The Yorkshire Three Peaks
Distance 40.2km Climb 1585m
Saturday 20 June 2009
I took part with thousands of other walkers doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Many do this walk for charity, today I was doing the walk for Heart Research.
The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a walk starting in Horton-in-Ribblesdale, over Pen-y-Ghent 691meters, Whernside 728meters, and Ingleborough 723 meters. It is approx. 25 miles, 40.2km, long and the challenge is to complete the walk within 12 hours.
I got up early and joined hundreds queuing to register for the walk with Heart Research. A friend from work, Anne's husband had done the walk loads of times before, today he had already registered and had set off long before I got through the registration tent.
Before doing the walk I had researched it on the internet where it said you will need to use map and compass as the route is not marked. I found that due to the large numbers of people doing the walk for a whole host of different charity organisation made it easy to follow the route.
Once through the check point I was heading towards the next peak, Whernside.
Now I was excited and started picking up the pace on the down hill slope. Again there was a big queue at a stile and as we filtered over it there was a great atmosphere between the walkers. It was great being on my own.
Half way down was one of the Heart Research check point water stops. Again after another quick drink I was away again. Following the crowds I headed for the road and after crossing the junction I was heading for the famous Ribblehead Viaduct. The closer I got to the Viaduct I could see how impressive it was. Following it and the train line it was a steady climb, I crossed the train line near some very beautiful waterfalls and started to climb up Whernside. I had noticed the numbers of people walking had thinned out a little on the climb up, but there were enough people to follow showing the route. It was only when I was on the top that I saw a lot of people in groups sitting and resting. After a quick drink and a photo I was away again down hill.
The path down is not straight forward, it follows a very steep path where I had to take my time. Now I was on the other side of the Ribblehead Viaduct and at this angle I could see the whole viaduct and it looked amazing.
It was as I was walking towards the bottom of Whernside and I was heading towards Ingleborough I started feeling tired. The route passed through another check point before heading along the road. Near the road there was a pub and I did think about stopping and getting some food but the crowds put me off. Not only that but the beast in my head would not let me stop.
I started to feel tired and had a little cramp in my legs, I still could not stop but slowed down a little as I started on the track towards Ingleborough. At the bottom I caught up with Anne's husband, he had stopped to have a sandwich. I normally prefer to be on my own but it was good to have a little company. We reached the top of Ingleborough where it was misty and after a few photos started down the path towards the finish at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. I think I completed it in less than 10 hours.
Although tired it had been a good days walking.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Three Peaks or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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