MTV Staying Alive – UK & Ireland 5 Peaks Challenge

Highlights

• Conquer the five highest mountains in the UK & Ireland in this iconic British challenge 
• Tackle Snowdon, Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, Slieve Donard and finish on the summit of Carrauntoohil
• Experience Scafell Pike, England, in the colours of a late afternoon sun  
• Witness the sunrise on Ben Nevis amongst the spectacular backdrop of Scottish Highlands 
• Summit Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland, under a star filled sky and the glow of your head torch 
• Complete this challenge on the highest mountain summit of Ireland
• Raise sponsorship for the MTV Staying Alive Foundation 

Overview 

One of the most iconic mountain events in the UK, The National 5 Peaks Challenge involves climbing the five highest mountains in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland. The challenge covers 64kms and involves 5,300 metres of ascent. Teams will be accompanied by a fully experienced and qualified Adventurous Ewe Mountain Leader throughout the challenge and transferred via private mini-bus with your own designated and experienced driver/s. This is the ultimate UK & Ireland mountain challenge.

Costs

Package 1 @ £800 per person
Including accommodation in Snowdon (3* hotel twin share including breakfast)

Package 2 @ £915 per person
Including accommodation in Dublin and Snowdon (3* hotel twin share including celebratory meal and breakfast)

Registration Fee @ £95.00 per person 
This is included in the above package costs and is payable when you register for this event. Please note, the registration fee is non-refundable.

Group Size
Minimum group size: 9 people
Maximum group size: 20 people

INCLUDED

Before the Challenge 

• Planning and booking of your challenge
• Personalised event support in the lead up to your event from Adventurous Ewe
• Discount on personal kit from Cotswold Outdoor and Snow & Rock retail stores both in shop and online. Online code provided on booking
• National 5 Peaks Training Programme
• Final details email containing all the info you need to know before your event
• Public liability insurance
• Risk assessments and emergency management

On the Challenge 

• N5P briefing prior to the start of your challenge
• Qualified Mountain Leaders who will accompany you on each mountain
• Professional group management
• Crew and drivers
• Minibus hire and fuel
• Hot meal after completing Snowdon
• Light meal after completing Scafell Pike & Ben Nevis
• Light breakfast at Carrauntoohil
• Snacks, water and hot drinks during your challenge
• Full back-up support including first-aid qualified staff and first-aid supplies
• Luggage transfer
• Radio communications for all crew
• One night’s accommodation Llanberis, Snowdonia (twin share basis)
• All challenge management before, during and post event.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Clothing and equipment detailed on your Kit List
• Travel to Snowdon for the start of the challenge
• Travel from Dublin following the completion of the challenge. This can be organised at an additional cost
• Celebration meal and hotel in Dublin. This can be organised at an additional cost
• Personal spending money.

Optional
Overnight accommodation and celebration meal in Dublin and transfer to North Wales on the minibus the following day.

Itinerary 

Essential Information

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
TOUGH 
The National 5 Peaks Challenge is graded as tough given that you are summiting the UK’s five highest peaks within 72+ hours. This is the ideal event for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind. Training and a good level of mountain walking fitness is definitely required. This is a challenging event both physically and mentally as sleep deprivation plays a part here, affecting some people more than others, particularly with awkward sleeping conditions.  As such the preparation and training you put in beforehand the better chance of success you have and the more you will enjoy the challenge.

TERRAIN
The terrain on this challenge varies throughout and can be rough at times, so preparation is ideal!

Snowdon:   Taking the classic Pyg Track for your ascent of Snowdon, this is the shortest route up the mountain with the least amount of vertical ascent. The route follows a well maintained path with a few rocky sections. Continuing along the trail it soon becomes more rugged and steep! The final sections follows a zigzag route steeply up the mountain. The track will emerge at the top and join the main Llanberis Path running alongside the Snowdon Mountain Railway. Follow the path heading south alongside the railway for the last gradual ascent to the summit. The route will meet a set of steps which will take you to the Snowdon summit marker. On a clear day the peak offers views of Snowdonia, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire and Ireland. Your descent will be via the Llanberis Path, which offers the most gradual descent, and finishes in Llanberis.

