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....!?

A Path Less Traveled.

Sunday 14th & Monday 15th August.

Sunday 14th and I was out with Gemma and Jonathan on the Howgill Fells as a 'hill walking' taster/introduction trip.

I had chosen the Howgill Fells as they tend to be less busy than their neighbouring and more famous Lakeland Fells and Yorkshire Dales, but have an interesting landscape and offer great views of their neighbours (on a clear day!).

We took a circular route from Brunt Sike across Long Rigg, Fell Head, Bush Howe and up on to The Calf before descending down White Fell.

Monday - After a night spent camping in the small Dales town of Dent we took a route to the summit of Whernside from Dentdale.

Again this was a route less popular than the sometimes busy route from Ribblehead.

Following the The Dales Way before joining the The Dales Highway, then heading to the summit on the 'A Penine Journey' footpath we were rewarded by stunning views on all sides under a clear blue sky.

We descended into Deepdale and followed the footpath through farmland and past cottages back into Dentdale.

Summary - whilst I love my climbing, ridges, scrambling and mountain routes it was really good to get out and do some hillwalking with Gemma and Jonathan.

Whilst Jonathan has some previous hillwalking Gemma hadn't since the Duke of Edingburgh Award 'a couple' of years ago, hopefully being out in such stunning surroundings may see them getting out more frequently in the future.

Balmy Irish Summer Days!

1st & 2nd August 2016.

I have been in Ireland with Wayne and Chris sampling the delights of Connemara and Mayo, and the Irish summer.

Down from Croagh Patrick and all is good!

This week I have travelled to Ireland to spend a couple of days introducing Wayne and Chris to the delights of mountain walking as well as taking a look at the mountains of Ireland for future trips.

We travelled to Connemara on Sunday and took a walk up onto the 'Twelve Bens' circuit on Monday.

I chose a challenging route up to the circuit proper, this meant I could look at how the boys were moving and coping with the terrain to get an idea of how they may handle the main circuit.

They were fine and with much determination, banter and plenty of 'craic' got on with the job in hand. Unfortunately the weather wasn't in such good spirits!

The forecast had been on the doubtful side to start with and only got worse as we gained height so after a leg burning ascent, a recce of the terrain that lay before us and having to be the barer of bad news I took the decision to retrace our steps and descend.

We would have spent the rest of the day looking at the inside of a cloud which wouldn't have been productive as a way of introducing the lads to mountain walking. 

Connemara in high spirits.

From the mist they came....

Happy to be on flat ground despite the weather.

On Tuesday with a deteriorating weather forecast for mid week we drove up to County Mayo to walk the famous pilgrimage route to the summit of Croagh Patrick.

An estimated 1 million people make the ascent each year, some in an act of penance climb the steep rocky path barefoot!!😳

Leaving the car park in full waterproofs we gained a few funny looks as the weather was fairly good, the weather further up the mountain was rather less so and it was ourselves giving the solo barefoot guy and the countless people we saw in jeans, or shorts and T shirts the funny looks.

I have been fortunate to walk many mountains but I found this an unbelievably busy mountain track considering the only the satisfaction to be gained was that of reaching the summit and seeing the church before heading back down the steep rocky path through the wind, mist & rain.

Fortunately the wether cleared as we made the descent and we had some stunning views over Clew Bay.

Wayne and Chris both dug deep on the route and have hopefully paid penance for a couple of previous misdemeanours....?

With the weather leaving them wetter than the front pocket of an otters dungarees they both showed proper character and determination to reach the top in poor conditions when they could have easily sacked it off.

Good job boys!

Starting Croagh Patrick and all is well.

The Irish summer can be changeable!

If looks could kill I'd probably not be here!

This isn't McDonalds!!!!!

Lads done well.

Outstanding beauty of Clew Bay on descent.

Possibly the first smile of the route!