hutchblog

welsh 3000 start
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

well this was the start of our walk this year and you can see that the weather was not brilliant eeven then. However, we did well and although there is no finish line pic, I do believe we made the right decision in coming off early. No regrets at all and proud of everyone who took part.

Cwm Idwal
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

The short story is in the next paragraph, for those who want more it be worth getting a cup of tea before reading my thoughts on the challenge!!!!

Well, the “15 Peaks Challenge” certainly lived up to its name this year and the 80 participants (11 teams) all discovered and conquered very different challenges through the day. A few days later, it is much easier to gain a perspective. (For those who do not want to read it all….we did well until third section, had a major incident (lucky to be alive!) and retired through bad weather, gutted not to finish but no regrets at stopping when we did!)

For those who would like to read the detail

Saturday morning the teams gathered at the start point and “Stuck in First Gear” left on the nail at 4am. The weather was windy and there was a low cloud base so visibility was poor and the air was damp. This year the mountains were not so busy and our teams were the only ones around at this time of the morning!! Our team (James, Kate and myself) kept an ok time for the first section and arrived in the checkpoint 1 just after 8am. Considering the visibility we were pleased with the time. Just a ten minute stop and it was section 2…the toughest on the challenge.

Elidir Fawr is my nightmare mountain but we managed to get up ok and found ourselves in worse visibility than before, down to about 10 feet with the odd respite. We made slow going but were still on course for completing the event in under 19 hours. Half way through this section the clouds cleared and we had beautiful clear skies and bright sunshine until descending Tryfan the last mountain, were we had our first showers of the day, and entered the 2nd checkpoint at 5pm. We were pleased but needed a while to prepare for the last leg of the challenge. At 5.35pm we set off to take on the steep side of Pen-y-Olwen. The weather was starting to cool and the wind that we had enjoyed all day began to pick up. Within an hour and half way up the wind became gale force and the rain was incessant. As you can imagine, the challenge was set before us and it was here that we appreciated our training and having the right equipment. We dug in and despite being cold and wet gritted our teeth…..when it all turned…….I managed to fall in quite a dramatic way about 30 foot down the mountain. This area has large rocks and heather…not the place to fall. My team were petrified whilst I feared for my life. My fall was halted by my bag holding between 2 rocks, 2 feet further and I would have been over a ledge which would have seen me tumble at least 100ft onto rocks. Most fortunate and the only injury was bruising on my side, which looks impressive!!

We completed the mountain eventually and at the top the wind and rain was intense. We were cold wet and battle scarred and took the decision to come off the mountain, joining a number of other teams making the same decision. It was the right decision and we have no regrets and feel blessed to still be alive.

I would like to say a huge thank you to all those who supported me in any way. It is a great event and a real challenge for any person. For me the greatest challenge was deciding to retire at the right time. It was a tough decision but recognising your own limitations is so important.

Well here ends the novel of the event, hope that you enjoyed reading

tryfan
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

and counting. The nerves are starting to kick in now and the packing has begun. Saturday is the day and it is game on…….

path with a view
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

……10 days to go and the challenge is on. I must admit to being rather nervous and a little hesitant but at the same time the challenge is one to be taken in hand. The training is complete so these next few days sees me ticking over on the exercise bike and eating the right foods. My weight has evened out now at 16 stone, which is progress in itself, so roll on the 23rd June.
yesterday the local press took photographs of our team and this will be featured in a few papers across north London which is quite exciting. The other team walking on behalf of n:flame is doing rather well on sponsorship (well done Chris and the guys) whereas “Stuck in 1st Gear” is not doing quite as well ( my sponsor site just in case )
I will attempt one more update before the event but guarantee a report back after …..when the tiredness subsides. Thank you so much for all those who have sponsored me and the teams, it is much appreciated, we are leaving the pages open for a few weeks after the event just for those who still wish to contribute. Pictures of training can be seen here.

So here we go to 15 mountains, 4000m of ascent/descent, 52km and just 24hours………ouch!

splash landing
Originally uploaded by thehutch.

sometimes you have one of those days that is just like hard work. Today has been a little like that for me. It was not a particularly tough day, or too full a diary but just a day that seemed to drag and have little energy.
On days like this it can be difficult to become motivated and you need to grit your teeth and do the necessary and immediate business and then, I have learned that when this is done, to take some time out and reflect a little more. These times of reflection are often enlightening and provide a fresh glimpse of both the present and future …….and usually makes for a better day.
Am so glad that I took a little time out as I feel better already.