Oops Forgot about Yorkshire

Like i said in my last post i am truly useless at this, so as an extra treat here's the video from my trip to Yorkshire on the Bikes with Charlie

2 Idiots go to Yorkshire from David Fife on Vimeo.

Im not doing too well at this blogging

So it's been a while since i've put anything on the blog, although i have had a few adventures since the last update.

All i can offer today is a new Video instalment of my recent adventure to Flamborough and a half hearted promise that i will try write more often on the blog.

3 Idiots Go Swimming from David Fife on Vimeo.

Chopwell Woods Ride

So i realised i havent wrote anything for a while, im not very good at this blogging lark.
Heres a little video from a ride round chopwell woods the other day.

Enjoy

Fife

A 2 night winter wild camp in the north pennines

So this trip came together at quite short notice, I had a window of three days off and wanted to use them wisely. I had decided the North Pennines seemed a good choice for my first wild camping experience, it was easy for me to get to and is a sparse and beautiful place perfect to get away from it all.

Initially my plan was to go alone as I was struggling to find anyone I knew that was up for the trip, this was made more difficult by the unseasonably cold weather dragging through march bringing snow and cutting winds. After much moaning from friends and family about me going it alone I put out a a last ditch attempt on Facebook trying to recruit someone for the trip and luckily Charlie came to the rescue and said he was up for coming. The next 2 weeks consisted of much equipment gathering for both of us, and lots of pondering of our plan of attack on the trip.

The plan seemed settled on taking the train to Haltwhistle and walking down the south Tyne trail until we reached the north pennines open access land and heading up towards cold fell. As the trip grew closer and the weather seemed to be getting worse we weren't sure we would make it 1 mile from the train station let alone get up cold fell, but we were determined to get out there, we had all the gear and we were going to put it to use.

Before we left the main disaster was the ration packs we had ordered not getting delivered in time despite ordering them in good time, so a quick last minute shop the day before saw us going out surviving on little more than noodles, flapjack and mars bars.

We got dropped off at the train station by Jo on Wednesday morning and grabbed a quick bacon sarnie and a cup of tea before getting on the 9.26 train to Carlisle. It was going to take 40 minutes to get to haltwhistle, this time was spent looking out the window waiting for the deluge of snow that had been forecast appearing on the horizon. It was only really when we got to haltwhistle that we could see the hills capped with snow.

We jumped off the train and went into the station waiting room to don our gaiters and get our packs fitted properly before setting off. A quick photo at the station before setting off in a small flurry of snow to locate the start of the south Tyne trail.

It was only a short walk until we found the signpost for the trail which to our surprise had a fresh layer of Tarmac on it. A quick stop off to empty our bladders before setting off saw us make really good time down the northern section of the trail. Much quicker than we had anticipated, the bags didn't feel too bad on our backs and the sun was out so we really had nothing to complain about. Following the old railway line we passed under many of the old railway bridges with icicles hanging from them. Climbing gently as we walked we stopped just short of Lambley viaduct for some snacks to keep us going.

Walking over the viaduct saw some great views up and down the valley, and nearly saw my camera fall off the viaduct after an unsuccessful attempt at securing my miniature tripod to the railings. We dropped down at the end of the viaduct due to it being someones garden to follow the trail into the valley getting a good view of the viaduct from down below before climbing back up to the road. It was at this point we starting doing our own thing to head towards the open access area.

After walking along the road for a while watching the lapwings performing their aerial acrobatics over the fields we found a traffic free section of path that would lead us in the direction of a quarry we had earlier spotted on the map. Getting off the road was nice and we started climbing more now as the snow line drew closer. On arriving at the quarry we were firmly on the white stuff gazing up at the steep walls of the quarry. Charlie was close to climbing the quarry wall but I knew for me with my pack on that was going to be difficult. So we found another route that lead us round the edge of the quarry on a steep section of snow covered bracken which was tricky going, trying to find a way into the bottom of the valley to cross the stream and enable us to start climbing up towards cold fell.

Charlie led the way finding a gully to slip and slide down into the valley. I spent a lot of this on my arse which is probably what disturbed the 3 deer we saw run off up the valley. The bottom of the gully saw us find a picturesque spot at the top of a waterfall. At this point Charlie's mind was on the plunge pool and the overwhelming desire he had to jump into it, on this occasion he didn't although another trip onto my arse while crossing the stream nearly saw me making a trip into the pool below. This is definitely a place I'd like to visit in the summer.

On the other side of the stream and surprisingly not that wet following my dunk into the stream we started to head further up onto the fell but not before chasing a mouse around trying to get a photo.

