Who can take part in this event?
Any company that is actively engaged in the UK Construction and related industries is eligible to apply for a team place on this event. This does not automatically guarantee a place on the event.

Previous participating companies on the COINS 3 Peaks Challenge have included Kier Group, Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, Connaught, Multiplex UK, Geoffrey Osborne, Sir Robert McAlpine, BB Rail, Fairview, Weston Homes, Bennett Homes, Simons Group, Bowmer & Kirkland, Edmund Nuttall, Cowlin Construction, GrantRail, Clugston.

How many walkers can we have in a team?
For the COINS 3 Peaks Challenge, each team must have four walkers.

How many teams can we enter from our company?
For the 2010 COINS 3 Peaks Challenge, companies will be able to enter multiple teams. The actual number of teams accepted will depend upon the overall level of interest and total number of applications received for the event.
 
We are keen to give as many companies as possible from the Construction industry the chance to take part. The COINS 3 Peaks Challenge is an extremely popular event and places are limited.

If we don’t enter a team, can we still get involved in the COINS 3 Peaks Challenge?
Yes. Your company can sponsor part of an event – see sub-sponsorship section of this site for more details. This is a unique opportunity to get your brand noticed at the leading Construction Industry teambuilding event, and get involved with The COINS Foundation.

How much money do we need to raise to take part?
For the 2010 COINS 3 Peaks Challenge, teams need to raise a minimum of £5,000 each to take part.

Where does our sponsorship money go?
2% of the total funds raised go towards the upkeep of the paths used during the COINS 3 Peaks Challenge. The rest of the funds go towards The COINS Foundation.

How can our team boost our fundraising total?
Each participating team is asked to fundraise a minimum of £5,000, which will go towards The COINS Foundation. Don’t be scared by the fundraising target since past experience shows this is absolutely achievable with the help of our dedicated fundraising team.  They will be with you every step of the way.

On registering for the event you will gain exclusive access to the online fundraising pack- your one-stop shop for fundraising.  There are many, many things you can do – online auctions, quiz nights, five aside football tournaments, golf days, dress down days – these are some of the more popular ways in which teams raise their fundraising total. Ask your suppliers, clients, customers, and your own personal network of contacts. The following website, www.justgiving.com/coins is an easy and effective way to tell everyone about what you’re doing, and gives them opportunity to sponsor you on-line.

Remember that if you’re a UK taxpayer Gift Aid can add an extra 28.2% to the value of your funds raised - please contact The COINS Foundation for more details.  Gift aid is a policy that enables tax-effective giving by indiviuals to charities in the UK; as Gift Aid is a tax concession from the governement it is not counted in your fundraising total.  Contact your local press – newspapers, newsletters and websites – with details of what your company is doing. This can help raise the profile of your fundraising and increase your potential. Contact The COINS Foundation Team on 01753 501000 for more fundraising and PR ideas or advice.

Will I need insurance cover on the event?
As event organisers, COINS have public liability insurance. Although not compulsory, you are responsible for obtaining any personal injury insurance you may require.

Is the challenge completed on the summit of Snowdon, or do we have to descend it within the 24 hours?
The clock starts as your team crosses the start line at Ben Nevis and stops when you cross the finish line having descended Snowdon. 

How safe is the Challenge?
Very safe. All teams are given full safety and equipment briefings before the start of the event. Each team also receives a radio handset to use on the mountains, so that the Challenge Team at challenge base can stay in touch with you for the duration of the event and monitor your progress. In addition, there are mountain marshals present on each of the three mountains.

Is there any scrambling involved?
Most definitely not. No scrambling, climbing or ropes will be required.

What happens after the event?
The finish line is located in the grounds of the Quality Hotel, Llanberis. A hot buffet dinner, and a reception for all teams, support crew and directors, takes place after teams come off Snowdon, the final mountain. All teams are presented with certificates, with an award going to the single team that raises the most money. For those who still have the energy, this is followed by a disco into the early hours.

