Fourtitude - The Ultimate Weekend Challenge

Why book with Charity Challenge?

• Everything included from the moment you arrive. Unlike other operators we include everything from the moment you arrive, including accommodation the night before.
• Hire of mountain bikes and kayaks is included in the cost.
• The very best Leaders, who are fully qualified, highly experienced, knowledgeable and fun. They will do everything to help you complete the challenge and have a great time doing it.
• Fully qualified mountain bike and kayak instructors who will provide expert instruction for each activity.
• Fully supported routes with support vehicles and checkpoints in place.
• 3 nights accommodation in the heart of the Lake District.
• All transfers between each activity.

Level of Difficulty

This challenge is graded as "tough". This is the perfect challenge for participants who are of an adventurous spirit and an open mind, and who have taken part in a  challenge event before and now want to test themselves over a full weekend challenge. You do not need to be an expert mountain biker or kayaker, just somebody with a sense of adventure and the ability to work within your team to follow the well marked routes.

On this challenge you can expect to:

• Kayak for 20km on Lake Windermere, approx 4 hours.
• Mountain bike for approximately 50km through Grizedale Forest, included the lung-pumping ascent of the hill into the forest, and the descent along country lanes back to Grasmere. Approx 4 hours.
• Trek for 42km along the Cumria Way with approximately 1,600m of ascent. Approx 10 hours.

How does the team aspect of this challenge work?

You should already be part of a team of 4 when you book onto this challenge. If you sign up as an individual, you will be allocated into a team of four.

The Lakes Triple Challenge is a team event and is not run as an individual challenge. Each team must complete each activity together and teams must not split.

If one of your team does need to drop out from the challenge then teams of 3 will be allowed to continue. However, if 2 members of your team drop out then the entire team will need to stop.

Kayak section

Each team will receive instructions from our qualified kayak instructors before beginning the challenge. The route on Lake Windermere sticks closely to the lake shore for the majority of the route. There will be safety kayakers and a safety boat on hand to help with any difficulties.

Mountain bike section

Each team will be fitted for the appropriate sized mountain bike and give instructions from our mountain bike instructors. The route will be clearly marked by route arrows and each participant will be given a GPX file of the route to use on an appropriate GPS device. It will be each team's responsiblity to follow the route correctly and should you have any difficulties you will have an emergency number to contact our event crew on.

Trekking section

The trekking section follows the very well marked 'Cumbria Way' footpath and again it will be the responsibility of each team to navigate along the route correctly.

Our event crew will set up checkpoints along the route to support you with any problems and to provide much needed snacks and water.

Bike & Kayak Equipment

The hire of all bikes and kayaks, along with relevant safety equipment is provided for you on this challenge and is included in the cost.

If you wish to bring your own bike then please let us know prior to the challenge by emailing andy@charitychallenge.com

Biking: If you choose to bring your own bike then it is your responsibility to make sure that it is suitable for the terrain covered during the cycle section. This section takes you along the mountain bike trails of Grizedale Forest. It includes steep ascents and descents over loose terrain. Only Mountain Bikes are suitable for this challenge. You must also bring your own helmet.

Kayaking: You will be paddling two-person, sit-on-top kayaks that are designed to be extremely stable. You will be sharing the kayak with another participant from your group. Full safety instruction is provided by our qualified staff.

What happens if we get lost?

You will be given precise safety instructions in your Final Details document one month before the challenge, and by the event instructors on the night before the challenge.

Each team will be provided with an event tracker that will enable us to monitor your progress.

If you do become lost then you stop immediately and attempt to reverse your route for a few minutes to the last known route arrow. If you are unable to find the last route arrow then you stop and call the event 'emergency number'. Our staff will then assist you to get back on track. If you do not have mobile reception then please just wait for our event crew to find you. We will be monitoring your tracker closely so we will know where you are!

Emergencies

The event staff will have a mobile phone and radios in case of emergencies and the team are trained to deal with any emergency situations.

