Saturday was a long but enjoyable day. I travelled up to North Yorkshire to lead a group of clients around The Yorkshire three peaks. The full route covers just under 25 miles or 39 kilometres in total.

Starting at Horton in Ribblesdale we climbed the peaks of  Pen-y-ghent (691 meters in height), Whernside (728m) and lastly Ingleborough (723m), walking in an anti-clockwise direction. These peaks form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Starting at 6:40am we set off knowing that our first peak of Pen-y-ghent was in the clouds and getting a battering from a 35mph+ wind. Some of the group found it initially tough going on the wet limestone rock but after some coaching on how to move on this type of terrain we started to make good progress.

We didn’t stay long on the summit before heading down for the plod across to Whernside via a refreshment break to top up on water and sweet things.

Heading over to Whernside the weather started to clear and we ditched the waterproofs and made for the top. Also on this day was The three Yorkshire peaks fell race. We stopped for a few minutes to watch the runners come up the near impossible looking slope to the top of Whernside. These folks were running what we were walking. Hats off to them especially Sue, Zoe and Oliver from Glossopdale Harriers, the club which i run for.

After another refreshment stop we zig zagged up to the last hill of Ingleborough. Possibly the steepest terrain of the day but all of us were fuelled by the though of completing the challenge in under twelve hours.

After getting on top we posed for a quick photo before descending along the well trodden path to Horton in Ribblesdale. We got back to the start of the walk in a total time of 11 hours and 20 minutes. Well done everyone! A great day out with plenty of new friends made. I bet everyone slept well that night.