The morning after the weekend before

We're still here. We're all walking a bit like John Wayne. Everything's a little bit of an ordeal. Arms ache from walking poles, feel ache from walking, everything in between aches from general exertion, and we're covered in midge bites (thanks, Scotland). We're rather thankful for the invention of ibuprofen gel.

We've also raised £410 so far, which is awesome. thanks you! We'd love to get it to £500, as this will fund the addition of 5 new donors to the Anthony Nolan register (there's also talk of matching any money raised, which would push it up to a lovely round £1000...)

So if you've not yet donated and would like to, now's the time!

http://www.justgiving.com/albion3peaks

A well earned reward

Waiting for the plane. Cheers.

Catching up: flying the Albion flag

Catching up: from the summit of ben nevis

So...

We're down. We're in a lot of pain. We smell pretty bad. Our supply of ibuprofen gel is running low. Please drop a few pennies in our justgiving account for anthony nolan: with feet this sore, surely we've earned it? http://www.justgiving.com/albion3peaks

Down and done

Battery low. More updates if it lasts!

ben nevis: on the summit

Wow

The most beautiful. And the most knackering.

Amy and I now proudly bringing up the rear.

4am

Fifteen km to go.ouch.

The ben

And we're down

Scafell was a little more tricksy than expected, (including an off-track detour) but we're down. The frontrunners in 4 hours, the rear ten minutes later. We're a little more tired, and slightly pushed for time. Although apparently as long as your combined walking time is under 14 hrs, our guide tells us you've still officially 'done it'.
We've also had our first rain, and rather a lot of mud. Jack is re-blister plastering his feet, our knees are a little wrecked, and my elbow's feeling the strain (that one certainly wasn't expected).
We're going to try and sleep now. Jason's promised us all burgers at the next stop-off. Win.
NB. We've also decreed that trundle wheels are uncool. Beware.

The lakes

We've arrived. We're about ten mins behind time. Hoping to make it up on this one.

It's the...

...Eye of the tiger. Nick's lifting our spirits pre peak 2 with a motivating tune or two, courtesy of his iPad. Albion ftw!

Scafell pike

We're almost at the start point. Sky's grey and signal's low. We're aiming to be down by 9.

Overheard in the bus

"Two weeks ago, I just had the most unbelievable wind". Nuff said.

Compeeding up

We've just gone through rather a lot of our compeed supply in preparation for peak 2.

A catch-up shot

The top of Snowdon. Nick's showing the effects of the Tequila. Sorry, fingers were too frozen to blog it at the time.

Zzzzz.....

We're snoozing. Zzzzz....

A. Quick stop for provisions

Now this is food. Unless you're jack and get a gluten free version...

1 peak down

So. We're in the car en route to llanberis for hot chicken rolls, and then onwards. Phew.
Weather so far has been good. Sun low down, cloud high up. Finger-freezing temperatures only on the ridge.
Andrew, nick and jack are storming ahead. Amy is a mountain goat going downhill. Jason and I are solving the woes of the world and not getting too out of breath
There's a rumour the boys had tequila shot on the top. Sorry liz - I wasn't quite there to stop them.
A few blisters, and amy's hands have become bizarrely swollen. Jack's deployed the first tubigrip. Otherwise, we're still on fine form.
Only two more to go...

...And stretch

And we're down

We're down. The front guard in 3hrs 15, the rear in 3.30. Bang on time. Win.

Up the pyg track

Ouch. Already.

And we're off

It's 8:10, and we're off.

Snowdon

We're caped up and good to go.

Weather report

So far, so good. It's a bright bright sunshiny day.
Suncream and insect repellent on...

Andrew's guest blog

So whilst the girls tucked themselves into a beautifully quaint, twin cottage room, equiped with on suite, warm water and general safety, the boys checked into their accommodation, the Hanoi Hilton. Bunk beds, thin walls, weird smells, mattresses made of wood chip and to top it all... Jason's snoring. 3 mountains. Feel pretty good.

And so to bed

We're fed, we're briefed, we're bonded... Now all that's left is to get some sleep before the 7am start. Night night!

It was all going so well until...

A pre dinner snack

They must have heard we were coming

Wow. We're so good, they've named a hotel after us. Before we've even started. What a reputation to live up to.

Things we've learned today 2

4) People who sign up to twitter but don't tweet are called tweeting toms.
5) Jason does a good oldschool voiceover.
6) Scampi fries rock.
7) People get rather paranoid when they suspect you're blogging about them.

Us girls just got upgraded

Unexpected luxury! Amy and I get a whole room, and bathroom, to ourselves. The boys are in a six bed dorm down the road. Feeling a wee bit guilty now...

Things we've learned so far

Learned or learnt? Who knows.

1) If you don't keep a careful eye on your team, you'll find they've been peeing in the bushes in major urban areas.
2) Team bonding for men involves talking about peeing. Rather regularly.
3) Having a conservatory in your castle is a bit like filling the moat with friendly dolphins. (And that Wales therefore beats New Zealand hands down at castles)

Our trusted leader?

Apparently Jason has a bad record of leaving defenceless foreigners alone at the top of mountains to die of altitude sickness. Nick and I are getting a bit concerned...

There's different kinds of fitness...

...Or so our valiant leader claims. We'll report in on which type each of us possesses on sunday, after extensive research.

Our guide also tells us that teams from London are often very well equipped. But not necessarily very fit. Ah well, at least we're not alone.

In other news, we hear the girls get their own room tonight. Snoring avoidance win...

On the road

We've made it to Warrington. We have no idea where that is, though there aren't enough 'y's for it to be in Wales. Thankfully, our driver appears to be slightly better informed. Our executive mini van, complete with tv, is now en route to the Swallow Falls hostel...

Locked and loaded

Chief medical officer reporting in

We bought most of Boots. Nothing can stop us now! (Except accidental overdose...)

The workshop (2)

Looking good. I'm hoping they don't inspire any superhero-like flights from the mountainside... (We do have some proper gear too. Promise)

The workshop

Because every explorer needs a dramatic cape for those mountaintop moments.

It's raining

It's raining. Everywhere.

In under two days, we'll be setting off in our intrepid minibus to climb three big mountains. And for now, I'm assuming we'll be doing it all in the pouring rain. Even Nick D's finally broken - he's off to buy waterproofs today. Still, I wouldn't be surprised to see him combining them with flipflops. I'll report back.

Despite the weather, it's all rather exciting. Boots are waterproofed, I've packed an inordinate quantity of sweets, and have enough foil blankets and bivvy bags to set up a week long Starburst-fuelled camp on the mountain top should the need arise.

I'm told the Albion flag arrives sometime today, and I believe Jack and Andrew are making progress on the capes...

Sponsorship will keep me cosy if it rains: www.justgiving.com/Albion3peaks