It was all upwards from now on with little to no marked paths due to the snow, so the going started to get hard sinking into the snow and bracken further as we climbed higher. As the sun was dropping in the sky we started to become conscious of the time and needed to start finding somewhere to pitch the tent. Finding shelter on top of these fells is no easy task, and with both of us pretty tired it was important to find somewhere soon.Charlie found a snow drift that would shelter us from the wind, we set to flattening the area out before getting the tent pitched. It all went pretty well given this was the first time we had been in these kind of conditions. Once the tent was up it was most definitely time for a brew. Now we certainly weren't short of snow to melt for water but this was a drawn out task, taking at least half an hour to boil the kettle each time on the Trangia stove. This meant that on the most part the stove was pretty much on all night.

After taking a few photos of the view it was time to bed down, really it was too cold to do anything else. Plenty of hot drinks and some noodles sharp warmed us up in our sleeping bags as I managed to get the radio wound up to listen to radio 1. We were wedged into the tent with our bags trying to keep things dry. The cold lead us to getting out the hand warmers we had with us out, after mucking about with them for about an hour we decided they were only hot because we had them in a our hands for so long they had probably stole heat of us and leaked black crumbs all over the tent. A slight coffee spillage and an exhaustive wrestle into our sleeping bags saw plenty of banter keep us laughing right up until going to sleep.

Given where we were I think both of us had a pretty good nights sleep, I jumped out the tent at around 6am to see if there was any signs of a decent sunrise, but a grey sky meant it was a quick toilet break and back in the bag for a couple of hours. Another hours sleep before waking to get the kettle on again for breakfast. It had been minus 4 in the tent over night and getting out of the sleeping bags was difficult when we were so warm. But after a couple of brews and some porridge we got the bags packed up and the tent took down to head for the summit of cold fell.

The GPS showed we were about a mile from the summit and 80 metres vertically, on the bumpy terrain it was hard to tell what was solid ground and what was snow drifts which left me up to my waist in snow at times. It took us about an hour and a half to reach the summit at which we rested and filled up on snacks before heading along the ridge to find somewhere to drop down towards Slaggyford. Walking along the top was by far the hardest going of the trip seeing me more often than not up to my thighs in snow while Charlie in his size 12s seemed to float on the snow like he was wearing snow shoes.

Somewhere along the top I realised I didn't have the GPS anymore and could only guess it had fell out my pocket when using my camera. Going back to look for it would be a fruitless task so we just continued on using the map trying to spot the best way down off the tops. It reached the point where we found a valley and decided it was time to try drop below the snow line. Heading down the valley was equally difficult as the snow got softer I was sinking into springs and even Charlie was so I knew things were getting tricky. We slogged on down the valley seeing a spot we could aim for. One too many times sinking through the snow saw one of my poles bend and snap but all we could really do was laugh.

The feeling of joy as we reached the mossy ground was indescribable, we didn't go far before we found a nice flat spot on top of the meander of the stream and set up the tent before it got dark. It was much more comfortable down at the bottom of the valley on softer ground and near a stream to get water from. This give me my first real opportunity to test out my travel tap water filter. Using it to filter water into my other bottles didn't take too long at all and sitting next to the stream was relaxing and picturesque with icicles hanging down the sides of the banks.

On my return to the tent Charlie had found some wood to get a little fire going to warm us up. Using water in the kettle meant that was boiling abit quicker as we doubled up on hot chocolate sachets to warm our selves up while sitting round the fire. Listening to the grouse calls from all around us laughing at what it sounded like they were saying didn't get old. The radio was limited to AM down in the valley so we could only pick up BBC radio Scotland and some German radio stations. While stood round the fire we pondered just how much light our fire was giving off and decided that in reality it was probably lighting the whole valley up seeing us sticking out like a saw thumb on the landscape, but at that point we were just happy to be warm sitting outside the tent.

After eating our noodles and drinking far too much hot chocolate it was time to wrestle ourselves back into the sleeping bags after changing wet socks and trying to warm up freezing feet. Another attempt at using hand and foot warmers got a slightly different result tonight, after mucking around and deciding they weren't working we popped them in our rubbish bag, for me to find later when putting something else in the bag it being red hot. This only led us to a fit of laughter again. I don't think we were behind patient enough with them. A little snack before bed and I drifted off to sleep quite quickly.

Waking up during the night once or twice listening to the grouse who were seemingly at it all night brought the morning sunshine and rising early due to nature calling. With a sense of urgency I struggled to get my feet into my frozen boots before trying to find a semi comfortable spot to relieve myself. That was relief indeed!

Back to the tent and the kettle was on again for some breakfast before getting the bags packed up and taking down the tent for the last bit of our walk to get to Alston where we would be getting picked up later that day.

We followed the trail down to the road where we got back onto the south Tyne trail to walk towards Alston. The walking seemed so much easier now on the flat of the old railway lines apart from a few boggy spots. We made really good time as we approached the end of a narrow gauge railway at Lintley halt. A quick look at the timetable saw a train would be arriving in 50 minutes and a quick look at each other saw us deciding we would ride the train the rest of the way but not before the weather setting in on us and saving a rabbit stuck in a pit.

