Snowdon via western hills and Ranger Path

I was really looking forward to a different path up Snowdon and we had plans for a real difficult one that from Llanberis would take in Moel Eilio, Foel Gron, Moel Cynghorion and then down to pick up the Ranger Path to the summit. A cracking early breakfast got us off to a good start and after a few posses outside the hotel, we struck off from Llanberis towards the youth hostel.

It was a good early climb out of the town and you were soon heading down the Llamberis path but on the western side.

It was here that we made the best mistake of the walk and I got confused between the words for the route and the map and we took a left turn down the valley. Ultimately we missed out on the Moel Eilio ridge walk but with all the walking ahead of us this shaved odd a couple of hours and was probably the best move that allowed us to enjoy the walk more.

We walked at a reasonable pace all down the valley and it gave you a great perspective. As we popped out at the end of the valley you could see Snowdon ahead. However before that we had to tackle the grassy slopes of Moel Cynghorion that with its shear cliffs stood out as a high promontory in the valley.

From here we could see the ranger patch streaking up to the top but the really annoying bit was that we had to descend 500 feet really quickly before we started. The grassy slope down was probably the trickiest part of the climb.


Once on the Ranger Path it was proper walking and we pushed on upwards. I was always at or near to the back of the pack but kept up better than expected.


We cut across steep rocky and scree slopes on top of a dramatically steep ridge that you only really appreciated when you looked back on the way down.


The last push to the summit and my legs were feeling it. The summit was a little in cloud and the temperature a good 5 degrees colder and the wind twice a strong. With coats on we made the summit in good time and took the obligatory photo on top. Although the cairn was covered with bodies and it felt like town centre rush hour!


We stayed on the summit for a while taking photos for people and re-hydrating. After about 10 minutes the clouds lifted and we had fantastic views all around.


With plenty of time left we decided against the Pyg Track and bus and and headed down the Llanberis Pass. It was heaving with people and a loud bunch of kids so we walked close to the railway for a while before joining the path.


A well earned pint in the victoria hotel garden and we had been on the mountain for over 6 hours and 11 hours a magic walk! You can see the route on google maps at http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/0487/b8ab/4cce/4a89/Cyclemeter-Hike-20101106-0831.kml

The following day we thought we would finish off the Moel Eilio ridge but when we looked out and the hills were white with snow, we took a low level walk around Ogwen Cottage and took some photo's of the stunning scenery.

Catbells

Autumn is here and my programmes delivered so the fishings drawing to a close and I have loads of holiday to take before xmas. Let's start and get fit for the 3 peaks next year!

The family had a few days in the lakes this week. The weather was not great so i didn't manage to do The Old Man of Coniston that I wanted but the afternoon we got there the weather was glorious so we headed up Catbells and what we thought would be a family stroll.

The best decision was to drive up to the foot of the mountain rather than take the boat. It would have been fine if we had all day but on a tight timescale we could have waited around for a while. The worse decision was to take the easy path round the first hill because when we decided to climb it was grassy and slippy and also very steep. The zig zig path although with a few scramble bits would have been a little better. As we nearer the bottom of the second hill, Leanne slipped and hit her leg on a rock and this was about it for the girls and with the achievement of a great view as we made the man path they decided to call it a day and rest up.

It was only a short scramble to the top so I set off on my own. The top was only a very small slab of rock but It was a great view and the RAF were out in force buzzing up and down the valleys. It was a bit windy but otherwise a cracking view.


A quick skip down before they got too cold and we were heading down the main path. Even though it was a short mountain it still needed all the skills of a full mountain and great learning hill. Hopefully of to Wales next and a different path up Snowdon and looking forward to it.

16th April - 10hours 58 minutes

The Yorkshire 3 peak challenge is a massive iconic walk starting and finishing in Horton-in-Ribblesdale it is a distance of 25 Miles while climbing 3 mountains, 1st Climb: Pen-y-ghent (691m), 2nd Climb: Whernside (728m)and 3rd Climb: Ingleborough (723m). Considered the marathon of the walking community!

