4/5th October- Yorkshire Dales with Hayley

Hayley arrived at mine on Wednesday night and after we finished packing kit and more importantly food we went to bed.

Thursday morning we set off reasonably early and the drive wasn't as bad as expected with not much traffic and after some deliberation we ended up choosing to park at Gargrave instead of Settle or Hellifield. This start would mean that we would walk the Pennine Way for about 20 miles towards Horton in Ribblesdale. After getting boots and bags on we headed north along the P.W. which started off along a tarmac lane for a bout a mile until we had a stile into the fields where we we're greeted with very boggy ground.

The first stile. Beware muddy puddle below

We strapped on the gaiters (which ended up being an essential bit of gear for the walk) and carried on along the fields which had large muddy puddles at every stile and kissing gate. We headed over Harrows hill before heading down to where the Pennine Way follows the River Aire. The stretch of path following the river to Airton and then Malham made was even wetter and boggier and despite trying to choose the best way through the boggy bits it didn't stop getting wet feet. We made it into Malham after about seven miles of boggy paths and we treated ourselves to a coffee and tea in the Buck Inn.

H and Malham Cove

We pulled ourselves out of the pub and carried on and despite a short shower earlier it was sunny so we could appreciate Malham Cove more. After going upto the face of the limestone cliff we walked up the side to walk on the limestone pavement to rejoin the Pennine Way. We followed the P.W. to Malham Cove and experienced some more light showers but luckily they didn't last very long.

Malham Tarn

We walked round Malham Tarn through the woods by Malham Tarn House and then towards Tennant Gill. After passing the farm at Tennant Gill the path started to ascend up our first hill of the walk. We followed the long trudge upto the top of Fountains Fell where the cloud obscured some of the view from the top, so we didn't stick around as the wind made it a cold place to be. As we started to descend the cloud started to clear and we could see our next target, Pen-Y-Ghent. We walked off the side of Fountains Fell and followed the tarmac lanealong the path which heads past Churn Mill Hole and then to the foot of Pen-Y-Ghent.

Pen-Y-Ghent from the side of Fountains Fell

It was starting to get a bit darker, but we decided that we would walk to the top of Pen-Y-Ghent and then think about where we would sleep the night. We ascended and it didn't take long until we made it to the top, but we weren't rewarded with any views as the cloud had stuck to the top of the hill again. We took some photos and then made our way off the hill, looking for potential bivy spots along the way. But with the shortage of decent spots and the threat of rain n the night we decided to go with the luxury option and find somewhere to stay in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. It was getting very dark as we headed into Horton and we had to call upon our headtorches as we we're passed by a runner coming off Pen-Y-Ghent and three mountain bikers going for a nigh ride.

Brother and sister on Pen-Y-Ghent (694m)

We ended up staying at the bunkhouse at The Golden Lion Inn in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, where we had a lovely dinner of Sausages in Yorkshire Pudding and a couple of beers/ciders. I have to admit it was very different from what we'd planned which was to bivy and eat cous cous and tuna, but you have to look after yourself sometimes.

Hayley eating breakfast flapjack. Horton and Pen-Y-Ghent behind

Friday morning we packed up and got back into some damp muddy kit before heading off into the hills. We ate flapjack for breakfast while walking up the hills out of the village and walked up Sulber Nick before turning left onto the bridleway towards Clapham.

Ingleborough

Rather than just going up the most direct route up Ingleborough I decided we should go up the more interesting way following the bridleway down past Long Scar and taking the little path to join the main path to Trow Gill.

Trow Gill

We walked through the limestone Gorge known as Trow Gill and followed the path upto Ingleborough with a detour to have a look at Gaping Gill. We got ourselves as close to the hole as we dared so we could stare into the oblivion.

Gaping Gill

After our detour we carried on up the path to Ingleborough. We walked up at a steady pace and had one stop as I received a work call from a client (as it was still a weekday after all) before getting to the top. We made it to the shelter at the top where we enjoyed a break from the winds and ate nuts and Eccles cake as a reward. There weren't any views from the top due to the cloud so we took photos at the trig point and headed off the hill.

