Blisters on my Blisters

On Friday the 22nd of July 2016, we completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, which is a 24 mile stroll around the Yorkshire countryside taking in the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent (694 metres), Whernside (736 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres).

We (me and Tony – my brother-in-law) set off walking at 06.10hr and arrived back in the village at 16.20hr, which means we took about 10hrs and 10mins, but when you deduct the half hour lunch and the ten minutes in the pub it took nine and a half hours of walking time, but then when you add back the ten minutes it took to get back to the car then it was really about 9hrs 40min and then …

Stop!

Isn’t this supposed to be about the marvellous experience of fresh air, scenic views, bonhomie, sunshine, birdsong and sheepbleat?!

Nah – it’s all about pitting man against nature; high-tech walking boots against the real possibility of losing a toenail; aching legs and lungs against the desire to lay down and rest; and all of it against the clock! People generally aim for 12 hours, we aimed for 10. We were short by 20 minutes. Hey-ho – never mind.

Here are the three photographs of me next to the trig points on top of each peak (the proof):

Here are some random words and phrases to remind me of the things we experienced:

• Friendly people on the road
• Being above the clouds
• Twisting my ankle on the first descent
• Cross-country bog-land
• Great conversation
• The ice cream van
• Sandwiches and feet greasing
• Sunshine rays through the clouds
• Sheep, sheep and more sheep
• Docile cows and bulls
• Cameltoes (so much wildlife!)
• That last, aching ascent
• Soaked to the skin (twice)
• The lying signs (2.3/4 miles to go – not!)
• The 3 peak runners (2.1/2 hrs – what!)
• Music and relaxation driving home.

Oh, and the title – ‘blisters on blisters’ – that was just something I heard a guy say as he hobbled down the last stretch. My feet were fine – thanks to petroleum jelly and good boots. Yay for happy feet!