Some tough cookies took part in a VES team building exercise over the mountains of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent, known as The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge recently.
The team faced three big climbs and steep downhills over the highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales incorporating lots of short breaks and a lunch stop. The challenge is a 24miles (38.6km) round route, with 1585m (5200ft) of ascent.
The weather was great for the team when the walk started up the gentle accent to the base of Pen y Ghent, with a moderate scramble up to the summit, however from this point for the rest of the day the weather turned out to be very wet and very windy.
From Pen y Ghent there’s a gradual decent via the footpath leading to a real slog towards the second peak, Whernside (about 10-12km). At the summit, there would have been fantastic views across Morecombe Bay and the Irish Sea had the weather not been as bad.
The last peak to climb is Ingleborough with breath-taking views on any other day, with another steep ascent which is over quickly, to a gentle descent into Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
It was a great opportunity for the team to get a real sense of achievement and make memories with colleagues that will be spoken about for years to come.
