Malham (and back!)

Just after xmas, the Q-Team were rocked by the news that Joel would have to withdraw from the Trailtrekker 2010 event. Joel was instrumental in everything the Q-Team did, from blog-writing, to fundraising, to promoting our efforts. His contribution will be sorely missed this year!

The remaining members of the Q-Team (minus Ady) were joined by some work colleagues for a 24 mile walk from Skipton to Malham ...and then back again! This would represent the route from the Start of Trailtrekker, past Waterstop 1 in Gargrave and on to the first checkpoint at Malham.

The adventure began around 9:30am.

The first part follows the Leeds - Liverpool canal to Gargrave

It was very sunny, but very cold and the canal was frozen over in places.

We reached Gargrave in just under 2 hours and stopped for a snak and a drink. Some of the team decided to head back to Skipton, leaving James R, James S, Emma, Rob and Lee to continue on to Malham.

Passing the River Aire on the way to Airton.

(from Left-Right) Lee, Rob, Emma and James S

The bridge at Airton - only about 3 miles to Malham from here.

The River Aire was very cold!!

My camera battery died at this point - I was hoping to at least get a pic of Malham Cove! :-(











We eventually made it to Malham abround 2:30pm and stopped for 10 minutes or so to have lunch and mindful that it would soon be dark, we began the return journey in fading daylight.

Around 5:00, we made it back to Gargrave, just as darkness was really starting to set in.

The long slog back to Skipton seemed to go on forever and most of the team were struggling with various degrees of discomfort. We finally made it back to Skipton just after 7pm, to complete our 24 mile walk!

With hindsight, this was really quite a long walk for a first training walk :-(

There is clearly much to be done before June arrives!