Support Crew Outing

Nick took the opportunity on Saturday to drive part of the support crew route.

Driving up to Malham then following the road over to Horton in Ribblesdale before pressing onto Hawes with a stop at Ribblehead to boot.

Worryingly for us walkers Nick turned back because it was getting dark. I vote Nick doesn't do the night stretch!

Here are some pics:

Malham Cove from the approach road to Malham:


Gordale Scar (I think) from near Malham:

Pen-y-Ghent from Horton-in-Ribblesdale:

Entrance to Horton-in-Ribblesdale:

Ingleborough in fading light from near Ribblehead Viaduct:

Malham to Horton Part Three (The Team)

Just another selection of photos from the walk showing us in various states of dis-repair.

Ady conquering Malham Cove:


James and Rich walking (not altogether surprising!):

Three of us taking a break (next time I don't think Ady will waste precious time taking a photo)

Malham to Horton Part Two

We then climbed Fountains Fell, enjoying decent weather. The top of Fountains Fell:

As you climb the stile at the top the first thing you see is Pen-y-Ghent. On the big day, when we know we're going to climb it, it's going to be quite daunting.

We started the descent of Fountains Fell and slowly Pen-y-Ghent came closer.

Eventually we got there (and were probably fairly glad not to have to climb it!) and then headed down to Horton-in-Ribblesdale.

Malham to Horton - Part One

Our walk on the 17th was organised by Oxfam and was the first time The Q Team - Rich Smethurst, James Robertson, Ady Stokes and myself - had walked together.

The planned route was the 2nd leg of the 100km challenge starting at Malham and finishing at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, taking in Malham Cove, Malham Tarn, Fountains Fell and Pen-y-Ghent. This is arguably the most scenic but demanding parts of the course.

James, Rich and Ady at Malham Visitor Centre. Unfortunately we were over an hour late getting started. Because of this the Oxfam guides decided we would not go up Pen-y-Ghent.

First up was Malham Cove:


A long trek to the top:


Looking back at the limestone pavement and top of the Cove:

From there onto Malham Tarn:

Skipton Woods

Due to different schedules on Sunday Ady wasn't able to enjoy the gale force winds atop Embsay Crag. Instead he put his new walking sticks (I'm sure there's a less geriatric term for these implements!) to the test in Skipton Woods.

.....Ah yes! Hiking Poles, that's it!

Embsay Crag Walk

James and I embarked on the first 'official' training walk on the 11 January.

The route was starting on Skipton High Street, walking to Embsay and then upto the reservoir, before making the slightly scrambled ascent to the crag. We followed a different route back down to Embsay before returning by footpath to Skipton.

The total distance was 7 and a half miles which we covered in short of 3 hours so not too bad going.

The weather on top was pretty windy with an icy rain. As can be seen from the pictures I was struggling to hold the camera still!

View of the crag from the 'bottom' of the reservoir:

James looking back from halfway up the crag:

...and me probably doing the same!

The reservoir from the top of the crag:

Fundraising tool almost ready

Over the holiday period (and to make myself feel less guilty about the lack of physical exercise) I've been constructing a papier-mâché Pen-y-Ghent which will sit on my desk at work collecting small change from now(ish) until the big day.

The shape and profile of the finished article will not stand up to a detailed scrutiny against the real thing (I know this because I've deviated from the OS version of things!) but if it raises £50 it will have done its job. Before my (artistic) brother adds the final (and perhaps most crucial finishing touch - the paint) here's a picture to whet the appetite :-)

South Downs Training

Over the holiday period James visited the South Downs (home of Oxfam's Trailwalker event - Trailtrekker's older yet less rugged sister!).

James reported that the terrain was "barely a string of mole hills" which probably makes sense of the awe in which Pen-y-Ghent seems to be regarded by the event organisers.

Anyway, enough of my babbling, here are some pics (including one of James).