This piece of work was for Charity Challenge, for whom I did a stack of work in 2015, who had been contracted by the mental health charity Mind. The participants were doing a 24-hour sponsored walk either from the north or from the south, converging on the morning of Sunday 3rd July at Chirk Castle -- I was part of the day-shift on the southbound route, looking after the participants for the first 12 hours.
The evening before I was put up in the Premier Inn in Wrexham, luxuriating in the deep and generously heated bath in my en-suite bathroom, easing out my leg muscles after the National Three Peaks Challenge earlier in the week.
Because of timing constraints, the southbound walk started at a nondescript layby about a mile north-east of Rhuallt instead of at the coast. From there we walked at a steady pace for the next twelve hours, passing through well-tended farm-land, pretty woodland, and open upland giving grand views back to Livepool Bay and to our right across the Clywedog valley.
The only incident was on the approach to Moel Famau, the highest point around for miles, when from a rainy squall which I had been watching creep on us for a good half hour or more there were two thunderclaps in quick sucession, which I and the other two Mountain Leaders on this section took as an urgent cue to get everone to lower ground: we went to the junction of footpaths about ½km west of the summit. For the first time, I deployed my storm shelter, and we took refuge in it, filling it with steamy warmth and staying out of the weather until the risk of lightning strike had passed.
At the crossing of the A494 the night crew joined us, and we walked along together to the pass between Moel Llanfair and Moel y Plâs, where we were taken off and taken back to Wrexham, and the particiants carried towards Chirk Castle and the distant dawn, with the night crew looking after them. I was tired and needed a bath and then bed, but how I yearned to be walking through the night with them!
The next morning I woke too late to be bussed to Chirk Castle, but I visited the dining hall where the participants were having their celebratory brunch, to congratulate and check up on the particiants whom I had looked after the day before.
Well done all the particiants, especially those whom I had looked after. Well done for toughing out a 24-hour walk -- it must have seemed like a right old slog in the dog hours before dawn. Well done for helping to de-stygmnatise mental illness and for raising funds for the valualble work of Mind. It was a priveledge working with you.
Friday, 29 July 2016
National Three Peaks Challenge, 27th to 30th June 2016
This was quite a piece of work, the National Three Peaks Challenge taken over three consecutive days.
I had been hired by Greenrock, who had been contracted by Cheltenham College, and on Monday 27th June we gathered in the grounds of the college: me, three regular members of the Greenrock team, their managing director Joe Mearns, three members of staff of the college, and the youngsters whom we were looking after. Also, there were three minibuses, everyone's kit, and a pile of drinking water and snacks.
When everyone and everything was safely on board, we trundled out of the college grounds and headed off to our first destination, the car-park at Pen-y-Pas. A few hours later we were all gathered again, this time eager to get going up the PYG Track. I was at the back and ended up looking after one of the teachers, who was struggling. I have no doubt that she could have made it up and down under other circumstances, but the purpose of the event was to get the youngsters up and down, so reluctantly, we parted ways: she headed back to the minibuses, and I strode out to catch up with the group.
We made good time to the top, spent a few minutes there, then a few minutes in the café, then made a swift descent to Pen-y-Pas, then drove to the youth hostel in Caernarfon, where a hearty meal was waiting for us.
The weather had been summery most of the way, but chilly and windy at the top, as usual.
The next day we drove to the car park at the head of Wastwater, and made a swift ascent and descent of Scafell Pike, and we were treated to some good views despite visibility not being particualy generous. Afterwards, we ate in the pub near the YHA youth hostel -- the food was delicious and in generous quantities.
On the third day we set out early on the long haul to the SYHA youth hostel in Glen Nevis. On the previous two days I had found switching from driving a minibus for a few hours to walking up a mountain a difficult transition, which I had assumed was due to poor hydration while driving, so this time I made sure I was well hydrated. Despite this precaution, I found going up Ben Nevis a devil of a slog.
Conditions were fair, and it was the first time I had been on the mountain without there being a snow cap on the summit plateau, and it was interesting to see the beaten footpaths on the plateau. We stayed a few minutes next to the trig point for group photographs, then headed back down. We spread out rather on the descent, but once we had descended below the orographic clouds that shrouded the top of the mountain, there was no pressing reason to keep everyone in a tight bunch.
