Mighty thirds Yorkshire three peaks challenge.
Help for Hero's & BRUFC 3rd team.
Hi Guys,
Well many people said it couldn't be done, but yesterday pigs did fly. The walkers supporting the third team, raising money for Help for Hero's and club funds to get the thirds a new strip for next season, congregated on the little sleepy village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The buzz from all the walkers and the support crew was tingling with anticipation. Would everyone make it to the end or even make it over the first peak. There was just time for a quick group photo before the walkers started to disappear.
Finally I was ready to set of big Keith, who was in charge and along with his brilliant wife Pat did most of the organising and ran the check points for us. Made a note of our start time and myself and Paul Cockram set off to the bottom of the first peak Pen-Y-Ghent, Paul still in the army himself was setting a fast pace down the road trying to catch up to the walkers who set off before us. It proved to fast a pace for me and as the climb began Paul was soon vanishing in to the distance, the only contact from then till the end I had with him would come over the walkie talkies he had supplied. A useful tool for giving your mates some banter. As Paul disappeared and I was blowing chunks something kicked in, and a drive and determination to get up the first climb took control of me. I dug in hard got my head down started the climb, up and up I went soon passing some of the walkers from our group. As I went passed a few I managed a couple of words of support and had the crack with them, the banter was all good fun every now and then a voice would crackle over the radio to witch I replied "that's how I know your gay". The peaks where very busy even at this early hour, there was dozens of different charities been supported, with thousands of walkers. As I approached the steepest part of the climb I looked up and the winding line of climbers reminded me of some old biblical movie, with thousands of Israelites climbing into the mountains. I expected to hear some big movie theme with drums rolling, but instead I heard a little old lady about 60 at least, saying "excuse me" as she scampered past me, and sprang up the rough track with the ease of a mountain goat.
Finally I reached the top and stopping to have a drink and something to eat, I took in the beauty of the surrounding country side. The view from Pen-Y-Ghent was truly breathtaking, in the watery morning sun I could see for miles and felt fantastic. I had made my first goal and got to the top of the first peak this was fantastic, a real achievement for me, I hadn't done anything like this in over 20 years. Fully refreshed and re-fueled I found a fellow walker to captcher the moment for me, then started the descent down into Ribblehead and the first check point. feeling so alive I found myself literally running down the hillside, I felt like I was flying at moments passing other walkers with ease. Playing on the I-pod was Beyonce - All the single ladies, the beat of the song really spurring me on. And yes that's how you can tell I'm gay was the comment from Cockram. As I reached flat ground the music changed and Black Betty by Black Sabbeth rang in my ears, once again the beat spurring me on.
I caught up to four of the lads Martin, Chris, Jack and Phil, and we marched into the checkpoint together at Ribblehead Viaduct. Waiting for us was a support group of Pat and Keith, M
ike Holden and his family and my daughter Kerrie, all cheering me in. I felt great and was soon sipping a hot cup of sweet tea, and re-stocking my back pack. Mike offered to walk over the second peak, Whernside with me and we where soon on our way. Mike was setting a good pace for me again, and before long we where turning into the steep climb up onto the top of this the highest of the three peaks. Once again this was a different challenge as the long steady climb started to take its toll on my legs, the first stages of a cramp burning into my thigh muscles. I quietly forced myself on determined to make it to the summit hoping that I could walk off the burning pain in my legs, suddenly the ground levelled out and I had reached the second summit and another sit down for some needed fluids and food. Once again I was speechless at the beauty of the scene stretching out before me. Another photo opportunity and then we where ready for the off and the descent down to the second checkpoint a
t Chapel-Le-Dale. Mike and I had bumped into his eldest son on the top Eddie who was feeling a little sore, it turned out that his undershorts had strangled one of his knackers, I hope no lasting damage Ed. We set off and as the ground fell away into a steep descent I found myself bursting into a jog as the gravitational pull took control. I was soon flying down the second hill of the day and making good time up after a hard climb. Every now and then a message from Paul cracked the silence, as he slagged me off and bragged at how far ahead he was. I reckoned he was now 40 minuets in front of me and ran a little harder, before long I was at the bottom and looking for Keith and Pat and the second checkpoint.
