17/18th December 2013- The Queen Charlotte Track MTB

On tuesday morning at 9am I went to Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company in Picton. I tried out the bike, went through some details and was put on the 10am boat. It was very sunny and got very hot. The boat left the harbour and down Queen Charlotte Sound where a load of dolphins picked up the boats trail.

One of the dolphins following the boat

The boat went to 4 stops before Punga Cove so it was just before 12 when I got off the boat and could start riding. I walked through the Punga Cove resort and then started riding when I got to the Queen Charlotte track (QCT). Starting off going uphill I noticed the advantage of the 27.5inch wheels. The bike was a Scott Scale and had what I thought was a good setup. The climbing flattened out after ascending about 200m and I managed to get a good ride out with great views towards my right to Kenepura Sound.

Kenepura Sound in the background

But after about 4 miles it started ascending again, but this time it was so steep I was conceeded to pushing. After reaching about 400m the track stayed pretty high and was rideable but a little undulating. I hadn't seen a single person yet and enjoyed eating my peanut butter sandwich lunch with the views to myself.

Lunchtime views

The track was good and started to descend going past Blackrock shelter and then a great winding descent to the Portage busy road crossing. I had to slow for the odd walker on the way down, trying not to piss anyone off.

Well timed shot

After eating cookies at the Portage Bay road crossing I continued uphill, which was again very steep so again had to push until it came to its highest point of about 450m and it was all fantastic riding from there with some brilliant singletrack and some great rocky decents and switchbacks.

Portage Bay Below

My arms and hands were tiring from the tricky descents, but it eventually came to an end when the QCT came to another road crossing, where I followed it left down to Mistetoe bay. I finished for the day at about 4pm. There was only about 8 miles left of the QCT, and I was tempted to finish it, if it wasn't for the long road stretch back to Mistetoe Bay and the threat of rain.

2nd from last decent of the day

I was booked to stay in accomodation for six individuals, but as no one else was staying there I had a small shack to myself. I felt spoilt as it consisted of a living room, two bedrooms (one with double bed), a bathroom with shower and a kitchen. I made dinner, read and slept in the double bed.

Slap up meal

After a good sleep I started again about 9am.It stsrted uphill but just about rideable, but my legs were still feeling the effects of the day before. The track levelled off and the singletrack was awesome with some sweeping corners, some rocky bits and boardwalks.

Enjoying the view

The section was brilliant and it seemed a shame when I was back at sea level, but at least I had chance to leave the bike and take a dip in the sea at Davies Bay. As it was again hot and sunny.

Davies Bay (all mine for 1/2 hour)

 After the dip and the chance to call down. I carried on and there was still a couple of miles of good track to enjoy before the QCT ended in Anikiwa. It was only about 11am and with my boat pick up being 4pm, I called The Marlborough Sounds Adventure company and told them I would ride back to Picton along the roads.

Anakiwa (end of the QCT)

The road riding was undulating as it would go over a hill and then back down to the many coves. The cycle from Anakiwa was about 15 miles and I stopped for a coffee and cake when I came past a cafe in one of the coves.

Just before the last decent into Picton

After the many undulations the road went up over the hill at about 200m where it descended into Picton and I gave the bike back at about 12:30.

14th December 2013- 42 Traverse MTB

Route profile

I emailed Kiwi Mountain Bikes the night before and I checked my emails first thing in the morning and Ric from KMB said I could do it, so I rushed to get ready and get there for 9am. I met Ric checked the bike was okay, signed some papers and when another rider turned up we headed off to pick another two Americans and then to the start point

After a breifing we were off, the more experienced American zoomed off not to be seen again and I left the other two but saw them again after I had a puncture and they waited with me.

Bike front, view behind

After a while I left them behind again and I started to enjoy the ride. The track was a Fwd track with some gravel track, rutted mud and some steep rocky descents and a few stream crossings, where I took my shoes and socks off and carried the bike across.

One of the many stream crossings

The route was in spectacular forestry scenery with views of wooded valleys and volcanoes behind. The ride was great and I started to feel my lack of bike fitness at the end of the 46km route.