That evening, Joe treated his crew and me to a hearty nosh-up in a pub in Fort William. I could have had vegetarian haggis, but I needed a pizza, so that is what I had.
The day after, we drove all the way back to Cheltenham. For once, I did not do any driving: I was the passenger in Jo's rather agreeable gran tourismo estate car. We said out goodbyes in the college grounds, then I made my way to stay the night with my brother and his family in Alcester.
On each of the three days' walks I had struggled, more so as the event went on: it was as if my physical fitness had suddenly declined. While this might be what had happened, it seems to me that driving for several hours and then going almost immediately to mountain walking is just not a transition I can do well. Unfortunately, this piece of work was the first on which such a transition was called for: previously, I had done the long-distance driving the day before, then driven either not at all or only a few miles on the day of the hike. I will know for next time.
My thanks to Jo for hiring me, and my thanks to the three teachers of the college for their support and companionship.
I had been hired by Greenrock, who had been contracted by Cheltenham College, and on Monday 27th June we gathered in the grounds of the college: me, three regular members of the Greenrock team, their managing director Joe Mearns, three members of staff of the college, and the youngsters whom we were looking after. Also, there were three minibuses, everyone's kit, and a pile of drinking water and snacks.
When everyone and everything was safely on board, we trundled out of the college grounds and headed off to our first destination, the car-park at Pen-y-Pas. A few hours later we were all gathered again, this time eager to get going up the PYG Track. I was at the back and ended up looking after one of the teachers, who was struggling. I have no doubt that she could have made it up and down under other circumstances, but the purpose of the event was to get the youngsters up and down, so reluctantly, we parted ways: she headed back to the minibuses, and I strode out to catch up with the group.
We made good time to the top, spent a few minutes there, then a few minutes in the café, then made a swift descent to Pen-y-Pas, then drove to the youth hostel in Caernarfon, where a hearty meal was waiting for us.
The weather had been summery most of the way, but chilly and windy at the top, as usual.
The next day we drove to the car park at the head of Wastwater, and made a swift ascent and descent of Scafell Pike, and we were treated to some good views despite visibility not being particualy generous. Afterwards, we ate in the pub near the YHA youth hostel -- the food was delicious and in generous quantities.
On the third day we set out early on the long haul to the SYHA youth hostel in Glen Nevis. On the previous two days I had found switching from driving a minibus for a few hours to walking up a mountain a difficult transition, which I had assumed was due to poor hydration while driving, so this time I made sure I was well hydrated. Despite this precaution, I found going up Ben Nevis a devil of a slog.
Conditions were fair, and it was the first time I had been on the mountain without there being a snow cap on the summit plateau, and it was interesting to see the beaten footpaths on the plateau. We stayed a few minutes next to the trig point for group photographs, then headed back down. We spread out rather on the descent, but once we had descended below the orographic clouds that shrouded the top of the mountain, there was no pressing reason to keep everyone in a tight bunch.
That evening, Joe treated his crew and me to a hearty nosh-up in a pub in Fort William. I could have had vegetarian haggis, but I needed a pizza, so that is what I had.
The day after, we drove all the way back to Cheltenham. For once, I did not do any driving: I was the passenger in Jo's rather agreeable gran tourismo estate car. We said out goodbyes in the college grounds, then I made my way to stay the night with my brother and his family in Alcester.
On each of the three days' walks I had struggled, more so as the event went on: it was as if my physical fitness had suddenly declined. While this might be what had happened, it seems to me that driving for several hours and then going almost immediately to mountain walking is just not a transition I can do well. Unfortunately, this piece of work was the first on which such a transition was called for: previously, I had done the long-distance driving the day before, then driven either not at all or only a few miles on the day of the hike. I will know for next time.
My thanks to Jo for hiring me, and my thanks to the three teachers of the college for their support and companionship.
DofE practice hike, 25th June 2016
I had been working with a small DofE bronze-level group for Bristol City Council for several weeks, teaching the youngsters the rudiments of what kit to bring on their expeditions, loading their rucksacks, navigation, and camp-craft. It was decided that the youngsters could have a single-day hike in preparation for the practice expedition, which I considered a very good idea, as there is only so much useful learning that can be done without putting it into practice the field.
I arrived at the end point of the route, parked my car, and walked the whole route back to the start point, then waited for the minibus to turn up with the youngsters and their youth workers. It was a teeny-weeny bit late, and I was rather early, but it was a pleasant sunny morning, so I idled about in the sunshine, watching the world go by.