Trig point on top of Ingleborough (724m)

We walked down off Ingleborough and it started to rain as we we're coming down the steepist bit. I thought I would wait to be on a less steep gradient to put on my waterproof trousers but it was too late by that time and we both got very wet legs. We followed the path down and it took us past the maze of limestone pavements until we came to farmers fields and then to the road where we walked to the Old Hill Inn to have our first coffee/tea of the day, where we sat next to the fire to dry the wet bits.

Whernside

In the pub we decided that despite the aches we would go up Whernside, so after finishing our beverages we left the warm pub and started walking up Philpin Lane and then up the path to the ridge of Whernside where we past more Three Peakers who all assume you are doing the same, but in a backwards order. We followed the ridge and after a few false summits, made it to the top of Whernside where we again stopped to eat and take photos before heading off the hill.

Whernside (736m)

We followed the path north and then west off Whernside and it seemed to take a long time till we made it to the bridleway between Ribblehead and Dent. The aches slowed us down but followed the bridleway to Ribblehead where we sat in the pub with another coffee/tea while we waited for our train. Our train took us to Gargrave where we had a short walk back to the car which I was glad was still there.

Ribblehead viaduct with Whernside behind

Trip Details
Day 1- 21.5 miles (3530ft ascent)
Day 2- 16.5 miles (3510ft ascent)

15/16th September- Pennine Way, Edale to Hebden Bridge

Saturday morning the alarm sounded at 6:30 and I instantly regretting having drank Guinness and Jagerbombs the night before. Despite this I managed to get ready and get myself to the station at 7:37 to catch my first train. After a change at Stafford and Manchester Piccadilly I was on a train to Edale packed full of other walkers. Having got off the train at about 10:30, I got a head start on the other walkers and headed in the direction of the start of the Pennine Way. Up through Edale village I turned left at the Old Nags Head pub which is the official start of the Pennine Way.

The start in Edale

 The path takes you through the valley to Upper Booth where you turn up a bridleway up to Jacobs ladder where many mountain bikers struggle up the hill. After Jacobs ladder the P.W. turns off the bridleway towards Kinder Low where I passed two guys who looked knackered carrying bouldering mats up the hill. I reached Kinder Low (633m) which is how I remembered a lunar like landscape with a flat sandy top with rocks scattered around, of which one of the rocks has the trig point marking the top. I climbed onto the rock to touch the trig point and then started again following the P.W. north.

Trig on Kinder Low

 The P.W. follows the western edge of the Kinder plateau and I passed a fair few walkers making their way to Kinder Downfall which is a waterfall (tallest on Kinder apparently). The P.W. then heads in a westerly direction towards Mill Hill, and goes down hill to a pass where the path crosses with another and then there’s a small incline to Mill Hill where you turn right in a northerly direction towards Snake Pass. The P.W. from Mill Hill to Snake pass is goes through lovely baron moorland and was one of my favourite parts of the walk as it felt like I had it to myself. As it was a clear sunny day I could see moors all around with the northern edge of Kinder Scout to my right.

Bleaklow up ahead

 As I passed Featherbed Moss I could hear Snake Pass with the cars hurtling along the A57 to Manchester or Sheffield. I crossed Snake Pass and walked for a few hundred metres before sitting down to eat lunch, tucking into a Pepperami and then a cheesy wrap made the night before. I got up and carried on up to Bleaklow and passed quite a few walkers which looked like they’d parked at Snake Pass to get to walk to Bleaklow Head, which is amazing considering theres not much to see at the top of the hill. I reached the flat top of Bleaklow Head which is marked with a stake and shoved an Eccles Cake to try and make the top more exciting before continuing along the P.W. down towards Torside reservoir.

The boring top of Bleaklow

 The descent of Bleaklow follows Clough Edge with a drop to the right into Torside clough, and once down far enough has good views of Torside reservoir and Black Hill behind. Once down off the hill I walked over the dam wall of Torside Resevoir and due to the great weather was treated to brilliant views up Torside reservoir with the rocky sides of Bleaklow to the right and Crowden to the left.

