Macc Forest, Tegs Nose and Shutlingsloe Hill

Walk:Macc Forest, and walk Tegs Nose and Shutlingsloe
Time: 6 hours
Distance: 8.8 miles
Rating: 3/10
Weather: Dry, bright and windy

Calories: 3800

I had been to Sarah & Tom's wedding the night before so had reached my bed around 2am. The alarm clock went off at 5am for me to get up and get to Crewe! I packed and set out, tired and fed up.

Arrived in crewe on time, set out to carpark for Teg's nose. I would never have found it. It was up a narrow lane and right next to a resevoir.

The weather was looking dry and bright despite a forecast of showers as we set out and straight up a hill.

The walk meanered up Teg's Nose and then onto Shutlingsloe along tracks, paths, through woodland, and up windy hills.

Lunch was consumed just off the top of Shutlingsloe, sheltered from the wind. I had decided to cook pasta for this trip. I just didn't have enough to do Friday after driving back from work, getting hair and nails done (insulting manicure woman by calling a random bloke that walked past outside a poser who then walked in to inform her he was going to pick up the kids), and getting ready for the wedding. So, I decided to cook pasta as had no time to go to the shop and get sandwich materials.

I consumed the vast quantity of pasta rather too quickly and then felt rather sick. Another lesson to be learned there....

We then set off for the rest of the walk meandering around the reservoirs and back to the car.




 

The weather was spot on. I'd decided to not wear thermals and it proved to be a good idea. They are now stored away for winter walking.

I was shattered on the drive back to Crewe and did have a snooze (and good ole snore). I had intended to snooze on the way but Kirsty decided to talk me to death.

I have decided that being extremely tired would make good training for summit night, but I don't intend to do it again if possible.

The outdoor show at the NEC was on the following day. I won't be bothering again. £18 and not worth it.

Midlands 3 Peaks

Date: 21st March 2010

Duration: All Day

Weather: Gorgeous - Bright, sunny and dry

Distance: Loads

Rating: Easy

Calories burned: 3149

08:00 - Packed, dressed and having brekkie.

09:45 - coach picks me up from Lickey Hills

Approx 10.30 - Arrive at Malvern Hills and Start of Challenge

Walk up the Malvern Hill to the Worcestershire Beacon and back down.

Steep ascent, and very windy, but it didn't take long and the burning calves soon recovered on the downhill section.

12:00 Coach Journey from Malvern Hills to Clent (lunch on coach)

12:45Walk up the Clent Hill and back down.
Quicker and easier than Malvern but very muddy.

14:00 Coach Journey from Clent to Lickey Hills (mars bar)

15:00 Walk up the Lickey Hills and back down.
Nice stroll up to the top of Beacon Hill with mini castle for last photo.
Beacon Hill donated by the Cadbury family to the City of Birmingham in 1907.

 

I managed to spot Old Joe (University of Birmingham clock tower), the QE and BT tower (see picture).

 

End of Challenge

Back to Lickey's car park for buffet and certificate of achievement.

Home for soak in bath!


 

World's End

Date: 13th March 2010
Time: 8 hours
Distance: 13.7 miles
Weather: Dry, Windy, sunny intervals.
Morris Rating: 5/10

The team comprised of Rob (route designer), Allen (ratings and GPS expert), Martin (fitness instructor), Kirsty (motivational expert and snot bag), Adam (comedy value) and my good self (trainee).

I had woken up at quarter past 4 in the morning to ensure I was not running late (like last time) and that I wouldn’t forget bits of my lunch (like last time). I managed to leave the house bright and early and I was on target to get to Crewe for 7am. I got onto the M6 and the matrix signs informed me that junction 9 to 10 was closed so it was a good job I was early. Decided to stick to M6 and wait til diverted off and even after going past flipping junction 9 the matrix signs were still telling me the motorway was closed.

I got to Crewe around 7:10. We all got stuff together, in two cars and we set off.
We had a good run down to Llangollen, parked up and off we set.

