Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
25th March 2019
The thrill of the unknown - life in the wild – untamed nature at its most daunting. One man with just a bagful of enthusiasm and another bagful of crisps. I saddled up (not literally) and set off to Hit the Trail - Ingleton Waterfalls Trail.
What would this adventure demand from me, what would I find out about my inner Bear Grylls, what, ultimately, would this trip to uncharted wilderness cost me? I soon found out. £7 for parking.
I arrived. Without pausing to consider the chances of not returning, I pulled over. Slowly and deliberately I edged alongside the parking attendant. I could see the look a respect in his eye. He knew what I was up against. Man against mountain. Without prompting he let me have it – 'its 16 waterfalls and 1000 steps' he said without flinching. He knew I could take it.
Hahh thought I - '1000 steps – that's nothing'. He didn't know it, but I'd walked 5000 steps to work only last week. Then the true horror dawned. He meant 1000 flights of steps. Upwards and downwards. He didn't specify the ratio of Upwards to Downwards. I assumed the worst.
I had a difficult decision to make. Should I leave the cheese and onion behind?
My training kicked in. I decided swiftly. I knew Mother Nature could damn the unwary and the unprepared. The crisps stayed.
From base camp I offered a silent prayer. I feared most of my fellow expeditioners would fall along the wayside. Despite warnings in the languages likely to be spoken along the trail (Geordie, Yorkshire), supplemented by tongues none but the Classically trained could understand (Scouse) many of them had chosen to ignore advice and had worn Unsuitable Shoes. It would be carnage.
Deep breath. I knew I had to be brave. The bodies would surely have to remain in-situ. Beyond rescue. The last hope of those doomed by their Causal Footwear. I took one last look at my sturdy boots and set off.
Broadwood Falls
Pecca Falls
Thornton Force
Rival Falls
What would this adventure demand from me, what would I find out about my inner Bear Grylls, what, ultimately, would this trip to uncharted wilderness cost me? I soon found out. £7 for parking.
I arrived. Without pausing to consider the chances of not returning, I pulled over. Slowly and deliberately I edged alongside the parking attendant. I could see the look a respect in his eye. He knew what I was up against. Man against mountain. Without prompting he let me have it – 'its 16 waterfalls and 1000 steps' he said without flinching. He knew I could take it.
Hahh thought I - '1000 steps – that's nothing'. He didn't know it, but I'd walked 5000 steps to work only last week. Then the true horror dawned. He meant 1000 flights of steps. Upwards and downwards. He didn't specify the ratio of Upwards to Downwards. I assumed the worst.
I had a difficult decision to make. Should I leave the cheese and onion behind?
My training kicked in. I decided swiftly. I knew Mother Nature could damn the unwary and the unprepared. The crisps stayed.
From base camp I offered a silent prayer. I feared most of my fellow expeditioners would fall along the wayside. Despite warnings in the languages likely to be spoken along the trail (Geordie, Yorkshire), supplemented by tongues none but the Classically trained could understand (Scouse) many of them had chosen to ignore advice and had worn Unsuitable Shoes. It would be carnage.
Deep breath. I knew I had to be brave. The bodies would surely have to remain in-situ. Beyond rescue. The last hope of those doomed by their Causal Footwear. I took one last look at my sturdy boots and set off.
Broadwood Falls
Pecca Falls
Thornton Force
Rival Falls