The Buttermere Horseshoe

Our trek is accompanied by breath-taking views over Buttermere and Crummock Water one way and out into the Lakeland Fells the other.

After a flat start, strolling along the banks of beautiful Buttermere, we start our first and biggest climb past the impressive Scale Force Falls.

As one team of intrepid hikers, our aim is conquer either the first 4, or for the seriously strong, all 7 of the magnificent Peaks that tower above the prettiest lake in the entire Lake District.

Not only that, but we will attempt to undertake this incredible feet in under 12hours!

15.4miles of hiking; 6,017ft of ascent. 

Red Pike      - 755m

High Stile     - 807m

High Crag    - 744m

Hay Stacks   - 597m

Fleetwith Pike - 648m

Dalehead - 753m

Robinson - 737m

Distance: 15.4 miles

Total Climb: 6,017ft

Target Time: 12 hours 

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone...

Red Pike      - 755m

High Stile     - 807m

High Crag    - 744m

Hay Stacks   - 597m

Distance: 8miles (10.5 miles flat equivalent)

Climb Rate: 135m/mile

Total Climb: 1240m 

Important info:

• Accommodation & Transport are not included as part of the event booking. So please book accommodation and make travel arrangement at your earliest convenience, as this is a very popular area to visit. If you would like to join forces with other participants and stay in shared houses and/or lift share, this is likely to provide better value for money. So please reply to your confirmation email to request a joining link to the event WhatsApp group to discuss with the group. 
• A WHATSAPP group will be created to share info and photos on the day. In signing up to the event you are agreeing to be added to this group, which will contain other participants. This is necessary so that details can be shared in the run up to the event, including last minute changes, reminders or cancellations.
• Charity involvement: many of our walks are being run in partnership with charities. As such sign up information is shared with that nominated charity for the purpose of running the event and communicating its purpose.
• Dogs are not permitted on this event, due to accommodation restrictions.
• Please note you may need to pay for parking.
• Please keep to the indicated public rights of way and respect the landowner’s property at all times.
• There are often stiles to negotiate on this type of walk.
• Countryside walking can often include hills and uneven terrain. Our group ethos is to support everyone in group to achieve their maximum potential in terms of completing the route. As such, we endeavour to walk at a pace all participants are comfortable with. We apologise if this causes any frustration to fitter walkers.
• Please consult your doctor if you are at all worried about your fitness and ability to take part.
• Please inform the walk leaders, Get Outdoors, of any underlying health conditions that may affect your walking ability before signing up. 

Required Form:

We need a few more details from everyone, so we know how best to look after you. Once you have booked your walk above, please follow this link and complete some simple questions ASAP: Applicant Information Form

Mountain Kit List:

Review the Kit List below to help you decide what you need for your adventure. The walk will go ahead even in strong wind/rain and only cancelled if conditions become what we consider too dangerous. Therefore, it is essential to be properly equipped! Tried and tested clothing only - don't want to find out something rubs once you've started the challenge and it's too late to change! 

• Rucksack - min 25 litres with cover.
• Walking boots; broken in; NO trainers
• Double layer walking socks.
• Waterproof jacket & trousers.
• Base layer top – breathable.
• Warm fleece and spare fleece.
• Walking trousers - NO jeans!
• Multiple thin tops allowing temperature changes.
• Post-challenge clothes.
• 3 litres of fluid per peak.
• Basic First Aid kit & Sun cream.
• Warm gloves, hat/balaclava.
• Head torch with spare batteries.
• Whistle for sounding the alarm.
• Toiletries, towel.
• Mobile phone & waterproof case
• FULL LIST HERE

We only regret the opportunities we don't take!

Fitness:

We have lots of other walks coming up that are great for training. They also provide an opportunity to ask questions about your upcoming challenge and meet other members of the team. So please browse our website www.getoutdoorsuk.org and come join us soon! We're adding new dates all the time. Taking part in build up events is also a great excuse to push your fundraising page and update supporters about your challenge journey via social media, etc.

There is no real training replacement for actually walking up a mountain. It can be very surprising how steep the ascents are and how out of breath people get attempting these climbs. So we strongly recommend tackling an actual mountain as a practice in your build up to the event.

If you aren't able to join us for one of the walks on our website, then great places to train with decent inclines include: The Lake District with 214 Wainwrights; Snowdonia has 14 Peaks over 3,000ft; The Dark Peak District with Mam Tor, the Great Ridge and Kinder Scout; the Brecon Beacons & Black Mountains with Pen y Fan and Sugar Loaf Mountains. These are all quite far from where we are based in Oxfordshire, so reaching them is either a weekend or VERY long day trip.

Although not comparable with the mountains of the 3 Peaks, some other places that we use for training in a day include the Malvern Hills, Chiltern Hills and Cotswolds, which have lots of hilly walks. There may be other hill ranges nearer to you.

The level of training needed depends totally on where you're starting from. Completion is dependent on a mixture of fitness, stamina and determination.

As a rough guide we recommend vigorous exercise at least 3 times per week for as long as possible prior to the event. Walk briskly on the hilliest routes you can find, such that you are regularly out of breath. Improve your stamina by including a long weekly walk, building up to 15 miles or more. Improve your cardio by walking your shorter walks as fast as you can.

Jogging uphill is a really good way to replicate the cardiovascular strain of walking up a steep mountain.

Strength and condition exercise, such as weight training or Pilates are beneficial for working on your leg power and core strength.  

Finally and most importantly, make sure you take it easy during the last week running up to the event. It takes more than 7 days for muscles to recover, rebuild and benefit from any exercise you do. All top athletes do it - 'Tapering off' is your opportunity to exercise lightly and make sure you do not arrive with a build up of lactic acid in your legs that WILL slow you down during the 3 Peaks.