What better day to do the gruelling Yorkshire three peaks than 21st June. The summer solstice offers the longest daylight opportunity….oh and this year the hottest day too? A perfect option then to do the 24 mile charity walk with 34 other NorthCare charity fundraisers and an army of other groups.

We gathered at 06:45 to sign in ready for the safety briefing. All good so far – won’t need to carry waterproof trousers, ditch the map, must carry 1.5 litres of water and drink it regularly

On then to depart at 07:15 to hike up the first summit to Pen-y-Gent. We were a group of 5 ladies, a last minute addition from another colleague who was having a water bladder emergency (you know a water container, not what your brain started thinking). It was soon clear we all had very different fitness levels. It’s 3.5 miles up and a steep scramble to the first peak.

Sarah and I both reached the peak together at 08:36. We were def on track with the suggested times are to ascend. Beautiful weather but oh so hot and humid! we were followed shortly after by the rest of our group. We all completed Pen y Ghent

Off then to cover 7.5 miles to the summit of Whernside. That’s initially an easy downward path but it’s a long slog for what seems like ages until you can even see the viaduct.

Three hours 22 minutes later, one wee stop, one water refill station and time check in with the organisers and Sarah and I reached the top of Whernside. It’s a gradual path but lots of steps and it feels like it goes on for ages. someone had given me a tip to change into fresh socks at each peak so I changed on the way up Whernside – yep! That’s a nice feeling to peel off wet socks and have lovely clean ones on.

By this time we had left our colleagues well behind. One was about 15 mins behind us but did not want us to wait for her. And I was learning that Sarah is a bit gazelle like – she just keeps going and going! By this time the rain had started – still really hot so the rain was refreshing, even if at times heavy bursts. We arrived at the summit at 13:48.

Ingleborough is the final peak and in comparison to the other distances is a short walk at 5 miles. However with tired legs and feet it’s still a LONG way. We grabbed a sit down and lunch at the top of Whernside, sheltered by a wall, having a chat with a 30 year old slim ginger guy who looked pretty shattered! He was planning to descend then stop because his body was exhausted. I confess given I’m 23 years older than him it gave me a teeny boost!

On then down a very steep descent of stone steps. These are very slippery when wet and we still had rain showers!

Ascending Ingleborough was awful!! It’s a steady walk across fields initially climbing slowly up and then you hit a set of very steep steps up. By this time Sarah and I had reached the final check in at Phipps Farm at 15:15. Hikers have to reach here by 15:30 as a cut off time. Anyone arriving after this is not permitted to do the final ascent. We therefore were now largely in the front group of hikers and one of the organisers would accompany us up. So off we went….

I confess, I did consider quitting as we neared closer to these steep steps. It’s a scramble up and I was tired. My feet and legs were still ok but my breathing was heavy and heart rate high. I carried on as both our guide and Sarah kept waiting for me and I was climbing alongside a guy who has had two replacement knees – if he could do it then so bloody well can I!

Finally, we reached the summit at 17:10. The longest 2 hours 6 minutes I’ve ever done! The summit is awful too – covered in sharp granite, hard to walk on, but we did it!

In theory you can then descent in approx 1.5 hours back to Horton in Ribblesdale, but we were definitely now tired. At this stage it’s 4 miles down and back – but the path is rocky and dull. You do feel like you are walking for ages!

Finally, 2hrs 5 mins later we arrived back at the car park to check in for the final time and collect our medals. Completing the 24.5 miles hike in 12 hours and approx 30 seconds at 19:16! A HUGE achievement.

Now, what happened to our colleagues? Well, Paula who had been off work ill for a few weeks before the walk had to stop after Whernside (what a huge achievement to climb 2). Jenny who wasn’t too far behind us for most of the way made it back at 19:45, running the last half mile as a huge storm struck! She took this photo of Ingleborough top just before deciding to run down the rest of the path!

Sarah and I were both waiting for our colleagues in Horton to check everyone was back safe but we still did not know where Miriat was.

She was with the final 14 stragglers with the rear guide. When the storm struck he stopped them all and they had to crouch behind a wall until it was safe to continue down. 13.5 hours after she started her walk we welcomed her back into Horton!

All told a very gruelling walk, 24 miles in 12 hours is tough going but what a personal achievement!

Don’t ask me to do it again though!