Walking With Williams

I am still recovering today from the weekends efforts and a couple of fillings at the dentist. However, I am also jubilant from Phil and my successful attempt on Scafell on Saturday. (more…)

After the previous attempt, I have rallied the troups and refined the plans for the 2nd attempt on Scafell Pike (I know, I know, not quite the Eiger). Unfortunately it appears two of the original troups might not be able to attend so it falls on Phil and myself. We have walked together a few times and I have little doubt that we will make it this time. However, I am in doubt that I will be able to walk again after it – general erosion of the feet is assured by the 15 mile / 1670 metre ascent route (yeah thats 1.7 Scafell Pikes).  This was brought about the by equally stupid ideas:

• to walk from the campsite at the other end of Wastwater which is 3 miles long!
• to do both Scafell Pike and Scafell and the further re-ascent needed to gain Illgill Head overlooking Wastwater.

Still, if you are going to do the highest mountain in England, you might as well do it right, and whats more traditional than in the driving rain forecast.

The rest of the plan is roughly, drive quicly from work to Lake District and hopefully traverse the Wrynose / Hardknott pass road to Nether Wasdale by about 8pm (did I mention I was optimistic). This will allow for a sunlit erection of the tents and maybe a pint or 3 in the Screes Inn.

Saturday, we cook, walk, sleep.

Sunday, I hopefully have my way and go to Winwood Outdoors to try some lightweight backpacks. However it’s Keswick Mountain Festival time I think so I am not looking forward to the crowds. Sunday afternoon, time to drive home me thinks.

Been a bit lazy with the blog updates over the last week due to other priorities – coding HDB Filestore, suffering painful broken teeth and most exciting of all…. planning my new project – Project Wildcamp but more of that in a future post. (more…)

Well, Project Peaks didn’t quite get off the the start originally hoped for. I spoke with Chris on Thursday and he confirmed my thoughts; that he would not be able to make the Lakes on Friday as his cold had failed to clear. Therefore Team 1 would be Nick and myself – the dynamic duo and time was right for the attempt. (more…)

I went to the peak district on Sunday although things were meant to be significantly different. The original plan was to do Aran Fawddwy in south Wales with Chris and Nick – we would do a similar distance to next weekend (Scafell Pike) with a little less ascent. However neither Chris nor Nick could make it meaning I was to do Snowdonia alone. Still, should be good…

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To start the training for the Project Peaks walks (as Scafell Pike is only two weeks away) Nick, Chris, Mel and myself went over to Church Stretton for short warm up walk. Got to Church Stretton at about 11.30 at walked the direct route up to Caer Caradoc. Much chat and constant innuendos were exchanged on the ascent – good news that weren’t totally out of breath with the effort of walking! Several photos were taken which I will try to obtain for this blog.

From the top we turned right  down towards Winstone Hill and right again down the valley and back to Church Stretton. In all, it was a baby walk of around 5 miles with 300 metres ascent. Still a good starter and a brilliant introduction to summer walking this year – the weather was great.