Ben Nevis Challenge - 29 September 2012

Register now

Training is essential to your challenge preparation. The more you put in, the more enjoyable your experience will be! We have designed a training plan to help you on your way.

Before you start remember that your body may need time to adjust to your new fitness regime. We recommend that you ideally start your training plan no less than six months before you start your challenge. Within your training programme, rest is as important as time spent on your feet. We strongly recommend that you rest on at least one day out of seven. When training, make sure your stick within the limits of speed and distance that are comfortable for you.

If you live near hills, use them for your training as much as possible to prepare your muscles for doing lots of upward walking. If you don’t have any hills near you, use the incline setting on a treadmill or visit hilly places for your weekend walks to practice.

Top tips for training

To ensure that you are comfortable when walking long distances, you must pay attention to your posture and gait. Walk correctly, and at the end of the day's walk you will have sturdy, albeit tired legs, ready for the following day.

• Stand tall and keep your head up.
• Take a natural stride length walk with poles.
• Keep your back straight when coming downhill.
• Shorten your stride when walking uphill.
• Keep your elbows close to your body.
• Integrate aerobic exercise – try spinning, swimming and jogging.
• Wear your walking boots and socks as much as possible, to ensure you are comfortable on the trek.

If you have not exercised for a long time we recommend your see your doctor before you start your new training plan. Don’t overdo it and make sure you keep your plan varied and fun!

The training plan includes information on diet and keeping hydrated both during your training and while on your challenge.

Download training tips

<

Register now

Questions

How fit should I be?
Who can take part in the Ben Nevis Challenge?
What support is available for this event?
How many people will I be walking with?
How long will it take to walk up and down Ben Nevis?
What will the pace of walking be like?
Are there many stops on the mountain?
What is the terrain like?
Is it steep?
How will I get there?
What is the accommodation like?
What weather can I expect?
What kit will I require?
What is included in the cost of the event?
What is not included?
Do I need insurance?
When do I have to sign up by?
How will I raise the sponsorship money?
How much of my sponsorship money will go to Breast Cancer Care?
When do I have to pay my sponsorship money?

 

Answers

How fit should I be?

The event suits people of average fitness and stamina, but we recommend you begin to train and prepare in order for you to enjoy this challenge.

back to top

Who can take part in the Ben Nevis Challenge?

The Ben Nevis Challenge is open to women and men of all abilities. The minimum age to take part is 16 years, and those under the age of 18 must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult. We request that there is at least one adult present for every two participants under 18.

back to top

What support is available for this event?

Breast Cancer Care staff and the event organising team will meet you on the coaches at Glasgow Central train station or Glasgow International Airport and transfer you to our hotel near to Fort William for the duration of the event.

On the day of the Ben Nevis ascent, in addition to Breast Cancer Care staff, the tour organiser for this challenge provides a leader and guides - all of whom are experienced mountaineers and qualified first aiders.

Rest assured all necessary safety procedures are in place. All the guides carry radios during the day of our ascent and communicate regularly throughout the day.

Participants will be divided into walking groups with one guide leading and one guide at the rear. In the interests of safety, no one should pass the lead or fall behind the last guide and any instructions given by the guides must be followed at all times for safety reasons.

Although the event is designed to challenge you, we are not putting anyone’s safety at risk and support will be available at all times. The Breast Cancer Care team is on hand every step of the way, to help and advise you.

Breast Cancer Care staff will also accompany you on your return journey to Glasgow after your challenge.

back to top

How many people will I be walking with?

We take groups of around 150 people. On the day of the challenge we split walkers into smaller groups of approximately 20 people. In the interest of health and safety everyone walks as a group.

Each group is allocated a guide/s and a Breast Cancer Care staff member. There are no fast or slow groups and everyone comes off the mountain as a group.

back to top

How long will it take to walk up and down Ben Nevis?

We expect it to take around four to five hours to reach the summit of Ben Nevis and then three to four hours to go down, meaning you will be on the mountain for most of the day.

back to top

What will the pace of walking be like?

The pace set will be accommodating for all. This challenge will not be enjoyable if you rush it. The level of fitness will naturally vary throughout the group, therefore whatever pace you adopt you can be sure of company.

The group will be encouraged to work together, with stronger walkers helping those who may be slower. The guides will ensure the group stays together and everyone has a great day, making sure everyone completes this challenge they have chosen to do for Breast Cancer Care.

In the interest of safety, participants are not allowed to walk in front of the lead guide or fall behind the last guide. Please note that the pace set by the guides provides the event organiser enough time to get everyone to the summit safely and back down again before it gets dark.

back to top

Are there many stops on the mountain?

We will have regular rest stops throughout the day at appropriate places. As it is quite a long day, you are encouraged to walk at your own comfortable pace.

The most important piece of advice on the day is that you keep taking on fluids at regular intervals. We also recommend that you eat plenty of energy snacks, e.g. nuts, biscuits and fruit in order to maintain those vital energy levels throughout the day as well as adjusting your clothing appropriately. Have extra warm layers for the summit, even if the weather at the bottom is good.

back to top

What is the terrain like?

The first half of our route is what you would expect from a moderate mountain walk. Though we do follow a clear path, at some points the terrain is uneven and can get slippery after heavy rain.

In the second part of the ascent, the path turns into a series of rocky steps and - as you gain height - the path becomes less defined and uneven. This is when extra care is needed, especially on the descent.

After passing a waterfall, the last part of our ascent follows a zig-zag route up the rounded dome of the upper mountain; this section becomes increasingly uneven and rocky underfoot with some loose stones and boulders.

