The one where I went walking

Over a pint a few months ago I was invited to a Derby Mercury walking trip in the Lake District by my friend Jim. It seemed a long way off at the time and I didn’t put much thought into it. I packed literally on my lunch break 2 hours before we were to set off. We were staying at Hellvelyn youth hostel in the Lake District and had the whole place to ourselves. In total there were 33 of us from the Derby Mercury Cycling club.

Upon Arrival we quickly dumped our bags and cracked open a beer. Most of the others had already arrived and were already enjoying a jovial atmosphere.  With the beer flowing the OS maps were opened and people were talking about route options. 

The plan was to leave in 2 groups with one group opting to attempt a summit of Hellvelyn.  Being the owner of a new hip and not having an ice axe (conveniently forgetting crampons) I opted for the second group.  

As soon as we left the YH the ascent started  it was relentless. Uphill and everyone seemed to have their speedy boots on.  Soon after setting off I had to take my inhaler as my chest was so tight, this was a combination of the pace and cold air.

I was that man; the one everyone had to wait for. But I needn’t have worried, fire the group were lovely. Jim stuck back keeping me company and gave me a psychological push up the hill.  Very quickly we had gained altitude and found ourselves on a plateau with deep white snow in every direction. Here one group turned west for the big hill and I opted for the easier ascent to the east. Now it should be said here that the easier option was infact still very bloody hard!

I was very much enjoying myself though. We had snow and rain and deep snow under foot. In some points it was very slippy under foot which I get quite nervous about with my prosthetic hip. Here I had help all the way down from Angie, who stuck with me all the way of the descent. 

When we got back down beneath the snow line we stopped for our lunches and flasks of coffee, which were very welcomed. From this point I continued back down with Jim through the lunar landscape path toward the youth hostel. 

The evening was more beer and a game of Cards Against Humanity between about 15 people. All in all a cracking weekend was had. Next year Linda and Luna are going to come.