Railway Children 24 Peaks Challenge 2007

This is their report of how they got on in 2007. Their website is here.

"More painful than childbirth!"

"A fantastic quote from Heidi Mottram from Northern Rail as she crossed the finish line! This was a challenge that tested the teams both physically and mentally - certainly not for the faint-hearted. The challenge was to summit 24 mountains in 24 hours, all over 2,400 feet.

The teams gathered in the dark at the start at Gatesgarth Farm at the very unsociable hour of 4am and no doubt most of them were wondering what on earth they were doing there! And off they went to climb the first of 10 mountains that day. Even though there were only(!) 10 mountains to climb on day one, it is the more difficult of the two days. The morning mist soon lifted and by lunchtime the sun came out and we could see the stunning Cumbrian scenery.

Teams finished the first part of the challenge on the Saturday in very good time, though they were absolutely exhausted. The Sikoras team looked very impressive as they bounded off the mountain looking ready to face the next 14 mountains immediately! We all headed off to Ambleside Youth Hostel for some carb loading before the very welcome sight of bed.

We had a lie in the next day with a 5am start! Again the teams set off in the dark to start the next 14 mountains with the very steep climb up Red Screes testing their strength and endurance.

Meanwhile we set off to meet the Signal House Group directors who were taking part in the Directors' Challenge. Well done to Pete and Karen Roberts and Andy and Kath Leafe who climbed Helvellyn, particularly Karen who had never climbed a mountain before. We were led by the lovely Paul Cheshire, head of the Keswick Mountain Rescue team, our aim being to meet the Signal House team as they reached the summit of Hellvelyn. The team was moving fast and we nearly missed them. Luckily Karen's threat of P45's wasn't necessary as we met them just as we reached the top.

By 5pm on Sunday afternoon, every team had crossed the finish line at Groovebeck Fold, all looking much happier than at the end of day 1, but absolutely exhausted. A few people had been forced to drop out as old injuries were tested and new ones appeared, but it was a great achievement to have every team cross the line and all of them in very impressive time."