42 Traverse, Mt Puapehu in the background

It finished at Owhango, where I had a beer and huge sausage roll in a cafe before Ric picked me up.

Waterfall near the end

11-13th December 2013 Tongariro Northern Circuit NZ

Wednesday afternoon. I catch the Nakedbus at 1:30pm from National Park village and ten minutes later I'm in Whakapapa. I start the walk along the lower falls walk and then take the turn off on the Northern Circuit towards Mangatapopo hut.

The start

It's a hot day and the sun is out with a few wispy clouds. I pass a few other trampers coming the other way, on the final leg of the same walk but going anti-clockwise. There are some well made paths, boardwalks, steps and where the path is a little bit rough it is well marked by stakes.

The track, Ngauruhoe on the right

I catch up with a couple of swiss girls and chat with them for a bit and then head off at my own pace. I make it to Mangatapopo hut in just over two hours so I have a long time to kill. The hut is basic but still has gas stoves and water (from the roof) and a seperate toilet block. I hang out and play cards with a very international group consisting off swiss, Israeli, Canadian... before heading to bed.

View from the hut

Thursday morning, I wake at about 5am and set off at 5:30. Its light and both the summits mount Ngauruho and Tongariro are clear as there is very little clouds around. I start up the track and start ascending after the soda springs.

Mount Taranaki in the distance

I pass two guys working the tracks (even earlier start for them) and they point out mount Taranaki (highest mountain on the north island, also sum 100 miles away). I carry on and as I near the crater I see the turn off for Mount Ngaurahoe, so I do.

The foot of Mount Doom (Ngaurahoe)

At the foot of the imposing volcano I drop my bag and just take my emergency kit and head upwards. It was a long ascent up a steep incline, with very loose scree. After reaching the summit, I walk to the top and enjoy amazing 360 views and also get an impressive look into the crater.

Ruapehu from the top of Ngaurahoe

I head back down the scree slopes and perfect my ski technique so i'm back down to my pack in no time. I then carry on along the track and as I cross along the flat bottom of South Crater i'm walking past masses of people doing the day walk , the Northern Crossing. After going up past Mangatapopo Saddle I turn off to the summit of Mount Tongariro where eat some Camembert, bread and nuts.

From the top of  Mount Tongariro

I then continue back along the track passing the Red Crater and Emerald lakes. The track then leaves the Northern Crossing and down Oturere Valley where I don't see anyone until I come to Oturere hut where I share a chat and tea with a French Polynesian man.

Emerald Lakes

After tea I then had a three hour walk along what felt like a desert and then an uphill and downhill through a forest to come to the Waihohonu Hut, where I was rather worn out. Its still only about 3pm so I read, sit in the sun, walk to an old historic hut and wash in a river to pass the time before eating and going to bed.

River by Oturere Hut

Friday morning I wake having had loads of sleep. I get off about 7 and head to Whakapapa. I walk along a flatter section through volcanic wasteland with Mount Ngauruhoe on one side an the higher Mount Ruapehu on the other.

Back on track

It's another dry day but is cooler as the sun is behind cloud. After a couple of hours I come to Tama Saddle and I take the route off to Tama Lakes, first coming to the lower lake and then after an uphill to the upper lake viewpoint. I realize I have loads of time so I continue along a ridge off the track and up a steep uphill to the top of an unamed peak.

Upper Tama Lake

After getting a good view of the lava flows on the southern slopes of mount ngauruhoe I head back down to the main track. I rejoin the Northern Circuit track and head towards Whakapapa. The track was long and this part had a lot of undulations.

Taranaki Falls

As the track neared its end I passes Taranaki falls and then finished in Whakapapa with a three hour wait for the 3:45 bus back to National Park village.

Me on top of Mount Doom

17/18th August 2013- The Joust 24 Hour

A 24  hour endure set in Holt Castle outside Worcester. The course was a 5 mile circuit which went from the castle through fields adjacent the river Severn, a couple of cow fields with curious cows in. Into a hamlet with a pub which was a checkpoint and water station then through the church grave yard past, another field, through Top Barn activity centre and then a few more fields and back to the castle.

