Where: Mam Tor
Distance: 15 km
Total climb: 520m
Time: 5 hr 12 minutes
Our second training walk took us back to the Peak District but for a more hilly walk to train those legs to climb, climb, climb!
Our second training walk took us back to the Peak District but for a more hilly walk to train those legs to climb, climb, climb!
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| Scary Peveril Castle |
We set off on a very muddy path away from Castleton towards hope, it was a nice easy start, despite missing the path and having a small backtrack ;-)
Section 2: to the summit of Loose Hill
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| Loose Hill - a long way to go! |
Sticking with the muddy theme we started the accent to Loose Hill, every two steps forward involved one sliding backwards in the mud. Good training for those legs!
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| Which way? |
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| Evil sheep! |
It was a long climb but finally we made it and stopped for a quick bite to eat. This was literally a quick bit as a sheep had eyed us up and made a beeline straight for Caroline, quiet funny for me, probably not so much for her!
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| On top of Loose Hill |
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| The path ahead to Mam Tor |
Section 3: to Hollins Cross
Once up on top of Barkers Bank it was hard work, the wind was immense and battered us all the way. The walking is easy going however and the amazing views over Edale and back towards Hope made up for the wind - glad we picked a clear day. There was little shelter so we were relieved when we made it to Hollins Cross where we could duck out the wind for a rest. While we sat we looked over to the old road at Winnats Pass, quiet impressive!
Section 4: to the summit of Mam Tor
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| Summit of Mam Tor - it looks like the arctic |
Next came the fight for the summit, I've never walked in wind so strong. Parents were holding onto their children, gloves and hats flying off, it sure got the adrenaline going.
At the summit we sheltered behind the trig pillar before building up to the decent. This was more hard work than getting to the top, it's impossible to look elegant whist not trying to fall flat on your face! Finally we made it down to the car park, passing many an unsuspecting walkers on the way down.
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| Playing on the Limestone Way |
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| Path back to Castleton |
The next section of the walk was fairly dull, the road/track takes you past Windy Knoll onto the Limestone Way. The path quickly drops away down into Cave Dale offering great views of Perevil Castle and the path we'd just done. Once down into Castleton it's a short walk past a pleasant village green to the car park.
A slightly longer 15km this time with a lot more hills, well on the way to Kili!
Thanks for reading! Amy and Caroline
Hi Girls, I know it's a long shot, but when are you climing Kili? My partner and I are doing the Machame Route too, mid-September. We started our training regime about the same time, but Australian Summer is a bit different to British Winter. We've not got too many high hills in West Australia - look up 'Bluff Knoll Stirling Ranges' which we've climbed a couple of times - so have to be content with 15Km walks down to the beach or up in the Darling Ranges near Perth. Good luck for the climb and we'll keep an eye on the training blogs as you go. Best wishes, Stephen and Elaine
ReplyDeleteHi Stephen and Elaine
DeleteGreat to hear you're treking Kili too! We're going early October so will miss you I think.
How is your training going? Bluff Knoll Stirling Ranges looks impresive, 1099 meters is a fair walk, Ben Nevis is only 1344m and thats the highest we've got! :)
We've got a challenge set for 2 weeks time, the Yorkshire 3 Peaks - Pen-y-Ghent (691 metres), Whernside (728 metres) and Ingleborough (723 metres) totalling 39.2km (24.5 miles) in under 12 hours, we'll be blogging when it's done, if we have the energy
All the best
Amy & Caroline
Climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate mini-adventure. You can do a KIlimanjaro climb with Private Kilimanjaro in just 7 days. Get out and do it.
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