Join Team Bones on one of our UK challenges, from a weekend scaling the heights of the highest Mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis, to a five day walk through some of the best scenery Scotland has on the Great Glen Way Challenge. Our UK Challenge events are a great way to enjoy the great Countryside of the UK at the same time as helping us to fund vital research into Primary Bone Cancer. Click on the links for more details:

BEN NEVIS CHALLENGE
Friday 14 to Sunday 16 May 2010
Friday 17 to Sunday 19 September 2010

GREAT GLEN WAY CHALLENGE
Saturday 11 to Wednesday 15 September 2010

WEST HIGHLAND WAY CHALLENGE
Saturday 8 to Thursday 13 May 2010

SCAFELL PIKE CHALLENGE
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 May 2010

SNOWDON CHALLENGE
Friday 18 to Sunday 20 June 2010

COAST TO COAST CYCLE CHALLENGE
Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 May 2010
Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 August 2010

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BEN NEVIS CHALLENGE
Friday 14 to Sunday 16 May 2010
Friday 17 to Sunday 19 September 2010

At 4,406ft Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in Britain. It attracts climbers and walkers from all over the world, all year round. On a clear day the summit provides breathtaking views over the Highlands and the Western Isles. The route begins with an old pony track that starts from Achintee in the beautiful and scenic Glen Nevis (the location for the movies Braveheart and Rob Roy) and crosses the flanks of Meall ant Suidhe to the halfway lochan. From the lochan, the track makes a series of uphill zigzags over increasingly boulder ground, which leads to the extensive summit plateau where remains of the old observatory can be found. Not only can this be considered as a great personal achievement, but you will also help to promote and raise much needed funds for the work of the Bone Cancer Research Trust by taking part in this superb event.

The weekend starts for you on Friday afternoon when you will be met and collected at your pickup location in Glasgow. You will then be driven by coach to the Highland town of Fort William. (You will need to take a day off work on the Friday). On arriving at Fort William you will be taken to your accommodation at one of our chosen hotels in Fort William where you will be given time to settle into your room. There will then be a welcome meeting to brief you on your two day stay in Fort William and introduce you to your guides who will be looking after you and accompanying you on the walk. Once the formalities are over you can enjoy an excellent evening meal in the hotel restaurant before exploring Fort William, which is usually bustling throughout the year with Ceilidhs and live entertainment. Alternatively, just relax in the hotel lounge to conserve your energy for the following day’s event – it’s entirely up to you.

The day of the walk begins with an early start and a full Scottish breakfast. You will then be provided with a packed lunch before the coach arrives to take you to your start point in the beautiful Glen Nevis. Hopefully, weather permitting; we will have the complete group on the summit for our group photo. On the return to the start point in Glen Nevis you will find the coach waiting to take you back to the hotel, maybe for that long soak in the bath you’ve been thinking about all the way down the mountain! Then it’s time to round off the day with a well-earned rest and another delicious evening meal in the hotel restaurant, leaving us one more formality: presenting you with your certificate of achievement, before you head out to celebrate and sample the local hospitality with your new friends who you have met on the challenge. Your two days then come to an end on the Sunday with another full Scottish breakfast before your coach arrives to take you back to your departure point in Glasgow.

Guides

All of our guides are highly motivated, experienced and also qualified first aiders. They’ll share experience, encouragement and a great sense of humour.

Route

There is no climbing or scrambling involved. The event is physically demanding, however, and involves approximately 8 hours of walking over uneven terrain. The maximum gradient is approximately 1:5.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be in guest houses or hotels of a high standard.

Food and Drink

Breakfast and packed lunches will be provided each day. Walkers will be responsible for paying for their evening meals.

Cost

Participants are asked to pledge to raise £450 sponsorship to cover all costs (Approx £255.00) and ensure that Bone Cancer Research Trust benefits significantly. Obviously, any sponsorship above this comes directly to us with no additional costs incurred, and is very much appreciated. We ask that £200 of the sponsorship is sent in three weeks prior to the event departure date and that the remaining £250 sponsorship is sent in within 28 days after the event. In addition, a non-refundable £75 deposit is required per person at the time of booking. You will also need to arrange for and pay for your own travel to/from Glasgow.

How to book

If you would like to join us on the event, then please contact David Fisher by email david@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or call the fundraising office on 0113 2621852.

