27 replies to this topic

[Beaver]

There are a few of us keen to have a go at the 3 peaks.

Calendar is looking tight for those interested:

May - North Face
June - GNW250 / PMC
July - Free
August - 12ft / Oxfam
September - Glasshouse
October - GOW
November - GNW
Dec - C2k

It looks as though July might have a couple of free weekends - are the days too short and cold to attempt this in July?

Is anyone with 3 Peaks experience keen to lead a group on this run so that in future there are a few CR's with course knowledge to pass onto others - much like the Blue Labyrinth and Solitary runs.

Other way to do it would be to head out on a couple of day trips prior to the event to show us around the area and just do one peak each weekend so that we can then piece it all together on the day - is this possible?

In terms of running time - I have no idea (sub 30 perhaps), the people keen to do it are around the 30-32 hour mark for GNW 100 miles and sub 14 for 12 foot track.

[Innes]

I would be happy to give this a go Andrew -

As for experience - why not join Jan and Lawrence for there southern blue mountains traverse this weekend which takes it all 3 peaks as well as Mittagong to katoomba, kanagra to katoomba and 6 foot track!!

[Brick]

Innes, on Apr 14 2009, 02:45 PM, said:

I would be happy to give this a go Andrew -

As for experience - why not join Jan and Lawrence for there southern blue mountains traverse this weekend which takes it all 3 peaks as well as Mittagong to katoomba, kanagra to katoomba and 6 foot track!!

This is great news it must mean you are back running again mate.
When is your first race back?

Brick

[Innes]

Brick, on Apr 13 2009, 02:58 PM, said:

This is great news it must mean you are back running again mate.
When is your first race back?

Brick

Either Hellgate gorge (80%)
or southern blue mountains traverse (20%)

I am sure that an injury free 35 k jog round homebush at the weekend has me in perfect shape
for 187k of blue mountains trackless hell

Good luck with Canberra mate and prob see you at poormans>?

[Spud]

I am keen on this run. I have the first weekend in July pencilled in for a run over the 12FT before I depart for Europe, but could easily be swayed into doing
a 3 peaks run instead. Nice one Beaver, and good news Innes.

[Innes]

Spud, on Apr 13 2009, 03:47 PM, said:

I am keen on this run. I have the first weekend in July pencilled in for a run over the 12FT before I depart for Europe, but could easily be swayed into doing
a 3 peaks run instead. Nice one Beaver, and good news Innes.

Spud -

Hellgate or Traverse this weekend?

[Spud]

Hellgate with a Prom chaser the following weekend. I am going soft.  

[pipi]

Beaver, on Apr 14 2009, 02:27 PM, said:

Is anyone with 3 Peaks experience keen to lead a group on this run so that in future there are a few CR's with course knowledge to pass onto others - much like the Blue Labyrinth and Solitary runs.

Other way to do it would be to head out on a couple of day trips prior to the event to show us around the area and just do one peak each weekend so that we can then piece it all together on the day - is this possible?

In terms of running time - I have no idea (sub 30 perhaps), the people keen to do it are around the 30-32 hour mark for GNW 100 miles and sub 14 for 12 foot track.

The 3 peaks is very different to eithor Solitary or Blue Labyrinth - there are no tracks between the three peaks themselves.  Hence, the route is not normally learnt and passed on as you really need to know how to read a map to lead a trip around them.

The 3 peaks is rather tricky to do as a group.  The reason being is that the hills are steep and slippery and untracked.  Hence, whenever someone wants to take a crap, or slow down a bit the whole group has to slow down or wait, otherwise there will be lost people.

With respect to running time.  Most bushwalkers aim for 48 hours with two sleeps (about 4 and 9 hours respectively).  A lot of runners aim for 24 hours and do not stop.  

I have helped groups get around in the past.  But in these situations we have comitted to staying in pairs prior to starting where if one gets injured then another stays and helps and hence the group seperates.  This type of arrangement would be necessary without a fair amount of vetting of participants as a large proportion of people attempting the 3 peaks fail through injury, fatigue or a strong dislike to off track walking.  The most common injury is stuffing up knees due to the long, lsteep, loose and slippery and off track decents.

I would be happy to lead people aiming for 24 hours in July sometime - It is something I have wanted to attempt for a while as I have only ever done it previously as a bushwalker in 48 hours.  In Jluy it would be extra tricky due to the short amount of light meaning a rapid attempt.

I was also thinking of organising a 6/12 hour Mt. Keira Ring Track Fat arse in July or August.