There was a small entry as it was its first year and was limited due to the size of the venue. With 5 teams, 2 pairs and 19 solo runners. The weather stayed reasonably dry despite threatening to pour down, but there was only a couple of light showers.

I started off quite well and soon got into a rhythm with my first few laps taking between 45 and 50 minutes each. I breaked more after and ran slower with my next few taking an hour each. The legs started to ache but we’re never too sore to run. There we’re quite a few gates and stiles which put a bit extra pain in climbing over when landing when jumping over.

The next few laps we’re around 75 minutes each and I had managed to reach nine laps before I would need a headtorch. On the ninth lap I did have to turn down the offer of a pint in the pub from some other solo runners  as I was worried about losing the light without a torch. I did my first night lap in about 95 minutes which totalled ten laps making it 50 miles in about eleven hours which I was happy with so I had a burger as a reward.

I ran my eleventh lap with a girl who was worried about getting lost in the dark, but I had to apologize for slowing her down despite my trying a bit more to run where I hadn’t been doing so before. After a pot noodle and a short break I went out a again on lap twelve. But this is where the boredom really brought my mood down and I saw maybe two runners all lap.

I got back after the twelfth lap and after doing some thinking I decided I wasn’t enjoying it anymore and didn’t see the point in carrying on so I retired after about 14 hours and 60 miles. I went to sleep in my tent and woke up not really regretting stopping despite still having miles in the tank and so packed up and went home.

13/14th July 2013- Snowdonia

Saturday morning, I parked at Capel Curig and started walking on what was a very sunny and very hot day. After passing Plas-Y-Brenin I headed up the path up Mel Siabod. After my first load of sweating I reached the trig on the summit which had fantastic views of Snowdon, which looked closer than it actually was.

Snowdon from Moel Siabod

After the grassy descent to Pen-y-Gwryd I headed up the Miner's track to the pass between Glyder Fach and Y Foel Goch. At the pass I had some lunch and enjoyed my first good view of Tryfan. After eating I headed onto Glyder Fach where there seemed to be people everywhere. After admirring a stag party getting onto the cantilever stone I reached the summit and headed over to the higher summit (by 5 metres) Glyder Fawr.

Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr

I reached the summit of Glyder Fawr and after scrambling off the rocky summit I headed down past Llyn Idwal where I got view of my next ascent of Pen yr Ole Wen. After going round Llyn Idwal and down to the road crossing I started the ascent up Pen yr Ole Wen. The ascent is a tough stretch with a lot of height gain in little distance but after some scrambling I made it to the top enjoying a rare breeze on a very hot day.

Pen yr Ole Wen

I carried on and made it to the top of Carnedd Dafydd and after talking to some very tired Welsh 3000er's, I decided to find a place to camp. I settled on a pitch on the grassy side of Cefn Ysgolion Duon. After pitching my tent I cooked my dinner and ate my cous cous with a great view of Tryfan, The Glyders and Snowdon in the background.

Pitch off Carnedd Dafydd

I woke early on Sunday and poked my head out the window to see it was looking like another pleasant morning. But after having breakfast and packing away, the cloud started to cover the top of Carnedd Llewellyn. I walked over to Carnedd Llewellyn which was in cloud cover and after reaching the top I walked to the top of Yr Elen.

Yr Elen

I walked back over the top of Carnedd Llewellyn and then down via Penywaun-wen. As I lost height I came out of the cloud and had it was another hot sunny day. I ascended up Pen yr Helgi Du after a little scramble reached the top and then up Pen Llithrig y Wrach to reah another summit with great views all around.

Pen yr Helgi Du

I walked off the top down to Llyn Cowlyd reservoir and after going a difficult way down due to the bracken and rocky slope, I reached the waterside. I walked round the reservoir and then started trudging up Creigiau Gleison. It seemed a long hot walk but I reached the northern top and then walked over the higher southern peak of Creigiau Gleison. I headed down the western slopes through long grass until reaching the bridleway which I followed back to Capel Curig.

