Definitely not De Javu!

Monday 22nd August 16

Monday saw me meet up with long time friend Danny Bond.

Danny had wanted to complete the Yorkshire 3 Peaks for a while and we had set this date as mutually convenient and definitely not, as it turned out, for the weather!

This would be my 16th circuit of the 23mile route, taking in Ingleborough, Pen y Ghent and Whernside. It could have been a bit De Javu if it wasn't for the by far the worst conditions I have set off in!

Leaving from the *'Old Hill Inn' with dark, thick clouds above and rain bouncing down we set off towards Ingleborough to be met by a stream where the footpath should be! This would be the format for the day as we encountered torrents flowing down off the hills and streams having burst their natural courses.
The weather was forcast to lift a little during the afternoon and it was most welcome when it did!

*N.B starting from the 'Old Hill Inn' near Chapel-le-Dale and walking in an anti clockwise direction is my preferred route for a number of reasons -
1, it offers the option of a toilet stop at Horton in Ribblesdale, an important consideration when there are females in the group.
2, a second toilet stop is available at 'The Station Inn' at Ribblehead for a charity donation.
3, if unsupported by a vehicle there is a 'get out' option of not doing Whernside and walking from Ribblehead along the road to the starting point (or waiting at the 'Station Inn' whilst someone else goes for the car!
4, participants on already tired legs seeing the ascent up Ingleborough via the 'Devils Staircase' before them can become somewhat demoralised and a bit 'moany' when done as 3rd peak.
5, generally the majority of participants are surprised to find they suffer more with aches and pains of descent rather than the exertions of ascent so the shorter, sharp shock of descending Whernside with the finish in sight is a lesser evil than the near 7km/4mile drawn out descent of Ingleborough. 

The cloud base had been as low as 300m for most of the day but started to lift as we reached the road section of the route, personally this is the worst and most dangerous part. Worst as walking on the Tarmac takes it out on the feet and joints, dangerous because of the chance of being hit by a vehicle.

Hats off to Danny for digging in and getting to Ribblehead Viaduct in soaking wet boots. He was in good spirits as we chatted (which can be a giveaway of someone suffering) and physically seemed strong other than the soreness of his feet. I could hear the squelching of his wet boots as we neared the 'Station Inn' and decided it best to call an early finish and return to do the route another day rather than continuing on and risk Danny doing any long term damage to his feet, though the main reason was the annoying squelch, squelch, squelch that would have driven me insane (more so than presently) over a further 3hrs!!

Date already set!

That'll be the footpath/stream.

August on Pen y Ghent....

Summary - wet, damn wet!
This was one of those days when I speak to the client about reasons for possibly postponing until another time as I want them to have a good experience and not a day spent suffering. Despite the 'inclement' conditions and my suggestion of postponing Danny was unperturbed and keen to get on with it.
As somebody who spends a lot of time outdoors all year round I would grade this as 'sh*te' conditions so much respect to Danny for not being put off, surely has to be better next time....!?

The Yorkshire 2 Peaks.... & Pub!

Wednesday 1st June and myself, Clare, Sam and Owen decided to do part of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks route.

 Nothing better than a stroll around the route of the Yorkshire Three Peaks to make us Yorkshire folk feel reet proud so I'm always up for a day out in the Yorkshire Dales (Clare is nearly Yorkshire due to her having completed the route twice before, starting to lose the ability of saying 'the' in a sentence and being notoriously shy when it's her round!).

Sam, Owen and Clare had all completed the route in the past but were up for another trip around the 24 mile route.

 Leaving the 'Old Hill Inn' at 08:30am we made good progress towards Ingleborough and up the dreaded 'Devils Staircase' before being enveloped in low cloud on the summit plateau.

 With gales force winds, low cloud and the constant threat of a shower it was a typical British summer day in the hills as we headed towards Horton In Ribblesdale and on to Pen y Ghent (aptly meaning 'Hill of the Wind'.

