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Big Hex - Scotland's new climbing challenge

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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
 Milesy 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?
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!
 Milesy 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.
 crustypunkuk 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?
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!
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
 colina 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-)
In reply to colina: Indeed! but lets hope not..... : )
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?
 Mike Lates 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?
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.
 silhouette 03 Apr 2013
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: Encouraging people to drive recklessly is completely f*cking stupid and irresponsible.
In reply to silhouette: It is indeed.
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.
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!
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: http://munroblagger.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/big-hex-a-climbing-micro-adven...

An update on our preparations for the first attempt later this month and an insight into how we came up with the idea.

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-scotl...
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: The first official attempt at the Big Hex Challenge takes place tomorrow and Wednesday. The Ben Nevis leg will be attempted tomorrow with the Skye Cuillin and Buachaille Etive Mor leg the following day. Bobby Motherwell, Eric Horne and Kenny Harris make up the first 3 man team to attempt the 36 hour challenge. Over £400.00 has been raised by this team for Mountain Rescue in Scotland. You can donate by logging onto http://justgiving.com/Bobby-Motherwell and you can follow their progress on twitter @big_hex or @Travisdurden.

Join in and raise funds for MRCofS.
 Nathan Adam 26 Jun 2013
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: I think i passed you just before the footbridge at Sligachan this afternoon. Hope all went well on PR, certainly a nice day for it !
In reply to Nath93: You probably did! We had an early start and were coming back off PR around midday. It was mixed weather all morning, with bright sunshine and misty rain intervals. Hope you had a good day!
 Nathan Adam 27 Jun 2013
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: Aye, i started hitching at about 11 from Broadford and didn't get started til back of 12. Went up Pinnacle Ridge too, although the second half of the day was a bit better in terms of weather, turned out to be a grand day !
In reply to Nath93: Looks like you got the best of the day then! We moved on to the Buachaille and completed North Buttress and Curved Ridge to finish the day and complete the Big Hex.
In reply to silhouette: You will be delighted to know that the first ever Big Hex challenge was completed this week with ALL funds raised going to Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland. Myself and my two mates - all of us old codgers over 50 - managed to complete the task in 36 hours and 30 minutes with 20 hours and 30 minutes as a cumulative time for all 6 routes. We never broke the speed limit or "drove recklessly" and indeed had time to relax and enjoy a beer at the Sligachan Inn. We missed the 36 hour category by 30 minutes, which means we fall into the 48 hour category. It never crossed our minds to take risks by rushing our attempt or to drive recklessly to tick some sort of kudos box, we were doing it as a personal challenge and to raise funds for a very worthwhile cause.

We would expect anyone taking part in the Big Hex Challenge to act responsibly whether they are climbing, walking, driving, camping, bothying or indeed socializing during the course of the challenge. We managed to do so without any problem.

If three guys in their 50's can comfortably and safely do it within 36:30 then I am sure that any sensible, younger and fitter party can better this without being reckless, unless you are the type of person who struggles to control your flagging ego.

Big Hex - putting the fun into funds for mountain rescue.
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: The first ever Big Hex Challenge was completed on Wednesday of this week by a single party comprising of Eric Horne, Kenny Harris and Bobby Motherwell. They completed the challenge in 36 hours and 30 minutes with a cumulative time for all 6 routes of 20 hours and 30 minutes.

This successful attempt falls into the 48 hour category. A fabulous effort.

Sponsorship raised for this attempt stands currently at over £500.00 for Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland.

Can you improve on their effort?

Big Hex - putting the fun into funds for Mountain Rescue.
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: You may be aware that the first ever attempt at the Big Hex Challenge took place last week. For the full story, go to http://munroblagger.wordpress.com/

Big Hex - raising funds for Mountain Rescue.
In reply to BobbyMotherwell: The Big Hex Challenge this year raised £2532.50 for Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland. Of the 6 teams who took part, only one completed it. This is a tough challenge in any category, and as such we have decided to introduce a recreational category which will allow those wishing to get involved an raise money for MRCofS to take part over an unspecified time, only logging their time taken between start and finish locations on each mountain.

This will be updated shortly on our website.

Please get involved and raise funds for MRCofS. Lets double the amount raised for next year.

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