All teams must finish each activity together, so please work as a team and do not kayak, walk or cycle at a pace beyond your capabilities. Should you find yourself unable to continue for any reason, you will be transferred back to the hostel by safety vehicle.
 

Safety advice for the Lake District Triple Challenge

Charity Challenge considers the safety of all of our participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have set up Challenge Safe, one of the most advanced and thorough safety management systems in the industry. Challenge Safe formalises our ethos when it comes to safety, and brings together the procedures and risk management strategies that we use to audit all aspects of our challenges, from vehicles to accommodation to the challenge activity itself. Your welfare is absolutely paramount!

Here are a couple of important points that you should be aware of:

• The terrain on the challenge is often rocky and in wet conditions can be extremely slippery. Please make sure that your walking boots have good grip. Trainers are not appropriate, as they lack grip.
• The weather on the hills can be very different to down in the valleys. Please make sure you carry an additional warm layer, waterproof jacket and trousers and a hat and gloves.
• Always wear the safety equipment provided to you for the biking and kayaking activities.
• We employ qualified instructors for each activity. Please listen carefully to the instructions given.
• This is an all day challenge on both days! Ensure that you eat lots throughout the day and keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of fluids.
• Each team is responsible for navigation, so please ensure that you pay attention to the route marking and if you do get lost then please contact us immediately rather than try to resolve the issue yourselves.

Toilets

During the challenge facilities will be limited to the great outdoors!
 

Food & Drink

You will be provided with the following meals on this challenge:

• Dinner on the night of arrival at the hostel
• Breafast, packed lunch and dinner on Saturday
• Breakfast and a packed lunch on Sunday

There will be snacks and water available at checkpoints, and between activites on the Saturday. You may also wish to bring your own snacks to help power you through the challenge.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided at the YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe in same-sex dormitories. You can expect typical hostel style accommodation, with shared bathrooms. Bedding is provided for you.

We encourage everyone to see sharing at the hostel as part of the challenge!

Please note: If expected numbers are met for this challenge then this group will have exclusive use of the whole hostel.

Getting There

Exact timings and instructions will be sent one month prior to the challenge date.

You will need to make your way to the YHA Grasmere Butharlyp Howe which will be the accommodation for this challenge.

Directions: From the South. From the M6 follow sign posts to Windermere, and then on to Ambleside along the A591. From Ambleside continue along the A591.

From the North. Turn off the M6/M74 at Penrith and follow the A66 to Keswick. Turn off the A66 onto the A591 and continue until you reach Grasmere.

Please note: There is only limited parking at the hostel and this will be reserved for our staff. Grasmere village has several large car parks that are pay and display.

Challenge Timings

You will be sent precise timings and locations one month prior to the start of this challenge.

You will need to make your way to the YHA Grasmere Hostel for 7pm on the first evening of the challenge. Here you will meet the other teams and the event staff and have the challenge safety briefing.

The challenge will begin at approximately 8am on the Saturday and you can expect to finish back in Grasmere at 6pm.

On Sunday the trek will begin at 8am and you can expect to finish by 6pm when you will be free to depart.

N.B. Although these are the planned timings delays can happen and timings often need to be adjusted. On the final day we recommend that everyone have flexible travel arrangements.

Responsible Tourism

At Charity Challenge we are committed to responsible tourism. On this challenge in particular, we always liaise with the rangers at the Lake District National Park and the Grizedale Forestry Commission office to make sure that we minimise our impact on the local environment. Our leaders care passionately for the environment and will be keen to talk to you about how you can do your bit to conserve the local area and enhance your experience. We believe that acting responsibly should add to your enjoyment of the challenge so we won’t lecture you about not dropping litter.

Instead, we’d like to encourage you to support ‘Fix the Fells’ who maintain the excellent footpaths we will be walking on. Fix the Fells have an excellent website that provides information on their fantastic work and allows you to donate to them directly. Their website can be viewed here.

We would also like to encourage all our participants to spend a little extra time in the local area. Why not consider booking an extra night in a local B&B, and go out for a meal in one of the excellent local pubs after the challenge? Not only will you be able to celebrate your achievements but you will also be putting more money back into the local area. For local accommodation options check out the GoLakes website.

