A quick catch up before the first big challenge

So it's been a while since our last post and there are a few bits to catch up on before we push ourselves to the limit tomorrow and undertake the Yorkshire 3 Peaks!

First some statistics - I love a good stat!
Since the beginning of the year (which is when we really started the training for our trek) we have;
- ran 59.8 miles
- walked 31.3
- cycled 13
- swam 1 mile
A total of 105.1 MILES. That's one and a half Kilimanjaro Treks :)

Foggy start

No I-dear

Our training has continued with an 8 hour walk round Charnwood. We started in Bradgate park and walked via the Leicestershire round to Markfield and then Thornton Reservoir.

After a sport of lunch we continued on the Ivanhoe Way, round Bardon Hill and looped back to Beacon Hill.

The final leg was through Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland Woods back to Bradgate. 19miles in total and a good practise for the 25 miles on Saturday



Spooky Castle

Finally a big thank you to Morrisons, who let us do a bucket collection outside their Loughborough store and we raised just under £70

Training walk number 2!

When: 25th February

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!

Scary Peveril Castle

Section 1: to Hope

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

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!

Which way?

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!



On top of Loose Hill

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 

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.

Playing on the Limestone Way

Path back to Castleton

Section 5: 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 

Thanks for the support!

Online auction finished

Thank you so much to all those how supported us and made a bid. 

Every item sold and we made the following

Saracens v Harlequins tickets - £67

Middlesborough FC signed pennant  - £21

Leicester City FC tour - £33.02

Northampton Saints v Britsh Army tickets - £21

Signed photo of Manchester United's Patrice Evra - £37.13

We have had great support from friends and family so far for this fundraising and we'd both like to say a massive thank you to everyone.

We would also like to share our appreciation and say a great big thank you to

Saracens Rugby Football Club

Middlesborough Football Club

Manchester United Football Club

Leicester City Football Club 

Northampton Saints Rugby Football Club

Thanks

Amy & Caroline x

Online auction

Online auction now live! (valid for 10 days)

As part of our fundraising we have managed to secure some great items to auction

Item up for grabs.......(Dum roll please)............

Saracens v Harlequins 

Aviva Premiership Match

at WEMBLEY STADIUM
Saturday 31st March, 3.00pm 

 10 tickets to the game

Pre match and half time performances from McFly!!
Follow this link to bid

Middlesborough FC signed pennant

Including letter of authenticity 

Signed by several players including

Scott McDonald

Barry Robson

Jason Steele

Danny Coyne 

Follow this link to bid

Leicester City FC 
Behind the scenes tour at 
The King Power Stadium 

Tour of the stadium for 4 people

 Follow this link to bid

 

Northampton Saints v Britsh Army

The Mobbs Memorial Match (friendly match), 

2 tickets to the game

Tuesday 20th March, 7.45pm Follow this link to bid 

   

Signed photo of Manchester United's
Patrice Evra

Including certificate of authenticity
                                                                                     Follow this link to bid

First training walk - stroll round Kinder

And off we go

OK so this was a while ago, September, but we thought we'd tell you about it!

Getting a little steeper now!

As our first walk we thought we'd start with a gentle stroll more than a hike and seen as it's on our doorstep we opted for the Peak District

The route started in Edale and we followed the road up the village past The Old Nags Head. My motivation to Caroline was that we would stop for a drink after the walk, this put a sudden spring in her step and off we marched! 

The route we had just climbed

The walk was easy going as we left the road crossing Grinds Brook into some fields. The path gradually got steeper and it was tough going as we scrambled up the waterfall of Grinds Brook. 

Big kid

Once up on top of Edale Moor we clamber over a few bogs to reach the slabs laid over the peat on the path to to Crowden Tower. Then came some fun, we spent a good half hour playing around on the Wool Packs rock formations.

We passed Pym Chair and Noe Stool (more funny rocks) as we walked along the edge of Kinder.

Our route then picked up the Pennine Way and the start of the decent home via Jacobs Ladder to Upper Booth. 

We stayed with the Pennine Way back to Grindsbrook Booth and the pub were there was a well earned pint (or archers and lemonade for Caroline).

Not quiet the 100km we'll be doing to climb Kili but a steady 13km to start.

The story begins

So, welcome to our blog. Thanks for taking the time to read it and hopefully come back!

Firstly a bit about us and what we're doing.

Our team consists of Amy Dennis and Caroline Howkins, we met through work in 2007, and our aim is to trek Kilimanjaro. Kili is 5895 meters (19,340 feet) above sea level, the tallest mountain on the African continent and the world’s highest free-standing mountain. We start on 4th October 2012 and will take the Macheme route to ascend and the Mweka route for decent, hopefully completing 6 days later.


Amy 

I'm originally from Richmond, North Yorkshire, but now live in Loughborough. I'm a sports enthusiast, playing and coaching football and hockey, I'm also a keen walker (some may say geek!). I like being outdoors and travelling so combining the two to make my first trip to Africa seemed to make sense, at the time!


I'm raising fund for Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of my Grandfather. He was as fit and active man, once serving in the RAF as a physical training instructor and playing rugby for the Saracens. In 1997 he was taken ill, it was not until December 2000, 3 years later, that he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Unfortunately he lost his fight shortly after diagnosis, passing away in April 2001. MND is a fairly unknown and misunderstood disease, it affects people in different ways, so no two people have exactly the same symptoms, but it is rapid, progressive and unfortunately fatal. The cause is unknown and there is no known cure! Support my cause at www.justgiving.com/amyjdennis


Caroline 

I'm originally from Bozeat, Northamptonshire and now also live in Loughborough. I love watching sports but mostly grew up doing performing arts and currently tap dance. Travelling and conservation are both major passions and I have visited Africa twice already doing volunteer projects. So it didn't take much to convince me to make another trip to my favourite continent, even though this one maybe a little more challenging!


I'm fundraising for Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is the UK's leading charity offering information, support and advice to almost two million people with sight loss. They provide information on eye conditions and support and advice for people living with sight loss, not just with braille and Talking Books, but with imaginative and practical solutions to everyday challenges. They also support research into sight loss and eye health issues. I am raising money for RNIB as I am myself partially sighted with Retinitus Pigmentosa. This affects my everyday life in many ways and I hope one day research will find a cure or treatment to help me and others with sight problems. Support my cause at www.justgiving/carolinehowkins2012


So thanks for reading our first blog! We will be blogging about our training, fundraising and our climb!!


Bye for now!  


Amy and Caroline