New boots and no blisters

As i walked up to Blacks this morning they had just opened the doors and i managed to get a new pair of boots with few shoppers about. If the past was anything to go by then I was almost guaranteed blisters today. I Headed straight off to Blencathra as the weather forecast was for rain moving in this afternoon. It was straight up from the off and for an hour was quite relentless. The cloud then came in and that made it even more relentless.

It was such a shame on the top that there was so much cloud. I was walking so close to the edge and i am sure the scenery would have been fantastic. However made it to the top and just turned around for the decent. I was amazed when i took the boots off - shattered but no blisters - excellent.

It felt like just a tick which i am trying hard not to do so i had a quick look at which hills i want done and there only 8 left for the top 20 in England - There's the next challenge then!

Keswick visit

We had an away day this week with work on the Banks of Derwent water, what a great place to visit.

While i am here i thought i would make the best of it and while everyone headed home, i headed for the top of Skiddaw. It was tough from the start but as i got over the shoulder it started to even out a little before i could see Little Man in front of me. A last pull up to the top and the views were great all down the valley.

I could now see Skiddaw although not quite the trig point yet so pushed on. The wet weather of the week had left and i had great viws on all sides. The trig point soon came up as i reached after the first top and a great view out to sea. The walk down wasn't without it's hassles as my boots decided to give up as the sole on my left became detached and i flapped back into the car park. That'll give me a job to get some new boots for tomorrow - i hope they don't rub and better take the Compede's incase.

Pen y ole wen

As the lighter nights are here now i thought it was about time i got the hill walking going again. When i was planning to go in March and April there was still too much snow about. Well this evening was just what i needed and i set off after work for Ogwen Cottage and had the mountains to myself.

Pen y ole wen is the 7th highest mountain in Wales and have been meaning to do it for ages. Every time i am at Ogwen cottage though i looked at the path directly up and it kept putting me off. However for today i found a route up from the far side of Llyn Ogwen. The biggest mistake i made today though was parking in the car park near the centre as it meant i had to walk down the lake before i started and then the other side returning back. This would have been great if i had more time to appreciate it.

I was a little out of practice and the walk up was hard going. There were areas of real scramble and i was surprised some of the straight up galleys i had to get through, quite technical but the views were great and i was in no rush so appreciated as much as i could could. The top was a little disappointing though as it was quite flat and struggled to get a decent view, i had also forgot my selfie stick so a quick photo and i was heading down.

The return was just as technical but i managed to drop off quite quick. I also realised where i had gone wrong on the path going up and when i looked back i still thought surely that narrow gap isn't a path! When down i thought i would walk along the road path next to the lake to get some speed on. However the light was going down, the lake looked fantastic and i was surprised how many sillouetes of bats i saw picking of flies around the lake edge. What a great way to finish an evening.

LD3000

Work arranged a long distance walk and raised over 8K for Cancer research, great result for everyone. Labelled LD3000 it was about climbing as many of the 4 mountains you wanted. I opted for Skafell Pike, Skafell and Helvellyn along with our team.

After a great night preparing with pasta, beer and Bingo at The Churchill a few people were a bit jaded. If they weren't then the minibus drive up to Skafell didn't help either with us all feeling car sick as we careered around the hairpin bends and over bumps on the way there.

We were the last bus to arrive and was the last group to get going. With groups gone before us then some of the slower people were picked up in our group and we spent quite a lot of time waiting around.

However it allowed us to conceive some energy for later. The weather gradually got worse as we climbed up and when we eventually reached the top the visibility was very poor.

It was then felt that it would be too dangerous to attempt Skafell especially as we had to go up a wet grassy exposed area. Fair play. After a good walk down and a chat to loads of people the 4hrs 17mins was not bad. The minibus drive to Helvellyn took ages and by that time i was feel pretty lethargic.

We took the route up Helvellyn from Thirlmere and it was straight up from the off and never let up. A a group went off in front and Laura and i settled into walking together as the rain got harder.

It was a tough walk and we both dug deep but we made it to the top and down again in 3hrs which felt like a great achievement.

Mam Tor

Unfinished business for the work crowd after we didn't get to Mam Tor. We had a great day climbing Mam Tor from the Edale railway station and the along the ridge. We were in clouds for some of the time with a ferocious wind blowing at times. However when we dropped down a little the weather cleared and it was just a great walk with great company and another few thousand pounds raised for cancer research.

Ska Fell Pike from Langdale

I had been meaning to do this walk for ages and was really looking forward and wasn't disappointed. It started with the climb up Rossett Gyll and that felt harder this time. I thought i was a bit fitter but it just goes on for ages and when you think you are there it bends around another corner. I thought that once up alongside Great Gable it was going to be plain sailing but no, it was rock hopping most of the way with some big downhills and ups and the last push was harder than i wanted it. However once again it felt like being on top of the world when i was there and some good weather and views too. A good look at Ska Fell started to get me prepared for my Lake District 3000 challenge in July.

Kinder Scout on Crutches

Beers and walking were in order today as we headed to the Peak District for a few days. The weather was good for today but it is looking poor for tomorrow, never mind just one day will be great - it’s not always great walking with a hangover and aching legs anyway.

Today was Kinder Scout - Again! However you can’t ever get fed up of it. Mike had turned his ankle over at the weekend and was still in quite a bit of pain but with crutches from Dave there was no stopping him. It wasn’t as fast as we were used to but that suited me as i could relax into the walk and keep my eyes and ears our for Ravens, Grouse, Skylarks and woodpeckers - Nice. We parked in Edale and walked into the village and across the hills to Jacobs ladder. My fitbit walking had been paying off and it seemed a lot easier this time and more enjoyable. The sun was out but as we needed the top the cloud came in and wind got up. However it was only temporary and brighter up again.

I have never walked along the ridge before and i was surprised how tricky it was, hopping across deep peat and picking the right path. Mike was doing amazing and just kept up a steady pace, hobbling along. The route off was a bit tricky but with the pub beckoning it was not too bad.