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Kinsfolk Walking Event Successful!
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The Ascent of the Three-Peaks (Yorkshire style)
Arrival
The team slowly came together during the afternoon/evening of August 18th, most arriving by train – stepping off onto a pretty little platform with wrought-iron railings, naming itself Horton in Ribblesdale. I say we came together, but as darkness fell, it became apparent that the sixth member of our party was missing. We waited until morning for his arrival, but without any means of communication, we had no way of knowing where he was. In the end, he’d decided to stay at home. Wuss.
Some had brought tents, so they pitched those, and had some dinner, talked of the current education system, and proposed changes. Those more Hardy folk had simply brought along waterproof body bags for sleeping in. Eventually we all drifted off to sleep.
The Day of Endless Walking
05:15 – The first stirrings in the camp are heard. As tents were unzipped, and clothes were donned, the imaginary sun (it was cloudy) dawned upon the party.
06:15 – Gradually, we readied ourselves, brushed our teeth, and set off.
06:40 – The enormity of the task ahead kicks in, and suddenly we are all out of breath. We had to keep going though, we weren’t going to be beaten by the first one!
Pen-Y-Ghent
07:19 – So there we were, stood on the top of Pen-y-Ghent, 694 metres above sea level, wreathed in mist, cloud and eye-watering winds, questioning what the hell we were doing. A quick bite to eat, and off we went.
08:12 – On the long stretch between mountains 1 and 2, there is a significant section of the path that has been swallowed by a bog. If we weren’t careful, we’d be swallowed too.
08:13 – Kemi loses a foot to the bog.
08:19 – Liam loses half a leg.
08:20 – Kit loses a foot.
08:25 – Adam loses a leg and a half.
08:27 – Richard loses a foot, and his waterbottle.
08:49 – Bog navigation complete.
08:55 – No wait, there’s more. Our feet become wet again.
09:30 – Well clear of the bog, we have a short rest, and a snack.
10:50 – We come across the first signs of civilisation – a pub. A quick toilet stop, and we’re off again.
11:30 – Passing through the Ribblehead Viaduct, an incredible sight, we notice a large number of photographers hanging around. It turned out we’d coincided our crossing of the railway line with the passing through of an old steam train, a very pleasant sight.
12:00 – The team splits up as we ascend Whernside. It’s clear that our abilities to climb mountainous terrain differ significantly, and two quickly drop behind.
12:45-13:15 – The team reaches the top of Whernside. The descent is long, steep and gruelling.
14:15 – One out of five decides not to tackle the last, and most difficult of the peaks, and takes a shorter, flatter route back to Horton. The rest plough on.
14:40 – The incredibly steep ascent of Ingleborough threatens to discourage even the fittest combatants, but with sheer determination, and a little kendal mint cake, the final climb is completed.
Ingleborough
16:00 – After an hour of gentle descent, the team can see their final target, there in the distance.
16:30 – With only a mile left, the fore-runners receive a final burst of energy and adrenaline, pushing really hard for a sprint finish.
17:00 – The team relax, soothing their aches in the clear, cold river, after completing the challenge in 10hours and 25minutes!
19:00 – A well deserved ending, at the pub!
Well done to those who came along. Perhaps it’ll happen again next year, with more people and more sun!
This event was open to all Woodcrafters over the age of 16 (DFs and Kinsfolk). If you’d like to come along to the next walking event, or maybe even organise one yourself, keep your eyes peeled, or contact anyone on DF Committee.