A quick restock and I was on my way again, this time alone, with the news that my daughter Kerrie had decided to climb the second peak with Patrick my mind was worried for her but i had to press on or I would never have finished myself. I soon found myself on what appeared to be a stairway to heaven (not hell) once again the path had been laid with stone flags and they seemed to reach on and on into the distance like a giant scar across the landscape.
Paul was on the radio again asking how far behind i was (cheeky bugger, but that's how I know hes gay) he then asked if i had made it to the climb yet. Having been told that the third peak Ingle borough was the easiest I thought he was being sarcastic when he said it was emotional. Suddenly I came to a sheer wall which obviously was the climb it was soon apparent that i had to scramble up this up this 300 foot vertical face. Halfway up my legs started burning again they both felt on fire as cramp from the groin to the ankle set in every step was painful, I started to realise what Paul meant by emotional as I made the top of this climb almost in tears I looked up and realised there was still more to climb, up and up I went and suddenly burst onto the flat top that was Ingle borough summit a bit of a let down after such an epic climb. Another photo opportunity at the summit marker and my thoughts then turned to the long descent back in
to Horton-In-Ribblesdale and the finish line. Will Nield arrived at the summit at this point and together we started we started down the hill. This was to be the hardest descent of the three peaks unable to gather any real momentum i plodded steadily down, the pain in my legs had gone and know a burning sensation under my big toes told me i had blister arriving to say hello, i pushed on and once again picked up the banter on the radio that had been so silent over the summit of this hill knowing i was nearing the end spared me forward. I passed a finger post saying Horton 1 1/2 miles overjoyed i carried on 40 minutes later i passed a second finger post saying Horton 1 mile my tourettes burst forward at this cruel joke!!! Over the next mound i saw a familiar face, Paul Cockram had walked back up to meet me knowing now i was near the end i stepped up the pace across the railway, down the hill, over the bridge to the finish line where waiting to greet us was a band of supporters, friends and family led by Pat and Keith the emotion of the whole day becoming to much to hold back, the enormity of the challenge i had completed was overwhelming. My finish time being 9hours, 16minutes was really amazing and the pride i felt was mind blowing. I would like to thank everyone who came to support especially Pat and Keith, i would also like to thank all the walkers who made this day very memorable for all the right reasons. It will stay in my memory for a long, long time and on my feet and in my legs :(.
Regards Carlos (Captain)
Well many people said it couldn't be done, but yesterday pigs did fly. The walkers supporting the third team, raising money for Help for Hero's and club funds to get the thirds a new strip for next season, congregated on the little sleepy village of Horton-in-Ribblesdale. The buzz from all the walkers and the support crew was tingling with anticipation. Would everyone make it to the end or even make it over the first peak. There was just time for a quick group photo before the walkers started to disappear.
Finally I was ready to set of big Keith, who was in charge and along with his brilliant wife Pat did most of the organising and ran the check points for us. Made a note of our start time and myself and Paul Cockram set off to the bottom of the first peak Pen-Y-Ghent, Paul still in the army himself was setting a fast pace down the road trying to catch up to the walkers who set off before us. It proved to fast a pace for me and as the climb began Paul was soon vanishing in to the distance, the only contact from then till the end I had with him would come over the walkie talkies he had supplied. A useful tool for giving your mates some banter. As Paul disappeared and I was blowing chunks something kicked in, and a drive and determination to get up the first climb took control of me. I dug in hard got my head down started the climb, up and up I went soon passing some of the walkers from our group. As I went passed a few I managed a couple of words of support and had the crack with them, the banter was all good fun every now and then a voice would crackle over the radio to witch I replied "that's how I know your gay". The peaks where very busy even at this early hour, there was dozens of different charities been supported, with thousands of walkers. As I approached the steepest part of the climb I looked up and the winding line of climbers reminded me of some old biblical movie, with thousands of Israelites climbing into the mountains. I expected to hear some big movie theme with drums rolling, but instead I heard a little old lady about 60 at least, saying "excuse me" as she scampered past me, and sprang up the rough track with the ease of a mountain goat.
Finally I reached the top and stopping to have a drink and something to eat, I took in the beauty of the surrounding country side. The view from Pen-Y-Ghent was truly breathtaking, in the watery morning sun I could see for miles and felt fantastic. I had made my first goal and got to the top of the first peak this was fantastic, a real achievement for me, I hadn't done anything like this in over 20 years. Fully refreshed and re-fueled I found a fellow walker to captcher the moment for me, then started the descent down into Ribblehead and the first check point. feeling so alive I found myself literally running down the hillside, I felt like I was flying at moments passing other walkers with ease. Playing on the I-pod was Beyonce - All the single ladies, the beat of the song really spurring me on. And yes that's how you can tell I'm gay was the comment from Cockram. As I reached flat ground the music changed and Black Betty by Black Sabbeth rang in my ears, once again the beat spurring me on.
