Walker Raising Funds For C.A.L.M.

Three Peaks Trial 2015 entrant Jon Jones is fundraising on this year's Platinum Route for the charity CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably, which works to prevent male suicide which is the single biggest killer of men aged between 20 and 45 in the UK.

Jon says "My brother, Oliver, died last year. He had a lot of problems which got the better of him and things seemed hopeless. Tragically, he took his own life. Every day I wish I could tell him how much he is missed. I wish I could go back and give him whatever help he needed to get past his problems.

Oliver loved to go walking around his local area in Pembrokeshire. His passion for exploring is part of what inspired me to get involved in mountain hiking, and it has become an important part of my life. I always feel closest to Oliver when I am out hiking.

I want to raise money for a charity called CALM, which campaigns to reduce male suicide rates, because I want to help other people who are struggling with the same problems my brother had, and prevent them from resorting to such desperate measures."

If you'd like to donate to Jon's 'Just Giving' web page go to https://www.justgiving.com/Jon-Jones3/ or Click Here

Magnetic North is Changing

Magnetic north is currently estimated to be 1 deg. 17 min. west of grid north. (British National Grid) in July 2014. However during the next 10 years magnetic north will move east of grid north. For further details  Click Here

So for the Abergavenny area, when using your compass to help remember whether to add or subtract 1 deg 17 min the current mnemonic still applies: that is to correct between magnetic bearings and grid bearings , “grid to mag, add – mag to grid, get rid”.

There are of course other ways of finding north. In the January 2010 edition of 'Trail' magazine they had the query "Your GPS has run out of juice, your compass is lost and its dark. How can you identify north?" The Three Peaks Trial takes place in daylight hours but should you ever be in the questioner's position Trail advised:

"Stellar navigation (using the stars) is the original complete direction-finding system used by the Phoenicians in 1200BC, and is still employed as a navigational practice by Special Forces today”, says navigation expert Lyle Brotherton. “Finding north/south using the stars is an invaluable navigational tool. But don’t think this is only something you need to do if you lose your compass (you should be carrying a spare one anyway!); it isn’t. Being able to make reference to north without continually referring to your compass makes you a more proficient, competent and a safer navigator.

“At night the North Star (Polaris) sits almost exactly at the North Pole – true north. Unlike the sun and the moon, and all the other stars, it is always in the same position in the night sky and is therefore a great way of determining the cardinals of the compass. It is not very bright so we use the well-known Plough Constellation nearby as a signpost to point towards it. Drawing an imaginary line from the so-called ‘pointer stars’ in the Plough, continue in a straight line until you get to the next bright star and you have found the North Star. Now you can simply determine eeast, south and west and use this as you compass.

During the day you can use your watch to find south in the northern hemisphere.

1. Point the hour hand directly at the sun.

2. Bisect the angle between it andthe 12 o’clock mark.

3. This direction is approximately south.

“Again you can now determine north, east and west. Hint: if you have a digital watch, draw an analogue watch on a piece of paper, with a stone on the ground or in the sand, set to the correct time.”

There's also some useful information on stellar navigation on the Ordnance Survey website Click Here

Event Report In The South Wales Argus

The SOUTH WALES ARGUS did a fantastic  double page report of the event. To read the article, 'This Welsh Walking Challenge Offers at Least Three Good Reasons To Reach For The Summit', CLICK HERE. 

Event Report in the Abergavenny Chronicle

The ABERGAVENNY CHRONICLE did an excellent write up of the event. To read the article CLICK HERE. 

Runner Michelle Kelly Does the Gold Route Twice!

The ABERGAVENNY CHRONICLE has reported the story of how Shelly Kelly did the Gold Route TWICE in one day in a fantastic time of ten hours and 40 minutes to raise funds for Cancer Research. For the full story CLICK HERE (4th April) and CLICK HERE (13th Feb)

THANK YOU TO THE 818 WHO TOOK PART IN THE 2014 EVENT!!!!!!!!

Many thanks to the 818 walkers who took part in this year’s Three Peaks Trial! Another fantastic turnout!

Cardiff Outdoor Group would particularly like to thank:

Longtown Mountain Rescue Team – LMRT for marshalling all the mountain top checkpoints.
Welsh Warrior (The Richard Hunt Foundation ) – Who marshalled the Llanbedr checkpoint.
Councillor Nick Tatum of Abergavenny Town Council who helped out on the event throughout the day in a number of roles.
Madam Mayor Sheila Woodhouse of Abergavenny Town Council who we welcomed to the event before the start to see the walkers set off and wish them well.

The Charities and Fundraisers who supported the event:

• St David’s Hospice Foundation; 
• Berkshire Lowland Search and Rescue; 
• RSPB; 
• Alzheimers Society; 
• Water Aid; 
• British Heart Foundation; 
• The Noahs Ark Childrens Hospital Charity; 
• Hospice of the Valleys; 
• Lighthouse Club; 
• Royal Gwent Hospital Special Baby Care Unit; 
• Bobath Childrens Therapy Centre 

We hope to see you all again at the 2015 event!

