National Three Peaks Challenge

The National Three Peaks Challenge is an event in which participants attempt to climb the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales within 24 hours.

It attracts an estimated 100,000 ascents a year,[4] around three-quarters of which are made using the Pony Track from Glen Nevis on the south side of the mountain.

Charles Thomson Rees Wilson was inspired to invent the cloud chamber after a period spent working at the observatory, for which he was joint winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1927.

[14] The cliff faces on Snowdon, including Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, are significant for rock climbing, and the mountain was used by Edmund Hillary in training for the 1953 ascent of Mount Everest.

[15][18] The name Snowdon is from the Old English for "snow hill",[19] while the Welsh name – Yr Wyddfa – means "the tumulus",[20] which may refer to the cairn thrown over the legendary giant Rhitta Gawr after his defeat by King Arthur.

[21] Ronald Turnbull argues that it makes sense to tackle the summits from north to south, starting at Ben Nevis in the evening, and ending at Snowdon the following day.

[23] Variations of the basic format have also been achieved, such as replacing the driving sections with the use of public transport, or sailing between the three peaks across the Irish Sea.

[1] In an editorial in the British Mountaineering Council's Summit magazine, Jill Hudson argues that the Three Peaks Challenge should be shunned as it costs charities more to clean up after participants than they raise by taking part.