The long run over to Ribblehead was easy but very muddy. Steve peeled off at High Birkwith as he had to get back to work, and Rachel and I carried on to Ribblehead where we were met by Anne with tea, soup and dry clothes.
Rachel went home and was replaced by Roisin (who some of you have met as she did all three of the Curleys' races earlier in the year). Roisin is a National Trust ranger and we spent much of the ascent of Whernside talking about their plans for Malham Tarn - tree planting, introducing water voles, volunteers, to name but a few. We summited at about 12.45 but struggled a bit on the descent as the flags that have been put down to combat erosion were very slippy indeed.
We reached the Hill Inn about 15 mins down on schedule to be met by Roisin's husband Jake, and my friends Mark and Sue.
More tea, and a change of shoes, and I was off, this time on my own on the ascent of Ingleborough. I found the last steep bit very hard work and visibility was very poor on the summit plateau. After the obligatory photo, I set off for Horton.
By now I was feeling tired and the descent seemed to go on for ever. However, as soon as I dropped out of the mist I was met by Julia who had run up from Horton, and a bit further down by Claire who had done the same. Now when you are tired I can strongly recommend the company of two young cheerful ladies as after they joined me the time flew by and we were back in Horton, tired but happy.
Just over 6 hours running, 24.5 miles and 5000ft of climbing. A grand day out.
1 comment:
Well done, Chris, sounds like a good day out: was it the start of your Joss training?
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