Lake District - 3 personal challenges

Helvellyn

This image is climbing up Helvellyn. 

This image is climbing up Easy Gully on Pavey
Arch on the opposite face to Jack's rake. 

On 21st August 2018, 8:30 am, I set off from Helvellyn Youth Hostel to climb up Helvellyn. We decided to go around the horse shoe in anticlockwise direction meaning we ascended up Squirrel edge and descended down Striding Edge. Helvellyn is the 3rd tallest peak in England. Striding Edge and Squirrel Edge are both grade 1 scrambles meaning you spend a lot of times using your arms and legs as is becomes more of a climb compared to a walk. There was low visibility as the clouds were low. When descending we could not see a clear path coming from the peak so began to climb down lose rock along a path we thought must have been the way. As we got lower and lower, it became clear that this was no path, just a few lose rocks scattered amongst a very steep grassy mountain face. We climbed back up along rocks that seemed more stable and joined Striding edge. The view down on the red tarn was beautiful and the lake helped to navigate us.



Scafell pike

This is on Scafell Pike.

We attempted Scafell pike the following day. The drive here involved going over Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass which are narrow undulating roads travelling through the centre of vast majestic valley. Arriving at Scafell we were advised not to go walking, I was determined however to attempt it – there is nothing worse than a ‘did not start’. We began walking up the side of a river using a picture of the route on my phone as guidance. We travelled up the mountains going via Hollow Stones. I was very eager to attempt Sca fell too however the weather was making the walking unenjoyable and the fog preventing you from seeing any of the views. The river running alongside the path made the walk very pretty with frequent waterfalls and stepping stones across it. We reached a fork in the path and chose to turn right (the shorter but steeper way to the summit). Eventually, the route became incredibly unclear and it turned into lots of tiny lose rocks. We actually turned back at this point as we did not believe the clear stepping stones would have changed into this path given how popular the route is. On our way back down, we met a couple who had followed us up, we agreed to go back to the blind spot and work our way through it. We managed it thanks to locating a rescue point on the map which we had just passed giving us confidence that we were on the correct route. Along the ridge, the path was not well marked however man made stacks of stones provided some guidance. We took the longer slope down the rocks as the rain had made the slippy.

Jack’s Rake and Easy Gully
Jack’s Rake and Easy Gully form a ‘v’ shape in Pavey Arch. The walk up to Pavey Arch is relatively simple and short. Stickle Tarn is at the bottom and the walk forms a horse shoe around it. Harrison Stickle is the heighest point at the summit. We attempted Jack’s rake but did not complete it. The continuous rain fall over the past week meant the rocks were leather like and made the route too dangerous for us. We had been advised to watch videos about the route and that you cannot turn back once you have passed the small tree growing out of the rock. We headed back down as we approached the tree… wearing cycling helmets for added protection, we looked rather silly attempting to climb down the steepest faces on the peak. We reached the bottom and decided to attempt Easy Gully. This forms the right hand side of the ‘v’. This scramble was by no means easy. It was made from lots of lose rock and it felt like a rock slide could occur at any moment. We traversed up the rocks making sure we called for any large falling rocks. When we reached the top, a large overhanging rock blocked the path. The walk and scramble was great but I will have to return in order to complete Jack’s Rake!

Events on Foot

Events on foot

Walks
In the summer of 2016 I completed the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge. Climbing the 3 tallest peaks in Yorkshire in under 12 hours. This event was thoroughly enjoyable. Each peak was totally different to climb and presented its own unique challenges. The weather would be bright and sunny at the bottom and could be snowing by the time you reached the top of them! Neither my partner nor I had ever completed this full route before so we did get lost a few times and I would recommend taking multiple maps in order to prevent this from happening! This is a challenge that every hiker must do!! My favourite of all the hikes I have completed so far!
We decided to run between peaks in order to get the best time possible completing it in just over 7 hours. It's 40km (25 miles) and consists of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres).




Snowdon (February 2018)- what a beauty!
We took the Watkins route on a very cold February morning. Snow had set and glistened in the day light, thicker towards the top but more scattered at the base.
The path was very clearly defined with lots of large rock faces along the edge - great for extra climbing or eating your lunch on. The first half is quite steady and the footing is simple but the second half became much more physically demanding.
We scrambled along with the peak in sight, not actually knowing if we were heading in the correct direction due to the path and scenery being totally covered with thick untouched snow. My legs burnt climbing up here but I could not wait to reach the top! A beautiful lake could be seen down the mountain face to the right and we ate our lunch sat on large rocks looking out onto the water.

After the Driffield Triathalon

Clear sky allowed us to see for miles - views I will never forget! At the top we posed for pictures and waited for our group to come together again.
We then headed down cross country taking the least steep route possible but visiting any lakes or points of interest we fancied.
Snowdon was amazing and I would love to return in order to climb Crib Goch!


I did Kinder Scout in February 2018 on a snowy Thursday morning.

This image is in the Golden Fleece.

The route was straight forward and there were no opportunities to get lost. The snow added to the beauty of the route although it's probably best to complete it in the summer too so you can see the comparison!

Kinder Scout

Kinder Scout

Kinder Scout

Runs


The Golden Fleece was a cross country ultra marathon which I did in May 2018. It was beautiful!!! There is a shorter course of 16 miles which many people walk.

This was the furthest I have ever ran. The pain is strange... your lungs are fine but your bones ache. I changed my running technique multiple times throughout the race in order to be as comfortable as possible. There were lots of food stations throughout and you got a delicious meal at the end. Parking is organised and close to the starting point.

The route takes you through many fields and we did often think we were going to get lost.


This event was amazing and because the scenery was altering so much and the terrain changing, it prevented boredom- I never believed I would be able to do it and I did!!!

The Humber half marathon was my first ever half marathon in 2015. I find running really quite boring meaning that the specific running training that you should do before such an event did not quite happen.
The route was beautiful, running both ways over the bridge. There was lots of spectators and supporters scattered around the route. Some people presented us with sweets, others sprayed you with a hose pipe (this was most needed in the weather conditions that we were experiencing).
I would recommend this half marathon for people who have already done half marathons - the course is rather hilly meaning you are not very likely to get a PB. It is however all on road. There was lots of people running and plenty of space for spectators to cheer you on at the end. Many competitors walked to the start because the car park was so busy.

The Nottingham half marathon starts in the city center. The parking is simple and I have never had problems with it – I have done this run 3 times now and hope to do it every year that I am at university (5 years).
The course is very well organised with lots of stalls at the start. You are given different starting points depending on your estimated time of finish. At the end, everyone is given a goody bag
There are plenty of parks for spectators to wait for you in.
This run gives you a tour of the whole city.

Other


(Easter 2017) Driffield sprint triathlon involved a 400m pool swim followed by 20km bike ride then a 5km run.
It was a good triathlon to do for the first time. The cycle route was quite hilly but the run was flat. It was well set out and the rush and excitement when changing activity gave me extra energy and thrill! The run was a circular route and you complete it multiple times. I was always going to struggle with the running the most because it's the thing I least enjoy training!
I would definitely do another triathlon but would try a longer one next time.

Open water swimming events

Lac Montriond (summer 2016) – Visiting the French Alps in the summer was a dream come true. I cannot recommend it enough. The scenery was breath taking – huge lakes filled with clear blue water surrounded by majestic mountain tops, it wasn’t too hard to hike above the cloud line. This lake attracts lots of people in the summer and many people sun bathe around it. There is a smaller lake which you can stand in allowing children to play. The larger lake has lots of water sports to offer but the lake is so large, once you are away from the perimeter, it seems rather quiet. There are no rules regarding how you swim the lake or safety regulations but the water is extremely deep and when you reach the centre you are a long way away from the side so you must be a confident swimmer. It is 19m deep and 33 hectares large.

