Any evidence at all that this rubbish is mainly left by Three Peaks Challenge participants? Peak of Snowdon on April 3rd was a complete tip, and very few do the Three Peaks out of the summer season.

That's rubbish

I have lived in the Wasdale Valley at the base of Scafell for some time, and as all residents I have to endure the relentless disturbance and aftermath from three peaks events. I personally think litter is the least of the problems, human waste behind almost every wall at Wasdale Head (visitors be careful where you tred). All this after temporary toilets have been installed. The nature of the 'challenge' seems to produce a more selfish attitude. People who take their time doing the 3 peaks have time to think about their actions whilst enjoying why they are on the mountains. There are also issues regarding noise, dangerous driving on treacherous roads and obviously erosion. I don't want to tar everybody with the same brush as some larger groups understand their impact and are well organised. The number of Mountain Rescue callouts for 3 peaks events seems also to be high and possibly increasing in volume which is worrying. I am writing this as a hipocrit as I have done a 24 hour event in the past. Is it a challenge anymore? I know the driving is!

This as been going on for sometime on Ben Nevis too. I regularly walk, climb and guide on Ben Nevis and it's an absolute disgrace to see the amount of litter and tacky memorials left on the summit. I've even noticed graffiti now being used on the summit rocks. These people are certainly not lovers of mountains, countryside and the environment. A vast majority of these 3 peak challenges are actually organised events and it should also be down to the organisers to make sure these litter louts take everything down with them. Every time I am on the hill I always remove the litter and memorials and take it down, some days there is so much stuff I don't have room in my sack to carry it.

There is absolutely no excuse for littering of any kind. If you can carry it up full you can bring it back empty. Even in our local forest the amount of litter is increasing, it makes very very angry.

I agree with Susan, there is no excuse for anybody to leave litter anywhere especially in our beautiful countryside and on our mountains. If you love the areas that you walk, climb, cycle, drive or just sit and picnic in - take your litter home with you!!! I live close to the RSPB reserve at Hodbarrow in South Cumbria and the litter left here is disgusting at times - mostly carrier bags and bread wrappers left by people who care enough to feed the birds on the reserve but who dont care enough to remove their rubbish!!

Where is the proof that this is coming from the Three-Peak Challengers?
"Large amounts of rubbish are blighting the top of Scafell Pike in the Lake District, much of it from people taking part in the Three Peaks Challenge."
...or is this just purely based on one hill goers view?!

I don't doubt there are issues with the 3 Peak Challengers but this sweeping statement by one person is not conducive to good reportage and finding a workable solution!

You should not dig a hole and bury anything, it should all come back down the hill with you. This is why more and more of the water courses are becoming poluted! Take Sty Head tarn for example!!

Not sure this is just down to 3 peakers however i would argue that a lot of people who participate in such are not mountain lovers.....its the charity angle that attracts them. Therefore, it is more likely that the dumping of rubbish increases on such events yet like anything in life it is not a black and white fact. I recently trekked in snowdonia and got to places where your average walker would not venture....plastic bottles, banana skins, fizzy pop cans seemed to be the order of the rubbish I found - and carried off the mountain as we all should. So the issue is not limited to one group yet what astounds me is that people come to mountains to enjoy their beauty yet then choose to leave their rubbish behind - the two dont add up!!! Lets be honest, the UK has been slipping for years and rubbish on the floor is another indicator of such - I went to Hong Kong recently and it was spotless...everywhere. Other cities are similar so why is the uk becoming a hovel? I dont know but its a societal norm to drop litter and not be challenged on it.....

There are two categories of people who visit our countryside; those who choose to enjoy the pleasures of the outdoors, and those who become involved with activities which are outdoors. These include charity events, tackling long distance walks with friends and workmates, and holiday makers who want to take advantage of their location. Most will not contemplate venturing out for the rest of the year.
As a regular hill walker, I can testify that the Scottish hills which attract genuine walkers are remarkably free of litter, but when I have reason to use popular routes such as the West Highland Way or come down the Ben Nevis path, the difference stares you in the face. Sadly, I have come to accept this fact, and do my bit to clear up as I go along.

Is it just challenge walkers?

Probably not, but they account for a lot of the traffic on some of the popular hills and anybody who has followed some of the charity groups round will have seen just how ill prepared some of them are.

I once followed behind a group raising money for Ronald McDonald walking the Yorkshire Three Peaks. I was horrified by the amount of litter they left behind. On Penyghent alone we picked up nearly 40 plastic bottles, many left by the charity walkers.

Just park into a lay-by with a view. Someone will drive 20 odd miles with a Macs big meal, eat it, then throw it out of the window, because they are too fat and lazy to get of the car and place the remains into a rubbish bin. BUT, they are tourists and are to be "encouraged" in their visits.

The charities are pathetic in their responsibilities. It's easy to solve many of the bottle problems. Either count them out then in, or write the name and postcode of the user on the bottle in permanent marker. But, no, they are more interested in the money collected.

