HMS Hurworth sailors tackle 24 hour mountain challenge

AB Sean Candler unfurls the Navy’s standard 3,560ft above sea level as an epic 24 hours for him and his HMS Hurworth comes to an end on top of Wales’ highest mountain.

Ten sailors from the Portsmouth-based minehunter volunteered to have a crack at the Three Peaks Challenge, scaling the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

They began with Ben Nevis, with Hurworth’s divers first to the 4,414ft summit; LD Luke ‘Rocky’ Halbauer  was king of the mountain, reaching the peak in 3hrs 15 mins – three quarters of an hour ahead of his teammates.

Next, the lowest of the three mountains, Scafell Pike, a ‘mere’ 3,200ft. An ascent which should have begun in darkness began at dawn thanks to roadworks, before the sailor leading the climb decided to pick the ‘scenic route’ to the top, but the sailors nevertheless made it in four hours.

Traffic hampered the final climb too, leaving them just three hours to make Snowdon’s summit. Every one of the sailors hit the deadline – allowing a few minutes to celebrate before returning to Pompey.

The ten climbers’ efforts helped raise £800 for their chosen good cause.

“It was a great team building opportunity and a exciting event to take part in for a charity which supports the whole Service. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even if my legs didn’t!” said the minehunter’s second-in-command Lieutenant Simon Reeves.