We heard the trains whistle in the distance and took photos as it arrived at the station. We struggled into what we saw as the third class cabin as it was quieter than the rest, but the doors were so narrow getting our packs in was a struggle. But once I was sat down that was me I knew moving again would be a chore. We bumped along the track taking pictures before arriving into Alston station with a sense of elation when we saw signs for toilets which seemed like such a luxury after being up the fells for 2 nights.

We had to wait until all the people loitering after getting of the train disappeared before gracing the toilet with our presence. It was time to find a pub for a proper meal and a drink to celebrate a successful trip. We asked a passer by where was best and he quickly pointed us in the direction of the Cumbrian arms. We wasted no time getting into the pub and grabbing the corner seat next to the fire that we had fantasised about. Ordered some food and started sampling the flat ciders the pub had to offer. After sitting for 4 hours or so sampling ciders (the 7.3% old Rosie was my favourite) Jo and lee showed up to pick us up. It's safe to say we were sozzled as we told them what we had been up to along with half the pub as our volume dials seemed to be stuck on full. Come the time to stand up to go out to the car just how many ciders we had become very clear.

Charlie needed help getting belted into the car to my amusement as the trip home saw Charlie tell the tale of our trip while I struggled to breath for laughing and feeling like I was going to crack a rib. I've never laughed so much in ages!

What a trip!

Bring on the next one!

Much thanks to Charlie and Jo

Fife

A New Jacket! Berghaus Attrition II

So I've been out this morning to get a new waterproof to keep me dry on the hills later this month.  I ended up getting the Berghaus Attrition II at my local Berghaus outlet store at Dalton Park.  This looks like a fantastic jacket and although I was uneasy about the color at first I think it's growing on me.

At an rrp of £300 I grabbed a bargain getting it for £150, which for me is still a lot of money but hopefully a solid investment.

The jacket sports a Gore-tex pro shell fabric which is claimed to be extremely waterproof and tough.  I'm sure I'll put it through its paces throughout this year and beyond.

Features I love are the highly adjustable hood which will take a helmet and it's integrated face mask.  Pit zips for ventilation when I'm running a bit hot which I do tend to do, and the numerous pockets to hold maps, compass, snacks and a mesh water bottle holder to keep water close to your body in freezing conditions.

Hood and Face Mask

Pit Zips

Bottle Holder

Stay tuned for pics of it in use hopefully later this month.

Fife

Travel Tap

Just a quick update, the Travel Tap I recently ordered has arrived!  This will be getting some use later this month when I head out wild camping in the North pennines. 

After alot of searching the web the travel tap seemed like the most cost effective option for me at the moment.  It was just under £30 from amazon and claims to remove harmful chemicals and diseases from water using micro filtration, And with a filter life of upto 1600 litres hopefully it shall see me through many trips up into the hills. 

No doubt I'll report on it in use after my first outing with it.

Later

Fife

Hamsterley Forest on the Bikes

Decided to head to Hamsterley Forest today with Frank for a blast around on the bikes, had heard some of the trails were pretty boggy from all the recent rain but who's scared of a bit mud?

Got to Hamsterley about 12.30 and got kitted up for the ride,  from past lessons i actually brought some food with me today to keep me going, we were gonna have a go at the Red Trail and with some of the climbs on that you need a good feed.

We blasted along the Forest Drive and the Grove Link to head outbound to the Red Trail,  the trails weren't too bad down the bottom but as we gradually started climbing it got sloppier and sloppier.

A quick stop for some lunch after all the climbing,  a nice peanut butter and honey wrap, a banana and a muesli bar filled a hole before a bit more climbing,  Being so high up we experienced some riding on ice and snow which was interesting and added to the challenge!

We decided to skip part of the Red Trail knowing it was only likely to be more Mud and slop and headed along one of the forest fire roads to head towards Transmission, Nitrous and Accelerator where the fun would really begin.

 The View from Transmission

A quick snap before heading down the "Fun Bits"

This was my first real outing on the bike this year, or at least on proper trails anyway so i took it pretty easy.  Nonetheless it was great fun, and as you can see form the picture very messy, but thats what its all about!

After descending that section we had to climb again up to the part of the Red Trail i hadn't been on before, Section 13, Special K and Brain Freeze.  We passed the Descend bike park where all the downhill riders were hurtling down their bone shaking trails.  But i'll leave all that to them, i don't fancy a ride in an ambulance this afternoon.

Really enjoyed the sections i hadn't been on before, even though they were cut up pretty bad from all the rain, but i look forward to riding them when they've dried out bait later in the year.

To finish the ride we headed round the skills loop, which was probably a bad idea cause i was really tired at this point and just wasn't concentrating properly which resulted in some near misses and me bottling even the simplest of trail features.

Back to the car and a quick blast of the bikes with the pressure washer!  

Great Day!

Fife

P.S. Heres a few clips from todays ride i captured on my phone AKA The Ghetto GoPro