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GREAT GLEN WAY CHALLENGE
Saturday 11 to Wednesday 15 September 2010

The Great Glen Way is 73 miles in length. It runs through Scotland from Inverness to the shadow of Ben Nevis at Fort William, with spectacular views and historical and natural heritage on the way. The route follows Britain’s greatest geological fault – the glen linking the Atlantic to the North Sea. The entire walk is steeped in history dating back to the Iron Age and no walk in Britain can provide a greater diversity of bird and wildlife. The mighty Loch Ness is a major feature of the first two-and-a-half days of the walk and the path, which rises in places to 1,000 feet, provides enthralling views of the surrounding area. After the southern end of Loch Ness is reached at Fort Augustus, the walk follows very closely the route of the Caledonian Canal and two further beautiful lochs – Oich and Lochy. The second half of the walk is dominated by the frequent glimpses of Ben Nevis. A feature of the final day is the famous Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight locks.

The route takes four days to complete – the distance walked every day varies from 10.5 miles to 17.5 miles. There is no climbing/scrambling involved, but the event is physically demanding, involving approximately eight hours walking each day. However, this is more than made up for by the tremendous views.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be in guest houses or hotels of a high standard

Food and Drink

From day’s two to five, breakfast and packed lunches will be provided. Walkers will be responsible for paying for their evening meals.

Guides

All of our guides are highly motivated, experienced mountaineers and also qualified first aiders. They offer experience and encouragement, as well as sharing their great sense of humour!

Transport

Transport will always be on hand during the trip to take us to our evening accommodation and to take luggage to each overnight stop. It will also be there for safety should anyone retire from the event for any reason. The guides are in contact with the transport through radio communications at all times. At certain locations along the way, the transport will meet us to serve tea, coffee or orange juice and to let us refill our water bottles. Each walker will be responsible for getting to Inverness for a 10am start on day one. At the end of the walk, walkers will be responsible for their own departure from Fort William, but as the bus will be returning to Inverness, anyone who wishes can be taken back to Inverness.

Cost

Participants are asked to pledge to raise £700 sponsorship to cover all costs (Approx £460) and ensure that Bone Cancer Research Trust benefits significantly. Obviously, any sponsorship above this comes directly to us with no additional costs incurred, and is very much appreciated. We ask that £400 of the sponsorship is sent in three weeks prior to the event departure date and that the remaining £300 sponsorship is sent in within 28 days after the event. In addition, a non-refundable £75 deposit is required per person at the time of booking. You will also need to arrange for and pay for your own travel to/from Glasgow.

How to book

If you would like to join us on the event, then please contact David Fisher by email david@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or call the fundraising office on 0113 2621852.

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WEST HIGHLAND WAY CHALLENGE
Saturday 8 to Thursday 13 May 2010

One of the most spectacular long-distance walks in the UK, the West Highland Way is 152km (95 miles) long. The walk links Milngavie to Fort William – from the outskirts of Glasgow to the foot of Ben Nevis, the route takes you along the shores of Loch Lomond.

Starting in the attractive little shopping precinct in Milngavie, the route quickly crosses into moor and woodland, onwards into the Blane Valley where it picks up a dismantled railway line with fine views of the Campsie Hills. Shortly after Drymen is the first major ascent to Conic Hill, from the shoulder of which, can be seen the splendour of Loch Lomond.

For the next 20 miles, this magnificent loch is in almost constant view on the left, while on the right looms Ben Lomond, the most southerly of Scotland’s munros and one of the most popular. Towards the northern end of Loch Lomond the scenery becomes wilder and increasingly dramatic. Soon you pass the historic Drover’s Inn and six more miles bring you to the halfway point, just above Crianlarich.

For much of the time now you will be walking on old military roads, steeped in history, and across the wild, remote Rannoch Moor towards the southern tip of Glencoe. A dramatic ascent of the Devil’s Staircase, followed by the long descent into Kinlochleven is the prelude to the final stages involving another ascent to gain magnificent views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, before your triumphant entry into Fort William and your journey’s end.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be in B&B Guesthouses of a good standard and every effort will be made to ensure en-suite rooms, although this cannot be guaranteed. Unfortunately single rooms are a rarity, and you should be prepared to share a twin-bedded or (more unusually) a three bedded room.

Transport

Back-up transport will carry your luggage, and where necessary from the end of the day’s route to the accommodation then back to the starting point the next morning. Each walker will be responsible for getting to Milngavie for a 10am start on day one, but as the minibuses will be travelling from Glasgow City Centre it will be possible for you to meet a bus there and get a lift to Milngavie. Similarly at the end of the walk, all those who wish it will be brought back to Glasgow City Centre, with a diversion to Milngavie if anyone has left a car there.

