Langdale Pikes and Bow Fell

This was the second walking trip this year and once again had the most fantastic weather making the walking much safer and the views more spectacular. We decided to start off on the Langdale horseshoe and see where it took us. Walking up the Dungeon Ghyll to Harrison Stickle started to remind me how much fitter i could be. I had forgot how dramatic it was and was a great start to a brilliant day.

As we reached the top the peaks have a great prominence in the valley and then opens out towards High Raise. We progressed downwards now before a rise again to Rossett Pike.

We were around 4/5 hours in now but still had some walking in us and were keen to complete the day with Bow Fell. I saw a path from the tarn and we set off but as we got ccloser the path was not well formed and with the others in front we were on the way to Esk Hause before we knew it. It was a good climb up and i was starting feeling it now but after a Red Bull (no vodka this time) i seemed to have a second wind and the climb to the top of Esk pike didn't seem too bad.

As i arrived on the summit my confidence grew massively as i saw a straight forward walk to the top of Bow fell. A quick photo of Andy and Tala and i was off strifding up to Bow Fell. The top of which was awesome with brilliant views all around that will inspire many more walks in the future.

It was just down now which for me i felt good about but it was exceptionally steep and a lot longer than i expected, whew i was pleased i had not come up this way. Dave struggled with a tendon in his leg which made things harder and a long route down the band. However after 9 hours we were all shattered but safely in the Old Dungeon Ghyll with a pint.

Tryfan

I had wanted to climb this for sometime and after a few aborted chances due to the weather that was not going to happen today.

Following on from a long walk yesterday this was tough to get the legs moving but after a hard push we made the stone wall between Glyder Fach and Tryfan. It didn't look too far then but we had under estimated the difficult scramble that was now in store

As Dave and Andy pressed on the direct route Mike and I decided to follow the path which didn't seem right to start with as it went around the side before it headed up. However it was a bit easier as the rocks to clamber over were a little smaller - much better for my short legs. As we neared the top they found there way and we pressed on up to the top together and then what a view.

You can make up the summit on the left and queue of people looking to do Adam and Eve. We headed back down to the wall and i was about done in but not wanting to let anyone down i agreed to carry one and i was really pleased i did. The legs seemed to get stronger and we made it to Glyder Fach and the guys had some great photo's with the cloud free sky.

We headed on to Glyder Fawr with some great views of the Snowdon horseshoe and then down through Devils kitchen which with the wind swirling around felt much harder coming down than it was going up. however we had been walking for over 7 hours so it may just have been my state of mind and really was relieved to see the finish a a brilliant walk.

The Watkins

This was the second time i have done the Watkins path over the top of Snowdon but what a brilliant route. A taxi round to the far side at Nant Gwynant and then we were free to walk back to our hotel in llanberis. The path winds it way through the forrest and then through the less used Cwn Llan. It was great to see newly arrived Wheaters and Ring ouzels as well as noisy Ravens overhead.

After you have walked up the back of Y Lliwedd the views across to Crib Goch, The miners and Pyg track open up especially in the great weather we had. I can't think of many better places to sit and have lunch. The next bit is up the scree slope to the top and this is a really tricky bit and quite exposed as it drops off into the Cwm as this video i took shows http://youtu.be/1cdXF5vGkNQ. After a last push we were on top and the obligatory selfie!

Just to remind us that it is not always clear skies and sunny the last bit of snow remained just below the summit.

The train didn't seem to be running properly today but as we walked down the Llanberis path it was in half way station with ribbons on the front as though it was being used for a wedding and with a helicopter landing and taking off from the same it must have cost a few quid if it was. More likely a film of some kind.

Zip World

Wow what a brilliant day!

100 miles an hour down a zip wire that is over a mile long over a slate mine and lake - what an experience and really exhilarating. To top that the weather was perfect not too warm but hardly a cloud in the sky.

I felt like a massive rush gaining speed up to what must have been 100mph and then like a bird soaring over the quarry. Even had time for a good look around and appreciate the view before steaming into the finish. Andy and Dave flying in: https://youtu.be/9v29Chl7LQE