 Stopping at Horton for a short break I set the challenge of making to the summit of Pen y Ghent with in 1.5hrs, as it went we made it in 1hr 5mins without a murmer about the steepness of the seemingly never ending ascent, what a team! 😳

 With a bit of a breeze blowing through we didn't hesitate for long on the summit and made our way down and along the route towards Ribblehead.

 It's some 8miles approximately between Pen y Ghent and Whernside and this part can really sap the moral and see the start of aches and pains in the joints.

 As we neared Ribblehead an injury appeared in our merry group and the best solution was thought to stop at the 'Station Inn' and assess the situation.

As it turned out the ankle I had gone over on at the start of the day decided that the stop was the right time give me a painful reminder that me decision to wear 'approach shoes' rather than walking boots may have been a poor one. After the compulsory 'Station Inn' pork pie and with an eye on the dark clouds over Whernside it was decided the day was to be a training day and we had done enough!

 We WILL be returning to complete the further route later in the year.

Summary - with approximately 18miles and 2 peaks completed it was a shame not to finish the route on the day but with 20 completions of the route between us and safe in the knowledge we will be back to do it again it didn't take too much debate, the pub may have helped a bit.

A great outing in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales with good friends can be nothing but good! 

Setting The Bar Higher - Bar Folks Yorkshire 3 Peaks.

 A chilly late September morning and the week started off in good style when I took a group of the 'glitterati' from the Leeds bar scene around the route of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.  For Ross, Andy, Jenny and Owen this would be their first attempt of the famous challenge, Sam was a member of a group who I'd led on the route last year, Clare had completed the route some years ago whilst still in education and for myself this would my twelfth time.

All smiles as the day begins.

 An early start saw me travel to the Yorkshire Dales with Ross (Shears Yard), Clare, Sam & Owen (Mojo's) and Andy & Jenny (Blind Tyger) for a day in the outdoors. The assembled group were all willing participants and a world away from the view of bar folk as generally up all night and drinking as much as they serve......?

 After stashing water around at points around the route we set out from the 'Old Hill Inn' and made our way towards the first hurdle of the locally named 'Devils Staircase'. The groans that come from every group as they near the steep winding stone staircase were slightly delayed due to the heavy mist but were audible as soon as the ascent became visible. With everybody getting 'stuck in' we were soon above the staircase and making our way onto the gritstone plateau, we then made our way through the mist and buffeting side winds to Ingleborough summit.

Team Mojo get carried away with themselves.

Ingleborough Summit (723m) and no view of Morcambe Bay today.

Leaving Ingleborough

 A brief photo stop on Ingleborough and we headed down the 6mile/10km path through the limestone  landscape and on towards Horton In Ribblesdale where we made use of the conveniences, refilled our water bottles and had a bite to eat, Clare's version of a hard boiled caused some debate!

The mist had lifted and the late summer sun was over head as we made our way up Pen y Ghent. There are a couple of trains of thought as to where the name 'Pen y ghent' originated, in Cumbric language 'Pen y Ghent' may have meant 'hill on the edge or border' whilst a translation in a close Welsh dialect would have been 'hill of the wind'. In my experience I can easily see where the Welsh meaning is close to the mark.

The mist lifts heading up Pen y Ghent.

The path up to Pen y Ghent.

Clare nears the top of Pen y Ghent.

Pen y Ghent summit (694m)

 The walk up to Pen y Ghent summit I feel is often under estimated and can test the legs of those attempting the 3 Peaks route for the first time, this being our second summit it was a case of dig in a get it over, which every one did.

 From Pen y Ghent it is then the long 7.5mile walk to the Ribblehead Viaduct. We stopped at 'Gods Bridge' for a bite to eat and a welcome change of socks (the key to a comfortable completion of the route in my opinion) and the group 'banter' helped the miles go by.

Heading for Whernside.

looks 'like a bridge over Ribble water'!

 We had another brief stop to fill water bottles before setting off on the path up Whernside. Some of the knees and feet were starting to ache on the last ascent but spirits were high and we soon made the summit.

