A BICESTER team took on one of the UK’s toughest challenges, climbing three mountains in three countries in just a day.

Peter Ball, Mark Stanway, Steve Adcock and Chris Ball drove a total of 480 miles, and climbed a total of 3,000 vertical metres – with two hours to spare.

Earlier this year, Peter and Mark made an appeal in the Bicester Advertiser for fellow adventurers to join their Three Peaks challenge.

It involved climbing 1,344 metre high Ben Nevis, in Scotland, 977 metre Scafell Pike, in England, and 1,067 metre Snowdon, in Wales, within 24 hours – with some of the climbing in darkness.

Steve, a plumber from Bicester, and electrical contractor Chris, from Leicester, both signed up.

After months of training, the four were ready to go.

Peter, 61, a retired international salesman, said: “On Saturday morning at 7am the challenge began.

“Ben Nevis took five hours to complete and with up to 12 feet of compacted snow and ice, high winds, visibility of only a few yards, and with a wind chill factor of -15c degrees at the top, it was tough.

“Then back down and into the minibus to travel to Scafell Pike, changing clothes and having a little rest on the way.

“The Scafell Pike ascent started on Saturday evening and also took five hours to complete. Using head torches to provide light for part of the descent, we also had to do some scrambling along a couple of rock faces on this mountain.

“This was the toughest part for me, as I was totally exhausted on the way down.

“However, I recovered for the attempt at Snowdon, which started at 3.30am on Sunday morning, again using head torches, and taking two hours to ascend along the P.Y.G. trail.

“Snowdon was also very cold on top and as we were all tired and physically exhausted we didn’t hang around and soon started the descent, which took another two hours along the miners’ track.”

The party celebrated in a greasy spoon cafe at the bottom of Snowdon.

Mr Ball, of Fair Close, added: “We can all honestly say that this challenge was the toughest thing we have ever done, both physically and mentally very demanding. Without the prior training we would never have completed it within 24 hours.”

So far the team have raised more than £1,000 which will be split between Cancer Research UK and Douglas and Helen House Hospices.