Actual walking time was just over three hours BL, and the total walk is just over four miles - but it's virtually all up, so it's a bit different from walking at low level or on the flat. It's really a half day walk, so ideal for this time of year.
The thighs are the bits that hurt. When anyone describes a steep hill they call it a 'thigh burner'. It's very apt!
You're gaining over 2,800 feet in just over 2 miles so that gives you an idea of the steepness.
These are taken from the same point while descending from the summit. Looking back up the scrambly bit
Looking ahead
You can see why the knees are a problem for hillwalkers BL!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The right footwear is very important aym. I've seen people doing the West Highland Way and they're crippled, because your boots are the vital bit. I did a large part of it with a big blister on one heel because my boots at the time weren't right. Worst bit was putting them on each morning....
It isn't flat - there's very little flat apart from the summit plateau, and a short stretch between the first and second summits. That's a short walk, but steep, so it can be tougher than a higher hill for instance. Descending can be just as tricky when it's steep, especially when it's icy, although it's less tiring!
I met some young soldiers on a hill a while ago, and some of them were struggling because it's not like being on a flatter surface, even if you're generally fit. Having your 'hill' legs is just a diffrent type of fitness, and the only way to get it is to go up hills
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
In the days when I was fit enough to roam around Snowdonia we were coming back over Snowdon from a night in the Snowdon ranger hostel. This was on the Easter Sunday or Monday. We were fully clothed for the outdoors. My husband had ice forming on his beard when we reached the top of Snowdon and started down the PYG track.
Parents were taking up their children in thin coats and slip on shoes, They often had people at the bottom warning the less prepared walkers about the temperatures at the top and the particular difficulties of coming back down. Do the public listen? Do they heck as like.
Another time on a lovely warm spring day in the lakes we set off up Skiddaw it turned it it was so windy when we were about 3/4s of the way up and cold we just turned back we felt we might be blown over .
Our mountains may not be high but they can be mean.
Very true, Iamweedy. And far better to turn back than carry on regardless, and become another statistic for the Mountain Rescue.
When I was a lot younger I used to cycle a lot, including cycling to work, and reckoned to be pretty fit (I could beat the lift to the 4th floor at work, going up stairs 2 at a time). But a holiday walking in the Lakes just about killed me off. Going up was fine, but the muscles needed for coming down in a controlled way were clearly not the same as the ones I'd developed by cycling... I was in serious pain at the end of each day!
Fab photos, Fairy. Thank you!
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
You're absolutely right Iamweedy. I feel ill sometimes when I see people who are ill prepared. They think because it's pleasant when they park the car that it'll be the same a couple of thousand feet higher up.
I visited Schiehallion on the May Bank Holiday a couple of years ago as I had a week off. It was blizzard conditions. It's a straightforward enough hill - on a good day. That's the problem when they put serviced paths in lower down to encourage folk onto hills too. inexperienced people are also oblivious to the amount of daylight available. Even in spring or autumn you see people heading out in early afternoon for a walk that takes several hours - like I did yesterday. The couple last week were unbelievably ill equipped
Glad you enjoyed them Liri. Cycling's probably the nearest thing to getting the thighs in good order for a hill !
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
A couple of pictures taken last Sunday in brilliant sunshine - a beach on the north side of the island. Mostly dogs taking their owners for an afternoon stroll. The sun was warm, no wind but still fairly large waves.
Being beside the sea is exhilarating, we love our walks on the beach, but I refuse to go if the rain is lashing down - softie that I am.
Thanks for all your comments, and also the pictures of your families have an enjoyable time by the sea.
Next time we go to the beach I will take some pictures of the German fortifications for those interested in history and also the erosion. Most of the beaches were off limits during the occupation and some were mined - mines are still being discovered now after all this time although I am pleased to say less often than when I was a child playing on the beach!
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Actual walking time was just over three hours BL, and the total walk is just over four miles - but it's virtually all up, so it's a bit different from walking at low level or on the flat. It's really a half day walk, so ideal for this time of year.
