Good on Ya – 3 Peaks Challenge Teams
Descending down the 1st Peak – Roberts Mountain, Pleasant Bay, Cabot Trail
It is not easy task hiking 3 mountains in one day especially when there is heat involved. But 24 teams excepted the challenge and hiked Roberts Mountain, Sugar Loaf Mountain and Franey Mountain on July 19th at the 5th Annual Cape Breton Highlands 3 Peaks Challenge. The weather was 24 degrees with a light breeze. Kudos to the trails crews in getting the trails ready for the event – Tina Roach & Family, Environment Corps students – Jessica Farrell & Leah Pottie, Hike the Highlands Festival and CBHNP.
As in past years, the first peak is relatively easy as your fresh and in good shape. The view at the top of Roberts Mountain did not disappoint. An amazing view of the harbour, the community, and MacIntosh Brook. The descend is tough and you can feel the thighs going down. The second peak is Sugar Loaf – voted by the teams as the toughest mountain. Tough on the calfs ascending and especially hard on the thighs descending. Some of the teams enjoyed a well deserved swim on the beach at Cabot Landing Provincial Park. The last hike of the day was Franey involving 5 hills ascending but a more gentle descending route on the way back. Franey was voted by the teams at the best view on the top and it is common for hikers to say “WOW” after seeing seeing the view of the Clyburn Valley.
I was a bit nervous this year with a long winter and a very late spring as my hiking km were low compared to past years going into this event. And these three mountains were the toughest, but thanks to my teammates – Lisa and Dan for their motivation, and my mental toughness, I fared out well. Sugar Loaf was my tough one just like everybody else.
Kudos to all the captains for their work in planning and preparing their teams for this event. Special thanks to all the Hike the Highlands Festival volunteers for a job well done. Finally, Good on ya to all the 3 Peaks Teams for accepting the Challenge and completing it. Well done hiking mates.