General information

Shopping – There are a few shops in Drymen, Balmaha, Crianlarich, Tyndrum and Kinlochleven, but these sell only bare necessities. There is rather more in the way of shops in Fort William, but only a limited time is spent there.
Banking Facilities – There is only one cash machine between Drymen and Fort William, and it is not very accessible.
Eating places En route – Food (sometimes of a limited nature) is normally available at Drymen, Balmaha, Rowardennan, Inversnaid, Crianlarich, Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Inveroran, Kings House, Kinlochleven and Glen Nevis

Meals

Packed lunch will be provided on days one to six. In the evenings the general rule is for the whole group to have a bar meal together, and where necessary the minibuses will run walkers to a suitable establishment. Here you can drink and relax and for many this is the best part of the day. The social contact of these walks is important because each walker helps, encourages and motivates the others. By the end of the walk you will have made a number of good new friends.

Costs

Participants are asked to pledge to raise £800 sponsorship to cover all costs (Approx £545) and ensure that Bone Cancer Research Trust benefits significantly. Obviously, any sponsorship above this comes directly to us with no additional costs incurred, and is very much appreciated. We ask that £475 of the sponsorship is sent in three weeks prior to the event departure date and that the remaining £325 sponsorship is sent in within 28 days after the event. In addition, a non-refundable £75 deposit is required per person at the time of booking. You will also need to arrange for and pay for your own travel to/from Glasgow.

How to book

If you would like to join us on the event, then please contact David Fisher by email david@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or call the fundraising office on 0113 2621852.

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SCAFELL PIKE CHALLENGE
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 May 2010

Scafell Pike, situated in the Cumbrian Mountains in the beautiful Lake District is England’s highest peak. It stands 978 metres (3,208 ft) high, and is climbed by thousands of people each year. Along with Ben Nevis and Snowdon, it is one of the mountains climbed as part of the Three Peaks Challenge.

Originally the name ‘The Pikes of Sca Fell’ was applied to the peaks which are nowadays known as Scafell Pike, Ill Crag and Broad Crag. Scafell Pike was donated to the National Trust in the first quarter of the 20th Century by Lord Leconfield in memory of the men of the Lake District who fell in the First World War.

There are two main routes up Scafell Pike, from Wasdale Head Inn and the other starting from Seathwaite in Borrowdale. The second is a longer route, but one which rewards the walker with magnificent views and this will be our route.

Accommodation

Walkers will be accommodated in Glaramara Adventure Centre. The accommodation is of a good standard in twin bedded rooms with shared facilities. Anyone who would prefer single accommodation should say so on their booking form and Charity Trek will endeavour to obtain this for them. This will almost certainly result, however, in an extra charge which will be notified to the participant in advance of the walk.

What is included

Accommodation for 2 nights on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis
Services of fully qualified Guides
Packed lunch on day of the challenge
Bottled water
Charitytrek Representatives
Support vehicles
All accommodation booking and administration
Full fundraising support including sponsor forms, BCRT t-shirt and any other support required.

Transport

Transport is available from Glasgow City Centre and Penrith Railway Station. Participants requiring transport should indicate this on the booking form.
Glasgow City Centre to Glaramara Adventure Centre, Borrowdale and Return - £25
Penrith Train Station to Glaramara Adventure Centre, Borrowdale and return - £10
Pick up times
Glasgow City Centre 10.30am
Penrith Railway Station 16.00pm

We will depart Glaramara Adventure Centre at 10am on the Sunday morning arriving as follows:
Penrith Railway Station at approximately 10.45am
Glasgow City Centre at approximately 14.00pm

Timings are approximate and may be subject to change.

Cost

Participants are asked to pledge to raise £450 sponsorship to cover all costs (Approx £255) and ensure that Bone Cancer Research Trust benefits significantly. Obviously, any sponsorship above this comes directly to us with no additional costs incurred, and is very much appreciated. We ask that £200 of the sponsorship is sent in three weeks prior to the event departure date and that the remaining £250 sponsorship is sent in within 28 days after the event. In addition, a non-refundable £75 deposit is required per person at the time of booking. You will also need to arrange for and pay for your own travel to/from Glasgow.

How to book

If you would like to join us on the event, then please contact David Fisher by email david@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or call the fundraising office on 0113 2621852.

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SNOWDON CHALLENGE
Friday 18 to Sunday 20 June 2010

Majestic Mount Snowdon dominates the glorious ancient landscape of North Wales. At 1,085 metres (3,560ft) it is a true mountain and a place of legend – said to be the burial place of the giant ogre Rhita, vanquished by King Arthur. Some believe that Arthur’s Knights still sleep beneath.

On fine days the views along the ridge of the summit are truly breathtaking. You will have one of the world’s greatest panoramas at your feet. On very clear days at the summit you can even see as far as the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland and the Isle of Man.

Our route to the summit will be by the Llanberis Path up and down – 10 miles (14.5km) return. The walk will take approximately 6-8 hours and the grade is moderate. The Llanberis Path is not the shortest but it is the easiest in terms of steepness and terrain and the path is the obvious way up. Unlike many mountains, walkers can look forward to a drink at the Summit Bar before making their way back down!

