Why did James Dean become an icon? Why was the Rubik Cube such a big seller? And why do so many people want to attempt the National Three Peaks Challenge? Somehow they all capture(d) the imagination of many people in a way that it’s hard to put one’s finger on. The difference, of course, is that James Dean doesn’t turn up in huge numbers in Wasdale in the early hours of the morning, disturbing the residents and eroding the paths. Neither is Rubik’s cube turning the summit of Scafell Pike into an enormous open air toilet and over stretching the mountain rescue services. (I think I've even lost myself here ...) The Three Peaks Challenge is a totally artificial construct that involves driving 450 miles in 24 hours and climbing the three highest peaks in England Scotland and Wales. I say nothing of its pointlessness - climbing mountains is a passion of mine and gloriously pointless - but rarely in this country has this pastime been so unsustainable and lacking in sense. Climbing the three highest peaks in the UK (all in Scotland) would have some logic; this has none.
I understand that the prime beneficiaries (charities) find it hard to speak out. They know there are many other ways to raise money but they would be foolish to discourage any source of revenue by taking active steps against the Three Peaks Challenge. I suppose we just have to wait for it to go out of fashion - like the cube. In the meantime it raises interesting issues about just what makes some crazy ideas catch on. Answers on a postcard, please.
A local’s view of the problem: http://www.mountain-adventures.co.uk/documents/EnvironmentalImpact.pdf
BBC Radio 4’s Costing the Earth: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00n0tw6
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment