run365challenge

Nicky: Day 29 TBU Day 3 by knickerscat at Garmin Connect - Details

Today was the biggie:  a mere 18 or so miles but over the Cumbrian Mts. The day I have been most worried about. I am not a hill person. I dont like hill running let alone over a load of the highest hills in the Lake District with back pack etc after already doing 50+ miles.

Well, I actually loved it & this day turned out to be my favourite day of the challenge. Yes, it was challenging, cold, wet, sleet, windy. When we did have breaks in the cloud the scenary was totally stunning! The climb to the top of Helvellyn was tough & we heard later that the temperature was only 5 degrees with 50m per hour wind to add to the chill factor. This day we all had to carry extra warm clothing, which I was very pleased for! Base layer, fleece, wind-proof jacket, running leggings plus windprrof troos, hat, gloves & half way up we all changed into dry socks (which after being in soggy running shoes for 5mins were wet again anyway)!!!
After Helvellyn we had a steep down then a vicious climb up loose scree to the top of Fairfield! OUCH! Had to be the worst part of the whole week long challenge. Pretty scary for those of us who dont like heights to add to it all!

From top of Fairfield we had a phone call from base worried about us girlies as we were taking so long & they wondered where on earth we were. The leader was in after 4 hrs!!! From Fairfield it took us a further 2 hrs to make it in to near Ambleside down a challenging stepped path. Whew! Sweet relief to make it in. Lovely campsite in a lovely setting. Shame about the rain (again!)