For extra information, please visit our Responsible Tourism page.

Terrain

Despite its location in the UK, the difficulty of this challenge should not be underestimated. The terrain on this challenge varies throughout and can be rough at times, so be prepared! The path on the trek is steep in places and uneven, whilst the biking section follows off-road forest trails and as such can be uneven.

Climate

As you know, the weather in the UK can be highly unpredictable and erratic. Being prepared is key! We will run UK challenges between April and October.Please check the weather forecasts to ensure that you bring clothing suitable for warm, sunny, walking weather and also sudden wind and downpours.
 

Event Management & Staff

We employ experienced and fully qualified outdoor instuctors to support you along with an experienced event crew. Our staff are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in working on challenge events throughout Britain and overseas. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your team and will be carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them at all times.

They will also be in constant radio communication with the vehicle drivers and ‘base camp’ throughout the challenge.

Qualified mountain bike leaders and kayak instructors are also employed to guarantee that you are very well looked after at all times and have access to expert advice.

Training

This challenge will have you biking, kayaking and hiking in the incredible Lake District National Park, and requires a moderate to good level of fitness. The ideal training for this challenge is, naturally, hill walking and cycling. If you do not have the luxury of living near the hills, then the stairs at home (or an office block) are a great place to start. Most training should be part of an ongoing lifestyle, but if this is not the case then you should begin training 2-4 months prior to the challenge and gradually build up as suggested. Remember to use the walking boots that you will be wearing on the challenge in order to get them worn in, and take the daysack that you will be using during the challenge. There is no substitute for walking in the hills so try if possible to get out on a weekend and train in an area with steep hills. You should progress to training with your boots on from week 4 at the latest, but preferably from week 1. The more you exercise before the expedition, the more you will get out of it. Also see your Charity Challenge Fitness Training notes.

Your training should also include some cycle training, preferably, including some hills. The biking section of this challenge takes place on off-road trails, but you should gear your training to being comfortable on a bike and have experience of cycling up hills.

For the kayaking, no prior experience is necessary, although if you have the opportunity to go to a local kayaking club then this would help. Kayaking requires good upper body strength, so if possible, doing some exercises or light weights to build your strength would be advantageous.

Clothing & Equipment

Equipment of good quality and durability could make the difference between a fantastic challenge experience and an uncomfortable one. For this challenge, you may wish to change kit between each activity. You will be able to leave any extra equipment at the event base.

A full kit list for this challenge can be found in your account area, or on the website. Once you book you will have access to kit discounts with our partners The Outdoor Shop, Outdoor Hire and Cotswold Outdoor.

Trek Section
Waterproof and well-worn in boots will be indispensable for the trek. The terrain is uneven and can be very rough, so it is vital that you use a strong pair of canvas or leather boots with good ankle support for this challenge, coupled with a pair of good quality walking socks. Trainers are not suitable.

The benefits of a comfortable day sack cannot be underestimated - so make sure that you train with this. Other essentials are high quality gore-tex waterproof and windproof jackets and trousers, as well as technical/wicking t-shirts rather than cotton shirts. We would like to emphasise that jeans should not be worn on this challenge.

Bike section
You may wish to bring a pair of cycling shorts or trousers to wear for this section. You will have the opportunity to change into them before completing this section. Whilst you are welcome to take your day-sack on the bike with you, we would recommend that you keep this back at the event base to make the bike section more comfortable.

Kayak Section
You do not need to have a wetsuit or swimming costume for this section. Most people complete this part of the challenge wearing the same clothes that they used for the bike and trek. However, if you wish to bring separate clothes for this section then you will have the opportunity to change into them before undertaking this section of the challenge. You will need to wear shoes or trainers whilst in the kayaks, so you may wish to consider bringing along a spare pair of old trainers that you don't mind getting wet.

The hire of bikes and kayaks is included in the cost of this challenge. Any safety equipment required for the biking and the kayaking will be provided, including helmets and life vests.