Descending the boulder fields and scree of Scafell Pike knees began to complain loudly, but we managed to reach the minibus before the last light faded around 10pm. We just had time to find the toilets and refill our water bottles before we were bumping our way down windy country roads on route for our final challenge, Snowdon.

Geeky looking they may be, but head torches are an essential piece of kit for climbing a mountain at 2.30am. We spent the first hour climbing silently in the dark - stunned into a stupor by the thought of how we were choosing to spend our Saturday night. It was pretty surreal, all you could see were the head torches of those bobbing in front of you and the occasional flash of light from some very hardy climbers a few ridges ahead. As we neared the top the climb became steeper and began to really take its toll on already tired legs. Our little group had slowed to what felt like more of a shuffle, but sunrise gave everyones' spirits a lift as we were finally able to see where we were and just how far we had already come.

The last stretch to the top past the newly opened cafe (rather unfairly shut at 5am) and the train tracks seemed to last forever. Everyone had some complaint; backs, knees, thighs, even bums and the mountain didn't exactly welcome us. The summit was clouded in thick, cold cloud. Not that it mattered. We didn't have time to hang around with a 24 hour deadline to beat. We just had time to take a few hard earned photographs and cram in another chocolate bar before we were on the way down towards the finish line and a well deserved cup of tea.

Our team finished the challenge in 23 hours injury free, apart from a few minor aches and pains. It was a great challenge, tough, but fair, perfect for motivated group of friends. The sense of achievement on completing the course is very satisfying and if you go that bit further and raise money for charity, it makes everything you go through seem very worthwhile.

How to go about it
There are dedicated outdoor pursuits companies like Adventure Cafe and Mountain and Glen who specialize in this kind of challenge and charge around 400GBP for the pleasure or you can do it through a charity such as MIND or Youth Cancer Trust. Both of these charities take part at least once a year as part of their fundraising initiatives and provide training plans, guides and drivers.

It's a tough challenge, but if you're reasonably fit and take the training seriously, it's one you'll never forget.

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Trekking the Three Peaks