The final long one before the long one

23 September 2012

Getting close now. This is the final long walk in the training schedule. We think it's best to avoid very long days in the week or so before the Hike so have opted for another 25-odd miler today.

As we have done the other loop twice recently we returned to the loop around Stiperstones. Set off at 6.51 from what we now know as The Knolls car park and got to the checkpoint at the top by 7.07. Very cold in the early morning light and we're both wearing gloves for the first time. 

We disturbed a couple of red grouse, first time we've spotted this distinctive Mynd bird on our walks so far. We kept up a reasonable pace with the objective of getting to Earls Hill summit in two hours, but discovered that that is quite a tough task. We almost managed it, arriving at the checkpoint at 9.13, and then a quick descent where we met two walkers/runners on the way up. 

Arrived at Bank House at 9.59 and then into the woods at Eastridge where we had first coffee stop, having survived on the hydro water till then. As we approached Snailbeach, we could hear the two walkers approaching. They didn't seem to be running but had caught us up anyway. They took a slightly different route out of the woods and then went across into the Snailbeach mine land so after an early lunch we followed and found a nice track which took us past the village and then continued on to Crows Nest. Need to leave the path as you arrive in Crows Nest though otherwise you'd end up back on top of Stiperstones. 

The pub at Stiperstones village is the Hike half-way marker and we reached there at 11.19, just over 4 hours from Stiperstones summit. Pedometer reading was 16.45km but we have found that it is underestimating now. (That's my story and I am sticking to it.) 

Having missed out the first bit of road walking helped us move on quickly to Pennerley, reaching the turn marked Nant Isa at 11.48. The aim was to reach Shelve checkpoint in 5 hours and we just about made that as the sky turned distinctly grey and raindrops began. 

By the time we had stopped for a snack at White Grit church, our regular stop, it was raining properly and the trudge up Corndon was just that. Somewhat concerned that the grassy slopes here could be very tricky if there's a lot of rain on the Hike. We reached the top at 1.35pm, 24km, or thereabouts. The wind was very strong on top and heads bowed we went along the ridge, avoiding the wrong path we had taken last time in the dark, and we counted 196 steps (my feet) from the corner to the path leading down. The route was much clearer than on previous occasions, which may be down to the number of people now out on training walks. 

Arrived at Woodgate Farm at 2.08pm, 7 hours from Stiperstones. The geese at Little Cefn Farm were taking shelter in the covered barn but still found their voices as we passed through. We were passed here by a runner who seemed familiar from some of the Hike photos and he said "see you in two weeks" before disappearing into the distance. Good job we weren't trying to get route tips from following him as there was no sign at all of him in the next field. 

The path that has been reopened near here is still pretty impossible and by the look of the mud on the barred gate most people are still going through the next field and then down into the really boggy section. Last time we were here it was really wet leading up to the pig trough stile so we took the higher path and there is a straightforward route down to the stile. Rather worryingly though it may be a waterfall if it has rained. 

We got to Welsh Lodge at 2.50 and then Rhadley Cottage on the 8-hour mark. We stopped for a final coffee before the final stretch of road up to Black Rhadley, and made the mistake of not putting on waterproof trousers, something we paid for by the time we got back down from Black Rhadley (having reached summit at 3.56), as we were soaked on the way down. 

The road section from here is a real bore but we were delighted to find a shortcut by following the Shropshire Way from Nipstone Rock which cuts off the corner to The Bog. 

Back to the car park atThe Knolls at 4.41pm, 11.5 hours for the section which gives us some hope that we can get back under 22 hours.

Breaking the 30-mile barrier

15 September 2012

If you can do 30 miles, then you can do 50. That's what we were told on Saturday and we certainly hope it's true having just completed our first 30-miler. 

The walk was almost a repeat of last week with an extra diversion up to the summit of Stiperstones. Got away at 6.20 and  departed Old Cardington Lane checkpoint at 6.45. The start was hampered by problems getting Sue's pack comfortable. The new pack, bought from our friendly local store www.theoutdoordepot.co.uk has an airflow back which seems to hold the weight a bit away from your back. However we found out subsequently that the main problem was too much weight in the pack so we need to minimise that as much as possible for the Hike. 

We got to Caradoc summit a little behind time at 7.28. A large flock of house martins were on the lower slopes, possibly gathering for their big flight. We still managed The Lawley in 1hr 45 and were at the foot in two hours. It's curious that however fast or slow we think we're going, we always seem to take two hours for this section. 

The climb through Gogbatch and up to HIgh Park was a bit easier than last week as it was cooler. After being passed by a runner who seemed oblivious to the incline, we reached the checkpoint in 3hrs 10, which is best yet. 