The summit approach is like a lunar landscape. On a clear day the views open out to the north, west and south are simply stunning. After the zigzags the summit is just a little way now, over loose rubble as we make our final push to reach the top.

Then we reach the summit and it is time to take a group photo of us all. We can see the ruins of the observatory built in 1883. The top of Ben Nevis is very flat, and big enough for two football pitches. It is not the traditional mountain peak you imagine, and the actual highest point is the cairn - you will have to take your turn to stand on the top of the highest point in the UK and get your photo taken.

After a break, it will be time to start making our way down. Coming down won't require as much stamina as going up, but it is still very hard and trying on your legs.

back to top

Is it steep?

Our route is mostly a gradual ascent, but there are some short steeper sections - after all we are climbing Britain’s highest mountain!

Take your time, and if you feel out of breath or in need of a rest, take one. We want to ensure everyone gets to appreciate the magnificent scenery unfolding around them and take as many photos as they like.

back to top

How will I get there?

The weekend is all arranged for you. All you have to do is make your own way to Glasgow. Once there, Breast Cancer Care staff will collect you by coach from Glasgow Central train station or Glasgow International Airport. We will take you to Fort William and to your accommodation for the weekend. When the challenge is over we will drop you back in Glasgow. Alternatively, you can meet us in Fort William.

back to top

What is the accommodation like?

We stay in three or four star hotels in Fort William for two nights. You will be sharing a room with an ensuite-bathroom. Rooms are twin and double occupancy with a small number of single rooms, which carry single supplement charges, should one be requested. Rooms are based on single sex occupancy; couples where possible will be kept together.

Single rooms carry a supplement charge should they be requested. We will ask you as our challenge date approaches whether there is someone in particular you would like to share a room with.

Most people come to these events on their own. Taking part in events such as these are a great way to meet new people and have proven in the past to build long standing friendships. For those of you arriving on your own, Breast Cancer Care will endeavor to pair you up with another walker of the same sex and similar age.

back to top

What weather can I expect?

As with any outdoor event, we are unable to predict the weather so each participant must be prepared for all eventualities. You will need to carry full wet weather gear and warm layers with you on the day of the challenge.

The weather conditions at the bottom of the mountain may be vastly different to what we can expect at the top. In the past we have encountered everything from sunshine, snow and rain. A detailed weather forecast will be provided for us during the welcome briefing the day before our ascent.

Should there be adverse weather conditions, we reserve the right to cancel or change the route for safety reasons.

back to top

What kit will I require?

When you sign up we will send you our recommended kit list for this challenge. The main items you will need to bring with you are a comfortable pair of walking boots or trainers with ankle support, walking socks, a full set of good waterproofs and plenty of thin warm layers.

On the day of the challenge, you will need to carry your own personal kit for the day in a small rucksack which will include: your lunch, water, waterproofs, warm layers, hat and gloves, mini first aid kit, camera and phone (to call all your sponsors from the top – signal permitting). All your other luggage will remain in your hotel room.

back to top

What is included in the cost of the event?

• Two nights accommodation at a comfortable hotel in one of Scotland's most beautiful settings.
• All meals.
• Return coach transfers from Glasgow International Airport or Glasgow Central Train station to our hotel.
• Guiding team and medical provision for the Ben Nevis Challenge.
• Celebration party and a certificate of achievement.
• A fantastic weekend away!

You will also receive:

• a Breast Cancer Care T-shirt.
• a handbook with training guides, full event details, kit requirements and sponsorship and fundraising information.

back to top

What is not included?

• Your travel to and from Glasgow International Airport or Glasgow Central train station.
• Drinks.
• Your spending money.
• Personal travel insurance.
• Personal items from the kit list.

back to top

Do I need insurance?

Breast Cancer Care strongly advise all participants to take out their own insurance to cover them for the duration of this event as Breast Cancer Care will not be held responsible for any accident, loss, damage or expenses etc.

Due to the nature of this outdoor activity, participants should accept a certain element of risk. Our guides will do everything in their power to minimise the risks, where possible. In the interests of safety all participants must abide by any decisions made by the guides.

back to top

When do I have to sign up by?

Participants enter on a first come first served basis and entries will close on Monday 20 August  or once the event participant limit is reached for health and safety reasons.

back to top

How will I raise the sponsorship money?

Although we ask you to commit to raising the minimum sponsorship to take part in this challenge, fundraising needn't be daunting or hard work!

Once you start telling people what you're doing and why, you will be amazed at people’s generosity and support. When you sign up we will send you an invaluable fundraising pack bursting with ideas to get you started. This is a great way to meet new people and get in touch with old friends.

All it takes is a little inspiration and organisation and the money will begin to roll in. Think about your hobbies and interests - they could be the key to your success!

A great tip is to break down your sponsorship target into smaller, bite-sized chunks and be proud of what you are doing.

back to top

How much of my sponsorship money will go to Breast Cancer Care?

Your £50 non-refundable registration fee will go towards your event costs and covers Breast Cancer Care’s administration charges for this challenge.

The remaining event costs will be paid from part of your sponsorship money (some people opt to pay for the event costs themselves).

Once the event costs of £180 have been covered, all remaining sponsor money goes to Breast Cancer Care.

back to top

When do I have to pay my sponsorship money?

The £500 minimum sponsorship must be received by Breast Cancer Care by Monday 29 October 2012. This does not include Gift Aid. You will be contacted after this date if minimum sponsorship is not received.

back to top

Ben Nevis Challenge - more details