Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and a couple of other places we didn't intend to go to!

9:30am Sunday morning and three intrepid men (and a couple of doggies) set of for a jolly tour around the Glyder horseshoe walk. Aim was to reach the 999m of Glyder Fawr.

Weather at the bottom was cool but the tops were clearly in the cloud.

Scrabbling up the wet rough scree to the top of Glyder Fach was the first real test of the legs and boy was it hard work! Wet, slippy, snowy and a real slog. Top was completely misted over but we managed a few photos on the Cantilever rock at the top. Had lunch and picked up a couple who weren't sure where they were going (and we had two maps so we must know!).

Lunch was a very cold affair but Mr Williams managed to sneek a can of Guinness in (kept that one quiet!).

After lunch we headed for the main peak with the other couple in tow. An hour later we were back at the same point after having veered off the wrong way - it really was very misty!

Still we got back on course again and for a brief moment the top halves of our bodies were more than 1km above sea level (bit of a stretch for Mr Williams!).

That's when the land decided that it wasn't going to match what was shown on the map. After walking downhill for what seemed a very long time, the mist cleared and in front of us was a road that wasn't supposed to be there! The options we had were to traverse a really dodgy scree slope or walk back up. It was 3pm by now and my legs were certainly attuned to the back seat of the car and the last thing they wanted to do was to go back up again. Sadly and painfully, it was really the only choice. So we (well me at least) pushed through the pain barrier and we headed back up. After a mega-windy section we found the right path and headed down (big relief and we didn't need to call out the mountain rescue as the couple had suggested - last time they tie themselves to people with two maps!)

It was clearer later on and got a few reasonable pics of the lakes on the way down.

The good news was that this was a really good test for my knees. I had a nagging worry at the back of my mind that I was going to get the same problems as I had had in the Lakes last year, but they held up well and whilst a bit stiff the following morning there was no real pain - hoorah!

Lots more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2Q4ah8PiNb9vOJQ3HEvLlQ?feat=directlink and I know Marky Mark has more as well.

Sandstone Trail pt1

Well I've gotta say the legs were a bit stiff this morning so I thought what better way to loosen them up than to go for another walk! And I thought it would be useful to see what they were like after two sessions of walking.

I've been promising myself for some time to do the Sandstone Trail which runs from Frodsham to Whitchurch (34 miles). I've got a book of circular walks along the route so I did the first one - 4 miles in about 2 hours. Bit grey and drizzly and if yesterday was snowy then today was definitely "muddy"!

Apparently the silver birch in one of the pictures is over 100 years old - fascinating things you learn on mornings out!

Still it loosened 'em up a bit - Nige you need to get some practice in!

More pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xYRlXp-z7NstRMFRMXZJig?feat=directlink

Some basic exercises to help strengthen those wimpy bits! #2

Some basic exercises to help strengthen those wimpy bits! #1

Shining Tor Revisited

Well it was meant to be a Snowdon walk this weekend but Mr Shaffery called the Tourist Board there and basically there was a high risk of death so we thought it best to change plans!



So Shining Tor area was selected. Derbyshire Bridge was the target starting point this morning. Well I nearly got there. Just as you go over the ridge to the T junction the road was solid ice and I immediately thought it was not going to be possible to get back up so I stopped. And reversed - or should I say stayed still whilst the front wheels span around! After a recce, another vehicle came down the alternative path and was able to turn around and get back up to the Cat and Fiddle, so after a slippy downhill I managed to do the same. Of course, the phone coverage there is shite so depsite getting a voice mail through to Mr Shaffery he went head long down ther and managed to get through - he got lucky though cos if he'd had to go up the main track he would never have made it!

Anyway - we got to the Cat and Fiddle, rearranged the route and went straight for Shining Tor again. Continued on over Cat's Tor and then extended the walk to the far end of Fernilee reservoir. Turned down the Midshire Way and back along the reservoir. Took the path back up to Shining Tor and back to cat and Fiddle (that's the lung-burner bit!). Lots of snow up top and the weather came down when we were walking back up. About five hours round trip. Steve still managed to entertain us with his sudden bursts into song - the song being related to something we'd just been talking to him about!

Did you know that Shining Tor is actually the highest point in Cheshire (yes it's just in Cheshire, not Derbyshire). It sits at 559m amd is higher than Mam Tor and Win Hill. And there are some very big sheep poos up on those hills (see the photos in the album below)!

Good walk - tired legs - we worry about Nigel - he needs some hard hill practice. Perhaps Emma will let him out next weekend?

Lots more pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/gough.chris1/ShiningTorRevisited14209?feat=directlink

Update

Flight booked - Leeds - Geneva (arrive 14.50) £68
Insurance Purchased - snowcard.co.uk
Activity Level: 2 - as advised by Snowcard for our particular trip.
Main Activity: Walking - alpine hut to hut - level 2
Cover Type: D
Area: EUROPE
Date Out: 21/6/2009
Duration: 8 days
Premium: £30

Chris Jones has said he will run Potters 'Arf - any other takers?

More gear for Mr Gough

Got a new rucsac, trekking sticks and sunglasses!

Those pesky boots ! Got daily email warnings on ebay now. Why is that the half price offers on decent boots are always for the pixie-footed?!

Well if girls can do it!

Does this make it feel real?!

Mr Gough Lardy Arse Update - 1 month in

Well despite there being several container loads of chocolates left over from Xmas at the beginning of the month. I have lost 4lb and now weigh in at 16 st 10lb (106.3 kg). So a good start and now the chocs have gone should be a bit easier (oh yeh really!).