Killing the Golden Goose

Search for “3 peaks” on JustGiving.com and hundreds of entries will be returned.  It’s likely that hundreds of thousands or maybe even millions of pounds are raised annually on such 3 peaks challenges, all for perfectly laudable charities.  Some of the more prominent charities that champion the fundraisers on their own websites are Cancer Research UK, Help for Heroes, Sport Relief and Oxfam with the help that they provide changing many lives for the better.

But what price charity?

Mid-summer weekends are primetime for the 3 peaks (Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon) given the long daylight hours and (in theory) fairer weather.  But on Facebook yesterday the Wasdale Mountain Rescue Team posted this –

“Shocking amounts of litter, people creating new paths, the stink of urine and worse on the summit of Scafell Pike this morning.”

The Langdale Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team quickly followed up with this post –

“There's no excuse for this.  If someone tells you they are taking part in such an event, then please make them aware of the problems that events like this can cause (sorry for getting political, but this is unforgivable).”

Consider the impact of those that take part.  Even if they live directly on the route between the 3 peaks, challengers will be making a 950 mile round-trip.  Add a few hundred more if the challengers live south of the midlands.  Obviously mini-buses lessen the amount of fuel used, but some organisers have convoys in double figures traveling up and down the country.

And with hundreds of walkers using the same paths in such a short time, footpath erosion is becoming a big problem.  Even the road leading to Wasdale Head struggles to take the impact of increased traffic.  There have long been tales of unacceptable noise (raised voices, slamming car doors, car alarms) in the wee small hours at Wasdale Head, as challengers prepare themselves for the ascent and celebrate the descent of Scafell Pike.

Even the national representative body for hillwalkers and mountaineers has expressed concerns about sustainability – http://www.thebmc.co.uk/three-peaks-challenge.

Charities may soon find themselves in an awkward position as so much money is raised but objections to the environmental impact incurred increase.  In my view, they ought to take a stance of expressing gratitude for the efforts made by well-meaning members of the public money but actively discourage such fund-raising events.

As if the 3 peaks aren’t enough for some people, I’ve seen adverts for the 6 peaks challenge with the addition of the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and Eire providing a more extreme fundraising experience.

Finally, I issue a plea to charities and fundraisers who use the 3 peaks to raise money …..

FIND ANOTHER CHALLENGE !

One that doesn’t use gallons of petrol.

One that doesn’t erode the landscape it takes place in.

One that doesn’t inconvenience local residents.

And one that doesn’t turn our wild places into public lavatories.