Torside Resevoir from Clough Edge

 At the end of the dam wall I had a brief sit down to adjust the map and then started walking towards Crowden. I knew I needed water for the night and I had a decision to make at a crossroads. I could either walk an extra mile or two to the campsite at Crowden and get drinking water there, or I could just head straight upto Black Hill and hope I would find a decent waterfall to grab some water from, which would have the risk of me not finding anything and having to ration what I’d got or I could face drinking bad water. I took the risk.

Torside Reservoir

 I made my way up Black Hill which was a decent slog up hill, but I was distracted as I was on the look out for a water source. I passed a few small waterfalls but the water didn’t look good (either a funny colour or a weird foam on top), so I continued up and at a waterfall at Oakenclough brook I decided it looked alright so I filled my spare bladder. 

The tap

I continued up the gradual ascent towards the top of Black Hill which seemed to take ages to get to the top but eventually got there at about 6:30. Theres not much at the top of Black Hill apart from a trig point, but there is the sense you are a long way from any civilization as all you can see is moors all around apart from a mast a few miles away.  It had gotten cloudy and the wind started to pick up so I got the tent up trying to get the perfect orientation to which way the wind was blowing.

Last hundred yards

 I got the tent up and sleeping stuff set up and started on my dinner, but a couple of minutes into trying to boil some water on the stove, the gas ran out. So I ended up with lukewarm crunchy cous cous and a tin of mackerel. The crappy dinner didn’t bother me but the thought of not being able to make coffee in the morning was the painful part. After dinner I got out the tent to have a piss and after a check of the tent pegs and after mooching around a bit I got back into the tent and into the sleeping back. I woke at about 3:30am and decided to go outside for a piss and to check the pegs due to the beatings the side of the tent was taking from the wind. I put my boots on and fought my way through the door, it had changed to claggy on Black Hill and I could just make out the trig point. I checked the pegs and surprisingly they we’re fine, so I took a leak watching my piss take off wondering where it would land. I then hurried back in the tent to get warm again, I woke a few more times in the night to listen to the abuse my tent was taking, but my reliable tent Terra Nova Laser Competition did me proud once again.

The tent on Black Hill before the wind

 Sunday Morning I woke officially about 6:30, I ate flapjack for breakfast and after going outside to use the toilet I packed all my things away. I left the tent till last which was difficult as the winds we’re still strong, but I managed to get it away without loosing it. I started walking again at about 8:00, it was claggy on Black Hill so I just followed the stone path north off the hill. As I started to lose elevation I got out of the clag and could see it was actually rather sunny. I reached Wassenden Head where the P.W. crosses the A635 where I saw a few early morning cyclists enjoying the climb or descent depending on which way they we’re going.

Pennine Way off Black Hill

 I followed the P.W. to Wassenden Head reservoir and to Wassenden reservoir, which was a bridleway where I saw a couple of mountain bikers and I did get a slight feeling of envy. After a some waterfalls the other side of Wassenden Brook the P.W. left the track and went down and out of the clough onto the side of the hill, onto some more open moorland where the path continued to Black Moss reservoir. The P.W. then continued to the A62, passing over Standedge tunnel (which you wouldn’t know was if it wasn’t for an info board next to it explaining it was the longest and highest canal tunnel in Britain).

Waterfall by Wassenden reservoir

After crossing the main road I had to stop as one of my contact lenses was playing up so I used this opportunity to adjust the map and stuff down an Eccles cake. I continued up the P.W. onto Millstone Edge which has some good views from the top. 

Millstone Edge

I carried on along the P.W. and followed it as it splits off to where it crosses the A640. At this point the weather started to turn so as the rain started to come down I put on the waterproof trousers as I already had the waterproof jacket on. It stayed grim as I followed the P.W. over White Hill and across the bridge over the M62 but as I came onto the top of Blackstone Edge, the rain stopped and I got some clear views over Littleborough. The P.W. then went down to the A58 where the path passes the White House pub, where I sat outside by Blackstone Edge Resevoir to attend to my sore feet and eat another cheesy tortilla wrap for lunch.

