We asked Elise to tell us a bit more about the challenge she completed.
I’ve just completed a degree in Cardiac Physiology at the University of Leeds, and work as a Clinical Cardiac Physiologist at Manchester Royal Infirmary. I grew up in Doncaster and have always been a competitive swimmer, swimming for Adwick Swimming Club, my University and now Manchester Triathlon Club. When I’m not swimming I can usually be found in some kind of water activity, mainly surfing the cold shores of Scarborough, hopefully Scarborough in Perth soon!
This Super Six Challenge was initially an idea thought up a couple of years ago in the pub after swimming and consists of 6 challenges, climbing the 3 highest peaks and swimming the 3 biggest lakes in England, Scotland and Wales. The order of the challenge was to climb Ben Nevis, swim Loch Lomond (24 miles), climb Scarfell Pike, swim Lake Windermere (10.8 miles), climb Mt Snowdon, and swim Lake Bala (3.2 miles), all without wet suits. The men didn’t fair well in the cold water hence an all female team. All six girls climbed the peaks and the swims were done as a relay, 30mins swims in Loch Lomond, 20mins in Windermere and 15mins in Bala. We started the challenge on Friday 21st Aug at 04:00 and finished 58 hours later.
The start of the challenge began with getting up at 3am for a prompt 4am ascent of Ben Nevis. Rain, wind, and hail couldn’t stop us reaching the peak in a speedy 3 hours, returning to the bus by 09:30. With a quick breakfast it was straight on the road to Loch Lomond, the biggest challenge of all in our eyes. Loch Lomond is 24 miles, 600ft deep, 14-16 degrees with who knows what swimming below, it’s fair to say we were all slightly apprehensive. The first 2 hours saw sunny skies and calm waters, but that didn’t last long, the Scottish weather set in and rain and waves was the order for the rest of the day and night. We started Loch Lomond at 13:30 and it took a whopping 12 hours and 50mins. For me Loch Lomond was as much about mental toughness as it was physical. The water was so cold, and the fact of having to get out, get changed and prepare to get back in again was extremely hard going. The first time I swam in the dark was at 00:15 on my birthday! We finished the monster leg at 02:20.
Back on the bus to Scarfell Pike, a nice 6 hour drive to catch some much needed sleep. England was on our side and the sun shone for a pleasant walk up to Scarfell Pike in another good time of 2 hours 30mins, returning to the bus at 13:30.
We were sure that Windermere was going to be a breeze compared to Lomond, especially as the water temperature was surely warmer. Erm no, the water felt just as cold despite sunny skies! At 15:00 we started our Windermere leg, taking 6 hours 43mins. I completed the final leg of the swim at 21:43. After this it was a quick feed and straight onto Snowdon.
The Welsh leg we’d thought was going to be the easiest and so our minds were at ease thinking the worst had gone. Not true. On arrival at Snowdon at 03:00 it was raining heavily and the predicted gale force winds had already arrived. Personally I was feeling shattered at this point. I found it really difficult to eat after Windermere and was quite dehydrated which again made it hard to eat. With this in mind and the weather conditions its fair to say that Snowdon was my worst experience. I had no energy and had completely bonked (hit the wall). It was a gruelling 6 hours round trip, with a few hallucinations in between, but spirits returned when the bus was insight at 9am.
We set off for Lake Bala, the sixth and final challenge. At 11:45 we waded into the last freezing cold lake (which I’m told is never above 15 degrees) and swam our hearts out to complete the challenge 2 hours 45 mins later at 14:30. It was over, finally, we did it!
What an amazing challenge that was! We were the first people to ever do this and I’m sure in the future others will have a go. Well there’s a time to beat now! I’m so pleased to be a part of the super six team, we supported each other through the tough times and celebrated the good. Of course the main reason for doing this challenge is to raise money for charity, in this case PAPYRUS – the prevention of young suicide.
The Charity
PAPYRUS is a voluntary UK organisation committed to the prevention of young suicide and the promotion of mental health and emotional wellbeing, providing UK resources and support for those dealing with suicide, depression or emotional distress - particularly teenagers and young adults.
Although the challenge is over people can still sponsor to help reach their target. To sponsor or find out more about the challenge visit their website at www.thesupersix.co.uk |