The first walkers back on each route were:

Platinum Route
Chris Griffiths, 33, from Hereford returned at 12:16

Gold Route
Michelle Kelly, 43, from Abergavenny returned at 12:33 After Michelle completed the walk she did something which is unprecedented in the long history of the Three Peaks Trial, Michelle went and did a second 'lap'!  The double Three Peaks Trial took Michelle 10 hours and 40 minutes.

Silver Route
Paul Freeman, 57, from Bicester and Richard Brunsden, 53, from Cwmbran both returned at 11:25

Bronze Route
Tim Davies, 51, and Morganna Davies, 12, from Newport both returned at 13:27

OS Getamap - Summit of Blorenge

For the Gold and Silver Routes shown on the OS Getamap please note that the waymarker for the top of Blorenge is shown at the Cairn (grid ref. 272121) and not the trig point (grid ref. 269118). The Checkpoint is at the Trig Point, not the Cairn. 

Canal Path Closed At Llanfoist Between Bridges 93 to 97

The canal towpath at Llanfoist is closed during the Three Peaks Trial (Click Here).  The canal embankment started settling in early January 2014 due to the heavily saturated ground following this winter's intense period of wet weather. Embankment stabilisation work to the embankment will involve installing over 500 soil nails through the slipped embankment soil into the bed rock below before repairing the towpath and reinstating the embankment slope. So the canal towpath at Llanfoist is closed until this work can be carried out. 

However this closure can be avoided when doing the Gold and Silver Routes. The main path up the Blorenge from Abergavenny goes through the tunnel under the canal at Llanfoist. We've been advised by the Canal and River Trust that this tunnel remains open. Also when coming off Blorenge go to the west of the woodland to come out on the B2426 at grid ref. 265129. Take care to cross the road to join the bridleway opposite and follow to grid ref. 262133. Continue into Govilon and onward to the Glangrwyney Bridge Checkpoint.

All Routes Are Now Full!!

All Routes are now full. Thanks again to all those who've entered. 

Gold Route Full!!

Gold Route is now full. Thanks to all those who've entered.

Walker Raising Funds for Joe's Jumpstart

Three Peaks Trialer Ben Lewis plans to use the event to fundraise for Joe's Jumpstart.

Ben writes "Joe’s Jumpstart was set up by David & Shelley Lewis following the death of their middle son Joe in 2012. Joe had no previous signs or symptoms of any heart disease but on the 7th June 2012, whilst on a family walk, Joe had a cardiac arrest. Both David and Shelley have medical training and resuscitation was immediately commenced, ambulance crews arrived within eight minutes and Joe was transferred to the local hospital but could not be saved.

Joe’s death was attributed to Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome, a condition where seemingly fit and healthy young people suddenly collapse and die.

The aim of Joe’s Jumpstart is to raise money so that we can get defibrillators into schools in the UK, each school week seven children collapse and die in our schools. We also want to raise awareness of the condition, lobby Government to make defibrillators in school mandatory and we want to provide free, basic first aid instruction so that people know how to react in an emergency.

At Joe’s Jumpstart we believe defibrillators should be considered in the same way as fire extinguishers, that is, they should be readily accessible, mandatory in public places, businesses and schools and there should be free, readily available training for all."

Walkers Raising Funds for the RSPB

Some members of the Worcester and Malvern Local Group of the RSPB will be taking part in the Three Peaks Trial and using the event to raise funds for the RSPB.

Cardiff Outdoor Group Awarded the Abergavenny Town Shield

On the 14th October 2013 Cardiff Outdoor Group were awarded the Abergavenny Town Shield to commemorate 50 years of the Three Peaks Trial. The ceremony was attended by members of Cardiff Outdoor Group who were presented with the shield by Madam Mayor Sheila Woodhouse.

Cardiff Outdoor Group are delighted and honoured to receive the Abergavenny Town Shield and very much enjoyed the evening and meeting the Abergavenny Town Council Members.

Thank You To All Participants on the 2013 Event!

Many thanks to all those walkers who braved the elements and took part in this year’s Three Peaks Trial. The snow caused additional (unwanted!) challenges for both walkers and organisers but with the advice, guidance and support of the fantastic Longtown Mountain Rescue Team we managed to put on an albeit modified event of the Silver and Bronze routes.

 

We’d been advised on the Thursday evening, that with deep snow above 500m, we should revise all the routes. So we identified revised locations for lower checkpoints on Blorenge,  Sugar Loaf and Skirrid. However for the linear Platinum Route it wasn’t possible to relocate checkpoints below 500m without adding significant mileage so we had to cancel that route. Then on the Saturday morning the forecast showed further significant snowfall in the evening so in order to ensure everyone got home safely we also had to cancel the Gold Route.

 

It was the first time we've ever had to cancel Platinum and we were very disappointed we couldn’t run the full event but people’s safety is the primary concern and, of course, nothing can take priority over that. Cardiff Outdoor Group, the organizers, would like to thank all the participants for your patience and understanding in this matter.

