Brian Larter, managing director of Autoscript UK, took part in the 24 Peak Challenge in aid of the Mitchemp Trust, the Wiltshire charity for vulnerable children. The challenge? To climb 24 of the Lake District's toughest peaks, in just 24 hours.
Says Brian "The challenge started three months before the event. Our team leader Nic Parish, set out a structured training program for all the members of the team – running over three miles after work each day, 30-40 minutes on the rowing machine each morning before work. Add to this, the event fell two weeks after IBC. Not many hills in the Netherlands to train on! In the interests of team safety, it was decided to make me responsible for neither map-reading nor first aid—instead, my mobile skills made me a natural for radio and communications!"
Larter said that day one started with the team's worst nightmare becoming reality. They started from the edge of Lake Buttermere at 0540 in total darkness and ascended to about 2000ft. But instead of seeing the sunrise on Red Pike, they walked straight into a "pea souper".
With visibility down to less than 100 metres throughout the day, the team relied on map, compass and constant bearing checks to navigate from one peak to another, taking 13 hours and 14 minutes to complete day one.
On day two, Brian's team was the second team off, starting at 0503 from the Kirkstone pass, ascending straight up Red Screes.
"This time we were blessed with good weather and we enjoyed a beautiful red sunrise whilst walking up our second peak of the day, Dove Crag." Navigation was a lot easier and they raced through the course of peaks in 8 hours 45mins.
Despite stiff legs and sore feet, they were elated to be presented with first place as the team which raised the most sponsorship. Brian concludes: "Over the two days we walked 60 kilometres, climbed 24 peaks and ascended and descended 26,000 ft of Lake District mountain in 21hrs 59 mins! I am delighted to say our team was only one of three out of the 19 teams to complete the challenge. Our team raised £9,500 for the Mitchemp Trust, with the event raising a wonderful total of £109,000."
Brian thanks all of his Autoscript team for their support, and all those within the broadcast industry who generously sponsored him, and TV Technology International NewsBytes congratulates Brian and the team for a job well done.
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