A family walk - Y3P 11hrs 27mins

We were looking for a challenge and thought the Yorkshire 3 peaks would be would be good for the three of us - a nice family walk. As i am writing this with aching legs we all must have been mad! We had a recce when we arrived the day before and realised that the actual three peaks race was on so we knew we would have loads of company. Seven o'clock the next morning we were in the car park , boots on and ready to go, I am not sure Leanne and Del knew what they were letting themselves into but whatever it was i am sure they would deal with it. It wasn't long after we started that the rain started too. A drizzle at first but as we climbed Pen-y-Ghent it got worse - Still plenty of spirit though. The further up we went the stronger the wind and rain got to such an extent that it was a struggle to stand up and we were soaked. The tactic for the day was no long stops so a quick photo on the top to capture the conditions and it was first one down and onto the next. As we came of the hill the wind relented and as we headed over the moors the rain held up a little too. The damage was done though and it would take us until the next hill to dry out but in the meantime the paths were in a bad way and very muddy and slippy. Although the photo's don't do the tricky bits justice. It is surprising how fast the time went and it wasn't too long till we were walking down the road to Ribblehead to meet up with Mum. We were determined not to hang about so she walked with us for a while. As we worked our way up Whernside the going got tougher and the muscles at the back of leannes knees got more painful.The views were spectacular now and it was amazing how far we had come and were perhaps half way in distance but struggling. As we neared the top Leannes left knee was in a really bad way and it was a struggle. This was her moment when the muscle got much worse and thoughts of completing were in doubt. A brave face on things was needed. It was a hard struggle up to the top and if the challenge wasn't hard enough the wind was ferocious and we were all blown over at separate time. The top was managed though and another quick photo and we were heading down. The way down was tricky with a damaged knee and as usual was a really scary drop off. In a lot of pain now we pushed on to the pub where mum waiting. Unfortunately Leanne's race was run but a brilliant effort. Del was feeling a little better getting more determined that she wanted to finish. All those hours in the Gym were really helping. For me i could have give up too but couldn't let Del go on her own. We had about 4 and a half hours to get in the 12 hours so we both thought we had a good chance. As we left the pub and walked up to Ingleborough the path was flat and we were feeling good. A good pull up to the face and still felt good. A little cautious at the hight but we we were off and all i could see was Del's backside! The top was soon done and we were heading down both well pleased with the shape we were in but it was a long way still to go. We had looked at the time and knew we were ok and i think we were celebrating a bit early as we both wound down a little, the adrenalin sickness kicked in and suddenly it all seemed a lot harder. I think Del hit the "WALL" with 2 miles to go as a realisation came over that we still had another hour to go. The last bit was a real drag and we hauled ourselves across the fields, over the train track and into the car park where we surprised Leanne and Ju by being early. 11 hours 27 mins for Del's first time and my second best from 4 times - Awesome! Thank you girls - great spirit and determination.

Y3P again

A chance for a team build with the crowd from work was the motivation to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks for a third time. We were also raising money for Cancer Research and while this wasn't my main motivation we did raise acout £4500 - not bad! It was glorious weather, sunny, warm with a breeze that every now and again refreshed you. We made Penyghent in really good time and i felt good. We then picked up the new path which avoided the peat bog and that was fantastic. It felt great not too have wet feet and the strength sapped out of you. We made Ribblehead and i felt fresh. Having a support team made a great difference and it was great to pick up some more water rather than carry it all with you. Whernside was better than i was expecting. It was my wall last time but this i kept good progress and and when we made the top i was looking forward to the descent. We came of the hill well and were together as a team although strung out a little. We made it to the pub and I felt great. I thought i was being clever by changing my socks but unfortunately i must have put them on a bit quick and got some grit in my boots which was to give me a couple of nasty blisters between my toes that ensured i wouldn't be forgetting about it too quick. The last hill was achieved and we re-grouped. A look at the time and it was going to be tight to get in for 12 hours. We came of in good time and a quick run to the finish to a cheering crowd was very welcome. I had felt better than expected and this time made the celebrations and ate some food - but not too much. Mmmm maybe i should do it again.

Pyg and Pass again

Yes it was second time in a week that I had climbed Snowdon and this route but this time it was a miracle in that Leanne asked if she could walk a mountain so i wasn't going to let that pass.

As we caught the bus up to Pen-y-pass we were optimistic. The weather wasn't great now but hopefully it would brighten up. The photos looked a bit wet in the car park as we started and we took these just in case it didn't let off. It was a bit of a shock to the body for her and the first stretch up the the cross roads with the Pyg track and the Crib Goch was tough and harder than expected. It was drizzling so really we put head down and got on with it. By the time we had reached this cross roads though it lifted a little.

From here the path eased and she started to enjoy it. Every now and again the cloud would lift and the views came through. The track had a few tough areas as the path petered out but it all added to the charm.

A push on up the steps with the weather improving and we were there - Yeeeeess! We could look forward to a hot drink and a dry at the cafe.

AArrrrhhhhh! Its locked up at 4.45. It's good job no one was around as Leanne looks as though she could strangle them!

A quick turnaround then and some water from the spring on the way down and we stormed down the Llamberis path to the hotel. Excellent ealk and a great sense of achievement for Leanne.