Memories from our Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge - July 8th, 2017
Sean, Mike, Alison M, Nigel, Mark, Jon, Sarah, Ken, Netty, Harry,
Rich, Ann, Rob, Susan, Jim, Alison B line up in readiness for the challenge.
Weeks of planning and training had prepared us for one of our more
challenging walks. Gordon and Jane had already opted out due to Jane's
broken arm and Sandra had decided that her lack of training would result in
a lack of completion but, despite this, they all travelled up to Malham to
enjoy a few nights in the Dales.
Alison and Susan had become the queens of the Roaches as this had been their
training ground for many weeks. A 24 mile epic training walk was their final
test and one which they'd completed with ease.
Sarah had issues with blisters from previous walks so was dropped into
Terry's blacklist envelope along with Alison M, Netty and Sandra. Netty
hadn't done a great deal of walking so was worried about what was to come.
Mike and Alison M hadn't knocked up too many miles but with the former's
experience and the latter's young age there weren't too many worries on this
front despite Terry's prediction. Netty was however wearing knee supports
that Steven Gerrard would have been proud of so would the day's walk
eventually take its toll?
As for the rest of us: We'd all done a reasonable amount of training and
were quietly confident but, as we know, anything can happen once we're on
the hills. Harry Bond was on for the challenge at the tender age of 13 with
a previous long distance record of 14 miles so could he smash his record? On
the other end of the age scale was Ken, the Pighole marvel, who is now
nearing XX.
My 1992 effort of 5 hours 45 minutes was never in danger of being beaten as
was the 1993 time of 8 hours when I completed the walk for the fourth time
with the late Mike Joyce.
The weather on the Friday before the walk was overcast, warm and eventually
wet but the outlook for the Saturday was good and they were right. The
weather was fantastic and perfect for a long distance walk.
The British Heart Foundation had also decided to take on the challenge on
the same day so rather than battle through the crowds at
Hordon-in-Ribblesdale we decided to start the walk at Ribblehead. We arrived
at around 6:50am and began the walk at 7am.
After a short team shot in front of the viaduct the trek to the top of
Whernside (2415 ft) began. This would be the first and highest of the three
peaks on the 25 mile route but it's ascent is long and gentle compared to
the others.
Team Pighole march towards Whernside. Ingleborough, the second of the
three peaks, can be seen in the distance.
Numerous other groups caught up with us as we rambled up the easy gradients
of Whernside. There was no need to hurry but we were aware of the 12 hour
challenge so didn't want to use up too much time so early on in the day.
Sarah stopped to carry out her usual boot\sock amendments which we now
believe is a tradition. Was this the start of something more worrying?
Mike, Jon, Sarah and Ann (two other walkers behind Mike) on the ascent
of Whernside.
We reached the summit of Whernside at around 08:45am and mingled in
readiness for the summit photo....
One down, two to go. Team shot on the summit of Whernside.
Ann was complaining about back ache and was the last to reach the summit.
She'd suffered from back niggles for a few weeks so hoped that the pain
would disappear over the day or at least allow here to walk on. Sarah's boot
amendments had done the job so she was OK to continue.
The descent of Whernside, heading south towards Ingleborough, descends on a
steeper slope so care was taken on the parts of the track that had been
paved to maximise the chances of falling and maximise the severity of any
injuries. We all survived and waited for the slower walkers at the farm at
the base of the hill.
Ann still wasn't happy with her back so on reaching the Hill Inn pub she
decided that she couldn't continue. Whernside had proved too much for the
old duffer so we fired Ann towards Ribblehead where she would look at taxi
or bus options in order to return to Malham.
Ingleborough (2372ft) was next.
Ingleborough. Our route took the rising moor at centre left and onto the
steep zig zags leading to the summit plateau.
We ascended Ingleborough at various speeds with the steep section proving to
be a sweaty mid-morning challenge. A short climb saw us reach the summit
where a grand view of Lancashire and the Lakes was the reward. The last time
we ascended Ingleborough the views were non-existent so this was a real
treat.
Two down, one to go. Ingleborough summit shot at 11:40am. Alison M would
like to thank Macca for the shorts.