The easiest way to sample the toughest sections of the Three Peaks without the full committment is to start and finish at Kanangra Walls.

[ScamBullant]

The current poster boy of mountain running Mr SLEEP TRAIN is somthing of a three peaks enthusiast. Though I dont think he has made it round under 24hrs yet (all be it because I slowed him to an unbearable pace before I turned around on Girlywang last attempt).

With the right phrases like "Sleep train do you want another go at 3 peaks" for instance he may be convinced into heading round again. In terms of day light you are going to be out there in dark anyway so dont see that it matters when just how cold it can get out there in isolation is a factor in July.

Edited by ScamBullant, 14 April 2009 - 05:03 PM.

[Martin Dugdale]

Spud, on Apr 14 2009, 03:59 PM, said:

Hellgate with a Prom chaser the following weekend. I am going soft.  

Hellgate is only soft if you are hard

[Beaver]

Saturday 4th of July?

[Innes]

Beaver, on May 18 2009, 02:20 PM, said:

Saturday 4th of July?

Definate for this one.
sounds good to me.
only question is- are we talking something along the lines of a 2am start?
Need to arrive at Coxes as first like is filtering through to get up and over 3 peaks
and on the return in semi daylight...

Otherwise, a training 3 peaks from Kanagra walls...

[Beaver]

Let's go for the whole thing - 24 hours.

I think good training would be QVH to Mt Solitary Log book laps.

[Innes]

Beaver, on May 18 2009, 03:16 PM, said:

Let's go for the whole thing - 24 hours.

I think good training would be QVH to Mt Solitary Log book laps.

Yep, agreed.
I will speak with you after your long weekend adventure (I have decided to do macleay marathon).
will put this in the calendar.
Sure Terry will be keen.

Pipi?

[Beaver]

Beaver
Innes
Terry
Pipi
Sleep Train
Spud

[pipi]

Hehehehehe.

I am signed up for a concert at the Sydney Opera House on the 4th starting at 8 pm.  I will see what I can arrange.

Probably better to start at midnight if going for the 24 hours.  Have not been through those trails for a few years, but would have thought you could happily climb most of Mt. Cloudmaker in the dark if you were lucky enough to be moving that fast.  I think an ascent of Cloudmaker would be easier than a decent of Gougang in the dark.

[aaa]

I just did the three peaks in 48 hrs walking.  The ascents of Paralyser and Guouagang are steep, the descents of all three are also steep and slow in places.  The descents are the bits that will break you - v hard on the knees.

Quite a commitment to attempt it in the depths of winter.  Short days plus a v cold night if you find yourself caught out.  I'd have a look at Ashley Burkes three peaks page to familiarise yourself with all bail out options if your knees go......  http://members.ozema...Peaks/index.htm

You do need to be able to navigate non tracked stuff.  There are a couple of places where it would be easy to find yourself on the wrong ridge - partuclary if runnning.  In particular finding the right ridge off Bullogawar, and there is a spot further down where it would be easy to follow a spur thinking its the main ridge (there is currently a small cairn there - that saved my bacon!)

You would want to ascend Guouagang in the light if at all possible.

Climbing up Strongleg from the Cox's is pretty straightforward up to Mt Morrilla Maroo (I walked it 'easily' at night).  I found getting to Dex Creek from there a bit hard, as it has recently been burnt and the scrub is rather stiff an with no 'give' in it.  Its also hard to find the right track/footpad (I actually lost 2-hrs there..)  Best to do this in some daylight.

While I am not fit enough to run it - If I was - i'd aim to be getting to Mt Morrilla Maroo at around sunrise.

Its quite an experience.

[Jaxta]

There's a few Canberra runners considering having a crack at 3 Peaks in October. Might be a kinder time of year to try it, weather wise, although in the mountains you always take a risk with the weather.

I'd also be up for Mt. Keira Ring Track if someone's heading out that way in August.

[Crazypup]

Beaver, on May 19 2009, 04:40 PM, said:

Beaver
Innes
Terry
Pipi
Sleep Train
Spud

Ok, great adventure and all, but when was this going to be run past your other half?

[Dutchie]

Hi Beaver,

Mr D [Karl] has completed the 3 peaks twice over the last 2 years and has a training group going again to prepare for this year's onslaught.  Karl completed it solo and walking in just under 36hrs in 2007. It is a real navigational challenge and not to be taken lightly. So if you have any questions please contact Karl.  It would probably be best for runners to travel in pairs unless they were very sure of the route. There are also a number of routes that can be taken.  It is also important to know how to navigate your way out of the wilderness if you find you can no longer complete the course and that's no easy or quick task. One of the girls last year had to get out alone last year.
All this said I would be interested in attempting the 3 Peaks [and so may Karl.] It would be good to get a few ladies interested like ERB and MQ then we could all travel together.

