Pennine Way

Monday 1 November 2010

Introduction

This year (2010) I have decided to walk the Pennine Way as part of my objective of climbing all hills/mountains in England over 2000ft with a prominence of 15m. (Great mixture of imperial and metric) These are England’s version of the Scottish Munro’s and called Nuttalls. (See http://www.nuttalls.com/ for more details). At risk of sounding like an anorak it is worth pointing out that Hewitts are really the equivalent as they have a prominence of 30m. However for the anoracks amongst us full definitions of all hill types are given on http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/

Originally I intended to complete climbing all of these in 2010 having climbed 98 out of the 253, leaving 155 to climb in one year averaging 13 per month.

Unfortunately I sustained a back injury back in March; following my American Pie day on Mickle Fell on 07 Feb, which took out 3 months of my schedule, which if I tried to catch up may have seen me back on the treatment couch and more in importantly in the divorce court.

What should I do instead? I know walk the Pennine Way, from Edale in Derbyshire to Kirk Yelholm, just the other side of the Scottish border. A total of 270 miles usually walked in 14 - 16 days. My plan is to visit some of the Nuttalls along the way making a total walk of 330 miles and taking 21 days.

I hope to keep a diary of my daily progress including photographs. This of course depends on me being able to work out the technology “thingy” by way of this “blog” via “facebook whats-it” as well as ensuring I keep my camera and smart-phone charged. Of course, this depends on me having a mobile signal.

Anyway – whatever happens I am declaring here and now to do the walk between 23 Sept 2010 and 14 October 2010 so there is no backing out. Also I have just paid for my train ticket to Edale and I don’t want to waste that.

Look out for further updates about training as well as daily diary entries during the walk. Hope they are not too boring.

Finally I had not intended to ask people to support me to do this walk but it occurred to me that it is such a personal challenge I felt it would be a waste if I did not take this opportunity to raise even a few pounds for the Royal British Legion. If only one person donates an extra £ over and above the odd fiver for a poppy every year it will have been worthwhile.

Please follow this link for more details

AND THIS LINK TO DONATE

Sunday 3 October 2010

Photographs Day10 - Day14

Day10 Sunday 03 October 2010
Keld - Tan Hill
Day10 Photographs
Day10 Summary, Map, Route (Description to follow)

An enforced rest day. It rained all night and continued to pur down all day until 6pm. Only managed 4 miles from Keld to Tan Hill Inn getting soaked to skin in the 2 hours and 4 miles I walked. After consuming a sunday roast had to abandon afternoons walk as still soaked and was unable to get warm even after walking for nearly 1 mile. Decided to return to Tan Hill and get warm to avoid possibility of chill turning to Hypothermia and risky situation. Opportunity to get warm and dry as well as eat a second sunday roast and load up on liquid carbs. (Black Sheep Ale)

Day11 Monday 04 October 2010

Tan Hill - Middleton-in-Teesdale

Day11 Photographs

Day11 Summary, Map, Route (Description to follow)

A good days walk after yesterdays enforced rest day. Managed to take a detour off track on Sleightholme Moor confirming the decision to go back yesterday was absolutel correct. After getting back on track seemed to take ages to reach A66 but was bolstered by company in afternoon.

Day12 Tuesday 05 October 2010

Middleton-in-Teesdale - Dufton

Day12 Photographs

Day12 Summary, Map, Route (Description to follow)

Today was the highlight of the walk so far. Following the River Tees along Teesdale, passing Low Force then High Force, scrambling up the east side of Cauldron Spout in full spate climaxed by the approach to High Cup Nick. It was like a good BBC drama you knew something was going to happen but you did not know when until it happened. 21 miles walked in 9½ hours. The furthest distance covered in one day.

Day13 Wednesday 06 October 2010

Dufton - Garrigill

Day13 Photographs

Day13 Summary, Map, Route (Description to follow)

Only 16 miles to Garrigill today, along with 4 * 2000ft tops. Today is listed as one of the toughest of the whole walk with the most ascent in any one day. It is some measure of progress and improved fitness, especially after yesterdays hard 21 miles, that I set off on what would have been at the beginning of the walk an almost impossible task. One other positive is that I had already visited Cross Fell and walked back to Garrigill last May with Clive Kirk and therefore know that it is all downhill for the last 8 miles of the day.

Day14 Thursday 07 October 2010

Garrigill - Knarsdale

Day14 Photographs

Day14 Summary, Map, Route (Description to follow)

A notional rest day today, just 11 miles. Also relatively easy going follwing the South Tyne all the way to Alston and onto Knarsdale, very reminiscent of the Dales Way. Also after yesterdays cold wind the sun was shining as I left Garrigill and stayed out all day to Knarsdale. The best day for weather and therefore scenery all walk.

Thursday 30 September 2010

DAY07, Thursday 30 September 2010: Malham - Horton

Introduction Training Phase I Training Phase II What to take
Planned Walking Schedule

Fundraising for The Royal British Legion
Days00&01 Day02 Day03 Day04 Day05 Day06 Day07 Day08 Day09 Day10
Day11 Day12 Day13 Day14 Day15 Day16 Day17 Day18 Day19

Thursday 30 September 2010
Day 00 Start - Edale - OS Grid Ref:- SK 12298 85949 - Height:- 254.13m
Day 00 Route - Edale->Kinder Low
Days Walk:- 3.88 Miles
Days Ascent:- 473.06m
Start Time:- 15:40, Finish Time:- 18:00
Walking Time:- 2hrs 20mins
Average Speed:- 1.66mph
Places of Interest:-
Naggs Head-Edale
Jacobs Ladder
Edale Cross
Peaks visited:-
None

Friday 24 September 2010
Day 01 Start - Kinder Low - OS Grid Ref:- SK 07826 87218 - Height:- 626.36m
Day 01 Route - Kinder Low->Crowden Campsite
Days Walk:- 12.90 Miles
Days Ascent:- 410.52m
Start Time:- 10:15, Finish Time:- 18:40Snake Pass
Clough Edge
Peaks visited:-
Mill Hill
Bleaklow Head

PHOTOS (DAY 07)

Click here to view a slideshow of photos taken on DAY07 Thursday 30 September 2010

DAYS JOURNAL (DAY 07)

Today will see the completion of the first week and nearly 96 miles walked. While I have no ilussions about what is left to do I feel pretty good that I have made it this far. What I am not sure about is how I will cope in to the 2nd week and more immediately how I will get on today. Although I have walked 16 miles in a day before I have not had the biggest climb of the day right at the end. This being Pen-y-Ghent the highest point of the walk so far.