Accommodation

You will be accommodated i n a local hotel in Llanberis (usually the Legacy – Royal Victoria). The accommodation is of a good standard in twin bedded rooms with en-suite facilities. Anyone who would prefer single accommodation should say so on their booking form and Charitytrek will endeavour to obtain this for them. This will almost certainly result, however, in an extra charge which will be notified to the participant in advance of the walk.

What is Included

Accommodation for 2 nights on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis
Services of fully qualified Guides
Packed lunch on day of the challenge
Bottled water
Charitytrek Representatives
Support vehicles
All accommodation booking and administration
Full fundraising support including sponsor forms, BCRT t-shirt and any other support required.

Transport

Transport is available from Glasgow City Centre and Bangor Railway Station approximately 12 miles from Llanberis. Participants requiring transport should indicate this on their booking form.

Glasgow City Centre to Llanberis and return - £35.00
Bangor Railway Station to Llanberis and return - £5.00
Pick up times
Glasgow City Centre – 9.00am
Bangor Railway Station – 17.00pm

We will depart Llanberis at 9.15am on the Sunday morning with drop offs at:
Bangor Railway Station at approximately 9.40am.
Glasgow City Centre at approximately 16.30pm.

Timings are only approximate and may be subject to change.

Note – there is no train service into Llanberis. The nearest railway station is Bangor, with connections to Bangor being via Chester and Crewe.

Llanberis is 90 miles from Liverpool and 99 miles from Manchester.

Cost

Participants are asked to pledge to raise £450 sponsorship to cover all costs (Approx £255) and ensure that Bone Cancer Research Trust benefits significantly. Obviously, any sponsorship above this comes directly to us with no additional costs incurred, and is very much appreciated. We ask that £200 of the sponsorship is sent in three weeks prior to the event departure date and that the remaining £250 sponsorship is sent in within 28 days after the event. In addition, a non-refundable £75 deposit is required per person at the time of booking.

How to book

If you would like to join us on the event, then please contact David Fisher by email david@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or call the fundraising office on 0113 2621852.

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COAST TO COAST CYCLE CHALLENGE
Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 May 2010
Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 August 2010

Conquer the breadth of Britain by Bike! Starting with our rear wheels in the Irish Sea in the town of Whitehaven, our cycle challenge encompasses some of the best scenery Britain has to offer. From the rolling green hills of the Yorkshire Moors, to the stunning mountainous region of the Lake District – our Coast to Coast cycle challenge will leave you wanting more.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Whitehaven
We meet at our accommodation in Whitehaven for event registration and event briefing. The rest of the evening is free at leisure to get acquainted.

Day 2 – Whitehaven to Barnard Castle
Following breakfast, we set off cycling in an easterly direction towards Penrith. From here we are in the Lake District so expect some challenging climbs – however, we’re sure that the stunning scenery will take our minds off the challenging ride. We then begin our descent into Kirby Stephen to our campsite, where we enjoy a hot evening meal before getting our heads down for the night. Cycling distance – approx 80 miles

Day 3 – Barnard Castle to Scarborough
After a hearty breakfast at our campsite, we set off for the East Coast! Our route today is another good one – taking in some of Yorkshire’s best scenery as we tackle the North Yorkshire Moors! We then begin our descent into Scarborough, where we dip our front wheel into the North Sea and celebrate our achievements with a champagne finish! We then take the short cycle to our Hotel where we re-fresh and prepare for our special celebratory dinner. A late night may be had by all we suspect!

Day 4 – Homeward bound
Following breakfast at our accommodation, it’s time for farewell and goodbyes. Late morning, there will be a transfer service available to Whitehaven for those that have left their cars in Whitehaven on Day 1.

What is Included

All accommodation starting at Whitehaven, all meals from evening dinner on Day 1 through to Breakfast on Day 4, water/refreshment/snack stops – one in the morning and one in the afternoon, vehicles for back up and support, route markers, cycling guides, mechanic and medical support, transfer of bicycles back to starting venue in Whitehaven, transfer back to starting venue (if required).

Cost

Participants are asked to pledge to raise £875 sponsorship to cover all costs (Approx £350) and ensure that Bone Cancer Research Trust benefits significantly. Obviously, any sponsorship above this comes directly to us with no additional costs incurred, and is very much appreciated. We ask that £700 of the sponsorship is sent in four weeks prior to the event departure date and that the remaining £175 sponsorship is sent in within 28 days after the event. In addition, a non-refundable £95 deposit is required per person at the time of booking. There is an additional charge of £20 for travel insurance.

How to book

If you would like to join us on the event, then please contact David Fisher by email david@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or call the fundraising office on 0113 2621852.

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