The weather gods turned against us for the final summit of Club Director General Robert Louden's Four Peaks Challenge.

We'd had a run of good luck, with glorious conditions at Ben Nevis and lots of sun at Slieve Donard and even Snowdon, but on our final day of walking Mother Nature bared her teeth.

We always knew this was going to be a long, tough day. Snowdon as Wales' highest peak demands much respect. Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, also a good-sized mountain is held in high regard.

But Ben Nevis, The Ben as it’s often called, at 1,344 metres is the highest point in the UK and as such has a reputation to match its status, with fast-changing weather, gullies along the summit plateau with terrifying drops, and one very long trekking route to reach the prized pinnacle....

Most people with a passion, or even a passing interest, in the Great British outdoors could likely have a stab at naming the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland – namely Scafell Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis.

Snowdon, Wales' highest peak at 1,085 metres and our challenge for the day. It was the first of four mountains on the DG’s DofE Awards Challenge. Robert Louden, the Club’s Director General, had been asked to undertake his own challenge to mark the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.