MAP DAY 07

ROUTE CARD DAY 07

Wednesday 29 September 2010

DAY06, Wednesday 29 September 2010: Gargrave - Malham

Wednesday 29 September 2010
Day 06Start - Gargrave - OS Grid Ref:- SD 93296 54260 - Height:- 110.00m
Day 06Route - Gargrave->Malham
Days Walk:- 6.98 Miles
Days Ascent:- 284.28m
Start Time:- 13:30, Finish Time:- 17:45
Walking Time:- 4hrs 15mins
Average Speed:- 1.64mph
Places of Interest:-
Ayre Head
Peaks visited:-
None

PHOTOS (DAY 06)
Click here to view a slideshow of photos taken on DAY06 Wednesday 29 September 2010

Fundraising for the Royal British Legion

DAYS JOURNAL (DAY 06)

Opening lock gates
on Leeds & Liverpool Canal just before Chew Lane

For the first time I am starting the day behind schedule by about 6 miles being in Gargrave rather than Malham. By tonight I will be a full day behind schedule as today I am planning to walk only 6 miles to Malham. The following day was a planned rest day, however after walking a tough 5 days without any adverse physical effects, I have decided to walk from Malham to Horton tomorrow putting me back on schedule. Today will effectively be a rest day as the idea of kicking my heals all day in one place does not make any sense. 6 miles should easily be achievable without using valuable reserves and more importantly allow me to replenish some of my energy whilst still making progress.

Looking back at River Ayre crossing,
Tarn Beck tributary just off to the left

As I have only got 6 miles to walk today I am in no rush to get off early. All of my clothes had not dried fully as it was too hot to sleep with the heating on. However the landlady at the pub let me put my clothes on other radiators around the pub so my pants, socks tops and everything else was draped around the pub. The breakfast at the Old Swan Inn was excellent and after double cereal, full English and double toast I read the paper and started to slowly get my stuff together. Now my clothes were clean and dry, for the first time I could get everthing in my backpack without having to overflow into a 2nd bag that was tied onto my pack and although it was still bulky seemed to be a lot more manageable weight wise.
I was ready to leave fully refreshed and clean by about 12:30, a little later than I had planned but still expect to reach Malham by 15:30. Walking through Malham I call into a butchers and bought some mince meat. On the other side of the road there is a co-op, so I buy the ingredients to make myself a chilli as well as fresh milk.

Newfield Bridge

By now it was 13:15 and after a phone call home, was crossing the Leeds/Liverpool canal on the way out of Gargrave at 13:30 just as a barge was going through the lock gates. Passing Chew Lane and heading past Mark Plantation I somehow miss the Pennne Way sign (if there was one) and continue along the road to Harrows Laithe between Harrows Hill to the north and Hebers Hill to the south. As I reach Mark House Lane I decide to cut across the field and return to the Pennine Way near Steeple Hill Plantation.
Reaching the road I followed it to Airton where at the Tarn Dike bridge I realised I should have stayed on the other side of the wall and on the path and field about 10ft below. Fortunately (for me, not the car) a car had hit the wall and I was able to lower myself down through this gap in the wall.

Looking back at Airton bridge crossing

From here I cross the River Aire and follow it all the way to Airton crossing it again at Newfield Bridge. The path continues along the banks of the River Aire to Hanlith Hall where the path takes a steep climb to Hanlith. The path then returns to following the river over Windy Hill and on to Aire Head. This is where the Rivere Aire reappears out of the ground after dissappearing down a sink hole near Malham Cove over 1 mile away.
From here Malham Cove is viewed for the first time and in front of it is Malham the days end point.
Compared to previous days not only was this the shortest walk but also the easiest. In essence a stroll along the Aire Valley. The last part of the walkwas the hardest, to Hill Top Farm bunkhouse was believe it or not at the top of a hill. So I was well ready for a warm room and a welcoming cup of tea provided by 3 hostellers who I would be sharing with me that night.

Malham Cove from AyreHead

The plan for the night was a hot shower, cook then eat my chilli, then a pint in either the Lister Arms Hotel or the Buck Inn in Malham.
Oh well 2 out of 3 was not bad. The shower was brilliant I was being spoilt having a wash 2 days on the trot whether I needed it or not. Also the chilli was brilliant even though I do say so myself. Again a double portion with pasta.
This walking lark is brilliant all you have to worry about is getting enough to eat and finding somewhere dry to sleep. If it is also warm that is a bonus and if it has a shower a double bonus. After eating I was too tired to bother walking to the pub so again an early night ready for an early start to what will be a long hard day tomorrow.
It turns out the 3 hostellers are moving on tomorrow as well to Horton, which happens to be my destination. They kindly offer to take my back pack for me but for some reason I have become attached to it In my mind I would be cheating. I want to say I walked the Pennine Way, all of it, with 60lbs on my back.
"Where is it written down that you have to do that" I am asked.
"No where" I reply"
"Except in my head"
I must be mad