Thursday, 26 February 2009

This Little Piggy....

The Pig Racing Night hosted by the Cross Keys in Skipton and organised by the Q Team's very own Ady went ahead on Wednesday and was well supported by Trailtrekkers, work colleagues and friends.

With punters betting on 7 races there was plenty of opportunity for success and the lucky owners of the winning pigs also scooped prizes from the race's sponsors.

We would like to thank all sponsors, owners and supporters for the help in making this a really succesful night. I'll post details of money raised as and when we've totted up!



under starters orders....

Fellow trekker Paul Fenn - auctioneer

The closing stages of the final race

Sunday, 15 February 2009

Oh what a night

What better way to spend Valentines Night than walking from Consitone to Skipton (I can think of at least one person who could think of one)?

Despite being the shortest route of the 3 main walks to date and encountering less ascent and descent also this proved to be the most difficult of the walks so far (in my opinion).

The two obvious causes for this were the fact it was a night walk and the underfoot conditions were as poor as we've experienced (when not snow it was bog). Throw into the mix a couple of wrong turns and a 1:30am finish time and it gives some idea of the challenges experienced.

James and I (Ady absent with blister issues) were joined by Nick who battled bravely considering he hasn't had the benefit of previous walks.

Here are some picks which don't do the experience justice largely due to limited technology and limited camera operating ability from yours truly.

Nick and James getting ready to start

Kilnsey Crag before we got lost.....twice (advice for those following the official Oxfam route; head up the track with the pub on your RIGHT)

Nick and James through one more gate

Photographic evidence that we were on track. Although obviously that's pointing the way we had just come!

...much later we could see Gargrave (we think!)

Saturday, 7 February 2009

Pen-y-ghent built, painted, delivered

After a couple of months the moneybox is finally here. Now it's completed we have to tempt people to drop money in!

Pen-y-ghent!

Thursday, 5 February 2009

Media Circus Begins

The brave men and true of the Q Team, minus Rich and plus Nick from our invaluable support crew, braved the arctic weather for a photo shoot.

While not strictly on the Trailtrekker route this was for our work magazine, One.

After braving the cold it was time to find home, errr, errr, errr... that way!





Wednesday, 4 February 2009

Trailtrekker Trailer (Version 1.0)

The Q Team now has a video trailer to help with the sponsorship and raising awareness of our little adventure!


Initial feedback has been positive, but I was disappointed that we did not have more dramatic footage considering the variety of terrain crossed by the route. In a future version, We are hoping to include Malham Cove, Malham Tarn and Pen Y Ghent (among others!). Also, we are lacking footage of our fourth team member, Rich, who was unable to make the latest training walk.

Hopefully we'll put all of this right going forward!

Sunday, 1 February 2009

Horton to Buckden Part 3

Final installment (from me) from this weekends walk.

Walking into a gale up Cam Fell


Ady took a stylish tumble. Pure Hollywood.



Back to Buckden but very tired!

Horton to Buckden Part 2

This was the 3rd section of the trialtrekker course and is the longest at 16.3 miles (26.3km) although we didn't really know that at the time.

Our day was slightly delayed by the trains (we caught one to Horton) so officially we didn't start 'til 10.30. By the time we got to Buckden it was 5 'oclock and getting dark!

I've changed my posting style - captions for photos are underneath now!


James, Ady, myself at Horton with Pen-y-ghent in the background



First film stop. James is doing a trailer and needs some good material!

This was quite a spectacular cave scene from just above Old Ing.


Looking back to Ingleborough with Ribblehead sneaking in. Taken from Cam fell in 40mph winds!

Horton to Buckden

Just a taster of our Horton to Buckden walk. Ady and James crossing the bridge at the top of Ling Gill. This is officially my film debut, apologies for the quality and brevity :-)