Whernside looms!

The always impressive Ribble Head viaduct.

The long path up to Whernside

Andy & Jenny with some of the locals

Whernside (736m) summit, nearly done.

 From Whernside summit it is a steep and sometimes tricky decent for fatigued legs down to Philpot Farm and onto the Old Hill Inn. Approaching the farm we stopped to speak to two farmers who scratched said they couldn't see the attraction of undertaking the route before informing us the pub was closed on a Monday, much to their amusement but not ours!

Descending Whernside

 All in all a good day which I believe every one enjoyed, some didn't enjoy getting out of the vehicles after returning to Leeds but there has to be a price to pay for completing 23.5miles and 5200ft of ascent in under 12hours, otherwise it wouldn't be a challenge!

Well done all!

The Yorkshire 3 Peaks - In Pieces!

 The route is a long, challenging but manageable and rewarding day that most people with a reasonable level of physical fitness, plus a helping of will power to overcome possibly sore feet & legs, will be able to complete.
 To complete 'The 3 Peaks Challenge' a finishing time of under 12 hours is needed though most people aim for around 10 hours.

“Some people have chosen to regard the walk as a race, and this is to be greatly regretted, walking is a pleasure to be enjoyed in comfort” - Alfred Wainwright

The flat summit Ingleborough in the distance.

 The 24mile/38km route of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park and takes in the 3 peaks of Pen-y-ghent (694 m/2,277 ft), Whernside (736 m/2,415 ft) & Ingleborough (723 m/2,372 ft). It is important (and a relief!) to note that the total height of these peaks is not the height needed to be climbed, the peaks are measured from sea level and as we start above sea level the actual height ascended is approx 1,600m/5,249ft.

 The route is usually followed in an anti clockwise direction heading out from 'Horton-In-Ribblesdale' and ascending 'Pen-y-ghent' first.
 When explaining the route to others I have often found it easier for them to understand when broken down into easily identifiable sections and so i will do here too -

Horton-In-Ribblsdale over Pen-y-ghent - Leaving 'Horton-In-Ribblesdale' from the 'Pen-y-ghent' cafe the track passes through a gate before it splits to the left and right. Taking the turning to the right the track heads to thru a farm yard, over a small wooden bridge before joining the road to 'Brackenbottom'. Reaching the farm buildings at 'Brackenbottom' after approx 800m the route leaves the tarmac and the ascent begins! Through grazing pasture and some limestone formations the route makes it way to the junction with the 'Pennine Way' where it turns left and begins to rise steeply following stone steps to the summit.The total ascent to the 694m summit of Pen-y-ghent is 454m and a distance of just under 4km from 'Horton-In-Ribblesdale'
This section takes approx 1-1.5hr*

The road to 'Brackenbottom'

The track to Pen-y-ghent which a steep turn to the left in the distance.

The steep 'steps' section to the summit.

 Pen-y-ghent to Ribblehead Viaduct- Descending from the summit of 'Pen-y-ghent' the route heads  North West towards 'Whernside' and the, sometimes visible, 'Ribblehead Viaduct' approx 11.5km away. This section takes the route through 'Horton Moor' & 'Tober Moss' where there can be very wet conditions underfoot at the best of times which can be very tiring to wade through or pick your way around. With no ascents of note the route winds its way through moor then grazing land before passing over a foot bridge at 'Nether Lodge' and joining a well surfaced track that leads to 'Lodge Hall'. Shortly after passing through the 'Lodge Hall' buildings the track meets the B6479 and heads North West for approx 1.5mile on the tarmac to 'Ribblehead Viaduct'.
This section takes approx 2.5-3hrs depending on speed and fitness of those walking and the condition of the wet ground!

Some sections can be a 'little bit soft' in wet conditions!

