Stark, desolate troughs meandering into the fog. Soles sinking knee deep into mahogany rich peat. The wind carries hail, sand and a bitter cold that stings exposed cheeks. Sometimes you can't see at all.
Not that I'm complaining, mind. It's what I love about the place - it can feel wild. I am just eternally grateful that people are as fickle as they are - not venturing out when the weather turns. I get the place to myself.
Sometimes the clouds retreat, and you are rewarded with special views. Kinder's little thank you.
The next time you go wild camping, make sure you take a really sharp knife with you.
One of the finest things you can do whist warming yourself around the campfire is to carve a spoon. Trust me. There is something genuinely heart-warming about the process. The focus needed makes it somewhat meditative at times, and the finished spoon will forever remind you of the wild place in which you camped and of the good company you kept that evening.
I went on a walk from Upper Booth to Kinder Downfall and back, to bed in my new boots today. I set off quite late (around 14:30) and arrived back at the car by dusk. It was a very atmospheric walk - the weather was overcast and blustery which made the Kinder plateau feel wonderfully remote! The good news is my boots gave me no problems whatsoever which bodes well for the trek!
I've travelled up to Snowdonia, North Wales with Gill to do some training in the mountains! We chose to climb the Crib Goch route to the summit of Snowdon . Crib Goch is a knife-edged arête with spectacular views. Luckily, the weather was kind to us, and the views there stunning - the best I've ever seen in Snowdonia!
This was my first outing in my new boots and I really put them through their paces! Luckily they performed very well with only slight rubbing that never materialised into blisters. Given a few more long walks, I am convinced they will wear into a perfect fit.
After my initial scepticism about running....I've actually started to enjoy it! Several friends advised me that this might happen as my body becomes conditioned to the rigors of running. I'm not only learning how to pace my stride and my breathing but finding that my recovery rate is improving too. I'm surprised at how quickly the body adapts....
I've started running in preparation for the West Highland Way. Having not run since.....well ever really, it’s been quite a shock to the system. I initially planned to run every night, but I soon realised the importance of giving my body a rest, and have now modified my training routine to every other night!
My first ever run was pretty horrible - my knees felt like they might crumble, my lungs internally combust and my heart burst through my chest cavity but I got through it one piece (just)! Although I walked with a limp for the following few days!
I am walking the ‘West Highland Way’ in Scotland over our October half term.
I'm doing it to try and raise as much money as I can for Cancer Research UK.
The walk is just shy of 100 miles and I plan on doing this over a 5 day period, wild camping on route. I will be carrying everything I need for the journey on my back (that's about 20kg of equipment!). As I've said, it will be October half term week when I go (25th - 31st Oct) , so there is a good chance that the weather will be against us as well! On average, we will need to cover about 20 miles a day. It's going to be tough!
I have chosen to do this for Cancer Research UK because my Grandpa died of pancreatic cancer several years ago. I saw the terrible way in which he deteriorated and since his death, I’ve done what I can to help support research into new medicines to make cancer sufferers lives more comfortable, and help support new research into ways of curing cancer. Cancer Research UK are world-class leaders in this – and I hope you agree are a worthy cause to raise money for.
If you would like to sponsor me, please visit my sponsorship page at www.justgiving.com/edpenny. It’s a secure online site which is a really easy and convenient way to sponsor me.
The challenge we will undertake in October means a lot to me, and any amount you can sponsor me would be very much appreciated.
I will update my blog with training logs and a joural will be uploaded when we get back home that documents our journey!
