Y Bont: 2005: October: Three Peaks Challenge

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October 2005

THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE

Captains Log Stardate 10.06.2005 1800hrs

During the circumnavigation of the second peak, Navigator Roberts remarked to Captain Lee at how the brake linings on the Millennium Falcon had not either squeaked or emitted odour during the descent of the mini peak they had previously climbed. Both pilots of the Falcon agreed that the reason for this was the much-reduced velocity of descent that had been used and chuckled heartily. Unbeknown to both pilots, a mini disaster was unfolding, which became apparent in the closing chapter of the mission.

Having gone alongside at Earth Station Keswick to take on provisions and fuel, Capt. Lee piloted his vessel to rendezvous Station Pike, to await our intrepid explorers. During the trip, Nav. Roberts had to regularly correct Capt. Lee’s navigation as apparently the Millennium Falcon had developed a fault which resulted in the vessel automatically going alongside each watering station en route. Nav. Roberts had to be firm with Capt. Lee in order to keep the mission on track and ordered him to force his vessel past the watering stations. Capt. Lee protested, complied and sulked briefly.

On reaching Base Station Pike, the crew of the Falcon found that the Cargo Vessel Mercedes had already come along side, and that the one of crew of the Cargo Vessel was asleep. The other crewmember was interrogating other explorers to find out if they had any experience of piloting such a magnificent vessel as the Mercedes, as Senior Nav. Sheasby had never had the privilege to fly something with such a small engine, and began to lose hope that Capt. Fisher would ever stand down and take the navigators seat.

Three long hours past, the explorers came into view and the ground crews of both vessels sprang into life and prepared the vessels for departure. The Falcon took on its cargo of explorers and equipment, Nav. Roberts engaged forward thrust, but released suddenly as a loss of pressure to the aft-portside lead to an unbalance in the vessel! A damage inspection mission revealed that one of the Falcons tyres had deflated and had to be swapped quickly! All the explorers’ equipment was unloaded roughly, an online replacement carried out. Capt. Fisher advised that the Falcon should immediately return to Maintenance Depot Dolben for repairs, but the crew of the Flacon were on a mission and refused to comply as the mission would be jeopardised. Capt. Fisher protested, Capt. Lee and the Crew of the Flacon returned the protest. Capt. Fisher sulked, Senior Nav. Sheasby chuckled, but immediately ceased chuckling upon realising that the empty navigators seat was once again his, and that Capt. Fisher had resumed command of his vessel. Nav. Roberts re-took the helm and piloted the Falcon sharply out of Base Station Pike.

A long dark trip followed through the dark expanse of Scottish night, Nav. Roberts piloted the Falcon at Warp Three figures to the frontier of the highland terrain. Capt. Lee resumed command of his vessel once the highway trek had been completed. Upon taking command Capt. Lee checked the gauges of his vessel and immediately remarked at how low the content of the fuel cell had become, he quizzed Nav. Roberts on his ability to read gauges. Nav. Roberts protested at Capt. Lee’s insolence and sulked for a short while. The explorers were asleep to the rear of the vessel, Nav. Roberts and Capt. Lee resumed communication and began to calculate the distance to be completed, content of the fuel cell, fuel preservation methods and contingency plans.

The map was scaled in the darkness by thumb, Nav. Roberts calculated that 78 miles needed to be completed before the end of the mission. Capt. Lee explained that he was not aware as to how far his vessel would travel with a fuel cell at 25% capacity. Nav. Roberts quizzed Capt. Lee as to why he was not so familiar with his vessel that he did not know how far it would travel under such conditions, Capt. Lee Protested at Nav. Roberts’s insolence, and sulked for a short while. Shortly after passing the last closed fuel dump, the piloting crew spoke to each other once again, realising the mission was in danger of failing. Teamwork was needed to complete it, and fuel conservation tactics were deployed. Air conditioning was switched off. On board entertainment was abandoned, travelling illumination was reduced to minimum, forward thrust reduced to Warp 50, unnecessary weight dumped. Soon, conditions inside the Falcon became Neolithic, odours from the four male crew become intoxicating, as gasses were emitted during the early hours of the morning, and temperatures plummeted. Still the miles passed and still the Falcon remained in motion at reduced warp and comfort. The flight crew continued to plan to the end of the mission, quietly as not to wake the explorers.

Capt. Lee maintained thrust at 50 as he skilfully dodged wilder beast that had taken up residence on the inter-peak highway. He began his descent of a steep slope toward some maintenance that was taking place on the highway. The vessel control indicators were at Red. Capt. Lee cursed at being forced to lose momentum and have to restart, wasting precious fuel. Capt. Lee deployed the brakesÉ and deployed the brakesÉ. the brakes please Capt. Lee! He cursed as a grinding metal on metal noise was emitted, Nav. Roberts also cursed as he realised what the sound meant. Capt. Lee demanded to know what Nav. Roberts knew, but Nav. Roberts was reluctant to tell him in case the explorers woke, and broke into panic upon hearing the fate of the mission.

“No brakes Captain” came the reply quietly as not to alarm the explorers. ****!!!! Was the reply from Capt. Lee! Nav. Roberts questioned if the Falcon had ever been near Maintenance Depot Dolben, but withdrew his remark as Capt. Lee began to protest! As the Falcon descended Glencoe with the absence of brakes, spare tyre and fuel, the hand brake was deployed as means of slowdown. This tactic was used to completion of the mission. As time and miles passed it became evident that the Millennium Falcon was going to complete the mission come what may, and after a brief navigation failure at Fort William, the Falcon deployed its explorers at base Station Nevis. Capt. Lee and Nav. Roberts congratulated each other upon completion of the mission in the face of adversity and for the fact that the on board explorers were blissfully unaware of the drama that had just unfolded. As the Explorers departed for the Third and Final Peak, Explorer Roberts returned briefly to explain that both Explorers Davies and Roberts had been awake through out, and had heard every word of the plan and panic! Capt. Lee and Nav. Roberts sulked briefly!

22 hours and 14 minutes after Steve, Pete, Ian and Anthony left for the top of Snowdon from Pen Y Pass, they returned at the Foot of Ben Nevis, to a bacon ‘butty’ cooked by Paul with the only utensil on the trip, Colin’s penknife. Eric’s car had 7 miles worth of petrol left in its tank!

This challenge was to raise funds for Hope House. Between the veteran and the youth we managed to raise two thousand and five pounds for the cause. We had a few laughs on the way and a few trials, no trip will ever be without trials if a team from Carrog is involved! A drinking competition was held later on that evening to celebrate the trip, the veterans won, with Pete staying awake for forty hours still standing! We hope you enjoyed this sideways glance at our trip.

This brings the total amount raised by Carrog and Parc, in four years from various challenges, to £9,000.