D

[Martin Dugdale]

Crazypup, on May 20 2009, 07:08 PM, said:

Ok, great adventure and all, but when was this going to be run past your other half?

OK thats the fast folk, what about us slow trail runners?

hey Trailpuddin back me up

Edited by Martin Dugdale, 20 May 2009 - 07:42 PM.

[Ourimbah]

I am sure they will not want to miss out..

Beaver said he had there names down already

[trailpuddin]

Martin Dugdale, on May 20 2009, 07:40 PM, said:

OK thats the fast folk, what about us slow trail runners?

hey Trailpuddin back me up

I'm flattered you think I could do it Mr Dugdale - but this one is well beyond me at the moment.  I've started exploring tracks in the area but would want to be a lot more familiar before attempting something like this.  Maybe next year!  narrowneck - cloudmaker in june will be enough of an adventure for me.

[Martin Dugdale]

[quote name='trailpuddin' date='May 20 2009, 08:51 PM' post='461761']
I'm flattered you think I could do it Mr Dugdale - but this one is well beyond me at the moment.  I've started exploring tracks in the area but would want to be a lot more familiar before attempting something like this.  Maybe next year!  narrowneck - cloudmaker in june will be enough of an adventure for me.
[/quotet
its not very long ago that you were hesitant about 6ft now look at you!
It is of course a bit scary and would need much preparation, but hey thats what trail runners do, isnt it?

[Twopennys]

aaa, on May 20 2009, 01:20 PM, said:

Quite a commitment to attempt it in the depths of winter.  Short days plus a v cold night if you find yourself caught out.  I'd have a look at Ashley Burkes three peaks page to familiarise yourself with all bail out options if your knees go......  http://members.ozema...Peaks/index.htm

You would want to ascend Guouagang in the light if at all possible.

Definitely support these sentiments - I've only ever done it as a light pack walk but it is definitely wild & wooly. Not a place for those who are not very familiar with 1:25,000 topos (interpreting map to ground) and compass work. There are a number of spots where you can pick the wrong ridge.

FWIW Given the early nav to the Cox's is relatively easy I would contemplate a pre-dawn start (e.g. circa 3:00am) if I was attempting this sub 24 hours. Tarros at night in zero degree temp with a 40k westerly blowing up the crack of your arse is just something every trail runner should experience

Cheers, 2P

Edited by Twopennys, 22 May 2009 - 11:49 AM.

[buzzlightyear]

Time someone to ask Emma Murray to come out of "retirement" and join you guys.
She will show you how its done in 24 hours.

I would love to join ya but I ahve taken up the temptation of free entry and accommodation for Gold Coast marathon.
Much to Tim2's dismay (cos he think I should race more and not be pacing all the time) I have taken up the 4 hours pacer role!

I am sure with Beaver's planning, everyone will sure have a good time!

[pipi]

I can't come out on the 4th (I assume you mean starting at 2 am on the 4th and finishing on the 5th).  Not many opportunities left to enjoy a night out with my wife before life is changed for good.

Not sure Emma has really retired.  Mates from the ACT have suggested she has had a long run of injuries which she just can't solve.


For the slower or faster ones amougnst you.  I have been around three peaks three times in under 48 hours as a bushwalker.  This is before I started running.  When I started running, running the 6 foot scared the crap out of me, whereas wondering arount the 3 peaks seemed normal.  My first attempt at 6 foot took almost 6 hours, and I have been much more exhausted from running 6 foot than doing the 3 peaks.  I think perspective and experiance accounts for a lot of what seams difficult or not.  If you discard the two sleeps, then there is only about 30 hours of walking in the 3 peaks when doing it in 48 hours, this probably means about 22 hours of walking when you discard the hour long breaks on top of each peak, plus the long breaks for lunch and just because you feel like having a break.  Mind you, I have huge respect for the three peaks in 24 hours and think of it as a huge challenge - because those peaks are very big and there are times when you just want a break.  From memory, the two hardest bits to navigate are prior to Dex's creek, and picking the right spur off Paralyser.

[wadaye]

Anyone interested in doing three peaks on a Thursday and Friday? I'm training for the Canberra sixty but this seems to make that pale into training.

Just heard about it for the first time.