AN intrepid trio from Silkstone braved torrential rain and gale-force winds to complete a marathon mountain challenge.
After weeks of glorious weather, they were confronted by atrocious conditions as they tackled the three highest peaks in England, Wales and Scotland.
But Silkstone vicar Maureen Browell and her friends Kathryn Smith and Helen Simms beat the elements and climbed all three - raising nearly £10,000 for mental health charity MIND along the way.
"I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled that we did it," said Rev Browell, who was actually turned back near the summit of Scafell Pike because conditions were so dire.
"But it still counts as Kathryn and Helen were able to reach the top and because we did what we could," she said. "It simply wasn't safe to go on."
The threesome began their ascent of Ben Nevis at 6am on Saturday September 8 and were rewarded with spectacular views on reaching the top.
The conquest took about seven hours, after which they wearily boarded a minibus and just under seven hours later approached the Lake District.
"The skies darkened and when we began our ascent of Scafell Pike rain was falling steadily," said Rev Browell. "The weather quickly deteriorated and we were buffeted by gusty winds in heavy rain. Walking and sometimes scrambling up the rocky ground, with only a head-torch for light was a real challenge.
"Kathryn and Helen in the first group managed to reach the summit, but the other two groups - including me - were forced to turn back as the guides judged the conditions too dangerous to make the final half-hour ascent.
"Around midnight we settled down for the 200-mile journey to Wales and our final mountain."
The ascent of Snowdon began shortly after dawn. The weather was grim and fatigue was taking its toll as the trio realised they had been on the move for over 24 hours. The higher they climbed, the worse the weather became.
"The rain, at times torrential, created rivulets in the tracks we were trying to follow," said Rev Browell. "Many of us struggled to avoid slipping on the steep wet rocks. We braved icy winds gusting at over 45 mph and gradually the summit became visible through the fog and rain."
All three reached the summit of Snowdon the final part of the National Three Peaks Challenge which requires those taking part to scale all three peaks in 24 hours.
"It was quite frightening coming down Snowdon," said Rev Browell. "The rain was like stair-rods.
"The challenge certainly lived up to its name but we were determined to complete it and raise as much as possible to support the work of MIND a charity we all feel passionate about, providing desperately-needed services to people suffering mental health problems."
Kathryn, Helen and Maureen will continue collecting donations until the end of September.
You can donate through Virgin Money Giving:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Maureenbrowell1