I arrived at the end point of the route, parked my car, and walked the whole route back to the start point, then waited for the minibus to turn up with the youngsters and their youth workers. It was a teeny-weeny bit late, and I was rather early, but it was a pleasant sunny morning, so I idled about in the sunshine, watching the world go by.
Eventually they hove into view, and when they had all disembarked and sorted themselves out, I went through some preliminary matters with them, including making sure that their rucksacks were reasonably comfortable (or at least, not actively uncomfortable), and establishing on the map exactly where we were. To my annoyance, the map, which I had downloaded from OS Maps only a day and a half earlier, did not show two well-established footpaths nearby.
The youngsters navigated us via the various way-points, with me helping them to brush up their skills as we went. At one point, when we were practising taking bearings along a path and checking back against the map, a group of young women, all in shift dresses and wellies, came past, on a hen weekend, the bride-to-be indenifiable by her white dress, tiara, and sash.
At the destination, a campsite, we practised putting up and taking down the tents, much to the bafflement of some people staying there, who thought we had come to stay the night then changed out minds.
Much as time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted, when it came to the practice expedition as few weeks later it was clear that the time spent on this practice hike had been well spent.
Goatchurch Cavern, 21st & 23rd June 2016
Two half days' work with children from Chew Valley School and their teachers, working for Aardvark Endeavours, and assisting Andy Chamberlain and Chris Castle.
Goatchurch Cavern, 9th June 2016
A morning trip and an afternoon trip, both with youngsters, working for Aardvark Endeavours, who had been contracted by Young Bristol; I was assisting Ian Burton. As usual, most of the youngsters enjoyed it, some of them had the time of their lives, and one or two really didn't like it.
The most rewarding aspect of this kind of work is supporting and encouraging the participants for whom it quite a challenge, and helping them to have a good and enjoyable experience.
The most rewarding aspect of this kind of work is supporting and encouraging the participants for whom it quite a challenge, and helping them to have a good and enjoyable experience.
Sunday, 17 July 2016
three trips to Goatchurch cavern, 22nd May to 4th June 2016
I had accepted an offer of some caving work in Goatchurch Cavern, but as it was so long since I had last been underground, I thought it would be a good idea to undertake some preparatory trips.
The first trip, on Sunday 22nd May, was slow and gentle, more to get used to the cave environment than anything else. I had the cave to myself, so I spend a long time just sitting or lying quietly in various little chambers and tubes, getting the feel of being in tightish spaces again.
The second trip, on Thursday 26th May, was more adventurous, including spending time in tighter tubes than before (Effing Tight and the oblique exit form the Maze), and having a good pong round the various ways into the Boulder Chamber.
On the third trip, on Saturday 4th June, I had two companions: Tricia Denning-Kendall, and Paula Sewell. Tricia has been a caving companion for many years and was on the memorable trip to Eastwater Swallet on 15th November 2014, when I got proper stuck; it was my first trip with Paula. We had a good time of it, ranging where ever we wanted, including slipping through the Drainpipe and exploring the hidden waterfall in the Water Chamber.
By the end of the third trip, I felt ready.
The first trip, on Sunday 22nd May, was slow and gentle, more to get used to the cave environment than anything else. I had the cave to myself, so I spend a long time just sitting or lying quietly in various little chambers and tubes, getting the feel of being in tightish spaces again.
The second trip, on Thursday 26th May, was more adventurous, including spending time in tighter tubes than before (Effing Tight and the oblique exit form the Maze), and having a good pong round the various ways into the Boulder Chamber.
On the third trip, on Saturday 4th June, I had two companions: Tricia Denning-Kendall, and Paula Sewell. Tricia has been a caving companion for many years and was on the memorable trip to Eastwater Swallet on 15th November 2014, when I got proper stuck; it was my first trip with Paula. We had a good time of it, ranging where ever we wanted, including slipping through the Drainpipe and exploring the hidden waterfall in the Water Chamber.
By the end of the third trip, I felt ready.