But we lost that time again on the walk up to Pole Bank as the pack problems became critical. Sue also realised that her worsening headache was probably down to a lack of tea! Having read that tea and coffee can be diuretic she was trying to avoid them on the walk but her body seemed to be complaining about the lack of tea, and after drinking a coffee, the caffeine kick started to work. The lesson is don't try and experiment with dietary intake just before going for a long walk. also remember to pack the paracetamol. 

Pony count of three brown and three white with one gorgeous grey foal asleep. So we now know that the brown stallion is not the only daddy, contrary to last week's post. 

After readjusting the loads between our packs we started to make progress and got to Pole Bank at 11.15. More ponies on the way up - three white, one brown and one grey. Not sure why I have started to count all the different pony colours but there is something special about these creatures who roam around at will on the Mynd. It always lifts our spirits when we see them. In fact I think they deserve a slot on a wildlife documentary one day to show how and where they live throughout the year. 

We passed lots of walkers on the Mynd who seemed to be on a mission and possibly training for the Hike as well.  Good progress down to Coates and then on to Bridges in an hour. No time to stop though and we ploughed straight on up the steep road to Stiperstones. We were a good deal quicker this week reaching the car park in 45 minutes, including a brief stop to chat to neighbour Tony who happened to be en route to help some Hikers to find the paths around Corndon. 

From the car park we hacked straight up the hill for the 20 minute climb. It's always tough on this section because of the rough terrain but the rock outcrops do at least provide good seats near the summit for a lunch stop. 

On the way back down we tried some running and on most downhill sections it was actually easier than walking as you have to hold yourself back when walking which can produce more strain than letting the momentum carry you downhill. 

It still took us 40 minutes to get back to bridges though. As we took advantage of the pub to have a loo break we thought we should buy a quick half, just to support a local business of course. 

We had taken about 7 and three quarter hours and aimed to get home in less than 4 hours from here. Good going all the way through Coates and Medlicott and we are now doing these uphill stretches without any breaks as a result of the training. It's still a tough climb on the final lane up to Medlicott Cottage and then we needed to find a path mentioned by another Hiker and blog-reader (thanks Rob), which leads off the lane marked by a small cairn. The start of the path was certainly easier to identify than the route we'd taken before. It is likely to be very damp if there's much rain though and further up the hill the path splinters into barely visible tracks just like the other one. We approached Pole Cottage a little bit further north but eventually we got onto the path alongside the ponds and reached the checkpoint at 1530. 

After draining the final coffee and last sandwich we set off for Minton. Much colder on the top but it kept us moving well and we did some more jogging down the Minton stretch reaching the checkpoint in just over an hour from Pole Cottage. 

More jogging on the road down to Little Stretton which we made in 25 minutes and then on to the final hill. It does seem a little sadistic of the Hike organisers to make you go up the steep route to Ragleth at this stage of the Hike. Having said that, we did manage it with very few breaks to catch breath and only took 30 minutes from the Green Dragon. Final section home took us to 6.15. Which meant 11 hours 30 min, same time as last week with an extra few miles added. Question now is whether to do another long walk or ease back. As we recovered a lot quicker each time we are minded to do one more long one. 

The second half of the loop

8 September 2012

Our second long walk. This one is the second half of the loop from the first checkpoint at Old Cardington Lane over to Stiperstones and then the final leg back over the Long Mynd to Minton and Ragleth. It should be about 27 miles in total.

Set off from home at 6.15am in the mist, reaching the first checkpoint at 6.35. The climb up Caradoc was tough as usual and we concluded that energy levels are not a their highest at the start of the day and maybe the 1pm start for the Hike may be better following a high-carb lunch. Climbing up the hill, the views back over the valley were quite spectacular. The valley bottom seemed to be covered in a sea of mist and Sue was forced to stop and take some striking photographs.

Sea of mist in the valley.

We reached the summit at 7.19am, and then made it to The Lawley summit at 8.13am, which seems a bit slow for 5.6km. After our first coffee break two hours in and back at the foot of the hill, we headed off across the valley towards High Park and made up a bit of time. The mist had now risen as we passed through Gogbatch which must be one of the most idyllic settings on the Hike. As we climbed the final section towards High Park, a group of ponies meant more photos. There were five white ponies and two brown plus three brown foals, all of which seemed very young with ultra spindly legs. Why are all the foals brown? Clearly there’s a strapping brown stallion somewhere on the Mynd.

Pony and foal near High Park.

Newborn foals - one behind the white mare's legs.

Spindly-legged foal.

High Park checkpoint, 10.9km, was reached at 9.50am. We had hoped to do this in three hours so were running 20 minutes behind. A large flock of birds flitted around the path. Having sacrificed the binoculars to keep weight down we only got a glimpse of those closest but fairly sure it was a flock of goldfinches, as well as swallows and a thrush. More ponies on the route up to Pole Bank; one group of four, two on the brow of the hill, and close to the path, a further group of four - three white and one brown and a brown foal. Another great view of the sea of mist from here across into Corvedale.

