Can I defer?

Absolutely!

>6 months before your departure date: free defer to another date

6-2 months: £60

2 months - 6 weeks: £80 IF your place hasn't already been fully paid for by this point 

You cannot defer your place any closer than 6 weeks before your trip commences.

To defer, please email team@hardestadventures.com

Disclaimer about deferring due to medical / family emergencies can be given a free/discounted deferral subject to what happened and how close it is to the start date of the trip

What will the group size be?
Average group sizes vary, but will be between 10 - 40 participants depending on the number of sign ups. 

Who will be looking after me during the challenge?

You will be looked after by accredited, English speaking local guides along with a Hardest Adventures rep.

Where will I be staying?
The night before your challenge starts, you will be staying in a local hotel in Fort William, where you will have dinner and prepare for the challenge.

Once the challenge begins, you will be on the move throughout the day, and so the only rest you will have will be on the mini-bus to each mountain!

How difficult is the trek?
This trek is rated 3.5/5 on its challenge level of difficulty. Many people across various abilities have been able to complete the Three Peaks. However, this is quite an intense challenge as you try to beat the clock whilst also not getting much rest. 

Don't let this stop you though! You will supported throughout the challenge by your guide and fellow team-mates.

What is the climate like on the mountains?
The terrain on the mountains will be varied, and it may occasionally be rocky. The higher the altitude, the colder and possibly windier it will be, so make sure to bring your layers in your day bag to avoid any danger!

What dietary options are available?
The only meal provided is the breakfast the morning of the challenge. 

Hardest Adventures can cater for all dietary options. At 8 weeks before your challenge start date, a form will be sent to you to request this information. Through this, we will ensure that you are catered for, and will keep you updated on any issues regarding your dietary requests. 

What food should I bring with me for the trek?
You will burn in-excess of 1500 calories on each mountain, so it is important that you eat along the way and whilst in the minibus. We recommend that you carry snacks whilst on the hill with something more substantial left in the minibus to eat whilst travelling. 

We don't have a required list of foods to bring as everyone has their own preference. However, bananas, little oranges, mini pork pies, dried fruit, chocolate bars, wine gums & jelly babies and other similar snack foods all work well as trekking snacks.

We also recommend you carry 2 litres of water to drink whilst walking and have something else to drink in the minibus.

Is this challenge safe?
At Hardest Adventures we place safety at the heart of what we do. Whilst an element of risk always exists within each challenge, we have worked with our partners in country and implemented our own procedures to minimise risk whilst still ensuring you have an incredible challenge experience! 

All our challenges are risked assessed in line with BS8848 British Standards of Trekking.

Is water provided?
Tap water in the UK is safe. However, if you need water whilst trekking, please make sure to ask your guide whether it is safe to drink the water available.

Bringing re-usable 1L or 2L water bottles on your challenge is compulsory, as you need to have enough water to keep hydrated and well throughout your trek.

Do I need vaccinations for my challenge?
You do not need vaccinations for this challenge.

If you are concerned, however, please feel free to contact your GP about the challenge and see if there you need any vaccinations.

Do I need to bring medication on the challenge?
Your local guide will have an emergency first aid kit with them at all times. However, we strongly recommend getting a personal first aid kit for the challenge, that includes things such as plasters and paracetamol. 

If you struggle with travel sickness, it may also be worth looking into bring medication for this, as you will be driving to and from each mountain for prolonged periods.

If you have any medication for any personal health issues, then we recommend you do bring it. 

Will I get altitude sickness?
It is extremely unlikely that you will get altitude sickness from this challenge. If this is something that is concerning you though, please see your GP to discuss it.

How fit do I need to be?
Many people who take on the National Three Peaks Challenge have never done anything like it before, so you don't need to be a mountain runner to take part!

However, we strongly recommend that you practice some form of hiking and start training around 16-18 weeks before the challenge date. If this is not possible for you to do, we would recommend going on regular walks with different types of ground, steepness, and even practice walking with the bag you will wear on the challenge, as well as your walking boots. All of this will help prepare your body for the day. 

A typical trek at this level will include trekking for 4 to 6 hours per day over consecutive days possibly at high altitude, so it is important to get your body adjusted to this level of activity.

There are no specific exercise routines that you must follow, as everyone is different. However, doing squats regularly as well as step-up exercises, such as the stair master at the gym, is recommended.

Do Hardest Adventures provide training sessions for the challenge?
The team at Hardest Adventures do not offer training sessions. However, this may be something that your challenge leader or team could organise throughout the year with you. 

What transport do I need to organise myself?
You will need to provide your own transport to and from Manchester Piccadilly Train Station.

What is my baggage allowance?

Your main baggage should be your 20-35L backpack that you will use on the challenge. However, you are allowed to bring another smaller backpack that can be left in the van whilst you are trekking each mountain.

Please ensure to keep the weight of your baggage low.

Do I need to get travel insurance for this challenge?
You can arrange your own travel insurance suitable for the challenge. This is not mandatory for UK challenges; however, you may feel more comfortable taking out a policy, especially if you are an international student.

If you have chosen the charity fundraising option, your fundraising deadline is 8 weeks before your challenge start date. With the amount of support provided by your charity rep, Hardest Adventures,  challenge leaders and University, it's almost impossible not to reach your target!

In the unlikely event that the fundraising target isn't met by the deadline, here are your options: 

1) If you're above 80% of your target, and have plans in place, your charity can grant you a 2 week deadline extension.

2) You can put your own money in, and fundraise it back after (as long as you don't keep more than you put in!)

3) You can defer to next year's trip, for a small fee, to give you an extra year to hit your target.

We want you to take on this adventure of a lifetime, so will do all we can to help you do so!