 

Also by coincidence the Gold Route, which mostly follows the original event held in 1963, had to be postponed when the event was first held in the 'big freeze' of 1963. On that occasion Chris Barber, the event founder, took those who turned up caving on Blorenge. It was suggested we could have asked Chris to have done the same this year, the 50th Anniversary!

Platinum Route Cancelled and Changes Due to Weather

Apologies, due to poor weather the mountain rescue have advised us not to do Platinum Route. Those who turn up to do platinum route will be put on an amended Gold Route (Gold Route changes shown on link below).

We are very sorry about this, the Platinum Route has been run for nearly twenty years and this is the first time we've had to cancel but walkers safety is our paramount concern.

Also the mountain top checkpoints on the other routes are moved to positions lower down as shown on  http://threepeakstrial.co.uk/bad-weather-changes.jpg Again, this follows advice from the Mountain Rescue.

Weather Update

There is some snow on the tops which could still be there on saturday and the forecast is for it to be very cold. As well as waterproofs etc., make sure you wear appropriate warm clothing including hat, scarf and gloves.

Offer From The Kings Arms

The Kings Arms Hotel Abergavenny

Three Peaks 50th Anniversary Hotel Special 20% Off Room Rates 22nd -23rd March 2013

 

The Kings Arms Hotel in Abergavenny is a late 16th Century coaching inn, a stunning example of what much of Abergavenny would have looked like before more formal Georgian modifications.

 

The hotel offers 11 fabulous en suite bedrooms, a first-class breakfast, excellent food from Jim Hamilton and his team.

 

Call to book and quote ref: 3PEAKS50 Tel: 01873 855 074 www.kingsarmsabergavenny.co.uk

Offer From Fairfield Guest House

We are a 5* rated Guest House/B&B based in Llandogo and would be delighted to provide accommodation for entrants for the upcoming event on 23rd March.

We can offer a special rate of £30 per person per night for bed & breakfast (based on 2 sharing). We can also provide evening meals if booked in advance.

We are one of only a few 5* rated properties in the area and we have also retained the Welsh Tourism Gold Award again for 2013.

We are on the web at www.fairfieldonwye.co.uk, Click Here

Wishing you good luck & fine weather for the event.

Stuart Myttion
07837 013345

Walker Fundraising For Velindre Hospital

Three Peaks Trialer Mike Locke plans to use the event as part of training/fundraising for a climb of Africa's highest peak, Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Velindre, the specialist cancer hospital in Cardiff. Mike started fundraising for Velindre after his grandmother passed away in February last year from cancer. Mike says "I was already aware that Velindre were organising another Kilimanjaro climb and I just thought “Right, let’s do it and try to help change things!”

So in the last 12 months his fundraising team have organized band nights, pub quizzes, a black tie dinner, auctions, raffles, Christmas shopping & a pamper evening, created a fantasy football league, football tournaments and ran the Swansea 10k and the Cardiff Half Marathon.

Mike adds "I’m over the moon with how the fundraising has gone so far as, including the Gift Aid, the total is now over £9000 with 9 months still to go before the big climb. As happy as I am with that amount I know that the research and development of cancer treatments are extremely expensive so although the original target was £4500 I aim to continue fundraising right up to the climb and get as much as possible as it is literally vital to peoples lives."

If you'd like to contribute to Mike's fundraising go to http://www.justgiving.com/teams/MikesHike2013 Also Mike has a blog at www.mikeshike2013.wordpress.com

THANK YOU TO THE 847 WHO TOOK PART IN THE 2012 EVENT!!!!!!!!

Many thanks to the 847 walkers who took part in this year’s Three Peaks Trial! Another superb turnout.

Cardiff Outdoor Group would particularly like to thank:

• Longtown Mountain Rescue Team – LMRT for marshalling all the mountain top checkpoints. They also had to cover a call out to a collapsed walker on Skirrid Fawr (the walker was not part of the Three Peaks Trial).
• The Elenydd Wilderness Trust – Volunteers from the EWT gave support on the day making and giving out refreshments to returning walkers.
• Welsh Warrior (The Richard Hunt Foundation ) – Gave out cakes, supplied by Usk’s Glan Yr Afon Hotel, to walkers at various points on the routes .
• The Police Support Unit – Also gave out cakes, teas and coffees at various points on the routes.
• Richard Keech of Deli-Delicious (Click Here), 16 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, who supplied piles of tasty flapjacks which walkers could take with them at the start of the walk.

The charities and fundraisers who supported the event:

• St David’s Foundation;
• The Multiple Sclerosis Society (including former Wales rugby captain Colin Charvis winner of Wales 94 caps and 2 caps for the British & Irish Lions)
• Diabetes UK;
• Barnardos;
• Mind;
• Against Breast Cancer;
• Natalyas Fund;

 We hope to see you at the 2013 event when the Three Peaks Trial is 50 years old!!!!