Two friends aiming to conquer 48 peaks in 48 hours

Laura-Jane Matthews (known as L-J), 37, from Kings Meaburn and Gaby Marks, 28, from Penrith, are hiking a 90k circular route with a total elevation of nearly 6,500 metres.

They will be covering 48 peaks including Helvellyn, Fairfield, Great Gable, Scafell and the Langdales, and aim to complete the route in 48 hours.

The friends, who both work at Go Outdoors and are regular hikers, will begin their challenge on Saturday 29 June and have set themselves a target of raising £1,000 for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) and mountain rescue teams.

L-J said: “I had been talking about wanting to do something this year to push myself, perhaps for a charity. I’d mentioned it to Gaby and we had both found some organised sponsored hikes on Facebook but they didn’t seem that would really push us. We go hiking a lot so a 15-20k hike wouldn’t be a challenge really.”

The pair initially found a 33 peak challenge but they didn’t want to do a point to point hike, so they started to plan a circular route.

L-J continued: “We agreed that we would aim to do the 33 peaks in 48 hours, but then I had a lightbulb moment and suddenly I said 48 Peaks in 48 hours.

“So I sat and planned a circular route to include 48 Peaks, starting in Rydal and ending in Grasmere. We cover pretty much every region, so Fairfield, Helvellyn range, down to Thirlmere and up to High Seat and Borrowdale, then up to Green and Great gable, onto Scafell then through the Langdales.”

L-J and Gaby have been hiking together and solo at every available opportunity to prepare themselves for the challenge, as well as working out timings, fluid and food requirements and suitable clothing and footwear.

L-J said: “With working at Go Outdoors we’re in the best place for getting what we need.

“We also wanted to make sure we were both happy with the route and no nasty surprises.

“Gaby and I get on so well, so we know we will have up times and low times, but we know how to pick each other up and push each other.”

L-J’s partner Adam and Gaby’s friend will be on hand if they need any help, and there will be checkpoints on the first day if they need any refreshments or supplies, however on the second day they plan to cover 46k without any checkpoints and carry all of their supplies.

L-J said: “We’re hoping we get some people at the end to cheer us, maybe not a brass band but a little cheer would be good.

“It’s my daughter’s 4th birthday on the Monday so she’ll be waiting for me and that’s what will keep me going. Gaby also has some friends helping.”

Prior to the challenge, the friends have set up a Crowdfunder page and have currently raised more than £400 for GNAAS and the mountain rescue teams.

L-J said: “We really didn’t have to think twice who we wanted to raise money for. As hikers and living in an area where these services are absolutely essential, there was no one else we would rather choose.

“Without their individual and combined services so many lives would be so different.”

To sponsor L-J and Gaby visit their JustGiving page.