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!
That sounds wonderful! I love to hike. I will file this away for a thing to do on a trip to Britain. Looking good, mister!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Meg – that was me trying to look cheerful whilst feeling totally knackered! What’s the furthest you’ve walked (or ran) in a day?
LikeLiked by 2 people
When I was running regularly, I’d do a 7 mile loop twice a week. Hiking I’ve gone as far as 12 miles in a day in moderate difficulty rated trails. I’ve backed off the longer distance running (knees and feet) but still keep up a regular routine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like you know something of what we experienced on that day then. I would imagine that the places you hiked were a bit wilder than our rather tame English countryside. 🙂
LikeLike
Very impressive! It sounds like a beautiful area to hike, hope your ankle is all right. Love the pictures 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just tightened up my boots and set off again. Thankfully, it didn’t swell and I came away with no permanent injury, unlike a friend of my nephew, who broke her leg! I just can’t imagine how bad that must have felt.
Thanks for the likes and support, Dee. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course. Back when I was younger I did a 20 mile walk as a fundraiser for the American Indian Center in Chicago, no preparation, no special shoes, and had to take the train back home. Ah, youthful ignorance, right? Glad you didn’t do any major damage 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds like you had a whale of a time? Did your toenails grow back? (one of the girls here in our work lost a toenail doing the same walk last month).
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, we had a good time. I was sore, but nothing dire happened. I walked with these two adorable Puerto Rican sisters from my office who wore wedge sandals, seriously. One of them cried about the last five miles but wouldn’t give up. I think I wore Keds. But this was through city neighborhoods, not hiking really 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw c’mon – really? They wore sandals for a hike through the city?
Hmm, you should have taken them around the sales instead – they would have gotten the same mileage in, but with something to take their mind off it – there would have been no tears. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, we were quite the group! Sandals with heels, mind you…but we all finished
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s the good thing about a group – you all support each other. Nice. Well done. 🙂
LikeLike
It was, except for the crying…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like a great hike Rob, can’t say I’ve ever encountered an ice-cream van on any of my hikes? 🙂 And nice to see you in some pics oh elusive Squire.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I suppose I am a little elusive. Well – there I am – knackered, yet triumphant. 🙂
We went over a main road at some point – and the ice-cream van as just there! We were almost tempted to get one, but it was early in the day yet, and many miles were ahead.
What’s your best hike? (I guess you’ll prolly post me a link to it. 🙂 )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Knackered and triumphant, says it all really 🙂
My best hike? Hmm, I’ve done a lot, but if you want a link here’s one you can check out … https://outanabout.com/2016/03/14/a-walk-on-the-wild-side/
Cheers and goodnight. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeppah! 🙂
Oh, I do like the look of that one (on your link). Where are the ice-cream vans parked? 😀
Goodnight, Miri.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No ice cream vans there unfortunately. 😦
And now it’s probably good night to you Rob. Hope you’ve had a good day.:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a super day and now it’s another one. 🙂
Shame about the ice-cream van!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too cold now anyway!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Winter there?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, but it’s oddly warm around here this morning. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahem … is that so! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aha. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Fantastic! Im def gona remember the jelly feet before i go for anymore walks! 🙂 love the pics and what the?? there was an ice cream truck?! on a nature hike? that is great!! hahaha! sounds like you had a great time thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a real long walk, and England is kind of small, so it was inevitable that we came across civilisation at some points. It’s not like the US or Australia where you can head off into the Wild and never be seen again! 🙂
And yeah – jelly is good for all kinds of stuff. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh yes good point England is kinda small but so much history packed into one small place i wonder if you can feel it everywhere you go?! and yes jelly is a true friend haha no doubt! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cherry jelly is the best!