A wet me by a trig on White Hill

After feeding and applying vasaline to my heels and changing socks I continued along the Pennine Way across probably the most boring bit of walking of the weekend as the P.W. just passed three large reservoirs on a flat track for 3 miles with just a strong cross wind to make things a slight bit interesting. After the last reservoir the path passed the end of a hill that was blocking any view north, and I was able to see a landmark in the distance which was only a few miles from Hebden Bridge. This landmark was Stoodley Pike Monument which looked massive even from a far, but it gave me something to aim for, which made me forget about the blisters on my heels for a while. I followed the P.W. towards Stoodley Pike and as I got closer the weather started to get worse so that I could no longer see the white obelisk shape on the hill.

Stoodley Pike Monument

 I finally reached Stoodley Pike and visibility was terrible as I had to get within 25 metres to see the monument, the wind was bad so I walked round it to find some shelter and realized that you could go inside where there are spiral steps up. It was pitch black up the stairs so I found my headtorch in my bag and made my way up the spiral stairs to find it took you to a higher platform outside where I imagine you get some better views when the weather is better. 

Stoodley Pike Monument closer

So I made my way back down the stairs and then off the hill down into Hebden Bridge. I followed the P.W. down to Callis bridge where the path goes over the Rochdale canal where I left the P.W. and followed the canal to Hebden Bridge to catch a train home after some fish and chips which I ate on the platform. I caught the train at 5:52 and after changes at Leeds and Tamworth I was home at about ten.

Trip Stats

Day 1- 19.5 miles (3760ft ascent)

Day 2- 20.9 miles (1660ft ascent)

28/29th August- Thunder Run 24

Thunder Run 24 had arrived. With a lack of any decent distance training and a late night watching the Olympic opening ceremony, I had little ambition of making it very far. I turned up at Catton Park Saturday morning to see that the event had grown once again (this year over 2400 competitors). So finding space in the solo camping area was tricky, but luckily I had no tent to pitch so a Fiesta sized parking space was all I needed for base camp.

I registered, collected my free t-shirt and after speaking to some familiar faces got myself ready for the start. Plenty of sun tan lotion applied and an Eccles cake down me I was ready as I was going to be, so I waited for the start of the race, while watching the Olympic swimming on the big screen at the start.

The start!

The race started and I hung at the back letting the faster runners get off, hoping the field would have spread out before the bottleneck at Bluebell Woods 1k down the track. As the runners started to spread out there was chance to do a bit of slow running, chatting to other runners and taking in the applause of spectators where the course passed through the campsite and other popular viewing points. The course was pretty much the same but with a few little changes, which I quite liked.

The weather couldn’t have been better as it was very sunny with the odd wind in places to cool you down. The first few laps seemed to go by rather quickly, averaging about 1 hr 10 mins each lap with no sires or aches yet. I came in after three laps to eat and after some spaghetti, nuts and an Eccles cake I was off again. The laps started to get harder and harder and the legs started to ache earlier on then on previous years, which I put down to a lack of decent long mileage training.

Number 51

After a couple more laps I stopped again to eat, spaghetti, crisps and biscuits washed down with energy drink for the electrolytes. The laps started to spread out now at about 1 hr 30 mins each lap as the ration of run to walk shifted more to the latter. I did my sixth lap going across the start/finish line before lights we’re required on the course, so I could at least do my seventh lap without lights. As I did this lap I noticed other competitors we’re starting to wear lights, but it wasn’t yet dark enough for them to be on.

I finished my seventh lap and decided to have a burger which I had been craving, as the smell of barbeques around the campsites had teased me all afternoon and evening. I got my money and went to the catering tent and waited for ten/fifteen minutes to be served, which is not what you want after running over forty miles. Once I got my burger and a full fat coke, I sat in my car and ate my reward, finished with an Eccles cake desert. After fiddling with my headtorch I headed off at around 9pm for more running/walking.

The eight lap started well and despite some expected aching in the legs, I felt like I had a surge of energy. It was still light enough to run without the lights, but it was needed in the wooded sections so I switched it on and off accordingly to save the batteries, thinking of the long game. The further on through the lap it started to get darker so the light was constantly now, but have to give my Hope Vision 1 headtorch loads of praise as it wasn’t too uncomfortable and was very powerful for the task (I even got a compliment from another runner). I finished my first lap in full darkness and before starting the next lap I scoffed down more nuts and biscuits.

