Peak District

A violent-wind, bright-sky day in the Peak District ticking off four new Ethels: Mt Famine, South Head, Eccles Pike and Chinley Churn. A route from Hayfield with cow stand-offs, Highland cows, an overgrown “path”, a missing trig ripped out by a farmer, and a winter-grade wind that felt more like February than late October. Finished cold, feral and satisfied — still convinced the Peak District is my endurance training ground and still full of surprises.

Fog, sunlight, and self-belief on the Edale Skyline — 32 km of calm focus, one sandwich, and a finish I never thought possible - 6h 58 min

Whetstone Ridge, Highland cows, and a surprise COM— two Ethels, a trig, and a perfectly timed Peak District adventure before the rain.

I went to a Linkin Park concert, slept four hours, forgot my trekking poles and my jacket—and still hiked 34 kilometers in the Peak District heat without sitting down once. This final pre-Welsh 15 training hike was messy, sweaty, and wildly unplanned… but it showed me I’m ready. Sort of. Probably. Hopefully. Let’s find out.

Today’s hike was a masterclass in being prepared, staying dry , and falling a little bit in love with every stone on Derwent Edge. It was...

06 June 2025 There was a time—not so long ago—when I’d take one look at a forecast saying “rain and thunder” and say, “Absolutely not,...