No – I don’t really get a sense of history – it’s just Home really. Home, with Japanese tourists swarming all over it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
aw thats too bad honey. not about the cherry jelly hahaa the history thing is just one more thing i get over excited about cant help it just the kinda girl i am! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No – it’s good – it’s just that – well – your home is your home – right? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see your point! xo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sweet! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only 10 minutes in the pub? You guys are serious hikers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, in our defence we did spend considerably longer in another pub when we finished! We even had a celebratory bag of crisps too! 😀
You are serious hikers yourselves?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Since we live in the Sierra Nevadas, we are obligated to enjoy hiking. It would be like a guy from York not liking Downton Abbey. Now that I am over the hill and on the down slope of life, I no longer race up the hills, but rather enjoy the scenery on the way down, and the big bags of crisps and cold pint of ale back at the car. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yes – we love them big bags of crisps most of all. 😀
Sierra Nevadas, huh. You were born there?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was born in Burlingame, California, about 5 minutes from the San Francisco Airport. Maybe that’s why I like to travel so much? Were you born in York?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was born in Sheffield, which is about 60 miles south of where I am now. I moved to Bradford, met my wife and then we set up camp in York – about 18 years ago now! (where did all that time go?)
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is very good to know a true, born-and-bred Yorkshireman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You speak like a man of the world, Joe – someone who has experienced many good things (and lived to tell the tale). 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
As they say here in the Wild,Wild West Yee-haw!!! 🙂
Sounds fantastic Robert! Good that you brought proof through the photos or we would not have believed you… hehehe just teasing ya 🙂 🙂
Love these shots! The smiles look great on you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nah – c’mon – no-one says yee-haw anymore – you’re having me on!
It was truly fantastic, Dajena – it’s even better now the aches have eased out of my legs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yea-Huh! I am going to a country music concert next Thursday, here in San Diego and trust me, I will hear Yeehaw so many times, I may have to borrow your fingers and toes to count them all 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha – actually, I can just picture it (if that is possible with a sound)! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 🙂 smiling
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Ahh, and happy your aches have eased out. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol funny man . how old are you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks (I think). 🙂
I’ll be 52 in three days time. 😀
LikeLike
Wow . in this age you are so fit
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Saba – now don’t go all ageist on me – I’m still the same me I was. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. I know dear. Google about a Pakistani actress “mahnor baloch” . its not about age. Its about how you maintain yourself which impress others 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – she looks amazeballs! True that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup she looks beautiful
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I said! 😀
But yes – beautiful is a better word for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She is 42 or 52 still looks young and fit
LikeLiked by 1 person
46 – and yes – well worth one! (as we used to say when we were lads)
LikeLike
Pingback: Pythagorean Theorem | levishedated
Blistering barnacles! This sounds like quite a hike! Ten hours of walking, I’d be a crumb of bones. But there is something so strangely satisfying about scaling a mountain right?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, being as you live amongst mountains, you will be very used to this activity. It is probably as easy to you as eating crumbs of cake. 😉
But yes – very satisfying to reach the top. I prefer going up to coming down. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t fool me, three photos, different angles, same trig points. I suspect there was more time in the pub than you have let on. 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahaha – you could be right (or you could be wrong). 😉
Either way – it was a brilliant day, all the better for not breaking my ankle or losing toe-nails. I have heard some stories about this place!
LikeLike
Glad you had a good time, I’d love a bit of Yorkshire weather.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hot there?
LikeLike
A bit too much for a wee laddie like me 25º at night.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Eek! We had a heatwave here, and it was 25℃ in the daytime – and that was enough for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed.
Maybe we should go on a walking holiday to Iceland
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was thinking about the Mt Everest Base Camp – interested? 🙂
LikeLike
a bit nippy but OK
LikeLiked by 1 person
I should look it up first, shouldn’t I – next thing you know it’s a 100 mile, 5 day hike with 20 sherpas (each)! And yes – won’t it be deliciously cool! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
wow, that’s some adventure you’ve had! Love the pictures. you got a great smile!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Chitra – I kept the smile in my backpack so that it was safe and warm and brought it out especially for the photographs.
Okay – that came out wrong – that makes me seem as though I have false teeth! Not so!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
haha 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks needed that smile you just gave me!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Always welcome, Chitra. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person