Langdale Fells

Feeling a tad hungover with a sore right leg we once more met early for a shorter climb. Shorter but just as tough! Copas lied and said after the first non stop killer steps that we'd be taking a gentle stroll up the hill and barely realise we were at the top. After the steps we hit the frozen tarn, we admittedly had about 400 yrds of easy walking before we had to climb on hands and knees grabbing snow covered sharp rocks! At the top we admired the views, froze and had lunch! We then walked across frozen waters and eventually just before our fingers froze off we started the descent! Only 21 of us or this walk but we stayed together as a group and had a really good day. Oddly we ended up in the pub afterwards!

The Old Man of Coniston

This weekend most of the gang made the journey up the M6 to the Lake District. We stayed in Ambleside and in good old ortho tradition met up at the pub as soon as everyone arrived!!

At 9am we met in Coniston to tackle the Old Man of Coniston.

The weather was stunning, very fresh, thick frost, clear blue skies and sunshine. This meant stunning views throughout!

There were alot of us on this walk and the distance between the front and the rear ended up being about 2 hours.

We made it to the Old Man in time for some lunch before pegging on for 3 more peaks.

The way down was very rocky and icy. I slipped and caught my trousers on a sharp rock. I ripped my trousers big style and most people saw my pink knickers. I also jarred my leg but didn't realise this till later as humiliation is a great analgesia!

We made it back to the cars about 5 and headed down to the Black Bull to celebrate and sample some of their brewerys beers.

Then back to Ambleside and rather a tad too much celebrating again in Ortho style. This meant the following day we set off feeling a little how we might up Kili!!

Barn Dance and a new charity!

Hangovers a plenty and all the kili gang swearing off alcohol it was time to dosey do!

Fab funny fundraiser!

Next day sprung early for a walk starting in Castleton and swiftly climbing up winnets pass and onto Castleton Ridge. A swift wind blew and the walk was good and challenging. Just before the final hill tragedy struck. Brigitte slipped on the mud with barely a yell and broke her ankle.

Everyone was very calm and her ankle was even maniped on the top of the tor but we needed the wonderful services of the air ambulance and mountain rescue. Two more very amazing worthy charities. Sadly this means Kili is most likely off for Brigitte so we will all have to make sure we succeed for her.

Busy Friday!

Friday started early with an interview on Radio Nottingham! Myself and Tony made the last 5 minutes of the breakfast show! Despite being nervous it was good and made the reality of kili seem ever more real!

Hopefully they will do updates on our progress up the mountain via satelite phone.

Once I let the BBC it was onwards to Matlock Bath for a very speedy trek up to the heights of Abraham. A beautiful sunny frosty day.

Then it was a swift change and ready for Later Live night. This took place in St Marys Church, had around 700 guests and was a fabulous, if little drunk night, of quality performances and fundraising. Total yet to come in but around £6000.

Again this made it all seem very soon and very real.

Time to up the training and healthy eating. No more nights drinking like that again until after Kili!

Wet Wet Wet Edale

This was the biggest group yet for one of our practice walks. We met at Edale car park where it wasn't raining yet....

That soon changed! We went up and along the hills and found shelter along a wall on the top of the moors for our lunch.

The sheep hurried us out of their warm spot and we pegged on as the path became more open and windy and rainy!

By the end of our walk we were soaked, rain had dripped down my gaiters and into my boots and every item of clothing I wore was wet. Valuable lessons re: waterproofing bag and self and bringing a dry set of clothes for return to the car park! A swift drink in the pub whilst we made puddles on the floor and steamed the space back before heading home in order to get warm and dry! Great atmosphere though!

Less than 9 weeks

Wow the time is flying now and the waking up at 2am with the thoughts of what am I doing? will I get altitude sickness? will I ever be able to afford all these never ending things and will I be fit enough? keeps going round my head!

The walks are going well, last weekend we did another walk at Monsal head which included a really steep hill, aching thighs the next day!

Yesterday I had my first 2 injections, only another 4 to go! My spare room is covered in Kili stuff, I'm sure it won't all fit in my rucksack and now theres the question about visas, to buy before we go or on arrival? hmmmm do I really want to send my passport away?

Chatswoth walk Jan 3rd

This was one of my favourite walks, loads to see and lovely views. The walk started at Carlton Lees and crossed fields to Beeley village. We then went up hill and through a farm before walking through the moor and to the top of the valley. From here the walk progresses past a couple of lakes before arriving at the Hunting tower. The view of Chatsworth from here is stunning. The walk down very steep steps was slippy! We then followed the river to Baslow where we stopped for a cuppa and sarnie before pegging on over the hills to Pilsley. From here we climbed high once more before dropping down into Endsor before returning to the grounds of Chatsworth and following the river back to Carlton Lees. I'd love to do this walk again in Summer so not chasing the daylight and being able to stop at the farm shop and garden centre etc! The clock is ticking now, just over 10 half weeks to go.

Annual leave booked and flight times confirmed! The costs are immense but fingers crossed it will be more than worth it!

We now have at least one walk planned every weekend.

New Years Day Walk

Well December was a bit of a loss, struck down with flu ? swine which totally stopped training and lung capacity! Add Crimbo onto the end of this and the next walk ended up on New Years Day, a good start to 2011 and 10 weeks count down has begun!!!

Lins and Mum joined me on a muddy walk from Ashford in the Water to Monsal Dale.

The dew ponds were still frozen and the paths were v v muddy but it was a lovely start to the year and a frightening realisation how much fitness I'd lost over the flu period. Oh well full steam ahead to my own boot camp!!