Pennine Way signpost and hillsides above Edale. The way down to the right leads to Grindsbrook Dale at the very start (or finish) of the walk.
(© Copyright Andrew Hill and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)
Less than 3 weeks till I take on the Trans Pennine 100km challenge, looks like it could be a hilly one! Doing this in memory of my aunt and for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Please sponsor me for this great cause.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/oliverprentice
With my medal having just crossed the finish in 24 hours 25 minutes including all rests.
Almost there. About 11km to go at this stage. Nice of them to have this crazy steep bridge!!!
Can’t believe I’ve just finished my second 100km trek, and I sprinted last 25m across the line. Was so hard, but glad I carried on. Had to dig deep!!
28km in. Lunch stop!
Tomorrow afternoon i’ll be setting off to Putney in London to prepare for the Thames Path 100km Trek. I didn’t imagine that at the beginning of the year I would be doing anywhere near that distance, let alone twice, and climbed the 3 Peaks in between.
I started challenging myself a few years back with shorter walks for charity, and as I got fitter, upping the distance which of course meant tougher fund raising targets. I have always supported Hope for Children and have seen them grow over the years. It is great to support a small charity and see the great work they do. I amazed at peoples generosity and have raised approaching £2,000!
This one is different as I now know many people who are also doing many different challenges, raising money for all sorts of charities, so it will be great to walk among friends. Some this time are marshals helping out at checkpoints or walking parts of the route so there will always be a friendly face along the way.
Strangely the weather is nearly the same as before, a week of heavy rain, with a clear weekend forecast, which means it could be ideal conditions but muddy under foot. Either way these challenges are addictive, and I will continue to push myself and raise money for Hope. Who knows where it will take me!
3 Peaks: Ben Nevis
The 10 hour drive to Fort William went surprisingly quick, with the drive through Scotland, after Glasgow really being an eye-opener of just how epic the landscape is. We soon found our accommodation, and a pub for some hearty local fare. Chicken stuffed with Haggis. Well, when in Rome.
We checked the weather for the ascent the next day as Ben Nevis only has a few clear days each year and wanted to make sure it would be safe. It was due to get worse as the day went on closing in at midday. So we set off as early after as we could after breakfast.
A small strip of low cloud hung over the car park as we embarked on the first climb, full of high spirits and a little uncertain of what lay ahead. It was great setting off in good weather and we made good progress. The path soon changed to rocky steps and it began to hit home that this was going to be quite a challenge as we looked up towards the summit that was still out of view, and starting to get harder to see, as the clouds were closed in.
The rocky steps flattened out to give us a respite, and walking past a tarn we could see the green fading into rocky grey. This was the start of the famous zig zags and the beginning of the steeper climb to the top. As we reached this area it was waterproof time as the rain started to come down.
The zig zags got rockier and harder as the visibility got worse and the rain and wind got harder. The final climb is not too steep but is a bit of a clamber over a boulder field from cairn to cairn. (piles of stones to mark the route) These were starting to disappear into the murk and it was slightly worrying that we may loose the path as this was around the area of the infamous five finger gully. Thankfully to the great map reading and use of GPS we reached the summit. It was very cold and everyone’s fingers starting to loose feeling due to the probable below freezing wind chill. After adding extra layers, quick photos and a bite to eat we quickly and carefully made our way down.
Once clear of the cloud cover and seeing the route down we knew we were clear of real danger but the rocky steps were very slippery and I found it quite a difficult descent. Especially with 50mph gusts and stinging sleet! I was certainly glad of my trekking poles. It was an intense climb requiring full concentration, and we didn’t realise what we had achieved till nearly back at the car. Peak 1 ticked off! Click the link below for all the route details:
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/218886633#.UEZzBhskXco.facebook
I’m currently in the middle of climbing the 3 Peaks, which I am using as part of my training (yes crazy) for another 100km charity walk. This time it is along the Thames pathway from Putney to Henly, and with only 4 weeks to go it is rapidly approaching!
I am again walking for the great charity of Hope for Children, so please dig deep and lend your support!
So, 3 days to go till we set off for Scotland, to begin the adventure of the 3 Peaks Challenge. The challenge is climbing the 3 highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales. Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon. Some choose to do it in 24 hours which makes it even more demanding, but we are doing one a day, making it into more of an adventure holiday, and more opportunities for photography. The 24 option means doing Scafell at night, which I think is a shame and adds unnecessary danger.
The team all met up last week, to make final plans. We ran over equipment lists, mostly to make sure we all had relevant safety equipment and provisions. Some people have climbed individual mountains before, so between us we would know routes. But we have enough maps and compasses to make sure, and I was pleased to hear some had GPS navigators too, which could be invaluable in poor visibility. It was a great team bonding evening as well, especially as I had only met everyone earlier this year through Twitter. Oh yes, one more team member to meet who is flying in from Norway!
Did the last of my training this weekend of KardioBox which always includes lots of leg work in squats and lunges, then also did weights, focussing on bench, squats and dead lifts, as the latter 2 are brilliant leg strength and overall body conditioning lifts. Now it’s time to rest over the next few days, to let all the muscles recover before they get punished enduring all the climbing. Bring it on!
Scafell Pike, England
Beautiful!! Less than 3 weeks till I take on the 3 Peaks as a mini break over a series of days. Hope the weather is as gorgeous as this, although I reckon Ben Nevis won’t be so friendly. :)
I am trying to challenge myself with progressively harder challenges. Currently training to walk Hadrians's Wall and take part in the Trans Pennine 100km Challenge! So this is the story of my training for this, and other fitness activities. I also train in White Crane Martial Arts and enjoy travelling when I can, snapping photos along the way...
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