Scarfell Pike

Where did you start from?

Years ago Mrs B and I chanced upon a spring bubbling from the ground on Tryfan. It being hot and us parched we dipped our cups in and drank. A family passing by were clearly horrified; the kids seemed to be waiting for the convulsions to start.

Most fresh water well upstream is fine to drink. HAd many childhood holidays in a Lakeland farmhouse with a private supply, no chemicals and tasted fantastic. Nowadays I suspect they'd use a UV process to guarantee it's safety.

Reminds me of a hike I did in Northern Israel and the Golan Heights a few summers ago.

Being very hot, we took with us the obligatory three litres per person per day, but still found that we ran out about an hour before the end. I was certainly feeling the effects of the heat. On our way down off the top, we came to a former Syrian officers look out post, which pre 1973 would have been within about 500m of the border, on a tree shaded hillside looking straight into Galilee. There was a pipe of running water, running into a concrete pool. It looked clear and some local Bedouin were happily splashing about into and taking mouthfuls.

I drank about three litres in 15 minutes, 15 minutes later I was feeling well enough to continue down, all the time drinking from the newly replenished water bottles. We got to the car about 45 minutes later and drove off. Ten minutes after that I had to stop. Not because I was feeling ill, but because I had a very very full bladder. I think I could have filled a 1500ml bottle, but there were no side effects.

Well done, I haven't' done a big mountain walk/climb since doing the three peaks of the Brecon Beacons when in the Venture Scouts back in the 80s.

Went white water rafting in Montenegro some years ago, on the Tara River. Europe's largest canyon, if I remember correctly. We were advised we could drink the water from the river all the way down. We did, we were fine. Although the flagon of local red wine got the missus at the campfire party afterwards.

(And there's no r in Scafell.....sorry, couldn't help it.)

Today's walk was less strenuous than last week. Up Mam Tor from Edale. Two and a half hours.

Sods Law.... It was sunny when we parked, sunny as we returned but threw it down for over a hours whilst getting to the top of the ridge, walking along and as we descended. Cold and wet, we walked into the cafe next to car park. Closing in 15 minutes, coffee machine turned off.

I've decided all walks must take place between the temperatures of 15 - 23C with no rain at all or high humidity. Should mean I never go for a walk again in the countryside.

After our few days in Wales where/when we failed to reach the summit of Snowdon due to bad weather but got to the top of Cader Idris, today with what looks like excellent walking weather we are tackling Ingleborough, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

If we like this I fancy the Three Peaks Challenge of Ingleborough, Great Whernside and Pen-y-gent when the days get longer.

Well here we are, back at home. A great walk of about 10 miles or so.  Very windy and cold at the top and a very steep descent to the north east but with magnificent views of Whernside and the Ribblehead Viaduct for the steam engine fans (Nogbad!).   

The sun shone for most of the day, met a nice number of people, including a couple older than us on their first wedding anniversary drinking a can of G&T to celebrate, and had a lovely cider in the pub about 60% of the way around.  

Hoping for similarly good weather in two weeks time.  Good equipment is vital even in good weather as I think my boots are not quite up to the job as the sole is a little too flexible and I probably should buy some waterproof trousers and warm mittens as Thinsulate gloves were inadequate up top.  I must look at those boots you bought Nogbad, as I have a go Outdoors voucher and discount card....

Came home and went out again with 30 minutes to an open air in the dark play about ghosts in Heaton Park which was really enjoyable.  What a lovely day it has been.