The BBC weather forecast on Tuesday evening was showers and sunny spells .... but more sunny spells than showers. The reality was somewhat different.
Setting off at 6.15, UI reached Kettlewell in good time, about 20 minutes before the 8 a.m. start. I think there was the odd bit of sunshine.
Fairly promptly 18 of us set off up onto Hawkswick Moor and over the other side, almost into Arncliffe. Supposedly the wind had died down from the gale force overnight. On the top, it was hard work against the wind. A few yards north along the lane before it was back onto the fellside and climbing back over but this time taking a more northerly direction - this time of course the wind direction was behind us. By 10.30 we were ready for our morning break overlooking Starbottom. we had the occasional shower but nothing to moan about. After our break it was about a mile or so walk up the valley before we veered left for the hardest climb of the day over to Litton with nearly 1300ft of ascent. This co-incided with a total lack of sunny periods, completely overcast and raining hard into your face. I don't know what the wind speed was - I just know that on the summit at was only just possible to move forward. It was just about keeping going forward until we got to the valley. The group included some of the most experienced walkers in the U.K., many of whom had completed "hundreds" and other multi-day events as well as containing three medical doctors - it was a good job we were sufficiently experienced and equipped. It also tested out the claims of our "waterproof" clothing. At just gone one, we reached the pub at Litton. The landlord had been primed for us and promised a blazing log fire for us - blazing may have been somewhat of an overstatement but the food, beer and welcome was appreciated.
Tthe original route was to take the riverside footpath down to Hawkswick but common sense prevailed and we chose the road as I suspect the footpath would have been waterlogged in so many places to make the schedule of a by-dusk finish (i.e 4pm) impossible. So a fast pace was maintained and the final crossing of the hill undertaken from Hawkswick for us to achieve the target of finishing with a few minutes daylight to spare. At least the afternoon walk was mainly dry - no sun but the occasional minute patch of blue sky to tease us.
A hard day out, 18 miles, 4000 feet of ascent but the conditions, both underfoot and especially battling with a force 8, I would expect is as hard as any day I expect to experience in the Pyrenees. Yes, I will have a bigger pack, yes some days on the schedule are up to 5,500 feet of climbing and there is the potential for thunderstorms especially in the west, but I think yesterday was good preparation (but no sun!).
A couple of photos but not very good as it was only from a phone camera and no doubt some wind shake. The first is overlooking Kettlewell, the second the River Skirfare, pretending to be the Wharfe.
