At the request of James, and with no dissenting voices, Nick dropped us off at Hubberholme (about 2km further than we had planned) at 7pm on Saturday night and we began the trek back to Skipton. I was the potential fly in the ointment as I needed to be back in Skipton by 6:45am Sunday at the latest. I was pretty confident we'd make that but other predictions weren't quite so optimistic. With the prospect of navigating the moors it was easy to see where time might be lost.
It appeared James (the most experienced Trailtrekker in the group) had decided to ignore the weather forecast and turned up in his beachwear (I'm glad to report that shortly after this picture James did remember he was wearing his trainers and made a quick change. The 3/4 length trousers stayed though!)
The early part of the walk was relatively simple as you follow the river through Buckden and Kettlewell and then the road as far as Scargill House before heading up for the first challenging climb of the day to take you above Conistone. Below, Hollie negotiates a stile and we seem to have adopted Kenny from South Park!
By the time we reached Conistone at 11pm we weren't yet halfway but were still looking good for a 5am finish. Darkness had descended and due to the weather conditions about to hit us this was the last photo of the night!
As we negotiated Boss Moor we were subjected to the worst conditions of the night. As the wind blew and the rain fell we steadily got wetter and started to feel the aches and pains more. The water found a way through to my skin via every seam on my coat and through my hood and down my neck!Incredibly after Hollie's quick change at Hetton we ploughed on and though slowing we still made pretty good time through Flasby and on towards Skipton.
For the last section from Bog Lane Ady and I pressed on - Ady was planning to walk to Steeton and I was looking to have a quick bath before the children got up. I arrived home at 5:45am and got that bath and Ady made it half way to Steeton before his feet got the better of him.
All in all I'd say this was a pretty good exercise (if maybe too little too late) and hopefully Hollie, James and Ady recover from their respective niggles in the next day or so. If nothing else we all had a good reminder of what it will feel like on the day.
As for me: No blisters to report, sore feet like the sort you get after going shopping with the wife, knees feel well and truly worked over and I could sleep for England.
I think (and I stand to be corrected) we walked between 24 and 25 miles.
lol Indeed! Really hoping it's not raining like that on the day!!!! Long Range weather says 'clouds and sun' which would be near enough ideal if that's how it works out! As long as it stays dry :o)
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