Proving fitness

Whilst the rest of the team were gallivanting in the Lake district (blog entry with incredible scenery to follow I'm sure) I was taking the next step back to fitness.

Initially I intended to repeat last week's walk but decided on arrival at Gargrave that I would proceed onto Malham. Despite hearing a few horror stories of lost travellers I actually managed to get to Malham without any problem at all. Timewise I was fairly happy. Setting off from my house at 11:00 and from Aireville park at 11:10 I got to Malham at 14:15.

Looking across to Newfield Hall

Approaching Airton

First sight of Malham Cove

Horton or Bust

Two members of the Q-Team (Rich S and I) yesterday embarked on the longest training walk to date, travelling from Skipton to Horton, taking in the two highest points of the journey: Fountains Fell and Pen Y Ghent. The added challenge was that if we didn't make Horton - 26 miles away - by 21:00 that night, we'd miss the last train home! We set off at 9:35...















Rich on arival at Gargrave (10:55)



Airton (12:15)



Malham at 13:00 - this was taken shortly afterwards (13:25) at Malham's famous Cove



About to start the ascent of Fountains Fell (15:30) - the weather deteriorated sharply here and the rain started coming down!



James takes a tumble going up (!) Fountains Fell.



James in the clouds at the top of Fountains Fell (16:30) celebrating St George's Day a little early - weather: driving rain/hail

Too cold and wet for photos after this point after we both fell into big muddy puddles, but even more disturbing than that, I ruptured the only remaining bag of Twiglets in my rucksack.

We reached the summit of neighbouring Pen Y Ghent at 18:15.



Finally reached Horton station (19:25) just minutes before the penultimate train (19:31). Yay!!

Total time (including stops) was a respectable 9 hours, 50 minutes.

Mission: Accomplished