The weather was dry but cloudy and within a few minutes we were making a steep ascent up to the castle. My calves were hurting within a few yards.

We got to the castle and had group photo but Allen doesn’t appear to be on it – most odd.
The wind had really picked up and we set off to the next phase. Joining the Offa’s Dyke path, I was really warm, but couldn’t be bothered to stop and strip layers off. The path narrowed gradually as it cut into the side of the hill. I was OK with the drop to my left for a while, but all of a sudden it seemed really steep and with the path being only 1 foot wide, my nerves made me slow down. I had to keep stopping to catch breath and calm down. It was very windy as well which was a bit unnerving, but luckily the wind was blowing me into the hill rather than off it.

Eventually the path widened and snaked away from the edge.

Lunch was taken in what looked like a bomb hole, not far past the World’s End valley.
It was out of the wind and dry so we scramble down and had a break. We did break into fits of giggles when a hound from hell appeared out of nowhere at the top of the hole, started barking and scared Adam half to death. Adam’s face was a picture.
Kirsty tried to take a few pictures of us in the hole and nearly came a cropper falling down the steep mound. The facial expressions were again very amusing.

We trekked on through heather (for miles and miles) and my knees and ankles were not happy. I couldn’t see what I was putting my feet on so kept stumbling. Lifting feet over the heather to avoid getting tangled was really hard work. All good practice though.

We joined the road hoping to go past the monument but managed to miss it and by the time we saw where it was, I was way too tired to go out of way to wander up to it.

I found the last few miles really tough. Everything was aching. I hadn’t used my poles as the paths were mostly too narrow or covered with foliage. My knees were not happy with this decision.

I had warmed up so much that I did have to take a few layers off and carry them, so my pack felt really heavy. I think now the weather is warm enough not to need thermals as well as thick trousers and 50 billion layers on top.

Back to the car and slept on the journey back to crewe.

Saturday night I was in agony whenever I tried to walk up and down the stairs. I had one blister on my right heel despite 2 pairs of socks and compeed. Left foot was fine.
Sunday I was fully recovered and back to normal, so that is a positive aspect!

My next walk is the Midlands 3 peaks. I’m having a bit of a panic about that now as I thought I’d be more ready by now for it.
We shall see. I will never find out if I don’t push myself.
I do think I need to walk more in the evenings during the day, so that is the task for this week.

Mam Tor

Date: 27th Feb 2010
Location: Mam Tor, Peak District near Castleton
Weather: Forecast = cloudy with sunny spells. Actual = thick snow
Time: 5ish hours
Distance: 7ish miles

Today did not get off to a good start. I woke thinking was rather light for 5am, to glance at clock and realise was 7am. I was meant to be in Crewe for 8am and it's a 2 hour drive from mine. Hmmmm. Quick txt to Kirsty (who then proceeded to not get out of bed just yet), and a rush around and get out of house asap.

Set off and followed some dippy woman doing 40 in 60 area and even down slip road to M5. Wound up and late and just remembered I had left my smoothie in the fridge. Hey ho - will look forward to that when I get back.

Get to Kirsty & Allen's, just as Martin pulls up so that was good timing. We set off for the start of the walk. An hour's drive later and we park up near the Castleton Visitor centre and start our walk towards Winnates Pass up to Mam Tor.

We had put on the ole waterproofs just in case, but the forecast (checked previous day) was due to have sunny intervals.

The walk didn't start off too well for me. 5 mins into it and I'm puffing and panting and calves hurting already. We started the ascent up Mam Tor and after the first rise, the snow really started to come down. Covers on rucksacks, hoods up, and back to the walk.

I couldn't see out of right eye as snow was hitting me from that side and whatever I seemed to do with my hood it didn't seem to cover it. I definately need windows in my hood like Elaine's. Goggles were also considered as my eyes were stinging. I had purchased a rather attractive pale blue balaclava, but had forgotten it for this walk.

