Well as part of our training this week, we decided to take on the Yorkshire 3 Peak Challenge. This challenge is a circular route covering the 3 highest peaks of Yorkshire, starting at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Pen-y-ghent (691m) Whernside (728m) and Ingleborough (723m) in that order.
Total height gained 1600m, higher than Ben Nevis. The distance varies as there are a few minor route options, but it's approximately 25 miles. And it has to be done in 12 hours.
This was going to be a challenge but we have coved good distance before, but not as much as this and we usually don't go back to sea level before summiting each peak.
Well it was a challenge,that's for sure. First we needed to leave Beechwood Close Hotel in York where we are staying at around 6.15am to get to our starting point. The drive takes nearly 2 hours and weather was overcast with heavy showers. However the sun did shine at times where it would get warm, but on the peaks the wind was strong and bitter.
After arrriving in Ribblesdale we park the car then go along to the The Pen-y-ghent Cafe where we log our details. This is also a safety measure so they know who is out walking the hills. When we finally get back we will check back in. Time to set off.
Pen-y-ghent in the distance
Going up first peak Pen-y-ghent is not too bad and we reach the summit in good time, so stop for a coffee and a Boost. Because of the time we left the hotel we had not eaten, so that Boost was a welcome treat.
The first summit and trig point of the day.
Soon we head down and along the classic path to the next hill, which is several miles away. Following this path the ground underfoot now becomes much more entertaining and you need to be careful where you place your feet. The path soon becomes one very large bog, which meant our direction had to keep changing.
Eventually we get to a better path that joins Pennine Way and walk that until turning down a Roman road then head towards Ribblehead, this is the longest distance.
Before joining the busy road, it's 12.40pm so we decide to stop for a rest, a drink and pork pie, crisps etc. We were a bit tired and thought we may not do it, but after a drink and something to eat we head on our way.
When reaching Ribblehead we take a path on our right and the small track meets a larger track. We follow this for a short distance then we bear right off the main track, onto a smaller footpath and head north with the viaduct on our left.
After 2kms, we cross over the railway line and bear left, viewing waterfalls.
The path meets a wall, and is a gradual long slog up, not too taxing, to the summit of Whernside.
Second trig point - Whernside.
My knee is really hurting so a couple of painkillers are needed at the top, or I won't be going anywhere!
We then continue along the obvious path as it descends, and after about 1km the route descends steeply. This rough and rocky path with a lot of steps leads to tarmac at the farm at Bruntscar. We pass the farm until we meet the road and take a right under the fence. There has been an accident and police, fire and ambulance crew are in attendence. The fire crew lift fence to allow us under and we go through boggy cow fields.
Eventually the track turns to slabs as we slog across Humphrey Bottom.
At the end of these slabs is a steep climb up a rocky and exposed path, to open out onto the summit plateau area of Ingleborough. It was so good to get to the top, but it is very misty and windy.
Our last Trig point - Ingleborough.
We congratulate ourselves for reaching the final peak but we know we still have a long way to go. After our photo we take a more gradual right fork which leads into a wide track traversing the side of Simon Fell. The path from here is almost a straight line back down to Horton Station, but it also becomes very boggy and we have to watch where we put our feet. The last couple of miles seems to take ages with the houses in Horton never getting nearer.
When we get back we check in and have coffee and a sandwich, before heading back to York.
It was tiring but rewarding especially when we realised that we had covered 26.6 miles (44km) and we did it in 10.45 hrs.
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