Opus Energy Takes on the 24 Peaks Challenge for the Second Year
For
the second year running Opus
Energy took part in the 24
Peaks Challenge to raise money for Care
International. Spirits were high, with the previous year’s climbers
eager to complete the challenge that they were forced to abort due to terrible
weather conditions.
The challenge: over a 24 hour period each team must climb 24 peaks, discovering along the way the best of the Lake District and conquer classic peaks such as Helvellyn, Great Dodd and Scafell Pike on the way. Day 1 of the challenge consists of an ascent of more than 13,000ft (10 Peaks) over 30 miles within 10:04 20/11/2009 a 14 hour period. On Day 2 the final 14 peaks will need to be completed within a 10 hour period.
Described by the organisers as their ‘most demanding event in the series’ the challenge is both physically and mentally exhausting - participation isn’t for the faint hearted!
For the second year running, Opus Energy entered two teams who were made up from employees who had entered the previous year’s challenge and those who were new to climbing. All areas of the business participated: Customer Service, Administration, Corporate Solutions, IT, Risk Management and the Senior Management Team.
The event started at 5.10am with safety and survival training before a
nice gentle 3k flat start, which lulled the groups into a false sense of
security until they met the 
bottom
of Red Pike and the climb began – a straight up ascent for an hour
and a half. The weather for this year’s intrepid challenge was against
the trepid walkers with Saturday bringing torrential rain…..which
unfortunately didn’t stop for the entire day, making conditions extremely
hard for the teams. As with last year’s 24 Peaks Challenge it seems
that the challenge is not only the peaks themselves but the rain and slippery
climbing conditions.
Jasper, IT Developer “the conditions were extremely hard, it was difficult to focus on the mountain when walking, let along climb it. The rain was relentless all day that we could barely see more than about 3m ahead at any point. However it was a tremendous achievement to cross the line on the first day, even if we were soaking wet, hungry and exhausted”
With the evening to recover, take on vital carbohydrates, relax in long hot baths and partake in a beer or two the groups mentally prepared for the second day of the challenge.
Day 2 began with another early start (6am) but at least it was a clear start – weather wise. However this wasn’t to last long, by the third mountain the heavens opened and the rain began again. The weather didn’t dampen the team’s spirits and only seemed to spur on them on, bonding together stronger than ever to make it through to the end.
Due to the magnitude of the event over a third of all people who enter the challenge
do not make it to the end such is the demanding conditions. All who entered
said it was one of their greatest personal achievements, although challenging,
the triumph of crossing the finishing line is something that will be with
them always. And the thing that kept them going, the rest of their team
members and the amazing scenery.
2007’s 24 Peaks Challenge raised an amazing £10,000 for Care International.