Hiking in the Lake District
One of my favourite ways to spend time outside of work is hiking. I don’t mind part taking in short countryside walks but my fave thing to do is go out for a long day exploring new trails that involve some sort of a challenge. Yes, I was a tree climbing kid growing up and that hasn’t changed since entering into my adult years. Might be an odd habit but in order for me to walk to the shop or to work or anywhere around my town I need to listen to music, not sure if that is because I want to switch off from the busy loud noises. Which is odd as when I am in nature, I would never wear headphones, could be because the noises just seem quieter and nicer to listen to.
Last month me and my boyfriend went to the Lake District as it was my first time going and I loved it so much! We walked so fricking much due to the bus routes being cancelled near our campsite to towns nearby due to a landslide which was unlucky on us. Which meant we would have to walk an hour and half there and back to get into any village close to us. Safe to say we would walk 25,000 steps minimum – maybe less for Tyler due my short stumpy legs. On this trip we had originally planned to walk up Scafell Pike – tallest mountain in England but due to buses being temperamental we decided to climb Helvellyn – the third tallest mountain in England (950m). Slightly ruined our plans to complete the Three Peaks Challenge as we had hiked Snowdown – the tallest mountain in Wales (1,085m) earlier in the year.
Helvellyn is no joke – oh my god – never ever done a hike that is just steep from the start, and I was so close to call it quits but wanted to complete a full challenging hike so badly while in the Lakes. I do blame our ill planning a little bit and would NOT recommend this to anyone. Learn from our mistakes, bring plenty of water, suncream for the summer months and so many snacks, sweet or savoury or both, and a cheeky can of fizzy pop as a little prize for getting to the summit :)
Even though it was difficult it did however show me how much mental resilience I have while walking in 27 degree heat with a backpack on and I completed it! It did get easier mentally as I carried on, to help I was in fact saying mantras to myself like ‘I can do this’, ‘I am strong’, ‘My legs will get me there’. It might not be real, but I defo felt a bit of a hikers high after getting to the bottom of the mountain. Side note it did take us around 6 hours, but I hate to admit that probably 30 minutes of that time was so that I could touch all the water and mini waterfalls that were around while my boyfriend just stood there watching – don’t hate me I just love water and the way it feels in my fingers it’s my little weird thing.
We did in fact go for a nice pub early dinner with a fat pint of pepsi max as our well done meal before having to make the dreaded hour and a half walk home to the campsite. In total that day we walked 42,000 steps roughly, safe to say the day after we were shattered and had a well-deserved lazy day.
We are hoping to complete Mount Olympus (2,917m) in Greece next year which I know will be very difficult, but I am so excited to really push myself both physically and mentally. So, I may start exercising with a weighted vest now, so I am prepared for it next year as hoping to do it next July. Of course, I will write a blog on how it went so keep an eye on that in 11 months time – setting a reminder now to make sure I actually write this because knowing me I will probably forget :)