We had a fantastic day and walk, not only did we achieve the challenge in the allotted 12 hours but also managed to run through the village at the end, to the pub we started from in order to break our personal target of 11 hours - anything for a pint!! Thank you all for your sponsorship with the injuries and pain we were suffering it really was not wanting to let anyone down that drove us on especially in the latter stages.


An early start
Up at 4.30 in the morning and headed off up the motorway to the Yorkshire Dales still half asleep we took a stop at the motorway services and after good intentions of a healthy breakfast I couldn't contain myself after seeing the full english laid out in front of me - it looked so nice! We had a great trip up with very little traffic and arrived at the B&B at 7.30. It gave us a good chance to prepare well - i'll not go into the gory details of Vaseline! but when we came to pick up the rucksacks they weighed a tonne. I reckon the wine gums were a couple of pound at least and the other food was lying heavy in the pack. Must be mad!

With a last photo for the start and final motivational comments we were off.



Pen-y-ghent
A quick walk down the river and through the farms and you were straight into the climb. It was a comfortable walk and path and you could see it all stretch out infront of you.

Not my strong point going up hill and the pack was heavy but we kept making good progress although the closer you got the more you could see it was going to need a scramble to the top.

Another push and we were at the top in just over an hour.

A quick photo and we were on the way down. The sun was now coming through and the temperature warming up although as a quick reminder of the conditions we were in as there was still snow lingering around!

The path headed into the peat bog now and lucky for us the weather had been good and it had dried out a little. There were still pools and burns around and there was no choice but to push through and fortunately it only came up to the top of our boots at worse. Why did we carry so much water?

This was a hard slog but it wasn't a big climb just smaller up and downs, head down and keep going. It was really the first time we got a scale of the enormity of the walk when yo can see that to get just half way we had to climb the mountain in the distance.


Whernside
With the start of the next climb infront of us we took a quick break with running repairs and strapping on the feet. I had a hard look in the rucksack and the wine gums made their way into the farm rubbish bit, that feels lighter! This was a picturesque part of the walk with a gentle incline that got steeper the further you went.

We had to really dig deep now. Doms gym work paying off and and for me I think this is where i hit my "wall" and have a stop. A quick stop and the determination returned to start again. But as we did both of us hurt more than before we had stopped and we realised this was going to hurt now. AS we trudged on i kept as close to Dom as I could and chased my shadow - I just couldn't catch up with the thing!

It did the trick and with loads of encouragement we made it to the top and I felt relieved that there was a good downhill spell to come.

As we came down off the top it was a dramatic steep slope and with Dom's ankles and knees already giving him jip. The expletives were now getting stronger and the air turned blue as Down went through the pain barrier. This was his wall and as we neared the bottom another rest was in order. Additional knee supports, compedes, ankle bandages, tape on the feet, it looked like A+E on a Saturday night!

Strapped up we headed across the valley chatting as much as we could to take the thoughts away from the pain it was now that the thoughts of the sponsorship kicked in and how we felt we couldn't let anyone down. As we walked up the road and past the pub it was very very tempting to order a pint instead. Our pint was waiting in Horton and on we went.

Ingleborough
Our sights were set now on the last mountain.

Across the fields and a great path and boardwalk through the limestone. Every now and again there was a massive crater to remind you that there are caverns underground and occasionally collapse. The path was obviously there for safety. The treck into the face of the mountain was tough but more determination and an ignorance of the feet and when there we took a brief stop to contemplate the climb.

It was a daunting scramble but I knew that if I could get to the top then that would seal me getting to the end as the downhill for me is the easiest part. For Dom it was the opposite getting to the top would be hard but getting down would be harder. Dom took off and it was a true scramble using hads as well as feet.

Once on the top it was then an easier climb to the summit.

We knew we were on 11 hour pace so a quick turnaround and we were heading down. Not a great choice of mine but we went straight over the edge to pick up the patch and the noises coming from Dom were curdling and a mixture of swear words and pain all mixed together, this was going to be a difficult decent. It was about 5 miles but seemed much longer. Both of us were hobbling now but we had to keep up the pace, when he could stride out a bit on the flat or up a rise he would pace it out, when going down i would find the least rocky path and between us talking all the way to keep our mind off it we gradually made progress. We picked up the pace more as we got closer but when we reached the edge of the town Dom thought we were behind time so we started run, I was absolutely shattered and after a quick walk we were running again but when Dom said 5 minutes left and I thought we were only a couple of hundred yards away that was it I couldn't run any more. As we rounded the corner we were there with 3 minutes to spare and another photo to record the moment.