Leaving Pen-y-ghent behind

  Ribblehead Viaduct to Whernside- Walking alongside the extremely impressive Victorian engineering of the 'Ribblehead Viaduct' the route follows the 'Settle-Carlisle' railway track until it crosses the aqueduct and starts to rise more steeply as it passes 'Force Gill'. The path to the summit of 'Whernside' crosses a stile on the left and is on a good surface with slabs of stone laid in sections to prevent soil erosion. The route continues to rise steadily before it then makes its way alongside the stone wall that runs along the 'whaleback' shape of 'Whernside', which standing at 736m above sea level is the highest point in 'Yorkshire'. The summit point is some 441m above and 6.5km from the section starting point.
This section takes 1.5-2hrs*

Ribblehead Viaduct below Whernside.

The route to the right of Ribblehead Viaduct.

Whernside to Low Sleights Road - From the summit of 'Whernside' the route follows the 'whaleback' for approx 1.2km before taking a turn to the left and down steeply. This is where the knees start to feel the stress of the 20km already done and the strain of stepping down over a large stones formed into a rocky stair case. The path drops quickly until it reaches 'Bruntscar' where it again becomes tarmac and passes through pasture on either side reaching 'Philpin Farm' where there may be an opportunity to purchase a snack or drink and take a toilet break at weekends. Another 300m sees the route turn left onto 'Low Sleights Road' and a total distance of 4.5km from the summit of 'Whernside'.
This section takes approx 1.5hr*

From Whernside to Ingleborough (on a clear day!)

Whernside towards the Howgill Fells.

Low Sleights Road to Ingleborough - Turning right through the gate after 'The Old Hill Inn' the route leaves the last of the tarmac behind until the finishing point in 'Horton-In-Ribblesdale' and heads South winding its way through the limestone pavements which were scraped clean during the last ice age. The route rises gradually then passes through a gate where the track is now paved with large slabs of stone as on the ascent of 'Whernside', the slabs take you across a couple of streams and through 'Humphrey Bottom'. After approx 2.8km of gradually gaining height the route leads to what is known locally as 'The Devils Staircase', a rise of 100m over a distance of just 220m on a stone staircase.A the name implies the staircase it can be a bit of a devil on the now tired knees and legs!
 After reaching the top of the 'Devils Stair Case' there is chance for a quick deep breath in before the route leads up a further 100m over a distance of 650m and arrival at the summit, a total of 3.7km ascending 406m.
This section takes approx 2-2.5hrs*

The 'Devils Stair Case'

A lonesome figure makes his way up the final few steps of the 'Devils Stair Case'.

Ingleborough to Horton-In-Ribblesdale- The final section of the route leaves from the North Eastern point of the flat summit of Ingleborough, from this point, and with good weather, the track can be seen making its way down to 'Horton-In-Ribbledale' with 'Pen-y-ghent' in the distance. It is a long section at some 7.5km whilst descending 390m in height. As it leaves the flat summit the track again puts the tired knees to the test before descending more gently to make its way on a good surface which is boarded in some parts. The route passes through some sections of limestone which can be slippery in wet weather before entering some fields of pasture and finally crossing the railway lines and entering the village of 'Horton-In-Ribblesdale' and the finish!!!
This section takes approx 1.5-2hrs.

On the flat summit of Ingleborough.

The track makes its way to 'Horton-In-Ribblesdale' with 'Pen-y-ghent' in the distance.

On towards the limestone section.

 Refreshments & Toilets- After leaving the village at 'Horton-In-Ribblesdale' chances for refreshment and to use a flushing toilet are limited! There is sometimes a tea van parked at the road junction prior to following the route next to 'Ribblehead Viaduct', it is usually there at weekends and week days when there is decent weather.
 There is also a pub,'The Station', at the 'Ribblehead Viaduct' which serves good food, drinks and snacks when open.
 On weekends from May to September the 'Philpin Farm' operates a tea van in one of their barns serving tea, coffee, cold drinks & snacks & toilets.
 A further 300m on from 'Philpin Farm' is the 'Old Hill Inn' pub though as yet I've never been in here as I don't think I'd get started again so can't tell you very much about it!

Enjoy!!

*walking at an average speed of 3-4km/hr.