Conquering the Three Peaks for Nepal’s Veterans

This April, a group of soldiers from The Gurkha Company (Sittang) tackled the legendary National Three Peaks Challenge – aiming to conquer the highest peaks in Scotland, England, and Wales in just 24 hours. Rfn Dip Hang Rai and fellow soldiers Rfn Chetram B Magar, Rfn Roman Somai, and Rfn Manish Jirel took on the challenge, with the support of Wo2 Pritam Rai, Lcpl Saroj Garbuja, and Rfn Shankar Gurung. The group summited all three mountains ahead of target and raised an incredible £1,180 to support The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

“On the dawn of Nepali New Year 2083, while many celebrate new beginnings with joy and laughter, me and my team have chosen a different path — a path of purpose, sacrifice, and hope.

We rise not just to welcome a new year, but to climb for those who can no longer climb for themselves.” Dip Hang Rai

Building the Team

“I have always been drawn to nature and to pushing myself through extreme challenges. I wanted to travel, explore, and try new things. That’s when I discovered the Three Peaks Challenge. Initially, I planned to take it on alone during Nepali New Year 2083. However, I later decided to build a strong team—one that could face any difficulty together.” Dip Hang Rai

Ben Nevis: The Snow-Capped Start

Starting at 6.15am on 14 April 2026, the team started in Scotland with the ascent of the tallest of the three mountains, Ben Nevis. Dip and his team climbed the five miles to the 1,345m snow-capped summit in just over three hours, arriving at 9.20am. There was only time for a brief celebration before heading down again!

“Reaching the summit of Ben Nevis was an unforgettable experience for our five-person team, each of us taking on a vital role—navigator, team leader, PTI, and videographer—while I served as the medic. As the medic, my responsibility was to monitor the team’s health, manage any injuries or signs of cold exposure, and ensure everyone stayed safe in the extreme conditions. The final stretch was brutally cold, with biting winds and dangerous patches of black ice making every step a challenge, especially without proper equipment. It pushed us to rely on each other’s skills and stay sharp throughout the climb. Despite the harsh conditions, standing at the summit together made it all worthwhile—a hard-earned achievement built on teamwork, resilience, and determination.” Roman Somai

Following the descent, there was little time for rest as they began the 260-mile drive south to Scafell Pike, arriving at 5.42pm.

Racing the Clock: Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike had to be conquered in under four hours to allow them a chance of success.

“Reaching Scafell Pike as the Media IC was an intense and unforgettable moment—the view was breathtaking, but the wind was fierce, roaring so violently it nearly pushed me off my feet. Every step felt like a battle, the cold cutting through, the pressure to capture every moment weighing on me, yet I stayed focused on my responsibility to document our journey for the team and the cause. Even when my hands were shaking and the conditions were against me, I refused to step back, because this was more than just a climb—it was a test of resilience, discipline, and purpose. In that struggle, my willpower rose stronger than the storm, proving that determination can stand firm even in the harshest conditions.” Manish Jirel

The team smashed it, reaching the summit in just over an hour and a half; then back to the van at 8.45pm ready for the 200-mile journey to the third and final mountain, Snowdon.

The Backbone of the Mission

With the climbers exhausted and hungry, the support team became the backbone of the mission, keeping spirits high and the finish line in sight.

Communications

“As the Communication IC, my role was to maintain clear and constant communication between the climbers and the admin team, ensuring updates, timings, and challenges were shared accurately. It required focus, quick coordination, and staying alert in all conditions. Throughout the journey, I witnessed strong team spirit from the climbers and excellent teamwork from the admin side. Effective communication kept everyone aligned, motivated, and on track, proving how vital connection is to the success of the entire team.” Saroj Garbuja

The Admin

“Being the Admin IC during this challenge was both a privilege and a responsibility I carried with pride. While the climbers pushed themselves to conquer the peaks, our role was to support them in every possible way behind the scenes. From preparing hot, timely meals to keeping energy levels high, to managing driving shifts with precision and discipline, every detail mattered in ensuring the team stayed on track to complete the challenge within the set time. A special mention goes to Suzan, our driver, whose focus and endurance kept the team moving efficiently, and Prakash, our chef, who did an outstanding job keeping everyone fuelled and ready to perform. Their dedication truly strengthened the admin team. It was not just about support—it was about enabling performance, maintaining morale, and acting as the backbone of the entire operation. Seeing the team push beyond their limits, knowing we played a vital role in that success, made the experience deeply rewarding and unforgettable.” Shankhar Gurung

The Driver

“As the driver for the Three Peaks Challenge, it was extremely challenging for me both physically and mentally. The responsibility of keeping the team safe, on schedule, and moving between each peak required constant focus and endurance. Driving long distances through the night with little rest, while staying alert for the team’s needs, tested my patience and determination. Despite the fatigue and pressure, I remained committed to supporting the group in achieving its goal. Being part of such a meaningful challenge for a good cause made every difficult mile worthwhile, and I am proud to have played my role in helping the team complete this journey successfully.” Suzan

The Chef

“As the chef for the Three Peaks Challenge, it was a challenging but rewarding experience. My role was to keep the team fuelled with quick, energy-rich meals despite limited time, tough conditions, and little rest. It required planning, adaptability, and focus to ensure everyone stayed energised between the peaks. Despite the pressure and fatigue, I am proud to have supported the team and contributed to the success of the challenge for a meaningful cause.” Prakash

After a brief rest and a much-needed curry refuel, the team summoned their remaining energy to tackle the final mountain of this punishing journey.

Snowdon: A Battle in the Dark

Dip and his team began the ascent of Snowdon at 1.45 am, knowing they would be climbing in complete darkness. Armed with headlamps, the team were ready for the challenge.

It was then that the heavens opened and the team found themselves battling through torrential rain in the depths of night, 1085m  above sea level.

“From start to finish, the journey tested all of us, both physically and mentally. Every member of the team gave their absolute best. By the time we reached the final summit, the weather had turned harsh, and for a moment, I felt like giving up. But then I reminded myself why we started this journey and the purpose behind it. That thought pushed me to keep going and give everything I had.” Dip Hang Rai

The Final Countdown

The team made it to the peak at 3.40am, leaving them just over two hours for the final descent to complete the challenge within the 24-hour allowance.

“Climbing Snowdon tested our team in every possible way. The conditions were brutal—relentless rain poured down as water streamed across the terrain, turning paths into hazards and making every step uncertain. Navigating through the mountain at night added another layer of difficulty, where visibility was low and every decision mattered. As the 2IC of the activity and part of the navigation team, I carried the responsibility of guiding the group safely through these harsh conditions. It was a true test of leadership, teamwork, and resilience, pushing us beyond our limits and forcing us to rely on both skill and determination to keep moving forward.” Chetram B Magar

With the typical Gurkha grit and dedication, the team made it! They completed the challenge at 5.44am, in 23 hours and 44 minutes.

“Special thanks to our sponsors Chautary Real Estate and Everest Food Camberley for their generous support throughout this journey. Your contribution played a vital role in making this challenge possible, and we are truly grateful for your belief in our cause. Your support not only helped us overcome practical challenges but also motivated the entire team to push forward with even greater determination. We deeply appreciate your kindness and encouragement—this achievement would not have been possible without your support.” Dip Hang Rai

We would like to say an enormous thank you to Dip and his team for taking on this incredible challenge in support of The Gurkha Welfare Trust.