Lake Windermere (summer 2016) – This is the longest lake in the UK and I have always wanted to swim it. Last summer I had the opportunity to swim in it when on holiday with my friends. There are safety rules in this lake and I required a coloured inflatable attached to me in order to make boats aware of me. I also had to swim by the side of a boat. The lake is very mucky and there are lots of shallow parts meaning you need to keep checking which direction you are heading. I swam the width and back of the lake which was in total around 3 km. I would love to go further but would recommend doing it with the organised event if you can! I would also highly recommend wearing a swimming suit as this lake is COLD!!

North Coast 500 cycle

North Coast 500 (summer 2017)

• 500 mile cycle around northern Scotland!

The journey began with an 8 hour train journey from Hull to Inverness. The bike ride started here, taking the route up across to the coast then up the west side along the top of the Scottish Highlands to John O'groats and back down the east coast finishing in Inverness again.

The ride was extremely hard and the hills were never ending. My legs became numb by day 3 meaning that any pain and discomfort from the saddle became bareable.

The weather was crazy. I have never experienced weather change like it. My body couldn’t cope – I came out in huge rashes due to the sweat evaporating too fast due to the harsh winds and freezing cold air brushing against my skin. This weather made camping a true struggle – especially when we were cycling a coastal route.

One of the many gorgeous beaches
along the coastal road

One day which will never leave my memory was cycling in a valley between two great mountains, no housing or habituation in sight. We were being blown across the road. It was disastrous. I was watching my partner cycle on an angle fighting against the wind, going around corners proved great difficulty as you were trying to fight the wind but also balance a bike with extra weight from your luggage straddled across the back of it. I fell off my bike and we decided it was too dangerous to carry on. We resulted in hiding behind a huge huge rock and snuggling up together in order to keep warm. We then waited and waited for a car to pass. We waited for around 4 hours – a few cars drove passed but none were interested in helping 2 lost cyclists. Then one man, driving an old postman’s van decided to stop and take us back to the nearest hostel. We left our bikes in the long wilderness and headed back along the track we had fought so hard to travel down. All of the hostels we passed were full. After travelling around 10 miles back, we noticed a lady had a caravan in her garden and asked if we were able to stay in that for the night – she accepted.

This was the plan for the ride
Day 1 - Travel

Night 1- Inverness- HOSTEL

Day 2 – 101 km

Night 2 – Locharron

Day 3 – 95km

Night 3 – kinlochewe (campsite)

Day 4 – 80km

Night4 – dundonnell

Day 5 –100km

Night 5 – Lochinver HOSTEL

Day 6- 97km

Night 6 – Durness

Day 7 – 85km

Night 7 – Strathy HOSTEL

Day 8- 96km

Night 8 – wick

Day 9 – 86km

Night 9 – Golspie NICE HOTEL

Day 10 – 86km

Night 10 -Inverness (hostel)

Day 11 – Travel

Cycling sportives

Cycling Sportives

I got into cycling when doing my A levels (2016). I was bored of being cooped indoors revising and decided to sign onto a long endurance event (125km) across the Yorkshire Wolds. This seemed like a great idea at the time although I had not taken into account the fact I did not own a bike and had done no training. This event was tough. I was the only rider not on a road bike and chugged my way up all the hills knowing there would be flapjack stations at the top. Since then, my love for cycling has grown. I have written short reviews of the sportives that I have completed below.

Wolds 123 (summer 2016) – This ride was hilly. Great meal at the end. Options to make it shorter during the ride. I did the 125km.

Heart of the Wolds (Easter 2018) – Well organised. Lots of parking available. Great scenery. Good number of feed stops. Massage at the end. 100km.

Scarborough Sportive x 2 (summer 2016 and 2017) – This ride is a good one. You all start at Oliver’s mount and the view from the top is great. You finish on a great big field and have to do a lap prior to finishing.

Charnwood Primavera (Summer 2017) – Busier roads than I am used to in Yorkshire. Finish at their local gym with a large buffet making it a very sociable event.

Coast to Coast Bike Ride

                                        Overview of the coast to coast bike ride in 2 days

On Friday evening in the summer of 2018, we traveled from Hull to Morecombe - cancelled trains and rush hour traffic made this journey incredible stressful not to mention the 30 degree heat wave the country was going through. We planned to do the way of the roses route.

