 Premier Post - Big Hex - Scotland's new climbing challenge
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 by - BobbyMotherwell  on - 23 Feb 2013 |
Big Hex is a new climbing challenge in Scotland. Open to all climbers, it offers you the chance to compete in a climbing challenge taking in 6 routes on 3 stunning mountains all within 36 hours, and in doing so, raise vital funds for Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland.
It starts in May 2013 and runs through until September, then repeats yearly thereafter.
For more information on Big Hex and how to take part visit http://www.bighex.org |
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| by - Milesy on - 04 Mar 2013 |
| At first glance this seemed a great idea and considered myself, and is of course a worthy cause, however have you considered the ethics of the time frame? One of the "three peaks" biggest isues is people keeping deadlines which means potential safety lapses, particularly with driving. But obviously this will require a mixture of technical climbing or exposed scrambling, and with the potential for people rushing to meet this deadline. There isnt likely to be the concerns of traffic at unsociable hours like the three peaks brings to the hilll, but the safety and the driving aspect is certainly something to think about on this is it not? |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 04 Mar 2013 |
| In reply to Milesy: Milesy, thanks for your kind comments re Big Hex. We have considered the time frame (currently 36 hours) and would suggest that the driving time between Glen Coe, Ben Nevis and Skye is no more than a couple of hours and should be easily achievable within the time frame. It has been suggested by a number of people that we have 3 levels of challenge i.e 36 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours to allow those who may feel that they want to take more time to enjoy the event to do so. We think this may be an idea worth pursuing and will take on board all comments relating to this. Watch the website and Facebook page for more on this http://www.facebook.com/bighexchallenge . Thanks again for your feedback! |
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| by - Milesy on - 05 Mar 2013 |
In reply to BobbyMotherwell:
I think personally that all driving time should be "off the clock" - of course there is scope for cheating but if someone wants to cheat they can do it anyway. Challenge should be in the climbing, not in flying up to Skye as fast as possible to shave time off. |
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| by - crustypunkuk on - 06 Mar 2013 |
In reply to Milesy: Good point Mr Miles. This seems like an interesting slant on the multiple hill/route idea, and i'm actively looking at it myself, but what's to stop the hordes descending on it a la 3 peaks etc?
Some classic routes getting mega traffic- is there a portion of the profits gong to the local area/economy/mrt? |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 06 Mar 2013 |
In reply to crustypunkuk: Thanks for all your input, it is very much appreciated. The distance traveled between all of these routes and the logistics of carrying out the complete challenge really should not see anyone "racing between mountains". The distances are nowhere near as long as those in the standard UK 3 Peak challenge, and should be easily fitted in to any 36 hour period. As stated before, we may well develop a 48 and 72 hour version should there be scope for it.
With regards to controlling hoardes from descending on the routes, when you register with Big Hex, we agree a mutually suitable "window" for your team to make the attempt. This allows us to have control of who will be on the mountain doing Big Hex, and as such control the numbers. It also allows us to inform the local MRT of the anticipated names and numbers at any given time. ALL money goes to MRCofS, every penny. If participants wish wo raise further funds for their favourite charity/organisation, then they are free to do so, so long as they raise the minimum amount for MRCofS.
With regards to ethics on completion times, refer to rule no 9 (below). This is a fun challenge for a good cause and should be entered into in that spirit.
9. All declared times will be taken on the word of each participant and logged as such. However, any participant who is found to have knowingly falsified or concocted completion times will be disqualified from the challenge and forfeit their deposit. This is a challenge for a great cause, not a vessel for advertising your flagging ego. We rely on your honesty.
Thanks again for your input, very much appreciated and always welcome! |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 18 Mar 2013 |
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: By popular demand, Big Hex now has 3 time categories. You can now choose to take part in the 36 hour, 48 hour or 72 hour category. By doing this we have made the challenge more inclusive, whilst not diluting the competitive element of the challenge. For all of you who contacted us to comment, we thank you, your comments are greatly appreciated.
Our website has now been updated http://www.bighex.org
http://www.facebook.com/bighexchallenge
Twitter @big_hex |
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| by - colina on - 19 Mar 2013 |
In reply to BobbyMotherwell:
This is not a vessel for advertising your flagging ego. We rely on your honesty.
> may struggle on this point 8-)
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 19 Mar 2013 |
| In reply to colina: Indeed! but lets hope not..... : ) |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 26 Mar 2013 |
| In reply to BobbyMotherwell: Discussions on facebook regarding the start/finish location for the Ben Nevis leg of the Big Hex Challenge. What's your preferred option? Achintee or North Face car park? |
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| by - Mike Lates on - 31 Mar 2013 |
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: Gonna be quite something with full winter kit likely to be needed on all routes still through May. Are you going to put some warnings onto your site or FB page?
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 02 Apr 2013 |
| In reply to Mike Lates: Yes Mike, looking like May this year might provide some added difficulties due to the continuation of some excellent winter climbing conditions. Participants are free to change dates to suit conditions if they prefer to. But a fair point and we will address it on www.bighex.org and our facebook page too. |
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| by - silhouette on - 03 Apr 2013 |
| In reply to BobbyMotherwell: Encouraging people to drive recklessly is completely f*cking stupid and irresponsible. |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 03 Apr 2013 |
| In reply to silhouette: It is indeed. |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 10 Apr 2013 |
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: Due to public opinion, we will be retaining the start/finish point for the Ben Nevis leg of the Big Hex challenge from Achintee car park. Although slightly longer for a walk in, it offers participants a great location to stay over night (Bunkhouse) prior to a start on Ben Nevis, and also a place for a celebratory drink should the Ben Nevis leg be your final part of the challenge (The Ben Nevis Inn).
Thanks for all who provided input. |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 23 Apr 2013 |
| In reply to BobbyMotherwell: We have updated our facebook page with some stunning new images of classic Big Hex routes on Buachaille Etive Mor. Have a look! |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 07 May 2013 |
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: http://munroblagger.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/big-hex-a-climbing-micro-adventure-in-scotland/
An update on our preparations for the first attempt later this month and an insight into how we came up with the idea.
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by - Wesley Cheek   on - 07:17 Wed |
| i think i have cracked the last part of the puzzle, speaking to my Mum she says that my grandfather was given the double surname at birth but changed it when he joined the airforce not long before WW2, he dropped the Brann part as part of the surname but took it as a middle name. my theory is to try and remove possibly stigma about the surname but meaning the names appeared the same for the family grave. |
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| by - BobbyMotherwell on - 08:55 Wed |
| In reply to BobbyMotherwell: Latest update on the Big Hex challenge via the brilliant microadventure blog by Alastair Humphreys http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/big-hex-a-climbing-microadventure-in-scotland/ |
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