Training for the 28km hike

As most people know, this year in the UK is to spend time and support my dad who is living with dementia (Alzheimers and Levy Body dementias). As part of that support, we decided to participate in the Lake District Ultimate Challenge and raise funds for Dementia UK who are supporting my dad and others like him suffering from dementia. The hike should take around 6-8 hours, starting in Kendal and finishing in Ambleside through the Long Sleddle Valley and over the testing Garburn Pass. If you'd like to support then please visit my JustGiving page.

In preparation for the hike we've been walking sections of the hike and took advantage of the fantastic weather this week to get out hiking in the Lakes. On Saturday we set off from Garnett Bridge and walked down the Long Sleddle Valley to Sadgill and back. It was around 18km distance in a circular walk (just 9km of the official 28km route) and was through rolling countryside, along footpaths and bridleways, through farms, over streams and across hundreds of fields all filled with thousands of sheep and newborn lambs (we even witnessed one being born in front of us!). A lovely way to spend 5 hours on a sunny Saturday (the kids enjoyed a day with friends at Brockhole in Windermere).

On Friday we got the opportunity do another section of the route and did a shorter but steeper section from Kentmere to Sadgill over the mountain pass. which was pretty windy This was a 10km roundtrip (5km of the official route) and gave us a taste of the up and over mountain sections we will face at the 12km mark when our legs are a couple of hours in. It was another lovely day and we then enjoyed a pint and lunch at the Hawkshead Brewery in Staveley promptly undoing all that exercise from my waistline....

Next walk will be the Kentmere to Troubeck Garnet Pass section....