A Challenge at Hawes

Hawes was one of the first sites that we visited when we set off on our challenge to win the caravan back in 2014. We have fond memories of coming here and we were excited to return. The site is located a short walk from the beautifully quaint village of Hawes.

 

Last time we came here we visited Aysgarth waterfall, the Ropemakers and the Wensleydale factory but our reasons for coming this time were different. We are familiar with this neck of the woods since we enjoy walking in the surrounding dales, particularly challenging ourselves to do the Three Yorkshire Peaks: Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. As a family, we've walked each one and last year managed to complete all three in two days, camping at the bottom of Whernside. This time was the big challenge: Three Peaks in 12 hours! Tim and I completed this in our twenties and Tim has since completed it a few more times with other friends. It was Amy's turn to rise to the challenge - something she was eager to do.

 

We woke early on the Friday morning to blue skies and drove down the country lanes to Horton in Ribblesdale where we were due to start the walk. Leaving the van parked in the campsite at Horton at 8am we set off to climb the first peak - Pen-y-Ghent. After a celebratory picture and cheer we then split to go our separate ways; Amy and Tim set off to walk the 7 miles between Pen-y-Ghent and the bottom of Whernside while Ella and I descended into Horton once again and wended our way to the train station. We sat munching on sandwiches while we waited for the train from Leeds to arrive and take us the six minute journey to Ribbleshead. We then walked 3 miles along the road with Wherside on our right to the Hillside Inn, which is located at the bottom of Whernside, where we waited for news from the other two, who in the meantime were attempting the second peak. Mid-afternoon, we heard the crackle of voices on the walkie-talkies letting us know that they were getting near. After stopping briefly for refreshments, we all then set off toward the last peak, Ingleborough. Amy and Tim were tiring but still had the determination to finish.

 

We all climbed the zig-zag path up Ingleborough to the summit and then began the long slow descent back to the beginning. The pain began to kick in as the feet throbbed and the leg muscles ached. The afternoon turned to evening and we plodded on determined to return before the 8pm cut off. We did it. We returned to the van at half past 7 and Amy (12) and Tim had completed the 26 mile Three Peaks challenge in 11 and a half hours.

 

We returned to the Hawes site feeling very tired and after showers tumbled into our beds and certainly slept well in our motorhome that night!

 

@meekroadventure