As most of you are aware, Blueberry recently took on the infamous Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge. Despite the early start, hip and knee injuries and an unfortunate incident involving stinging nettles, we managed to complete the challenge in 11 hours, comfortably within our 12-hour target!

As well as putting ourselves to the test, collectively we have been able to raise over £3,000 through our fundraising efforts so far this year for our local partnership charity Zest (more information can be found here). If any of you are wondering what it’s like to take part in the Yorkshire 3 Peaks, then follow our journey below…

5:00am

No rest for the wicked! Our day started at 5am as we dragged ourselves out of our warms beds and began the journey to the Yorkshire Dales. Luckily for us, we had flasks full of tea and backpacks full of flapjacks to fuel up en-route.

6:00am

A quick assemble of the full team and pep talk from our lovely guides at Zest and we were off! Full of enthusiasm and no blisters in sight, we began the 24-mile adventure into the wilderness.

8:00am

Just half an hour in and Pen-y-Ghent was coming into sight. Full of energy and raring to go, we picked up the pace and scrambled our way to the top of the peak.

8:30am

Lured into a false sense of security, ‘that wasn’t too bad’ we thought…

We managed to complete our descent just in time before the fog started to take over. Luckily it didn’t last long enough to affect our navigation and we were back on our way.

11:30am

Finally, 4 hours later, we reached the Ribbledale Viaduct. It was the perfect opportunity for a pit stop. Luckily for us, the generous folk at Zest had made us tea, coffee and cakes which we devoured in record time to fuel the formidable second peak which glared in the distance.

12.30pm

Onwards and upwards for the Blueberry team as we set off up the long shallow incline up Whernside.

2:00 pm

By 2pm we had officially tackled Whernside. With our calves and glutes burning, we had made it to the top! 2/3 of the peaks down and we were feeling positive about the experience so far.

4:00pm

The final peak! With our spirits high, we powered our way 723m up the Ingleborough peak. We can’t lie, it was tough! But a real victory when we reached the top. After some admiration of the views across the coast, we happily began our descent to the base of Ingleborough. Just the final home straight to go…

6:00pm

Still walking…the last stretch was deceptively long and the only thing keeping us going now was the thoughts of reaching the alluring pub in the distance.

6:30pm – Time for a drink!

At last, 11 hours after we set off, we reached the finish line!

Only one thing for it… an ice-cold beer!

Despite the gruelling walk, we were pleased that all of us managed to reach the finish line (relatively) injury free. Thanks to Zest for once again pushing us to do something out of our comfort zone for such a worthy cause. I wonder what the next challenge will be…

If you want to find out more about our fundraising adventures with Zest, please follow the link!

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