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CFone is passionate about being involved in the community and supporting charities in the area where we live and work. As part of our commitment to do this, we recently sponsored the Friends of Vyners Langdale 10 Challenge.
The Langdale 10 Challenge is a test of endurance and an event filled with camaraderie. 80 pupils, parents and staff from Vyners School travelled 300 miles north from Ickenham to the Lake District. The challenge attempt was in support of the Friends of Vyners and the mental health charity MIND. Following the positive feedback to this post we would like to continue promoting mindfulness and combating anxiety by referring our followers to read this blog we found very insightful.
Two Routes In The Challenge
The 80 challengers had two routes to choose from: an 11-mile valley hike that includes a 1,700ft elevation and a range of challenging terrain, or an extreme route that included 10 mountains at over 2,000ft each, a distance of 15 miles and a 5,400ft ascent. In total, 17 teams took part: 11 “10 Peakers” and 6 “11 Milers”.
Training For The Challenge
Preparing for a gruelling challenge is never easy. To make sure that all the challengers were ready, training began 3 months prior to the challenge and involved early Sunday morning starts hiking around the Chilterns, Boxhill and a trip to Pen Y Fan in the Brecon Beacons.
Tackling The Ten Peaks
Facing an estimated challenge time of between 10 and 12 hours meant that the 10 peakers set off with an early start. All the challengers were walking by 6:45pm against a rather grey outlook as they began their ascent of Bowfell, the sixth highest peak in the Lake District. As they approached the summit, the sun broke through to reveal beautiful views of the surrounding valleys.
Following Bowfell, the peakers tackled Esk Pike and Rosset. The five hour mark had been reached and they were halfway through the challenge. After lunch, they completed a two mile hike along the ridge and progressed onto a long uphill
climb to Pike ‘O Stickle, peak four. Pike ‘O Stickle demanded full-on rock climbing in order to complete the last 50ft of the ascent to the top. They were confronted by a group of men completing their descent who were clearly frozen with fear as they negotiated the start of their return journey from the top of the peak.
Now, the next three peaks beckoned: Loft Crag, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark. By this time the peakers had been walking for over 10 hours, a significant achievement in itself.
The sun was high in the sky and the final three peaks were now clearly visible. The peakers tackled Thunacar Knott, High Raise and finally Sergeant Man. To complete the challenge everyone had to descend Stickle Ghyll, a very unforgiving descent that is steep and rocky. Concentration was required in ample measure in order to complete a safe descent. It took the challengers two-and-a-half hours to walk the last one-and-a-half miles.
After 14 hours, the peakers completed the Langdale 10. All the challengers were exhausted yet proud of the effort that had been expended by the climbing and walking teams in tackling such a significant challenge.
Delighted To Support The Langdale Challenge
CFone Communications were delighted to be able to support The Langdale Challenge. Our directors, Mark and Rob Hodgkinson, were both very happy to contribute, making donations on behalf of everyone at CFone to the two very worthy causes that the challenge supports.
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