The Berwyns

Date: 11 April 2010
Time: 8 hours
Distance: 13 miles (rest of team did 14.7)
Calories Burned: 3885
Weather: Forecast to be sunny and 14°C. Actual was very sunny and very hot.
Allen Morris rating: 6/10 - reduced to 4/10 then upped to 4.5/10 after many 'discussions'.
Team: Kirsty, Allen, Rose, Rob, Martin, Nick
Weight carried: 84 Kg of me (Oh Mi God how did that happen..) and 7.5Kg in bag - heaviest bag so far.

The Plan:
Leaving Crewe at 8.00am, travelling to Wales (1.5hrs) then walking the Berwyns. This is a ridge walk (similar to Helvelyn), and will be walking up to/ over 2,000ft, it will be about 10/11 miles and will take about 6/7hrs.

The Actual Event
Left Crewe around 8:15 and made the journey to Wales. I was slapping on the factor 50 thoroughly. I had also decided to only put one Compeed on right heel.
Half way around I did add one to the left heel as I felt a hot spot.

We found the free carpark with no problem. The toilets were spot on as well. Boots on and off we set. I had decided not to bother with the gaiters due to the previous week of sunny weather and the fact I thought my legs might sweat to death. The shorts were not an option partly due to risk of burning and partly due to not wanting them scratched all over.

We set off and it didn't take long to get down to the T-shirts. Generally the paths were boggy and heathery. We got to the top of the hills where I sat down for a rest with the bags (and Knackered Knee Nick), while the others did a quick jaunt up the first hill. When they got back, we set off along the ridge of the 2nd hill and kept going. I couldn't look down.

I had already stepped in some deep mud, so was looking a bit of a mess, when I stepped on what looked like quite firm ground. I went half way up my calf and to prevent myself from going deeper I just through myself at the grassy bank in front of me. Luckily there was no one too near as I could have taken out a few people with my poles.

We reached the summit of Mole Sick (it sounded like that - not sure of correct spelling) for lunch.

Lunch was had (pasta, smoothie and penguin) and we set off again.

Mole Earwig (or some similar sounding name) was the next destination.

The views all along the route were gorgeous. There was some snow on high points. I can't believe after the weather for the last week and the fact it's April, that there is still snow around.

Nick started to struggle with his knees but he still managed to be faster than me. Definately need to get back into the gym and diet regime.

On the way down I had yet another mud trauma. There was a vast expanse of mud laid out in front of me. The rest of the team had navigated across it with few issues. This was partly due to their low body weight and massive barge sized feet. My massive weight and minute surface area (small feet) meant that when I tried to follow I sank yet again up to knees. I had panic I was falling back and going to splat in the mud, but luckily let out massive trump which propelled me forward and out of the mud pit. Most embarassing, but would rather that than be covered head to toe in mud. I must also remember to bring towel to sit on in persons car on way back incase get muddy, or leave change of clothes in car!

I found the last 3 miles hard going. My toes hurt. I must remember to readjust boot laces on regular basis as I think they slacken off over time.

I did worry about sunburn, so I had my buffy over hair, forehead, ears and tops of eyes. My fleece had to go back on for the last few hours just to cover arms. The factor 50 did it's job though. I have caught the sun on exposed bits, but only red on edge of hair line where I clearly missed with the suntan lotion.

The pasta for lunch is working far better than sandwiches.