Night Running

On my ninth lap I ran a few kilometers of the course and started to notice a soreness in me left foot, which grew and grew through the whole lap. I tried adjusting the tightness of the trainer, messed about with the sock but this seemed more than some mild discomfort in the footwear. The pain didn’t go away and the solid trails didn’t help so I used the incentive of painkillers to get me to the end of the lap.

I took some Ibuprofen and headed off on my tenth lap and it took a while for the pain in my foot to dull down. Despite feeling that I could go on through the night, I decided that I should make this my last lap. As I was worried that if I made the foot injury really bad I may be out for a while meaning that I couldn’t do any adventures or events for months. I was also worried that the painkillers could mask the pain of another possible injury that could come on, mainly the knee. So I finished the lap, quicker than the previous five, thinking that the sooner I finished the sooner I could go home to bed. I finished my tenth lap (60 miles) at 2:10am which was 14 hours and 10 minutes from the start of the race.

Despite feeling like I could have done more I was fairly happy with what I had done. I got home and was in bed about 3am after a protein shake. After seeing the GP a week later and having an X-ray it appears that the foot injury isn’t bad as nothing showed up on the X-ray and there are signs of improvement. 

30th June-2nd July-Lake District- Ravenglass to Keswick

It started Saturday morning at Lichfield Trent Valley station catching the train at 6:37 to Crewe. With a change at Crewe and another at Lancaster, I arrived at Ravenglass at about 11:00. With the North Sea less than a mile to my west and the hills in the opposite direction, I started walking east.

Ravenglass Station

Very soon on I noticed the bottom of my backpack felt wet and with it being sunny I knew that it was my hydration bladder which can leak if you don't seal it up properly, so I stopped to take a look. Getting the bladder out I tightened the screw cap but soon realised the bladder was leaking through a tiny hole and there was pretty much nothing I could do. So I put it back in my bag, thinking that the hole was so small I wouldn't loose much water.

Ravenglass Roman Bath House Ruins

I carried on an after walking past some Roman bath house ruins and Muncaster Castle and then I started my first hills of the trip. The Muncaster Fell is only small hill (at 231m) but is a nice long narrow ridge offering some good views over Ravenglass, Sellafield in the distance and hills all around.

Trig at Hooker Grag (Muncaster Fell)

After walking along the ridge I descended down into Eskdale Green. I passed over the Muncaster to Eskdale railway at Irton station where I saw a steam train heading up into Eskdale. I then walked up through Miterdale Forest where  stopped for lunch with views of the hills through the trees.

Lunch stop in Miterdale Forest

After refuelling I started the walk up again and then turned up the path up Irton Fell to Whin Rigg.I walked up to Whin Rigg and then to Illgill Head, the highest point of the day at 609m. Whin Rigg and Illgill Head have a steep north/west side making it feel like its hanging over Wast Water below. At the top of the hill I went for a sip from my hydration system and realised that the leaking had emptied it and I was out of water, meaning I had none for the night and none for the rest of my walk.

View of Wasdale Head from Illgill Head

I descended from Illgill Head with Wasdale in the distance and then turned away in the opposite direction to Burnmoor Tarn. I headed over to a waterfall to collect water and filled my secondary water storage bladder with 2 litres to last me the evening and part of the next morning.

Water stop

I descided to press on and walked up to Eel Tarn and then to Stony Tarn where I decided to camp as it would give me a good start to make my way up Slight Side in the morning. It was a lovely evening and after walking around looking for the best ground to pitch up, I got the tent up, sleeping bag and mat in and then got dinner on. After couscous and Pepperami and a bag of nuts I waited for the sun to go down and then tried to get some sleep.

Pitch at Stony Tarn

I woke Sunday morning after a decent nights sleep to the sound of rain. But by the time I'd packed up things inside the tent, the rain had stopped which gave me the time to pack the tent up without getting soaked. The hills up ahead we're covered in clag, so I put on full waterproofs and gaiters. After packing up I started my ascent up Slight Side which starts off steadily up hill before it comes to a rocky steeper section. I don't know if I went off track a bit, but I had a fun scramble up to the top, enduring evil westerly winds and the rain it carried. After getting to the top of Slight Side I walked along the ridge upto Scafell. The visibility was bad and I could only see about 25 metres in front at times but followed my compass until I came to the top of Scafell. I descended down to Foxes Tarn and then scrambled down the paths which we're now streams until I asceded upto Broad stand between Scafell and Scafell Pike.

