The Concept
In 1992, I ran the Three Peaks of Yorkshire with my Dad. It was a perfect day to traverse over Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough which although they are not Yorkshire’s highest peaks, are probably the most distinct. As we sat drinking tea in the Pen-y-ghent café afterwards, we mused over what three hills might constitute the Hampshire Three Peaks. Butser Hill immediately sprang to mind as did Pilot Hill, the Hampshire county top in the north-west. Dad then suggested Beacon Hill near West Meon: as its name suggests, this was one of the chain of hills in a network that would light fires to warn of an impending invasion. In fact we had seen bonfires lit on here (and Butser Hill) to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and the wedding of Charles and Diana. These three hills didn’t lend themselves nicely to a natural route, though, especially with Pilot Hill being so far removed from the other two. This idea, then, was put on hold, as other challenges took our attention. After my Dad ...