We arrived in Lancaster (cancelled train meant to we had to cycle the final part of the journey) and we immediately went to Lancaster Cathedral. This was a beautiful place for a picnic as it is based on a hill with great views out across the land onto the horizon. Cycling into Morecombe along a pathway felt very safe and we made it to the coastline just in time for sunset. The famous west coast sunset was amazing and we could clearly see the Lake District and Wales in the distance. We chose to stay in an air b and b. These are great value for money and allows you to meet people along your travels.

We woke up early on Saturday morning for breakfast and opted for the early leave but unfortunately my cycling partner let down their tires when trying to pump them up - disaster number 2! Eventually we started and went straight to the sign post on the seafront stating that Bridlington is 170 miles away and the 'way of the roses' sign. Then followed an exhausted day of climbing up huge hills.

The scenery on the first half of the journey was breath taking and I wished we had more time to explore. Eating lunch in Settle was a great idea given the steep never ending climb out of the village which resulted with me laid out with the bike on top of me. We took a slight detour in order to see Malham Cove and stopped for a dip in Linton falls. These two natural beauties are not to be missed. The hills were hard and we did have to walk a few of them (mainly due to my achy legs). Following the stop at Linton falls, my clip in on my shoe broke meaning on every hill my focus was no longer getting up the hill as fast as possible but staying on my bike! We finally reached our accommodation in Bishop Thornton and realised we had no food - this was a disaster. It was now bordering 10pm and we stunk and were starving! Our hosts took great care of us and drove into Harrogate in order to buy us a large greasy take away.

We knew the Sunday riding was supposed to be a lot flatter and looked forward to it. It was quite smooth riding. We stopped at York minster to inspect the design and had our lunch along the river running through the centre of York. There was lots of off-road cycling in this part of the journey but the scenery as still amazing. We reached Bridlington at around 6pm and enjoyed fish and chips on the beach.

Things to note: pre book bikes onto train. Pick viewpoints. Be aware of the hills that you will face. The first day is extremely hilly! It is hard to get lost because the way of the roses signs are so well located at nearly every junction! Total of about 22 hours of cycling.



Coast to coast bike ride itinerary

Friday 29th – arrive at 8 and stay on Morecombe seafront.

Have a look around Morecombe bay, grab snacks for following day.

EARLY NIGHT – start early sat.

Saturday 30th (70 miles) -

Cross the first bridge and Lancaster castle will be present (5.1 miles)

Great stone of 4 stones – 4 miles near kitten bridge just after Hornby. (10-15 miles)

Start looking to head to Malham cove/Gordale scar which is off black gill lane onto grains lane then peart lane then up to Malham. Follow signs for Cracoe now.

Hill out of settle (mile 35) is the hardest. Very hilly nearly Brimham Rocks.

Linton falls are in Linton between Cracoe and Thorpe (slight detour) but could go via hebdon (very pretty on B6265)

Stop at pately bridge (half way for effort, 62 miles/100km – aim for 5 hours ish, 45 miles from great stone) – tea rooms and visit the oldest sweet shop in the world!!! Been voted best highstreet in the country: probably best stopping for food here – late lunch)

After go to Brimham rocks (pictures) (4.2 miles)

stay at 38 Colber Lane, Bishop thornton, England, HG33JR. (6 miles)



Sunday 1st July (100 miles) –

Fontains abbey and Studley royal water gardens for food and pics (looks gorg) (5.1 miles from start)

Studley park

Ripon (8.1 miles)

Ripon to York is the easiest section seeing Benhingbrough hall, wooden planks of Aldwark bridge and vale of York

just after York (34 miles ish) there is an offroad piece of track to be careful on.

Could go to KP lodges for food/drink (18 miles from York ish)

Burton agnes (21 miles from KP lodges)

Finish in bridlington!

Goals: 100 miles in one day. Furthest distance ever cycled over a weekend. Completed coast to coast!!! With our accommodation it comes to 299km.

Grandma Eileen and Poem