Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge 2011
Continued
What a descent – steep, steep, steep! Jarring on the legsdue to the upright nature of a lot of the stones/steps, the backs of the knees were aching and by the time we reached the bottom, my shins were burning. Passed quite a few people on the way up this route, now that must be hard work. Anyway, reaching the bottom left us with a nice short hike back to the support van again, much the same as last time – more tape for my feet (great stuff, no blisters to be seen - thanks Andy), top-up with food and preparation for the third peak.
This picture doesn't do the steepness justice really! (shows the top third, steep part of the picture below).
Ingleborough
We set-off again (just the three of us - Chris, Andy and myself) and really enjoyed the lower approach to the last one, nice and even, past some lovely scenery, limestone outcrops and the famous Braithwaite Wife Hole before approaching the base of Ingleborough and the imposing almost vertical ascent.
Look closely and you can see the near vertical route!
Wow, this was hard work, I had to climb some, rest some, climb some more and so on, the vertical nature made it very hard work but the view from the top was well worth it, and we were lucky with the weather holding so we had great views looking back across the valley. By the time I reached the top, or the semi-top as you then have another few hundred yards to go across the top to the trig point, it had become very breezy and hence cold, so and we didn't spend too long at the summit!
View from the top of Ingleborough - Whenrnside middle, Ribblehead viaduct to the right.
Not quite there yet! Over the peak and then another 2 or 300 yards to go!
Third and final peak conquered - what a view and what a sense of accomplishment...
Tony, far left on the final desecent
Tony had caught up so we stuck together on the way down, another tough descent but I think this was more due to fatigue rather than difficult terrain! The last few miles passed fairly easily, until we hit some inclines near the end which proved challenging with feet and legs fading fast (Chris and Andy pressed on and beat us back by around 15 minutes). Then, rounding a bend what a magnificent sight – Horton-In-Ribblesdale – so nice to see the end approaching, even though the final stretch downhill put some stress on the weary limbs, it was nice to be back. We clocked in at 10 hours and 5 minutes, well within the 12 hour challenge limit, before heading to the the pub for some well earned liquid refreshments, that first pint tasted fantastic by the way. The only problem after coming out of the pub, was my legs had pretty much seized up, so the walk back to the campsite was more of a hobble, very undignified but I'm sure I wasn't the first and probably won't be the last!
Overall, a very enjoyable experience, topped off with some great company and fantastic hospitality all round (thanks to all who helped out behind the scenes on the day too). All in aid of a good cause, and again, thank you for your support if you sponsored me. Will I do it again? Well maybe, but I'm not rushing back too soon...
Click here to return to part one
All pictures © copyright Richard Nolan 2011