Saturday, 16 July 2016
Scafell Pike and Cringle Crags, May 2016
On Saturday 28th May I travelled north to the Lake District with my friend Emily Fuller for three days' hiking. We travelled in my Smart car, which was big enough for our hiking kit and our camping kit, and comfortable enough for the length of journey. The little car was very sure-footed on Wrynose Pass and Hardknott Pass, where its rear-engine-rear-wheel-drive arrangement gave her first class traction even on the steepest sections, and her small size and responsive steering made her very nimble and wieldy; I enjoyed that part of the journey, for sure.
We pitched our tents under a beautiful tree at the far end of the lawn from Eskdale youth hostel, and were sung to sleep by the evening chorus or birds, some of whose calls I had never heard before.
For me, the purpose of the first two days' hiking was to reconnoitre two routes on which I had been given work later in the summer.
On Sunday 29th May, in very fine summery weather, we headed to Wasdale Head and walked slowly to the summit of Scafell Pike via Lingmell Gill , Brown Tongue, and Hollow Stones, taking in the view as we went, and looking for places were the route might not be so obvious in poor conditions. On the way down, we took a short detour via Lingmell and Goat Crags, and cooled off in one of the pools where the footpath splits for Wasdale Head or Brackenclose.
On Monday 30th May, also in very fine summery weather, we headed to Great Langdale, and parked in the National Trust car park under Raven Crag. From there we walked along the valley floor to Oxendale, then up to Brown Howe past the Markeens, then on to the saddle just north of Red Tarn, were we turned right and followed the path past Great Knott to Long Top. Along the section from Crinkle Crags to the Three Tarns, I was disappointed at how features which on the ground were very obvious, did not stand out clearly on the map (OS 1:25,000). At the Three Tarns we turned right and made our way back via the Band, then had a very satisfying nosh-up at the New Dungeon Ghyl Hotel.
On both of those days, we probably looked like the worlds' worst hikers, because of the amount of time we spend carefully studying the map and exploring all the wrong turns off the right route, so that we could really learn the route and navigate it confidently in poor conditions or at night. We really enjoyed both days' hikes, which although hard work mentally, were taken at a gentle pace, with plenty of time for taking in the beauty of the extraordinarily fine views.
On the Tuesday, with the serious business of reconnaissance over, we went for a lazy stroll without rucksacks, and basked in the glorious sunshine in the complex of little bowls and valleys behind Eskdale youth hostel, in the drainage basin of Blea Beck.
On the Wednesday we braved the M6 and trundled back to the West Country to get on with the rest of our lives.
We pitched our tents under a beautiful tree at the far end of the lawn from Eskdale youth hostel, and were sung to sleep by the evening chorus or birds, some of whose calls I had never heard before.
For me, the purpose of the first two days' hiking was to reconnoitre two routes on which I had been given work later in the summer.
On Sunday 29th May, in very fine summery weather, we headed to Wasdale Head and walked slowly to the summit of Scafell Pike via Lingmell Gill , Brown Tongue, and Hollow Stones, taking in the view as we went, and looking for places were the route might not be so obvious in poor conditions. On the way down, we took a short detour via Lingmell and Goat Crags, and cooled off in one of the pools where the footpath splits for Wasdale Head or Brackenclose.
On Monday 30th May, also in very fine summery weather, we headed to Great Langdale, and parked in the National Trust car park under Raven Crag. From there we walked along the valley floor to Oxendale, then up to Brown Howe past the Markeens, then on to the saddle just north of Red Tarn, were we turned right and followed the path past Great Knott to Long Top. Along the section from Crinkle Crags to the Three Tarns, I was disappointed at how features which on the ground were very obvious, did not stand out clearly on the map (OS 1:25,000). At the Three Tarns we turned right and made our way back via the Band, then had a very satisfying nosh-up at the New Dungeon Ghyl Hotel.
On both of those days, we probably looked like the worlds' worst hikers, because of the amount of time we spend carefully studying the map and exploring all the wrong turns off the right route, so that we could really learn the route and navigate it confidently in poor conditions or at night. We really enjoyed both days' hikes, which although hard work mentally, were taken at a gentle pace, with plenty of time for taking in the beauty of the extraordinarily fine views.
On the Tuesday, with the serious business of reconnaissance over, we went for a lazy stroll without rucksacks, and basked in the glorious sunshine in the complex of little bowls and valleys behind Eskdale youth hostel, in the drainage basin of Blea Beck.
On the Wednesday we braved the M6 and trundled back to the West Country to get on with the rest of our lives.
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