Jasper, 5, Climbs the national 3 peaks, RAising over £7000

In just the last few months, with his amazing determination, Jasper has climbed the heights of Scafell Pike, Snowdon, and Ben Nevis - all at just five years old. Team Earned It Co were lucky enough to bump into Jasper and his dad, Peter on Scafell Pike and present him with a medal for the mountain. Peter got in touch with us some time later and now, after his epic National 3 Peaks challenge, we caught up again to hear all about it!

Jasper proudly sporting his Ben Nevis and National Three Peaks medals on the summit of Ben Nevis

Last January, Jasper’s grandad was diagnosed with prostate cancer after taking a routine PSA test at the doctor’s office. It was completely unexpected and the families first direct experience with any form of cancer. After a successful operation at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and some subsequent negative PSA results, Jasper’s grandad is now okay. In Jasper’s own words his ‘grandad is like a giant - he gives me really big cuddles. I hope the money I raise can help others like my grandad’.

Peter, Jasper and his grandad.

‘In a nutshell, this whole journey started as just a bit of an adventure on Easter Sunday with myself and my son’, says Peter, who works as a pre and post partum specialist at peterdunsmorept.com. ‘This gradually developed into a shared passion for the mountains’.

‘I wanted to introduce him to the mountains on a family holiday as hiking is something I used to love doing a lot before I had children. The result was that he completed Scafell Pike and absolutely loved it.’ Jasper added , ‘It felt good reaching the summit. I enjoyed seeing waterfalls washing down because the water looked lovely coming down so quick.’

Returning to school, Jasper did a show-and-tell for his class with a short video his father had had made and proudly showed off his Earned It Co medal to his classmates in Reception.

Jasper and his Scafell Pike medal

During this presentation he learned about the National Three Peaks. That night, Jasper went home and asked if he could climb Snowdon with his dad, ‘which was like music to my ears’ said Peter, ‘so, we set a date and had a weekend adventure, just the two of us, sharing our first night camping together at the base of Snowdon on the May Bank Holiday’.

‘The experience was more than just getting up and down the mountain as quickly as we could. I wanted the whole experience to be an adventure, building those core foundational memories. The first time camping, the first time cooking on a stove, the first time drinking hot chocolate next to a lake - the adventure was there to create core memories to look back on for years to come. I wanted to create an experience that he will remember forever for the right reasons, not as “my Dad dragged me up and down mountains when I was a child.” If he wants to, this is a shared love I’d love to continue for years to come.’

Jasper with his medal on the summit of Snowdon

After completing Scafell Pike and Snowdon, Jasper and his dad discussed completing Ben Nevis. The idea of completing the highest peaks of England, Wales, and Scotland while he was five years old excited him. This was also a great opportunity for Peter to talk to Jasper about charity - ‘what it is, where the money goes, how it can help people, and how it can make you feel good about giving back to society and people you love. A life lesson, if you will’. Thus, the idea of “Jasper’s Three Peaks for Grandad” was born, with Jasper’s steps standing for something bigger than just the mountains he climbs.

Peter continues, ‘After discussing our options and building an understanding of what it meant, we all agreed that raising money for prostate cancer would be an amazing choice, as it’s close to home and an incredible thing to do. We set up a JustGiving page with a target of £500, with the idea that if he didn’t hit his target, I would make up the difference so he could achieve his goal. Well, as you can see, I’ve been blown away by the support we’ve received.’

So, in the final week of July, Jasper and his dad headed up to the Highlands and camped at Fort William for a week while they waited for a weather window to conquer the final part of their trilogy, Ben Nevis. Saturday the 27th was that day. Peter tells us, ‘The alarm went off at 4 a.m., and our adventure started at 5 a.m., beginning our ascent. With his favourite teddy on his backpack (Ooo-Ooo) and hiking poles at the ready, Jasper’s hike to the summit took the best part of 11 hours, where he held up his prostate cancer banner at the summit.’

Jasper and Peter with their prostate cancer banner

Peter continues, ‘We found a little bit of space and cooked up some pasta and meatballs and took a moment to reflect on the magnitude of what Jasper had achieved. Not just summiting the highest mountain in the UK but also raising at the time over £5,400 for charity. This is when I presented him with his final medal (Ben Nevis) and a bonus one for the National Three Peaks. The descent took 5 hours, having many conversations with members of the public, where he proudly showed off his new medals, finally getting back down at 22:15. A total of 16 hours!’

Jasper and Ooo-Ooo on Ben Nevis

’In terms of the physicality of the challenge, Jasper has been mind-blowingly amazing! It amazes me just how well he coped and how easily he has overcome some of the more challenging terrain. His ability to conquer these mountains has made the whole experience magical and memorable for all the right reasons. A memory I hope lives on for him for years to come.’

‘The highlight of the entire adventure was spending high-quality, uninterrupted, and undivided attention with my son, doing something we both truly enjoy. It has potentially sparked a lifelong love that we can share together.’

Jasper and Peter on Scafell Pike

In conquering Ben Nevis Jasper became part of a very small group of five-year-olds that have conquered all three peaks, which made him feel incredibly special!

Peter kindly added, ‘Receiving that very first medal from you guys was a proud moment for him. He couldn’t wait to show it to his mummy, teacher, and classmates so they could see what he had accomplished!’

Jasper on top of the big three has also climbed Catbells in the Lake District guiding his little sister Clara (3) to the top and looks forward to taking her up other mountains on our family holiday to the lakes this month.

Jasper and his little sister, Clara, on Catbells

Jasper was asked at the top of Ben Nevis what he wanted to do next. His answer ... "I would like to climb Blencathra in the Lakes, Daddy said that he wants to do it and I want to do it with him". Peter interjected ‘I had mentioned to my wife that I would like to do Sharp edge on Blencathra if I get some time. Looks like I have a buddy with good taste in the mountains. I might save sharp edge for a bit though.’

Team EIC were delighted to be invited out with Jasper on this Blencathra hike and share in his ongoing adventure. We’re looking forward to seeing this incredible little man continue on his epic journey for years to come!

Jasper, Peter and some of team EIC on the summit of Blencathra