Ross Hyslop, one of our regular Wellbeing Talk Host, recently took on the Three Peaks 24 Hour Challenge. Here, in his own words, what it was like:

Hiking, long-distance walking and mountaineering is more than a hobby to me. I found my love of walking when I began my journey of sobriety, over 30 years ago. The serenity I experience by being as far off the beaten track as possible, immersed in nature, gives me the strength to manage the stress of daily life. Taking on the three peaks felt like an easy decision. The team that and I completed it are all avid hikers, and we share the benefits of such activities for their emotional well-being. The most daunting aspect of it for me was the lack of sleep I don’t do well between the hours of 23:00-06:00.

Completing the 3 peak challenge is a remarkable achievement in 24 hours but to be part of a team where 3 of the group came in under 20 hours was just incredible and definitely spurred me on to achieve a sub-21 hour completion time! Scaling the highest peaks of Scotland (Ben Nevis), England (Scafell Pike), and Wales (Snowdon) in a short timeframe requires physical endurance, mental strength, and determination – all of which would not have been possible without the team.

It highlighted the importance of working together to conquer the mountains, whilst having a sense of teamwork, cooperation, and camaraderie. It gave each of us the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the mountains, appreciate breathtaking views, and connect with nature as well as raising money for a worthy cause. It’s an adventure-filled journey that has left us with unforgettable memories. Overall, the challenge allowed us to boost our mental wellbeing and most importantly, raise awareness about the Electrical Industries Charity.

I have seen, firsthand, the impact the EIC have on all their service users, and the model they work within is very much aligned with my own internal compass, so setting off to raise some money for the work that the welfare team are doing was a privilege.

“The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.”

You can still show your support for Ross and donate on his Enthuse page here – https://electricalcharity.enthuse.com/pf/ross-hyslop