The thighs are the bits that hurt. When anyone describes a steep hill they call it a 'thigh burner'. It's very apt!
You're gaining over 2,800 feet in just over 2 miles so that gives you an idea of the steepness.
These are taken from the same point while descending from the summit. Looking back up the scrambly bit
Looking ahead
You can see why the knees are a problem for hillwalkers BL!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
The right footwear is very important aym. I've seen people doing the West Highland Way and they're crippled, because your boots are the vital bit. I did a large part of it with a big blister on one heel because my boots at the time weren't right. Worst bit was putting them on each morning....
It isn't flat - there's very little flat apart from the summit plateau, and a short stretch between the first and second summits. That's a short walk, but steep, so it can be tougher than a higher hill for instance. Descending can be just as tricky when it's steep, especially when it's icy, although it's less tiring!
I met some young soldiers on a hill a while ago, and some of them were struggling because it's not like being on a flatter surface, even if you're generally fit. Having your 'hill' legs is just a diffrent type of fitness, and the only way to get it is to go up hills
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
In the days when I was fit enough to roam around Snowdonia we were coming back over Snowdon from a night in the Snowdon ranger hostel. This was on the Easter Sunday or Monday. We were fully clothed for the outdoors. My husband had ice forming on his beard when we reached the top of Snowdon and started down the PYG track.
Parents were taking up their children in thin coats and slip on shoes, They often had people at the bottom warning the less prepared walkers about the temperatures at the top and the particular difficulties of coming back down. Do the public listen? Do they heck as like.
Another time on a lovely warm spring day in the lakes we set off up Skiddaw it turned it it was so windy when we were about 3/4s of the way up and cold we just turned back we felt we might be blown over .
Our mountains may not be high but they can be mean.
'You must have some bread with it me duck!'
Very true, Iamweedy. And far better to turn back than carry on regardless, and become another statistic for the Mountain Rescue.
When I was a lot younger I used to cycle a lot, including cycling to work, and reckoned to be pretty fit (I could beat the lift to the 4th floor at work, going up stairs 2 at a time). But a holiday walking in the Lakes just about killed me off. Going up was fine, but the muscles needed for coming down in a controlled way were clearly not the same as the ones I'd developed by cycling... I was in serious pain at the end of each day!
Fab photos, Fairy. Thank you!
You're absolutely right Iamweedy. I feel ill sometimes when I see people who are ill prepared. They think because it's pleasant when they park the car that it'll be the same a couple of thousand feet higher up.
I visited Schiehallion on the May Bank Holiday a couple of years ago as I had a week off. It was blizzard conditions. It's a straightforward enough hill - on a good day. That's the problem when they put serviced paths in lower down to encourage folk onto hills too. inexperienced people are also oblivious to the amount of daylight available. Even in spring or autumn you see people heading out in early afternoon for a walk that takes several hours - like I did yesterday. The couple last week were unbelievably ill equipped
Glad you enjoyed them Liri. Cycling's probably the nearest thing to getting the thighs in good order for a hill !
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I love the photo with the red & yellow reflections, GD!
It looks beautiful down your way, if a bit chilly!
Aym. We're about 10 miles from Bude and the sea, but we never go near it unless we have guests. In winter it's too cold , and in summer it's packed .
I'm actually glad we bought a house inland despite wanting, originally, to be by the sea.
Nowt wrong with a shingle beach....
Lovely pix GD - that big sky again
Could be a summer's day if it wasn't for the jackets. Although - it could still be a summer's day really
We had a degree or two of frost this morning, which came in with the daylight, and we caught the clear sky and sunrise ( just ) when we got to work
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Being beside the sea is exhilarating, we love our walks on the beach, but I refuse to go if the rain is lashing down - softie that I am.
Thanks for all your comments, and also the pictures of your families have an enjoyable time by the sea.
Next time we go to the beach I will take some pictures of the German fortifications for those interested in history and also the erosion. Most of the beaches were off limits during the occupation and some were mined - mines are still being discovered now after all this time although I am pleased to say less often than when I was a child playing on the beach!