The Pennine Way

The Pennine Way 2009

During the 'Summer' I decided to do the Pennine Way. You will notice that the weather failed to realise that it was Summer, thus I failed to gain the tan I was hoping for! However, I had a fantastic time and was joined by many people along the way! I started out by getting the train to Edale. From there I walked to Thornton-le-Dale over three days (I think!).

A rainy day on the Pennine Way

There was an awful lot of rain and a rather well-hidden hole which I fell down causing my leg to develop an interesting shade of purple. I met a friend from work in Thornton-le-Dale and had a lovely sunny walk along a canal into Malham where I was treated to a very welcome pub meal. My friend, Ollie, met me in Malham for my 'rest' day which involved a 40k mountain bike ride dressed in a bizarre combination of walking clothes and borrowed gear! Pete met me that evening and we had more beautiful weather for out trip from Malham over Pen-y-ghent. We finished up at Horton-in-Ribblesdale where we met Tenk. Rather randomly, Tenk and I then headed to the Lakes for the Climbing Shop's party. Tenk dropped me back at Horton the next morning so I could continue my journey...

The next day I walked from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hawes where I met my parents... Four days of B&Bs and full English breakfasts! An excellent improvement on my very cosy tent and cereal bars! We walked together to Middleton in Teesdale, during which time I discovered that my dad does not like walking on 'uneven ground' and that the bunkhouse accomodation at the Tan Hill Inn was perhaps not my parents' idea of luxury!
My dad left my mum and I at Middleton in Teesdale and we had a day and a half walking to Dufton, spectacular walking - my Mum did some impressive scrambling and we also spotted salmon jumping upstream at Low Falls.
At Dufton, Tenk, Vidal and Jen picked me up and took me to the Lakes for a random weekend of climbing, eating and pottering! I returned to Dufton and had an excellent evening navigating in the dark up to Greg's Hut on top of Cross Fell. The next morning, I wandered to Alston, which was a much shorter day than anticipated. I met my friend, Ellie, in Alston, where we stayed at a most unusual campsite which seemed to be situated in the middle of a scrapyard.

Views along the Pennine Way

Ellie and I had a pleasant couple of days walking to Bellingham. To save weight, Ellie had decided to bivvy, which was fine apart from when the evil midges came out at night and Ellie was mummified in her bivvy bag! Our walk included part of Hadrian's Wall which caused me to wonder at the logic of Roman straight lines!

From Bellingham I continued on to Byrness in lovely sunny weather, but the next morning was horrible! My last day was a 26mile slog over the Cheviots from which, I'm led to believe, in better weather, you can see spectacular views!

All in all a fantastic trip and thanks to the many folk who joined me along the way!

More photos along my journey

Helen x