Scafell Pike:   You will take the shortest and most direct route up the highest mountain in England. This is a steep hike which involves scrambling over some terrain. The summit is rocky and has a large circular stone cairn with steps to its flat top and nearby a stone Ordnance Survey trig point pillar. The views from Scafell Pike summit are incredible with almost every major Lakeland Fells within view. On a clear day the Isle of Man will be visible, lying in the Irish Sea to the west. You will descent via the same path.

Ben Nevis:   After the initial steepness, the path does even out to a more moderate rocky ascent.  You will reach a stunning loch and then it is on to a series of zig-zags. The upper section is rough and very stony; it is often snow covered and losing the line of the path easily leads onto dangerous terrain – hence the importance of your Mountain Leaders. On reaching the top of the Ben you will notice it is very flat, not the traditional mountain peak, and the actual highest point is the cairn. The view is extensive and covers much of the Highlands, but there is nothing more dramatic than peering down the north side, across or down the massive cliffs. You will descend via the same path.

Slieve Donard:   A well-defined trail takes you up the hill along the Glen River through a rich forest of pine, birch and oak. Crossing the river via bridges a few times, but thankfully you don’t need to get your feet wet! As you climb higher, the river bank gets steeper. Reaching a stile as you pass thick forest, then carry on up the track above the river towards the saddle between Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard. You’ll cross the river again and continue towards the iconic Mourne Wall as you reach the saddle. Following the wall as it guides you up a steep hill to the summit. There are a few false peaks along the way, so be patient and wait until you see the look-out point/cairn at the summit before celebrating. As seems to be a tradition in many parts of Ireland, the mountain is named after a saint. Saint Donard was known as a disciple of Saint Patrick, and he built a small prayer cell at the summit of Slieve Donard during the fifth century.

Carrauntoohil:  Starting in Hag’s Glen a wide-open valley with a lake on either side of the trail, Lough Gouragh and Callee. You’ll hike through a fairly boggy/marshy section before reaching the base of the Devil’s Ladder. The Devil’s Ladder is quite a tough part of the climb due to its steepness and the loose rocks/pebbles/erosion. It’s a steep gully with loose scree. Due to erosion, it can be a bit unstable in places so extra caution is advised. A walking stick or two can be really helpful.

Once you’ve scaled the ladder, the trail veers right to take you up the long climb to the summit. The final stretch to the summit has hazards on either side, so be really careful in poor visibility or bad weather. After all your hard work, the summit is breath-taking. You’ll be surrounded by a rich panorama of mountain peaks and dramatic ridges in nearly every direction. There are also numerous lakes to be spotted, the Wild Atlantic Way in the distance, and to the north east, you should see the rich farmland of Co Kerry.

WEATHER

Please be prepared for all kinds of weather conditions from warm sunshine to very cold wet weather. Despite your National 5 Peaks Challenge being in Summer, the weather is unpredictable in the mountains. Please refer to your kit list and ensure you have the right kit to protect you from sun, heat, wind, cold, rain and even snow (Ben Nevis is notorious for snow coverage even in the warmer months). Your kit will make your 5 Peaks Challenge either a great one or a rather miserable one.

SAFETY

Adventurous Ewe prioritises the safety of all of their participants and staff, and as such have developed a thorough safety management system. This encompasses comprehensive risk assessments and procedures together with audits of all aspects of your challenge from vehicles to accommodation to your activities. Your health and safety is our top priority.

ETHICAL EVENT MANAGEMENT

Adventurous Ewe is committed to delivering events in a responsible and ethical manner and with sustainable development at its core. We respect and aim to operate our adventures and events to benefit local people, their economy and the environment!
Some of the ethical event management features embedded in our National 5 Peaks Challenge are:

• Using local crew who are qualified Guides, support crew and drivers who are all extremely knowledgeable and experienced
• Minimising plastic waste wherever possible
• Operating with a ‘leave no trace’ ethos