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis standing at 1,345 metres with your dedicated Mountain Leader. The trek begins on the main path from Glen Nevis, that was originally built to service a meteorological observatory of which the remains still stand at the summit. The trek to the summit takes approximately 4 hours and involves 1,370m of ascent. On summitting you will have the chance to enjoy the breath taking views of the Scottish Highlands.
The walk back down should take approximately 3 hours. We aim to complete the challenge by 6pm, please do allow a little extra time if you are planning onward travel after the event.
On completion of your challenge we will provide a transfer to Inverness.
Essential Information
Cycle
The cycling route takes you along cycle paths, forest tracks and roadways. It is a challenging ride with a few climbs and undulating terrain. The roads are open to traffic so please ensure you cycle safely at all times. You will be sent a Cycle Safety Information document once you register for this event. We recommend you bring either a mountain bike or hybrid with a rear working light for this event. Cycle helmets must we warn at all times. Bikes can be rented for £55.00 which includes a hybrid bike and helmet. To hire your bike or for any further questions, please contact us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk. Approximate cycle distance: 65 miles
Trek
The trekking section of your challenge will see you conquer the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis at 1,345 metres. It’s a steady climb to the summit taking approximately 4 hours followed by your descent into Glen Nevis which will take approximately 3 hours. The trek will be led by qualified Mountain Leaders.
Canoe
The canoe section takes place in calm canals and no previous kayaking experience is required. We use Canadian canoes, which are very stable and easy to paddle. Prior to your canoe you will be provided with instruction from you Canoe Leader and have the opportunity to practice. You will also be provided with a buoyancy aid and you will be accompanied by your Canoe Instructor for your journey.
Weather and Safety
Your safety is our top priority. All our crew are fully qualified and experienced and also have the necessary remote first aid qualifications. You will be supplied with a Kit List to ensure you are kitted sufficiently for all Scottish weather conditions. It is essential that you have all the required kit for this event. Your kit can make all the difference between a comfortable event and an unpleasant one. Please note, the Leader reserves the right to change the itinerary at any time should the conditions require it. In these circumstances we will make the best alternative arrangements possible that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Health
All our guides are first aid trained and carry fully equipped medical kits for serious medical emergencies.
How big is the group?
Your team will be between 10 – 12 participants and you will be accompanied by a Leader for each section of the event.
How fit do I need to be?
The more prepared you are for the event, the more you will enjoy the experience. The amount of training you will need to do will depend on your starting level of fitness and if you currently ride a bike or walk in the mountains regularly. A good level of fitness is required and a training programme will be supplied when you register for this event. You will need to be able to ride a bike however, no previous canoe experience is required.
What food and drinks are included?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the event. A packed lunch will be supplied. Dinner and breakfast will be at the hostel. Water and snacks will be provided throughout your event as well. Please let us know prior to the event if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies either through the registration form or by emailing info@adventurousewe.co.uk.
What do you do to protect the environment?
We limit the impact we have on the surrounding environment by remaining on the paths at all times so as not to cause further erosion on the mountain. We will ensure that all rubbish is disposed of responsibly and take all rubbish away with us. We recycle wherever possible and avoid or minimise the use of plastic.