Dom may have looked no different but I can assure you that was not the case and for me I was happy but shattered!


The finale
What a relief as we flopped on the bed you could feel the emotion wash over you, it was a real effort now to keep going. We assessed the damage and Dom had strained the ligaments in both knees, his ankles looked as though they both had a boiled egg attached, his toes had blisters on the tips, feet soles were red raw and a some more blisters. For me the Plantar faceitis was painful, I had massive bruises on my ankle, blisters on my feet, two missing toe nails and some chafing where i couldn't explain. A pub meal, a few beers and a bottle of wine later and it was all worth it. We were even planning next years challenge on the way home. Brilliant!

Doctors advise

Surely it would be easier to just pay the money to charity yourself and not do the walk! was the docs suggestion and he had a good point, I was tempted!

However I went ahead with the cortizone injection in my foot all the same to do all I could ready for next week. Big thick needle stuck through the arch of my foot into the heel and it hurts like hell for a few days until the pain killer kicks in, it'll be worth it!

I am resting it a little now and it feels great when I'm sitting down so it's an improvement.

Almost there

Realisation is dawning now that it is only 11 days to go.

The organising is done, timings, route, kit, equipment, accommodation, food etc. Just the last minute rucksack too pack.

The practicing is going well, Dom is in the Gym and i am out on my bike trying to build up the fitness and keep off my feet. I think we both feel that we are about ready now. That's not ready for any record but ready to give it a really good go. If we can avoid any injuries and endure the pain the 12 hours should be also about the mental will to succeed. Hopefully!

I've had plenty of pain already with my feet. They are much better now but still occasionally painful if I do too much or they stiffen up afterwards. I've decided now that I'll be ringing the doctor this week to see if I can get a pain killing injection to help me through. It shouldn't do any damage and I can rest afterwards.

In terms of the will to succeed I am almost at my sponsorship target now and thank you all for donating. It really is going spur me on as I don't want to let anyone down. Dom is also doing fantastically well and we should just about top two grand between us. Brilliant!

1st Joint Practice

Today was the first joint practice session that had been postponed due to the snow. We had decided to try Bradgate Park in Leicestershire because they have a number hills although they are only 250 meters high and 8 miles it was very similar to the three peaks itself albeit only approx 30%.

The objective was to get used to walking with each other, make sure we tested the kit and work out our strengths and weaknesses. With only a 3 hour parking ticket on the car the challenge was set.

We started off strong and made the first hill quite quickly. Dom was feeling fresh and paced it out. A little faster than I would normally walk but I kept up well and it was good for the fitness. Dom has a pace a little longer and as we made it to the top of the third peak I was feeling the pressure but we made it to the top in a perfect hour and half and took a breather to see the sites.



The trip back was much more interesting. We came down and through the village well with my feet hurting a little and Dom feet feeling a little raw but not a show stopper. It was about 2 hours in and were relaxing a little when the doubts started to come in and feel sorry for ourselves. Exactly what stops you walking. However within a few minutes it was uphill again all the way back and to take his mind off it Dom struck for home. I managed to stick close but had a great view!



After the last push we had a break again and a chance for a look at the view.





From here it was downhill all the way and to keep the fitness going we struck out for home running a good stretch of the way. 2 hours 50 minutes in some lovely countryside and weather was a job well done to give us a bit more confidence.

Still training - a bit

The feet seem to be still giving me some jip. One day they are OK and the next painful however I have been trying to mix a bit of rest but still exercising. Harlestone firs is taking a pounding and I feel as fit as the last time I did the walk - apart from the feet of course. I have dusted down the bike this week and pumped up the tyres and been out on a couple of trips hopefully I can increase this.

Dom and I are planning the practice trip again for this weekend, hopefully it won't snow this time!

Snowed off

We had planned the first of practices last weekend and were all fired up to do a walk in Leicester shire around three hills - Small ones though to start! However the weather has got to us and with 4 inches of snow over the weekend it would have done more harm that good. We still have a few more dates planned in.

