Who can take part in this event?
Any company that is actively engaged in the Construction industry is eligible to apply for a team place on this event.

Some companies that participated in the inaugural COINS 3 Peaks Challenge in the USA in September 2009 included the Brickman Group, Comfort Systems USA, Einhorn Yaffee Prescott (EYP), EMCOR Mechanical Services, Pike Company, and WM Schultz Construction. The United Kingdom event regularly attracts some of the largest construction companies in the UK, including Kier Group, Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, Connaught, Simons Group, Edmund Nuttall, and others.

How many members can we have in a team?
Each team should have at least four walkers and two support personnel (drivers).

How many teams can we enter from our company?
For the 2010 COINS 3 Peaks Challenge, companies may enter multiple teams. 
 
We are eager to give as many companies as possible from the Construction industry the chance to take part.

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 – contact the COINS 3 Peaks Team at 518-242-7200 (email coins3peaks@coins-global.com) 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?
The fundraising goal per team is $5,000.

Where does our sponsorship money go?
The funds raised from the 3 Peaks Challenge go to The COINS Foundation. The COINS Foundation supports communities by taking a 360-degree approach to ensure that the needs of the most marginalized members of a community are addressed. Inclusive community development benefits entire communities by supporting disabled young people, orphans and vulnerable children, homeless people, the chronically impoverished, and those debilitated by long term illness or old age.

How can our team boost our fundraising total?
Each participating team is asked to fundraise a target $5,000 in funds, 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, softball or 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. 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 3 Peaks Team at 518-242-7200 for fundraising and PR ideas or advice.

Will I need insurance cover on the event?
As event organizers, COINS has 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 the last mountain, or do we have to descend it within the 24 hours?
The clock starts as your team crosses the start line at the first mountain and stops when you cross the finish line having descending the last one. 

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?
A hot buffet dinner and a reception for all teams, support crew, and directors takes place after teams come off the final mountain. All teams are presented with certificates, with an award going to the single team that raises the most money. 

Will I need to carry water on the routes?
YES - every team member should carry a minimum of one liter 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?
Each team needs to carry 2 copies of the map for each mountain. Maps for Whiteface and Monadnock will be supplied by Grand Dynamics, but the appropriate map of Mansfield must be purchased. Check the Routes & Itinerary section of the Team Area for more details.

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 portable stove and cooking set. 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 the 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 running shoes will not be allowed. We recommend Gore-Tex lined fabric boots, which provide protection against the elements. Please refer to the compulsory Equipment list for more detail.

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. 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 see the Team Area's 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 tons 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.

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 compasses (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 relating to the most suitable forms of transport?
We advise the most suitable type of vehicle is a minivan. However, teams may choose to have a small mini bus instead (maximum 12 seater). Remember each vehicle must have a minimum 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 training program we provide. Try, where possible, to include hill walking together in your team's preparation. For training advice, contact COINS 3 Peaks Team at 518-242-7200.

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 while 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 the COINS 3 Peaks Team at coins3peaks@coins-global.com.