Llyn Cowlyd

Trip Stats
Day 1 14.8miles 7370ft ascent
Day 2  12.8miles 3130ft ascent

29th June 2013- Lake District 10 Peaks short

5am start we we're released on the fells. It was light and already looking to be a good day, with just a bit of cloud on the top of Helvellyn. From Swirls car park about a hundred runners and walkers headed up the path to the top of the first peak. After 55 mins at a scout's pace Imade it to the trig at the top, but despite the views I didn't hang around as the running along the ridge and then down off the mountain was brilliant as I passed walkers and less courageous (or idiotic) runners.

Path up Helvellyn

After the first checkpoint (stocked with food and drink), it was the boggy run up the valley to Greenup Edge and then onto peak 2 High Raise. From Higher White Stones I ran down the hillside passing more people walking and running the 10 peaks.

High Raise (High White Stones)

After the run past Rossett Pike and Angle Tarn I walked up onto peak no 3 Bowfell , where there seemed to be 10 peakers everywhere. From Bowfell over Esk Pike (no 4) to the next checkpoint at Esk Hause.It was then onto Great End (no5), Ill Crag (no 6), Broad Crag (no7) and then into the cloud on Scafell Pike (peak no 8). I ran off Scafell Pike and then along the corridor route passing two runners who caught me back up on the way up Great Gable as I started to feel fatigued. At the top of Great Gable (no9) it was claggy, so I picked my bearing and headed off down to the next checkpoint at Beck Head.

Haystacks and Buttermere from the Moses Trod path

After the chekpoint it was a good run along Mosses Trod Path and I looked back and I had lost the two runners who had been with me up until Beckhead. After a long run I made it down to the last checkpoint at Honistor Pass, I turned down hot food but drank a coke with electrolyte mixed in, before heading off on the last leg.

On Dale Head Peak 10

It was a long slog up Dale Head (peak no 10) but after reaching the top it was a a descent into the valley and then along a track to the roads with what felt like  long run/walk to the finish at Keswick. I made it to the end in 9 hour 33 minutes and 22 second,s and was told to my suprise I had finished in 4th position.

Race Stats 30 miles and approx 3000m (9840ft) ascent

Location	Leg	Total
P1 - Helvellyn	00:51:16	00:51:16
FS1 - CP South Thirlmere	00:34:56	01:26:12
P2 - High Raise	01:20:53	02:47:05
P3 - Bowfell	01:15:57	04:03:02
P4 - Esk Pike	00:20:08	04:23:10
FS2 - Esk Hause	00:08:10	04:31:20
P5 - Great End	00:14:18	04:45:38
P6 - Ill Crag	00:14:11	04:59:49
P7 - Broad Crag	00:09:29	05:09:18
P8 - Scafell Pike	00:12:48	05:22:06
P9 - Great Gable	01:14:02	06:36:08
FS3 - Beckhead	-----	-----
FS4 - Honistor YHA	-----	07:38:08
P10 - Dale Head	00:38:09	08:16:17
Finish - Race HQ	01:17:05	09:33:22

18-21st April 2013- Isle of Mull

Wednesday evening I took the last train from Lichfield to Birmingham New Street and waited for two and a half hours and then caught the Megabus at 2:35. I got a few hours sleep before arriving in Glasgow, where not knowing at the time I was meant to change. I stayed on the bus and realised when I was in Dundee, I needed to get back to Glasgow. I was put on a bus to Glasgow and had to wait four/five hours for the next bus to Oban, so finally got there about 9pm. I managed to get into a hostel and got my head down so I could get the first ferry in the morning.

Mull on the Horizon

Friday morning, I walked out the hostel and the sun was already out. I caught the first ferry to Craignure and enjoyed the amazing sun on the top deck. With not a cloud in the sky I enjoyed the views of sea and mountains. I arrived on Mull and started walking at 8:30. I walked on the road for a bit and then headed up a track up the side of Dun Da Ghoaithe, I got off the track for most of the way up and it was hard work on the tough terrain.

