HBPW engineers swapped desks for the Dales when they stepped out to tackle Yorkshire’s famous Three Peaks – Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.
Nick Chia, Denis Fedosov, Dimitrios Tsiritakis, Tom Flint and Paul Monaghan put their best feet forward in the recent boiling sun.
But, whilst Denis, Nick and Tom were virgins to the hallowed turf of Yorkshire’s peaks, there were two veterans taking part on the day.
“Dmitrios has now completed the challenge three times,” said Denis, “and Paul Monaghan is a total pro with at least seven circuits under his belt.”
The scenery was spectacular but the going tough because of searing temperatures although the HBPW crew had put the challenge to bed within 12 hours after a 7.30am start.
The first recorded ascent of the three hills was in July 1887 by J. R. Wynne-Edwards and D. R. Smith in a time of 10 hours, the challenge covering a distance of between 23.3 and 26.1 miles depending on the route taken, with nearly 5,249 ft of ascent and descent.
Many hikers aim to complete the walk in under 12 hours, though as famous Dalesman and writer Alfred Wainwright says in his book Wainwright in the Limestone Dales, ‘Some participants have chosen to regard the walk as a race, and this is to be greatly regretted, walking is a pleasure to be enjoyed in comfort.’
Musing on the great man’s wise words, HBPW man Denis Fedosov, was able to riposte within seconds: “It was Hell, never again!”
Mr Wainwright is now turning in his grave!