What should you have in your bag for the Yorkshire 3 Peaks?
Got your waterproofs (essential - even if the forecast is good, as they are not always correct!) warm clothes (layers), boots and walking outfit sorted for the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge? Then you're nearly there; but before you head off, have a think about what you want with you in your backpack or rucksack for a walk that lasts 12 hours and covers varied terrain and altitude.
This blog is relevant to the following Large Outdoors experiences:
Plenty of Water
You should aim to carry and start with 2-3 litres of water to keep you hydrated during the walk. You’ll need to drink regularly throughout the day. There are usually a couple of opportunities to purchase water or drinks along the route, but these places are independent businesses, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability.
Plenty of Food
Decide early on what food you need to get you through the challenge - it’s best to try out different options on your training walks. Take things you enjoy eating and snacks you can eat when on the move, as we usually only stop for a brief (up to 20 minute) lunch break during this 12 hour challenge. There are usually a couple of opportunities en-route to buy refreshments, but these places are independent businesses, so we can’t guarantee opening times and/or availability.
Personal First Aid Kit
As well as personal medication, it may be worth taking some painkillers. Plasters can always come in handy and to prevent blisters, zinc oxide tape is great. You can tape strips onto the areas that rub in an attempt to stop blisters developing. For when it all goes wrong though, blister plasters are essential.
Head Torch, Survival Bag & Whistle
You hopefully won't need any of these, but all of them make up a basic but essential emergency kit for walking.
Make sure you have spare batteries or a back-up for your head torch. We hope you wouldn’t need it on a planned day walk, but we’d advise you always have one with you in case of a situation which leaves you out for longer than expected. If you have to return from a walk in the dark because of an unforeseen delay (e.g. an injury slowing down the walking pace or yourself/a fellow participant requiring assistance or evacuation, which you may have to wait some time for), or you need to signal for help in an emergency, a head torch can be invaluable.
Check out our blog on how to use a survival bag and whistle. Large Outdoors advise you always have a survival bag & whistle with you when walking, especially up in the hills and/or when walking in exposed or remote areas when the temperatures can be substantially colder and emergency help will take considerably longer to reach you should you need it. We do insist on them for all Large Outdoors participants booking a Yorkshire Three Peaks experience with this Compulsory Kit List.
Mobile Phone (with charge!)
Bring your mobile phone and make sure it's fully charged before you set off – great for letting friends know how it's going and getting encouragement, if you have a signal. If you need to leave the group for any reason, we ask that you contact your Large Outdoors guide by text message when you have returned to the meeting point or alternative agreed location safely, as a courtesy. Plus, it’s always good practice to have your mobile phone with you when exploring the outdoors, in case of emergency.
Sun Cream and Hat & Gloves
It can be hot in Yorkshire, and 12 hours in the sun is a long time to burn…ouch! The Great British weather can be changeable and sunburn can occur even on cloudy days - especially at higher altitudes. The temperatures can vary massively too - it’s not unknown to have experienced sunshine and 18C through to 20mph winds, hail and 5C on the same July day on this walk!
You may need to keep your head, hands and neck warm - a hat paired with a buff and some waterproof gloves is ideal. These items are still essential in the summer months.
Money (mix of card and cash advised)
If for any reason you need to leave the group (e.g. in case of dropping out of the challenge, injury or emergency) you may need to arrange a taxi or public transport back to the meeting location/to your accommodation/for onward travel. Plus, you’ll be grateful to have some pennies with you if we pass a tempting refreshment stop and we encourage purchases in businesses with toilet facilities. It’s useful to have both cash and a credit/debit card with you.
Spare Socks
Having a dry pair of socks to change into half way round can be a great morale-booster. You can also put them on your hands if you need a spare set of gloves in an emergency.
Large Outdoors organises many different challenge walks here in the UK, to view a full list of them please visit our dedicated CHALLENGES page by clicking here.