Trig on Dun Da Ghoaithe

I made it to the trig point and then carried on to the actual summit along a broad ridge. I followed along to Beinn Thunacaraidh and then went down into Glen Forsa where I walked into the forest and followed the river until I was able to cross. I found a track and was able to follow this to Tomsleibhe bothy.

Bothy with Beinn Talaidh behind

I stopped at the bothy for lunch and got my stove out to make a coffee and plan where to go from there. I headed off and walked up Beinn Bheag and then up the steep, scree covered eastern face of Beinn Talaidh. It was hard work and after scrabbling up the scree slopes I made it  to the top to be rewarded by great 360 views, including a good one of Ben More which was free from clouds.

Ben More in distance

I headed down the north-west side of the hill and then through a small gorge to Glen Cannel, where after finding a decent place to cross Glencannel river I walked to Loch Ba. I followed a rare path alongside the loch until I turned off following another path into Glen Clachaig. The sun was starting to go down, so I settled up by  waterfall to camp. I pitched up, had some tea and enjoyed a dry and relatively calm night.

Pitch in Glen Clachaig

Saturday morning, I woke popped my head out the tent and it was quite windy, cloudy but at least dry. After breakfast and packing up I walked further into the valley and started the ascent up to the pass between A Chioch and Cruachan Dearg. A Chioch from Glen Clachaig is a triangular peak (as seen the day before) and this morning the top 100m was under cloud.

The pass before entering the clouds on A Chioch

The ascent up the hill was mainly in the clag and seemed to take forever. I then started up a steeper rockier slope which involved a bit of scrambling. After making it to the top marked by a cairn I headed along a ridge to Ben More. The clag made it difficult to see much in front but after a bit of scrambling I made it to the summit.

Shelter on Ben More summit

My first Munro at 966m and the highest point on Mull. It was grim on the summit with a strong cold wind. After writing my initials in some snow in the summit shelter, I headed off Ben More the easy way down the northern slope marked by a path. I hadn't seen anyone since 9am the previous day but passed about ten walkers and about thirty fell runners (on a race).

Loch na Keal off the side of Ben More

After the long decent I came to the shore of Loch na Keal, it was sunny off the mountian but the cloud still hugged the peaks at 700ish metres. I followed it a few miles until I came to Knock where I turned onto the path which took me to Loch Ba. I walked alongside the loch and at the end of the loch turned off the path and across boggy ground with a couple of river crossings until I came to the foot of Beinn na Duatharach.

Loch Ba

The ascent was steep up a grassy hill, but I made it to the top. But despite the good views, I  didn't stick around as the wind made it rather cold. I headed down the other side and then back to Tomsleibhe bothy at about 5:30. I had something to eat and settled in for the night. It was a cold night in the bothy, but at least I was dry as it was raining outside.

Night in the bothy

I woke on Sunday after a decent bit of sleep and I checked my feet (we're sore at the end of the previous day) and had flapjack and coffee for breakfast. It was spitting outside so with waterproofs on I started walking. I found a place to cross River Forsa and then headed up the steep grassy slopes to Beinn Chreagach Mhor.

 Beinn Chreagach Mhor

I made it to the top, but there wasn't much to see as it was cloudy and miserable on top of the hill. After walking round the top after loosing my bearings a bit, I carried on to Beinn Mheadhan where it was equally miserable, so I picked a way down back towards Craignure. I went down into the grassy hillside until I came to a river with a long name, which i followed into Salen forest.

Waterfall above Salen Forest

The weather was better low down and I was enjoying the sun again. I came to the road which follows the coast and I followed it back to Craignure. It was still only early afternoon, so after catching the ferry to Oban I had a couple of hours to spare before catching the megabus at 6:30.

Oban

I got off at Glasgow at 9:30 and then got on the megabus at about 11:00 for Birmingham and arrived at 4:00am (total Megabus fees = £2.50 return). I waited at New Street for the first train to Lichfield at 6:05 and so was home at 7:00 and was able to make it to work just before 8:00 on Monday a little bit tired.

Trip Stats
Day 1- 19.1 miles 5620ft ascent
Day 2- 15.2 miles 4870ft ascent
Day 3 - 10.3 miles 2455ft ascent