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

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!)

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!