Mist looking towards Corvedale.

Approaching the Shooting Box we came across other walkers coming up out of Cardingmill and passed the four-hour mark before heading up to the checkpoint at Pole Bank which we reached at 10.51am, 14.5km. 

On the path down to Coates we saw a few wheatears on the fence. It’s all downhill to Bridges and we made it in an hour from Pole Bank, stopping for an early lunch by the stream before we tackled the uphill trudge on the road to Stiperstones.

Pole Bank trig point.

Setting off from Bridges at 11.58am, it was now very hot and the climb was as tough as expected. The road seems endless up to Stiperstones although the upper section is a bit easier with the option of grass to walk on beside the road. This was our turnaround point and we reached the car park at 12.55, two hours from Pole Bank which was reasonable going. The checkpoint on the outward leg is the summit but we had started from here last week so it was reasonable to turn here and we could add the 20 minutes it would take to the summit, and last week’s 10 hours, to give us a final tally for the 50 miles after today’s walk.

Stiperstones on the horizon.

Back at Bridges in half an hour we granted ourselves a pub stop. Well you can’t pass the pub twice without stopping for the pint and a half, although it’s not something we plan to do on the Hike. A curlew and buzzard spotted from our sedentary position.

The remains of a pint and a half.

On our way again at 1.58pm and back up to Coates before forking right towards Medlicott. We found the path easier this time at Medlicott Cottage and it seemed to be better defined at first. Nearer the ponds the path disappears regularly however and you have to try and keep heading for the reeds and then the stand of trees at Pole Cottage. In wet conditions this part could be exceedingly boggy, so we may need an alternative option to avoid wading knee-deep in water.

On the way to Medlicott.

Pole Cottage checkpoint was reached at 3.12pm with pedometer showing 27.4km although this seems to be under-recording now, possibly by at least 10 per cent, according to the estimates on the Hike website. The turn to Minton was another 20 minutes and shortly after we saw another six ponies, two brown, four white and one foal, you can guess the colour. 

The walk over Minton is another of the Hike’s highpoints in terms of pleasant path, great scenery and, of course, the fact that it’s nearly the final leg. We got to the foot of the hill at 4.09pm, pedometer said 31.2km. We were then overtaken while having final dregs of coffee by a group who we had seen at Stiperstones earlier on. Following them down the road to Little Stretton, we assumed they might be fellow Hikers, and the fact that they took a footpath towards Ragleth seemed to confirm it so we followed what turned out to be a handy shortcut. It only cuts off a few hundred yards but that still feels really good after going this distance.

After a quick stop for water at a shop we didn’t realise existed in Little Stretton, we took the path for the final climb up Ragleth. It was clearly a tough one as the group ahead of us were still on their way up despite the fact we had been to the shop. Sue led the climb up; she seems better going up and me going down. It was a grind but once you reach the summit you find strength in your legs again and we hacked over the summit ridge. It was now 5.12pm and I called Francis, who was able to see us on the ridge from his bedroom, and assured him we’d be home for 6pm, which we just about made.

In all the walk had been 11 hours, taking off the pub stop, so that puts us in contention for getting back in less than 22 hours for the complete Hike, depending of course on the weather and conditions underfoot as well as the unknown impact of what walking 50 miles will make us feel like towards the end.

Probably one more long training walk to go, then we’ll ease up to make sure we are in best shape for the day itself.

Earls Hill - the easier way

4 September 2012

A quick trip up Earl’s Hill to test our idea that the steep path may in fact be easier than the long, slow grind.

Parked in Habberley and set off at 7.46pm.

Answer: yes it is easier, reached the top with much ease at 8.19pm. Surprising as it seemed to us the steeper climb on the loose gravel was a good deal better than that awful ascent around the side. The big difference is made by those kind people who have made all the footholds as it keeps your feet level and reduces the strain on calves enormously.

Still took us just over the hour though as the descent is loose so you have to be careful and it was now fairly dark, very dark when we reached the woods. Managed to eschew the temptations of a beer in the pub, maybe next time …

The first big one

1 September 2012

The first big training walk involved a night walk on the Stiperstones loop. The plan was to walk the circuit from Stiperstones with most of the walk in the dark to match roughly the timings of the Hike. This was also our first real test of whether we can go fast enough to finish in 24 hours! So far our aggregated timings suggest we are on course for 26.5 hours so need to get faster.

Set off from Stiperstones car park at 4.15pm, starting the actual walk section at the summit checkpoint at 4.31pm. A glorious afternoon, definitely one of the days of the year. Not a lot of time to take in the view however, or photographs - you’ll have to just use your imagination for this walk.