The path from Scafell, a lovely wet scramble

From Broad Stand I walked up Scafell Pike following the cairns to the highest point in England (978m). At the top I saw people for the first time that day. I ate an Eccles cake and then decided to get down as there was nothing to see in those conditions.

Scafell Pike, exactly the same way it was last time I was there

I followed a compass bearing and cairns off the summit in a north-west direction hoping to get to Lingmell Col so I could turn off to the corridor route. But due to the visibility missed a right turn and ended up carrying on west down towards Wast Water. Once I realised I had gone too far down the path, I decided if I could get down to Wasdale Head it wouldn't be a bad thing as I could refill my water from a tap. After passing through Wasdale Head I headed back up towards Styhead. At Styhead I endured the last spell of rain and walked past the tarn and then headed up the grassy side off Base Brown to the Summit which overlooks Seathwaite down in the valley.

Base Brown

From Base Brown I headed up Green Gable and at the summit remembered the nasty winds that battered me before up there. Not hanging around I headed to Brandreth and then towards Fleetwith Pike. After crossing along the disused slate mines I followed a small path on the northern edge of Fleetwith Pike, with views of old stone huts almost hanging off the sides of the fell. You could also see the cables for the Via Ferrata route which run along the side of the fell. I reached the summit of Fleetwith Pike where I enjoyed some decent views and some sun which was rare that day.

views of Buttermere from Fleetwith Pike

The original plan was to cross over towards Haystacks and camp by a tarn before the summit, but because I was soaked and was worried about the state of my feet and knees. I decided to head down and find a campsite by Buttermere. I headed down Fleetwith Edge, which was fun but punishing on the feet and knees and then at the bottom walked until I came to Dalegarth campsite.

Fleetwith Edge

Just making reception times I paid up (£7) and pitched up and made the most of the drying room, leaving my socks and boots overnight to dry. Wet feet have been a problem before and can make it unbearable to walk once the skin on the bottoms of the feet get soft and blistered all over. After couscous and Pepperami for dinner again I got another good nights sleep.

Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere

Monday morning was another rainy morning, I made a coffee and had breakfast hoping for the rain to go away but it didn't so I packed up my tent in the rain and headed off towards Hay Stacks. I walked over Peggy's Bridge and then walked up Scarth Gap Pass and then upto Hay Stacks along the rocky path. Hay Stacks is usually meant to be excellent and Alfred Wainwrights favourite. but on a day like today it was hard to see why as the wind and rain was aweful and visibility was again about 25m at times. I followed a rough path taking me past Innominate Tarn and Blackbeck Tarn to descend off the fells.

Tarn on Haystacks

I descended down again into Buttermere and then walked the bridleway round the lake to Buttermere village before ascending High Snockrigg. I made my way up the grassy side of the hill enjoying a rare break from the rain until I came to the top. There we're little in terms of views due to the weather so I didn't stick around and headed down to Newlands Hause. At Newlands Hause I ate some soggy lunch by the side of the road taking my last picture of Moss Force, before my camera broke.

Moss Force Waterfall from Newlands Hause

From Newlands Hause I headed up Knott Rigg and then to Ard Crags making my last ascents of the trip. After reaching the top I ascended down Aikin Knott and across a farmers field to the road. Note: there was no footpath through these fields, but there was a farmer on a quad bike who gave me permission to cross his field to the road. I walked along some of the lanes and fields to the Cumbria Way which takes you through some woods adjacent Derwent Water before coming to Portinscale and then to Keswick.

At Keswick I bought a diet coke which I had been craving and then waited for the bus to Penrith. The bus took to me Penrith railway station and after having Fish and Chips at The Little Chippy I caught the train at 19:09 to Crewe and after a change there was back at Lichfield Trent valley at about 22:00. Giving me enough time to hang up the tent and other stuff to dry before going to bed.

Trip Stats
Day 1- 14.8 miles (3615ft ascent)
Day 2- 16.3 miles (6560ft ascent)
Day 3- 16.8 miles (4340ft ascent)