1 Down 213 to go!! Binsey on 2nd January

Following on from New Years Day unsuccessful efforts at ticking off some hills, I decided to investigate the boot issue.  Having done some reading, it seems many people are using 'walking crampons' on B0 boots.  So I tried my Grivel G10s on my Meindl Air Revolution 2s - they didn't fit!!  So I set off to Keswick to pick up some long flexible bars for the G10s.  They now fitted so it was time to try them out.

I thought it would be a good idea to try them on some gentle slops, so headed for Binsey (447 m).  I had never seen so many cars there before, it appeared to have been turned into Cumbria's sledging, skiing and boarding resort!

I picked my way past the array of sledges and soon had the place to my self.  The wind was picking up as I made progress.

Snow on the slopes of Binsey

I had the summit to myself and was pleased to finally get the challenge underway.

Binsey summit cairn

The wind was really picking up and made it difficult to stand up in the top!

Binsey summit cairn

Windswept on the top of Binsey

I got down from the summit to find some shelter and try out the crampons with the new flexi bar. The snow was firm and the combination of the Meindl boots and G10s seem to work fine.  Much more comfortable walking in them than the Mantas :-)

On the way down looking towards Derwent Water

So that's it, the challenge has now started: 1 down, 213 to go!!

New Years Day

Happy New Year!

With it being the first day of the year and my challenge, I was up early to get some hills under my belt.  I was the first car to arrive in the small car park just outside Braithwaite, below Grisedale Pike.

No sooner had I opened the car door, I was slipping about on the ice, so the crampons were on straight away.  The sun was coming out and the weather was looking great.

On the way up I was passed by a young lady, who when stopped above me, dropped her map case.  I was able to collect it and reunite her with it!  A few more people appeared including a cross country skier who was enjoying the good conditions.

Just below the top I could feel a blister forming on the heal.  I hadn't worn my winter boots (Mantas) for quite a while and they were rubbing.  I was also regretting the extra plate of Christmas dinner too!!  Then as I was about the set off for the final push, the weather took a turn for the worse and I decided that I would call it a day and head down.

So not the start that I was hoping for in my challenge, but showed how unfit I am and also that I need to re-think my footwear.  Still plenty of time to get all of them in and I still really enjoyed my day out.

I also found an ice axe on my walk.  I think it could belong the same person who lost their map case.  I have left a number of messages on forums so hopefully it will get back to it's owner.  If it is the young ladies then she could really do with looking at her storage of equipment on her rucksack!

Nearly There!

Well it is now New Years Eve and the challenge starts tomorrow! I am yet to decide where I am going yet. Will get the maps out later and have a look! It looks like there is going to be plenty of snow about, so I will get to take out the axe and crampons for the first time this year!

Santa kindly brought me a new rucksack. It is a Gregory Z55, and I will be reviewing it after a few trips out.

Well hopefully those that read this will enjoy my ramblings of my trips out and hopefully following my progress in completing all 214 tops!

Now all there is to do is pack my bag and pick a route.