Will I need to carry water on the routes?
YES - every team member should carry a minimum of one litre of water on each mountain. Ensure your water bottles are full for the start of each route. Natural sources of water, if any, will be pointed out at the start brief. It is advisable to use purification tablets for water taken from mountain streams.

Who provides the team maps?
It is the responsibility of each team to obtain 2 of the appropriate maps for each mountain, please refer to the compulsory Equipment list. We will however be able to advise each team on the map numbers required.

What kind of food should I take on the COINS 3 Peaks Challenge?
You will not have time to sit down and eat full meals. You will need a good support crew to provide a quick, hot, high-in-energy meal when you return from the mountain, such as pasta or noodles. It is therefore a good idea for your support crew to be equipped with a mobile stove and kettle. Cooking facilities will not be available at start points. On the route itself, carry lightweight high-energy foods such as nuts, muesli bars and chocolate-see nutrition section for more details.

Is it necessary to have walking boots?
YES – they must be above the ankle and offer good support. Low and mid cross trainers or fell running shoes will not be allowed. We recommend Gore-Tex lined fabric boots, which provide protection against the elements-please see compulsory equipment list.

Is it necessary to have full waterproofs?
YES - conditions can change rapidly. Just because it is sunny at the bottom of a mountain does not mean it will be sunny by the time you reach the top. For example, Ben Nevis can have snow on the top all the year round. It is important you carry your waterproofs with you on each mountain. A full equipment list will be supplied by COINS once your team application has been approved, please refer to the compulsory Equipment list.

Do we really need walking poles and head torches?
YES - these may be an additional expense, but they are a very worthwhile investment. Using current statistics, walking poles will remove 437.5 tonnes of pressure off your knees over a 3 Peaks Challenge. Each team must carry at least two pairs of walking poles. With the assistance of walking poles an injured person can also be assisted off the mountain, preventing a full-scale rescue. Head torches are invaluable for night time ascents or descents, or when visibility is poor, since they allow you to keep both hands free. Every team member must have a head torch and spare set of batteries. A full Equipment list will be supplied by COINS once your team application has been approved. Please refer to the compulsory Equipment list.

Can we use GPS rather than a compass?
Teams are more than welcome to carry GPS if they wish. However we insist that teams carry 2 standard compass (please refer to your equipment check list provided).

Is it necessary to have two dedicated drivers?
It is compulsory to have two non-walking drivers. This is simply due to the amount of driving involved.

There have been a number of questions realting to the most suitable forms of transport?
We advise the most suitable type of vehicle is a 'people carrier' type. However it is understood that teams may choose to have a small mini bus (maximum 12 seater), winnebagoes are not permitted.  Remember each vehicle must have a mimimum of 2 non-walking dedicated drivers due to the amount of driving involved.      

How fit do I have to be?
You have to be reasonably fit for a 3 Peaks Challenge, although nearly anyone can take part providing they follow the ten-week training programme we provide. Try, where possible, to include hill walking together in your team's preparation. For training advice, contact Claire Greenwood on 01753 501000

What if someone gets half way up the mountain and no longer wishes to continue?
Team and individual safety is paramount. We will be monitoring the team's progress on each mountain, every step of the way. In the event that an individual no longer wishes to continue the team will inform the base location via their radio and the base will advise on the most appropriate action. If in our opinion it is suitable for the individual to return on their own, full details of the person will be obtained and they will be observed and checked all the way back down safely to the base location, where they will report in. If required one of the mountain leaders will escort the individual safely back to the base location.

Does the whole team have to finish as one, to be counted as completing the challenge?
Teams must stay together at all times whilst walking, for safety reasons. The walking time for each team will be calculated from the time the team crosses the line. In the event that a member of the team drops out (see answer above) the timings will only relate to those that continue on each mountain.

If you have any further questions, please email: claire.greenwood@coins-global.com or pauline.sargent@coins-global.com or graham@globalchallenge.uk.com