Popular mountains such as Scafell Pike see thousands of challenge visitors each year
Charity challenge walks will come under the spotlight at a gathering organised by the British Mountaineering Council.
More than 60 delegates at the meeting at Rheged near Penrith in Cumbria will hear the pros and cons of staging challenges on Britain’s mountains.
Presentations will be given by large-scale event organiser the Original Mountain Marathon and outdoor provider Raw Adventures who take groups into the mountains to take on team, corporate and charity challenges in a responsible manner.
The conference will also hear from the Institute of Fundraising, the Snowdonia Society and the Lake District footpath and bridleway conservation body Fix the Fells.
Land managers from organisations such as the John Muir Trust, National Trust and national parks will also address the gathering.
BMC access and conservation officer Rob Dyer said: “We don’t want to discourage people from taking part in challenge events in the uplands but as many participants are not regular mountain-goers we are increasingly hearing of problems.
“Our advice to first-timers would be to ensure that you are properly prepared and where possible choose to go with a group of mountain professionals who understand the complexities of the mountain environment.”
The conference will explore the cost and benefits of challenge events in the outdoors, from the benefits to the local economy and the opportunities for people to explore our uplands, to the pressures on local services and the fragile environment.
Litter, erosion, human waste, traffic, noise, disturbance to local residents, and trails of abandoned glow sticks are just some of the problems linked with popular challenge events. There is also evidence of increased callouts to the mountain rescue services which could be avoided with better planning and preparation.
Elfyn Jones, BMC access officer for Wales said: “We’re looking forward to the day’s discussions and drawing together all the best practice to help inform our advice to organisers and participants of these events.
“We understand that charity and personal challenge events can also raise money for good causes and can bring benefits to the local economy as well as being a great way for people to explore our mountains and their unique landscapes.
“More needs to be done, however, to educate the public on the potential impact they can have and to develop a mechanism whereby visitors can give something back to ensure the mountains are protected and conserved.”
The BMC’s good practice guide is set to be published later this year.
Paul B
08 October 2014Is it not time to have a permit style system for these events?
The chaos caused in places such as Borrowdale and Llanberis is incredible.
With a permit system all the infrastructure can be managed and maybe organisers persuaded to use alternative valleys and fell tops.
Would the U.S and Canadian national parks allow this free for all?
Right to Roam not a Right to Ruin surely?
David Whalley
09 October 2014The way forward is education but many are just driven with the Challenge and have no clue about looking after the environment. Many treat the mountains as a gymnasium and drop litter and other items on the way! " the mountains are not a gymnasium for your ego"
The onus is on those who run these Challenges many who make money out of the administration of such events
! Let's name and shame those who abuse these special places!
Sheepy
10 October 2014Most of the people who take part in these challenges have quite often never been up a mountain before and will never go up one again. Some of the sights i've seen.
They have no interest in the countryside or the environment, only to achieve the goal of the "challenge" and raise money for charidy. That's all well and good but they often go in self (un)organised groups, are often under prepared and have this view that the litter they leave behind will magically get picked up by some bloke from the council with his dust cart and brush. A bit like those who bag up their dog poo and then leave it hanging in a tree.
I don't know what the answer is, as everyone has the right to venture into the hills. However, the I'm alright Jack and stuff everybody else attitude of these people means that I stay away from these places or find the most obscure routes possible to avoid the crowds.
I venture into the hills for peace and quiet, exercise, the scenery and to understand my place in the world. Going on an organised outing with hordes of people is quite possibly my worst nightmare.
Some sort of quota/permit system perhaps for vehicles entering certain valleys mights help. ie Wasdale, Borrowdale (Seathwaite), Langdale. Glen Nevis. Snowdon is perhaps a little trickier as its an A road.
Mike
10 October 2014I agree Sheepy. A permit system to access the problematic areas/times, particularly Seathwaite and Wasdale during the night time over the summer months, has to come. With more no parking restrictions extended (there are plenty of seasonal restrictions already in place all over the country) to cover the surrounding roads. The revenue from the permits to pay for stewarding, litter collection and the extra temporary toilet facilities needed - and perhaps a small 'levy' to MRS?. And banning of barbecues etc. Do the walk and move on quietly. It has to be unacceptable for residents' lives to be made a misery during the summer. And why people can't just take their rubbish away in their support vehicle completely baffles me.
Like you I hate the idea of saying to someone 'you can't go up this mountain without a permit.' But needs must. The reality is you are not banning people from climbing a mountain, but just controlling parking and road use, which is something we all are used to. Numbers have to be controlled and reasonable standards of behaviour enforced. The Pike is still there the rest of the time! Sadly the idea of a summer wild camp near the summit is no longer something to be advised!
Its like any other event - it has to be managed. I live near Ascot and during Royal Ascot there is an incredibly presciptive system of temporary managemnt of traiffic and parking for 10 miles around the racecourse. With roads being closed, one ways enforced and draconian 'park here for 30 seconds and we will tow you away'rules. But it works and Ascot happens.
Mike
Ian S
11 October 2014The simple solution in the short term is not to sponsor anyone doing such a "challenge". Cut off the money and the problem will cease.
Bees
13 October 2014Why should I need a permit to visit somewhere? Surely the answer is in putting the responsibility on the organisers of events to get their participants to behave responsibly.
How far ahead would you happily accept having to decide where you might want to go at some point in the future and what if people then don't use those permits? A free-for-all and only a matter of time before you need to pay to secure a permit one way or another.
I can't believe people are actually suggesting some kind of border guard to police the entry to a valley - the hills are for everyone, but everyone using them is responsible for looking after them. Education and dealing with bad habits is the solution, not locking down the uplands.
Kathyh
13 October 2014You don't need the excitement of a charity challenge to find numpties on the hills. I see it time and time again-poor footwear, route choice, navigation skills .... It goes on. These events may seem a disaster in the making, but surely that also means that the organisers will know where people are? The mountain marathons are perhaps a littl different in that they have a vetting process to ensure competitors do have hill experience before tackling one, but I for one don't think that properly organised events are an issue.