The feet are getting a bit better now and i am not in too much pain. Great tip from Sarah though to role the bottoms of your feet on a litre coke bottle full of frozen water. Cold - but really helps.

I am out now twice a week walking and a bit of running - just a little bit, building up the fitness. I feel quite confident around the stamina so just need to get fitter and feet feeling better.

We have sent out a few e-mails this week for sponsorship so thank you to all those that have gone on the site and donated. Thank you.

Point of no return

It's been a couple of weeks of rest and after a short walk this weekend the left foot is just about there but the right needs a little more rest. On the mend then, great! Dom's pushing on in the Gym so i'll have some catching up to do.

We have moved at pace with the organisation now. From the logistics perspective we have worked through the timings and agreed that we will be doing the walk on Friday 16th April. We would have liked to do it over the weekend but there are a number of organised events that we would like to avoid - it would be nice to appreciate the views rather than walking in a line of people, it's not Canary wharf!

We plan an early start and drive in the small hours ready to start walking at 7am,it will get dark at 7pm so we should be finished by then, hopefully! Overnight accommodation is booked in the village so we can collapse - after a few beers and some food if we are feeling good.

We have both agreed our charities now. I am supporting the Wildlife Trust and Dom the Leicester Children's Hospital. We also have agreement for Barclays Bank to match our sponsorship so any money you support us with will be doubled by Barclays. A great incentive, thanks!

We've reached the point of no return now then, it's got to be done!

Double Challenge

I have had a text from Mike Pearson asking if i fancied doing the National 3 peaks challenge perhaps in June/July. Well I couldn't say no, could I!

The last time we walked together was over Crib Goch on Snowdon, the greatest ridge walk in wales. We had a brilliant walk that was a bit scarier than both wanted but with Mikes better fitness and my experience and low centre of gravity it was a great partnership.

Ben Nevis, Ska fell and Snowdon in 24 hours offers a different challenge though. Yes I can bring along my logistics and experience but I am going to need to get much fitter to keep up the rigorous/continuous steep walking this is going to need.

Were going to need to do a lot more planning but for now this makes a great double challenge for the spring.

Resting up

How frustrating but i have to rest up for a couple of weeks now, the doc advised that i have "Plantar fasciitis", inflamation of the foot tendon for you and I! Apparently i have been wearing flat flip flops too much and when I started the walking again, it was too much.

The painkillers, resting and some foot supports have taken the pain away now so I feel on the mend and fingures crossed it will be a thing of the past come April.

With my feet up i have managed to get my just giving page set up and agreed to support the wildlife Trust. I have put a link on this page so please give generously.

Hobbling around

I have been walking around Pitsford Reservoir every week since before Christmas now and felt fairly well. It's only a couple of hours but keeps you strong.

I have found a great o/s map on the internet, added below, for the Yorkshire 3 peaks so have printed a few copies and just need it laminating and memorising now. One job ticked off.

With the thought of 25 miles in front of me I decided to up the anti today and walk around both sides of Pitsford Reservoir around 15 miles. It was wet and miserable but a good test.

After 2 and half hours my feet started to ache like hell. It felt like it was muscle on the arch of my feet. Before that I was cruising but from then on it was a big struggle and felt like a challenge on it's own. I hobbled and shuffled most of the rest of the way and it was a mega relief when I got back to the car and sat down i can tell you!

Well just under 4 hours wasn't bad but I'm heading to the docs this week to get it sorted. Better out of the way now!

Yorkshire 3 peaks map

Yorkshire 3 peaks

After lunch with Dom at work we both fancy a challenge this year and have decided to set ourselves a challenge before Dom's second child arrives in May and life's over!

I did manage the Yorkshire 3 peaks a number of years ago in a time of 11 hours 50 minutes but had to run in the last mile or so and always thought that i could do it a bit quicker. Dom also fancies a walking challenge.

Not saying that I could do with loosing a bit of weight but the extra blocks of cheese over Xmas mean that I am feeling - well sluggish. Dom's well into detox and beer and crisps in Jan are off the menu.

There we go then our challenge is set to walk the Yorkshire Peaks in 11 hours and my challenge is also to loose half a stone in the doing.