I caught up to four of the lads Martin, Chris, Jack and Phil, and we marched into the checkpoint together at Ribblehead Viaduct. Waiting for us was a support group of Pat and Keith, M
ike Holden and his family and my daughter Kerrie, all cheering me in. I felt great and was soon sipping a hot cup of sweet tea, and re-stocking my back pack. Mike offered to walk over the second peak, Whernside with me and we where soon on our way. Mike was setting a good pace for me again, and before long we where turning into the steep climb up onto the top of this the highest of the three peaks. Once again this was a different challenge as the long steady climb started to take its toll on my legs, the first stages of a cramp burning into my thigh muscles. I quietly forced myself on determined to make it to the summit hoping that I could walk off the burning pain in my legs, suddenly the ground levelled out and I had reached the second summit and another sit down for some needed fluids and food. Once again I was speechless at the beauty of the scene stretching out before me. Another photo opportunity and then we where ready for the off and the descent down to the second checkpoint a
t Chapel-Le-Dale. Mike and I had bumped into his eldest son on the top Eddie who was feeling a little sore, it turned out that his undershorts had strangled one of his knackers, I hope no lasting damage Ed. We set off and as the ground fell away into a steep descent I found myself bursting into a jog as the gravitational pull took control. I was soon flying down the second hill of the day and making good time up after a hard climb. Every now and then a message from Paul cracked the silence, as he slagged me off and bragged at how far ahead he was. I reckoned he was now 40 minuets in front of me and ran a little harder, before long I was at the bottom and looking for Keith and Pat and the second checkpoint.A quick restock and I was on my way again, this time alone, with the news that my daughter Kerrie had decided to climb the second peak with Patrick my mind was worried for her but i had to press on or I would never have finished myself. I soon found myself on what appeared to be a stairway to heaven (not hell) once again the path had been laid with stone flags and they seemed to reach on and on into the distance like a giant scar across the landscape.
Paul was on the radio again asking how far behind i was (cheeky bugger, but that's how I know hes gay) he then asked if i had made it to the climb yet. Having been told that the third peak Ingle borough was the easiest I thought he was being sarcastic when he said it was emotional. Suddenly I came to a sheer wall which obviously was the climb it was soon apparent that i had to scramble up this up this 300 foot vertical face. Halfway up my legs started burning again they both felt on fire as cramp from the groin to the ankle set in every step was painful, I started to realise what Paul meant by emotional as I made the top of this climb almost in tears I looked up and realised there was still more to climb, up and up I went and suddenly burst onto the flat top that was Ingle borough summit a bit of a let down after such an epic climb. Another photo opportunity at the summit marker and my thoughts then turned to the long descent back in
to Horton-In-Ribblesdale and the finish line. Will Nield arrived at the summit at this point and together we started we started down the hill. This was to be the hardest descent of the three peaks unable to gather any real momentum i plodded steadily down, the pain in my legs had gone and know a burning sensation under my big toes told me i had blister arriving to say hello, i pushed on and once again picked up the banter on the radio that had been so silent over the summit of this hill knowing i was nearing the end spared me forward. I passed a finger post saying Horton 1 1/2 miles overjoyed i carried on 40 minutes later i passed a second finger post saying Horton 1 mile my tourettes burst forward at this cruel joke!!! Over the next mound i saw a familiar face, Paul Cockram had walked back up to meet me knowing now i was near the end i stepped up the pace across the railway, down the hill, over the bridge to the finish line where waiting to greet us was a band of supporters, friends and family led by Pat and Keith the emotion of the whole day becoming to much to hold back, the enormity of the challenge i had completed was overwhelming. My finish time being 9hours, 16minutes was really amazing and the pride i felt was mind blowing. I would like to thank everyone who came to support especially Pat and Keith, i would also like to thank all the walkers who made this day very memorable for all the right reasons. It will stay in my memory for a long, long time and on my feet and in my legs :(.
Regards Carlos (Captain)