Best Laid Plans...

As with any project - especially one like this things change - peoples availability, the logistics of travel etc. Once we had completed our Snowdon weekend and discussed what we needed to do with Jules, Mandy and Mike - Roger and myself sat down to work out the best way of doing things. The following is what was finalised, with input from all of us.

It was agreed to now do the Challenge over the weekend. This meant we had access to more people as they did not have to take so much time of work. Also, if we split the driving it gve us more options. So, our cunning plan now reads:

Friday 15th June:
Climbers and 1 x driver (Tony Allen) to fly to Glasgow, hire an MPV and stay over.
This was because all the Bunk Houses etc. near Fort William were all booked)

Saturday 16th June:
Drive to Fort William, buy some provisions and relax as much as possible.
17.00 Begin Ben Nevis assent. (5hrs)
22.00 Finish Ben Nevis – Dinner & drive to Scafell Pike (Seathwaite) (5.5 hours)
Tony Allen drives round to meet other driving team and then return to Glasgow, drop off MPV and fly back.

Sunday 17th June:
04.00 Begin Scafell Pike assent (Seathwaite) (5 hours)
09.00 Finish Scafell Pike (Wasdale) – Breakfast & drive to Snowdon (4.5 hours)
Mandy and Claire drive from Wasdale to Snowdon - 1/2 hour quicker.
14.00 Lunch – Begin Snowdon Assent (4 hours)
17.00 Finish!

This gives us the best chance of finishing and breaks the driving up for everyone. Also, if there are any injuries etc. then we can continue with the Challenge as we will be in two cars from Scafell Pike.
We will also take 2-way radios up with us to radio down about half an hour from the end of each climb so that we can have some hot food to eat as soon as we get down, eliminating down time. We can then eat on route.

At this point can I thank Rob Talbot (and Archie!), Simon Fisher and Mark Dilley for offering their services if we got stuck.

Roger has also done an amazing job booking flights, cars, hotels - everything is really coming together now. Have to say I'm starting to feel nervous now as reality draws in!