We had targeted getting to Earls Hill in two hours, around five miles distance and a lot of decent sections once you get off the rocks on Stiperstones. The walk up Earls Hill was just as difficult as before but we just managed to get to the top for 6.31pm, 8km. We had taken the same route up as last time and although it is not as steep as Caradoc, it does seem to be a relentless slog so we think we might try the other route which we use for the descent one night this week. This route is steeper and a bit loose underfoot, but it is worth trying out.

Quick coffee and flapjack on the top although the wind made the coffee pour horizontally. We worked out that Shelve was probably the rough half way point on this walk so thought we need to get there in three hours which was going to be quite tough.

Next checkpoint is Bank House Farm which we reached at 7.25pm.  The section through Eastridge Woods is nice although it took longer than we remembered and we emerged at Snailbeach at 8pm, 13.6km and found a handy bench to have some food, home made rolls and salad from the garden. We then donned headlights as the next part was on the road. 

Shortly after setting off we had a brief chat with a man who was very interested in the various routes Long Mynd Hikers take through Eastridge and suggested an alternative to going through Snailbeach village which we located after leaving him.

The road section involves some gradual and not-so-gradual climbs up towards Pennerley. After passing Crow’s Nest we reached Tankerville at 9pm, 16.9km and then just a short uphill section before the turn off towards Shelve. It was a relief to get off the road as there was a surprising amount of traffic we had to stand aside for on the road from Snailbeach. Some drivers gave us more room than others and quite a few seemed to be a bit dazzled by our lights which on balance is probably a good thing as they could’t miss us, or rather they could miss us.

The walk to Shelve was punctuated by encounters with various scurrying animals, their bright eyes lit up with our torches. Arrived at Shelve with the moon now full, just outside the targeted 3 hours from Earl’s Hill at 9.33pm. No time to stop though so we hacked on through the forest section and out onto the A488 for a short stretch which was very quiet and only one car passed. After passing the Powys sign we slogged up the track from White Grit and made the foot of Corndon at 10.30pm, 22.7km. We needed some sustenance before we tackled the climb so we had a brief coffee and flapjack stop. The climb up Corndon was as tough as expected after the distance we had travelled and it is clearly going to take a lot of mental energy to make this on the Hike with 30 miles under our belts. Reached the summit at 11pm, 23.6km. It was very windy at the top but very exhilarating at night.

From the top you can see the glow of what we assumed was Shrewsbury. Invisible during daylight, it is a very obvious at night. The moon was now enveloped in cloud and the resulting gloom meant that we struggled to find the path from the summit and managed to go wrong for the first time here. After going through a gate that we couldn’t remember we eventually realised that was because we weren’t meant to go that way so had to retrace our steps losing about 10 minutes and then follow the hill boundary until we found our bearings again. We remembered heading towards the hill south of Black Rhadley and that line kept us on the right track.

The path down off Corndon was another that seemed to have lengthened in the dark and there were lots of eyes lit up in the dark as sheep scurried away. But having done this section twice we got to Woodgate Lodge Farm at 11.48pm, 26.4km without a hitch although the sheep were probably a bit grumpy having to move for these two brightly lit walkers.

We kept very quiet going through Little Cefn Farm as the footpath goes right across their property and then found the route across the hill, partly thanks to a neatly-placed square of fluorescent material. The final part of this was previously through a gate and down a field and we took that again but at the track at the bottom, realised that the landowner has now cleared the footpath which goes along a sunken track between the fields so that should be fine for the Hike.

It was very dark here so we just plumped for what we thought was the right direction and eventually found the single section of unattached fence which marks the route to the gate into the wood. On the other side the path was very, very boggy. Our new boots are well and truly christened now and this short stretch to the pig-trough stile is likely to be impossible when there are 500 Hikers on it so we will have to find a route on the higher ground and drop down at right angles to the stile. On the other side there was more bog but we were soon free of the clag and on the open hillside and found the route down to the A488 pretty easily. 

Arrived at the Nind road by Welsh Lodge at 12.35pm, and had another brief stop for coffee, flapjack and fruit. (In case you’re wondering, there’s a lot of details about food on the blog because it becomes very important when you are doing these distances.)

The road section up to Black Rhadley is just a slog and it has taken us well over an hour in the past but we managed it in 45 minutes and then marched up to the summit in just ten minutes to arrive at 1.37am. We now had just 50 minutes to walk back to Stiperstones car park via The Bog which we managed by the skin of our teeth, arriving at 2.31am, exactly 10 hours from the start. 

We made it! Our longest ever walk and the tough night section of the Hike. More night walks to follow next weekend.