I was once asked by a local charity to help. I was simply amazed at the ignorance of some of those involved. I said a few sandwiches, sausage rolls etc was all the food that was needed. Then someone said, "I'll get a throwaway barbecue and we'll cook burgers up there!"

Urgh!!! It really is a waste of time. Just put up with the rubbish is my advice.

I think it's disgusting, whoever drops litter anywhere has no respect for the enviornment they are in and the people who live there. It doesn't matter whether it's a challenger, charity or whoever? If they knowingly drop litter because they can't be arsed carrying it off the hill, they simply have no right to be there and enjoy our mountains. They make me very angry,and should just stick to their litter ridden towns and cities.

Three peakers definitely responsible for for a huge amount of litter at Wasdale head. Many of the vans and cars parked in the passing places and car park opposite the entrance to the NT campsite. When they'ed gone the roadside and verges were lined with litter, s*** and toilette paper. Not there before they arrived...plenty after they left. Just unbelievable!

Sadly, I agree with many of the comments regarding the increase in discarded litter. However, as much as it annoys me, I've taken to carrying a small bag when I'm out and pick up any litter that I can (interesting how many tissues are discarded!). I also find it strange that people will pack away litter but seem to think it's OK to leave banana skins, apple cores, orange peel, etc.

We shouldn't have to do it but then we're just leaving it for others, like our hard working recue services and volunteers to sort out.

It Is an offence under section 87 of the environment act to deposit and leave anything that one may describe as litter .
Why isn't that advice put onto signage at the foot of our sacrificial challenge mountains ?
Don't tell me it's un-enforceable ,i believe you ,but people will remember .
Jim

I don,t wish to be a kill joy ..but its time these so called charity events . where brought to an end. The people doing these events are not outdoor lovers or interterested in mountains or hills. I did 3 peaks ( yorkshire ) at end of may ,and the amout of rubbish left behind was unbelieveable .should be renamed Banana Skin Way ..sponsored by compeed ,the blister people. We had plastic bottles ,glass bottles and sardine tins on route to.
not only was the 3 peaks route like this ,but also the campsite in Horton.. rubbish left every where. These people need to learn some repect . Think it must be the same mindless morons doing the Big 3 peaks too.
if they want to drop litter .. i have a challenge for them.. why dont you go and climb rubbish heaps in land fill sites .
you will feel at home will the rubbish.....

Everest has the same problem! Mother Nature aint here for US to Abuse her! Take your Baggage HOME!

I am of the opinion that a great deal of visitors to the high peaks have no idea what they are facing; often no gear what so ever and absolutely no knowledge; others, even some experienced, just have no respect. there are so many who find pooing into a zip-lock bag and packing it out, unpalatable but at the end of the day, it is your own and everyone without exception should be prepared to do it. If not don't go up there, stay at home and use your safe and secure toilet.
My wife and I get absolutely sick of finding excrement, tissue and sanitary products littering the discrete and sheltered spots. not only is disgusting and bad etiquette, its could spread disease AND it makes the discreet and sheltered spots unusable for everyone else to hide away to poo or whatever into their zip-locks.

Pour and Store bags are available off the shelf at most big super markets; I get mine from Tescos. great for everything on the mountain from food in too waste out.

FOR HEAVENS SAKE; ZIP IT AND SHIP IT.

Rubbish, excrement and waste on the high fells.

I am of the opinion that a great deal of visitors to the high peaks have no idea what they are facing; often no gear what so ever and absolutely no knowledge; others, even some experienced, just have no respect. there are so many who find pooing into a zip-lock bag and packing it out, unpalatable but at the end of the day, it is your own and everyone without exception should be prepared to do it. If not don't go up there, stay at home and use your safe and secure toilet.
My wife and I get absolutely sick of finding excrement, tissue and sanitary products littering the discrete and sheltered spots. Not only is it disgusting and bad etiquette, it could spread disease AND it makes the discreet and sheltered spots unusable for everyone else to hide away to poo or whatever into their zip-locks.

Pour and Store bags are available off the shelf at most big super markets; I get mine from Tescos. They are great for everything on the mountain from, food in too waste out.

FOR HEAVENS SAKE; ZIP IT AND SHIP IT.

This is not new! In 1996 members and junior members of our club removed 14 large bin bags full of discarded waste(cans, bottles, paper, toilet paper etc ) from the Scafell Range. Mmebers are encouraged to carry a bag to collect rubbish left by others on every walk wherever we are. Some areas and mountains are worse because events such as the three peaks!

Very sad! and frustrating!

I just wish that people would move away from all summits when they have had pictures taken and not to hang around them as i feel that it spoils it for when you want your own picture taken it does not look good for various other people to be in your picture, or at least move out of the way a little

it apears that even the morons venture on to the hills also trying to pose as out door enthusiasts, we are losing the battle all over the country,