Onwards and upwards. We followed the path along the ridge, stopped for lunch ontop of a pile of rocks, then started the full on descent. Crossed a railway near the cement works. The last stage was on the road.

I cannot believe the amount of snow on the hills and also how very muddy it was.
I have thoroughly tested both boots on the waterproof front. I fully submerged one right up to the ankle and then moments later the other one in the same manner. Great fun. God knows how I managed to get mud right up the inside of the waterproofs. I am so talented.

Got back to the Allen Morris household, lasagne, cake - great ending to a good day.

Despite the weather, I did feel I managed the walk OK and I didn't feel too slow.

Allen and Martin have also managed to load the maps for routes done so far onto Google maps.

Kinder Scout Walk from HELL!

Date: 12th February 2010
Location: Peak District. Around Kinder Scout near Edale
Weather: Cold, mainly dry with occasional snow / sleet showers
Distance: 13 miles
Time: 9 hours (must remember head torch for next time)

I’d packed my stuff, made my lunch and I was all set for the 5am get up.
The alarm went off, the shower connector tube was cracked, so half asleep I’m trying to tape up shower enough so that it won’t spray everywhere and I might actually get wet where I intend to.

I set off. The temperature gauge says –1.5°. The windscreen was frosty, but I was all toasty in my 500 layers (well 1 thermal layer, 1 microfleece, trousers and coat) and new boots. I’d also packed my new Goretex gaiters and covered heels with Compeed. I was ready!

Managed to get to Kirsty’s for half 7 despite all the freaks on the road and the 500 sets of road works.

There were loads of us on this walk. In our car, Kirsty, Allen, Rob and myself. In the other car there was Des, Lin, Alan (Des’s dad), Nick and Martin.

New boots on, new gaiters on and we were off.

I started out quite tame. Pebbled paths after a walk up road and farm tracks. Then up Jacobs Ladder, to HELL!!!!. We had a few up and down bits. The weather brightened up and looked quite sunny at one point so the walk provided lovely views and was pleasant. The ground was still frozen, so no where near as boggy as could have been.

After going around the reservoir for a short stretch, we stopped for lunch. Nick had his usual 500 pasties, boys had quick game of pooh sticks and we set off again.

The next significant event was the hill from HELL. I’d scrambled up a snowy bit, cut across to the path and watched people struggling to get down the hill to my right due to it being snow covered. Some were slipping and sliding, others were just sliding down for fun. Des then informed me we were climbing said hill. It looked rather steep from my point of view. I did enquire about an alternative route but was informed NO!

So we started the climb. Everyone seemed to just wander up this blinking hill. There was me, half way up panicking that I might fall and die. Alan came down to help me on my left and he took my rucksack. Rob took my poles so that I could crawl up on hands and feet. I just kept slipping on the solid snow. The only holes in the snow seemed too far apart for my little legs. Alan took my hand and I made it a bit further up then got stuck again. The wind picked up and was blasting my face with snow (drama, disaster movie sort of stuff). Kirsty offered me a hand but I would have pulled her down. I eventually got the top after what seemed like hours (and probably was). I was doing really well at keeping hold on my emotions, when Kirsty gave me a big hug and kissed me. Tears welled up in my eyes, then I realised she’d wiped snot over my cheeks and I was OK again.

Group photo at the top, breather for everyone and we set off again.
The mist was coming over and it had gone really quite grey which was such a contrast to only a few hours earlier.

A few more little ups and downs, and the last few miles as the sun set. The last mile in the dark seemed to just drag on forever.

I got back to the car and my toes hurt (I had checked toe nails so not sure why they hurt), my calves hurt, my hips hurt, my shoulders hurt and my arms ached. I was most relieved to actually see the car.

I also managed to go to the loo in a group. It was either that or risk having an accident in Allen’s car.

KFC as a reward and straight to bed after the 2 hour drive home.