Pen-y-Ghent is a fair trek from Ingleborough so the team was reminded that
although we'd completed the two highest peaks we still had a lot of walking
to do. We were yet to reach the halfway point which is where we'd have
lunch.
The track off Ingleborough was rougher than I remembered which hampered a
good yomp. On reaching the limestone pavement at Sulber we decided to take
lunch and spend a few minutes on our bums.
Harry plays on the limestone pavement at Sulber. Pen-y-Ghent (2277ft)
can be seen in the distance.
The descent to Horton-in-Ribblesdale always takes longer than expected but
we eventually reached the village which gave is the chance to enjoy a toilet
break. Mark decided that fags were required so walked on to find a suitable
faggery.
The temperature in the dip was noticeably higher as we started the ascent up
to Pen-y-Ghent where a steep field marks the start of the route so for many
this was a tester.
Jim, Rob, Harry and Nigel wait on the ascent to Pen-y-Ghent.
The final steep slopes of Pen-y-Ghent were almost upon us where one final
push would see us conquer our final peak. The breeze had turned into a wind
of sufficient force to blow our hats off but it was an enjoyable cooling
presence despite its growing strength.
Nigel and Harry play on the rocks on the ascent to Pen-y-Ghent. The
route takes the slopes to the right of the photo.
We gathered as a team at the foot of the final steep climb and then ascended
at various rates. An enjoyable little scramble near the summit ridge added
an air of excitement but we were soon on the summit where a
walker took the final team shot...
Peak three of three. The summit of Pen-y-Ghent at 15:40pm.Team Beige Floppy
Hat stand to the left.
Certain members of the team were under the impression that a gentle descent
would lead us back to the cars. They were partly right but the gentle
descent was in fact a 7 mile trek over undulating moorland back to
Ribblehead.
We joined the Pennine Way where the initial descent was over a newly laid
blocky path which allowed for reasonably fast progress. The steps soon
disappeared but the track remained in good nick and, as far as I can
remember, was much better than the last time I walked the route which was
admittedly over 24 years ago.
Nearly there. Look back to Pen-y-Ghent from Nether Lodge.
On reaching the road all that was left was a final mile to the cars. Alison B
spotted something that looked like Ann but it couldn't be - could it? Surely
she'd be back in Malham by now but thanks to an extornionate taxi quote and
a train strike Ann had decided to stay in the Ribblehead area and wait for
us.
We finished the walk at 18:40pm and had beaten the 12 hour challenge by just
20 minutes. Phew! The aim was to simply complete the walk and any thoughts
of a sub-12 hour completion time was a 'nice to have' but we'd done
it.
25 miles, three peaks and a great effort by all. Sarah, Netty and Alison M
had completed the walk despite been placed in Terry's envelope of doom. Ann,
who wasn't in the envelope had let Terry down so apart from Sandra's
non-show Terry had been 100% wrong. Sarah walked on despite blisters and
Netty's knee supports had helped her through the day - an excellent effort.
Young
Harry 'Haroldihno' Bond had smashed his 14 mile record with a brilliant
effort and, I believe, many others had broken
their record for the longest single walk in a day.
The Queens of the Roaches had completed with ease - their training regime
had worked! Will they ever bother to walk on the Roaches again?
Ken had done it again. Who or what will stop him?
Gordon, Jane and Sandra enjoyed a 10 miler around the sites of Malham and, I
assume, had enjoyed a few pints in the afternoon.
Alison B had set up a JustGiving page for the walk to provide funds for the
Alzheimer's Society and so far, at the time of writing, we've raised over
£2500 - many thanks to everyone who'd donated. Knowing that so many people
had donated so much really helped us to battle through the blisters, sore
knees, sunburn, baldness and various downstairs distempers that affect
people our age when taking on epic undertakings.
The weather had been magnificent and couldn't have been any better for such
a walk and the return to Malham would see us enjoy beer, wine, food, beer and
wine and reflect on the day.
Team Pighole. What can I say?
Harry with his Yorkshire 3 Peaks completion medal. Well done!
