Monday, April 02, 2012
The Three Shires Challenge- Event Report
This was a bit of a bonus event for me, as it was actually full when I went to enter it, but I asked whether I could be added to the waiting list and behold- a place became free at the last minute, so a huge thanks for the Staffs LDWA Group for fitting me in!
After a week of gorgeous sunshine it was a little disappointing to be heading out into mist and cloud... the journey was fairly uneventful apart from me thinking I had missed the turning to Swythamley and heading off down a country lane to be surprised by a large shape looming in front of me which turned out to be a red deer.
I found Swythamley and Heaton Village Hall and checked in, with plenty of time for a hot cuppa. I met up with Ross again and we walked together, which was great- having someone to chat to makes the miles go by much faster, especially towards the end when everything starts to ache!
We all gathered outside in the mist and drizzle and then we were on our way, walking up tracks to the first (of many!) climbs towards Gun Hill.
Looking Towards The Roaches From Gun Hill
There is a choice of 20, 22, 27 or 29 miles, and you can choose what you intend to do on the day, when you reach the 13 mile check point at Wildboarclough. I had originally entertained idle thoughts of doing the 29 mile option, but those extra 2 miles involve and ascent and descent of Shutlingsloe, which is not called the 'Cheshire Matterhorn' for nothing! The more miles we trudged, the more convinced I became that it was not a good idea... rightly so as it turned out!
After Gun Hill, we turned towards the spine of rock formations that make up the Roaches;
As we approached, the mist began to clear; although it was cloudy there were some pretty awesome views. The climb up onto the Roaches was a bit of a shock but spectacular- the lanscape consisted of oddly shaped flat stacks of rocks and huge boulders that had been dumped there by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age.
View Over Tittesworth Reservoir
Typical Roaches Scenery
After a particularly steep pull up onto the top, I suddenly felt very odd- very dizzy and 'unreal' and as though I could just pass out. I've not had that feeling very often but it was horrid and for a short time I was worried about being able to do the rest of the walk. After Ross' kindly administration of jelly babies and a few generous gulps of water the feeling went as suddenly as it came and I felt fine for the rest of the day. The runners were passing us, and we shouted hi to Rich (Desert Racer) as he ran past.
I stocked up on biscuits and jelly babies at the first checkpoint at the foot of The Roaches- it was an exposed spot and I felt rather sorry for the people manning it! The wind was really quite chilly. Fortunately we dropped down into the forest and lost the wind, following a truly lovely path through the trees towards Gradbach Youth Hostel- I had last been here when attempting the now sadly deceased Leek Moors Marathon...
After Gradbach there was more climbing, through some steep fields towards the track which leads to Three Shires Head;
We were heading into some pretty spectacular scenery now- very wild and remote. The packhorse bridge at Three Shires Head is the meeting point for Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire and this was my first visit- but I'm sure it won't be my last!
Three Shires Head
We were faced with more climbing and then a gradual descent on a rocky track towards Wildboarclough.
It was here that I got my first proper look at Shutlingsloe, which fully made up my mind not to attempt it this year... maybe next year when I am fitter!
Shutlingsloe
The 13 mile checkpoint at Wildboarclough was a very welcome sight, made even more so by the fact that their speciality is oatcakes (resembling mini pancakes) stuffed with grated cheese and then heated til the cheese melts... I can't believe how good they tasted and had to have another one just to check...
We chose to take the 7 mile Cheshire Loop option- there was obviously another event going on as we kept seeing scouts walking the other way, I think they were doing an event called the Cheshire Hike. We also saw a couple of lads doing their Duke of Edinburgh award which was great.
The scenery was still splendid, and at the top of one climb we could see for miles, even picking out the huge white disc of Jodrell Bank.
This was followed by more fields and tracks before returning to Wildboarclough for more oatcakes (wouldn't want them to have too many left over now!!)
Shutlingsloe
The last part of the route was 7 miles back to Swythamley, and we thought we were on the homeward stretch... the sun came out but I was feeling too tired to really appreciate it as we were faced with yet more climbing...
There were some stunning views towards the Roaches and it felt as though we were in the middle of nowhere. I would love to wake up to a view like this!
After reaching Gradbach for a second time, we had a long, slow climb through the forest before reaching a long, long track winding its way along the lower reaches of the Roaches.
After what seemed an age, we dropped steeply down through woods to the quaint Wincle Brewery and Trout Farm.
After what would have been a pleasant walk through meadows if my body wasn't pleading for this to just stop now please, we reached a footbridge over the weir and what the route description cheerfully referred to as a 'steep climb'. Unfortunately it wasn't lying.
I thought we must be nearly there, but we were faced with a long, long, lo-o-ong farm track with a great retrospective view;
We both felt that this section felt much longer than 7 miles... but all things must come to an end and it was a relief to see the Village Hall again and to be greeted by a fantastic array of salads, quiche and pudding- I think this must have been the best meal I have ever had after a challenge walk! Feeling pretty full, I set off for home only to realise a mile down the road that I had forgotten to pick up my certificate so had to turn back- I didn't want to leave that behind, it took some getting!
This was a tough, but fantastic, event, and one which I would love to do again... maybe the 29 mile option next year!!
After a week of gorgeous sunshine it was a little disappointing to be heading out into mist and cloud... the journey was fairly uneventful apart from me thinking I had missed the turning to Swythamley and heading off down a country lane to be surprised by a large shape looming in front of me which turned out to be a red deer.
I found Swythamley and Heaton Village Hall and checked in, with plenty of time for a hot cuppa. I met up with Ross again and we walked together, which was great- having someone to chat to makes the miles go by much faster, especially towards the end when everything starts to ache!
We all gathered outside in the mist and drizzle and then we were on our way, walking up tracks to the first (of many!) climbs towards Gun Hill.
There is a choice of 20, 22, 27 or 29 miles, and you can choose what you intend to do on the day, when you reach the 13 mile check point at Wildboarclough. I had originally entertained idle thoughts of doing the 29 mile option, but those extra 2 miles involve and ascent and descent of Shutlingsloe, which is not called the 'Cheshire Matterhorn' for nothing! The more miles we trudged, the more convinced I became that it was not a good idea... rightly so as it turned out!
After Gun Hill, we turned towards the spine of rock formations that make up the Roaches;
As we approached, the mist began to clear; although it was cloudy there were some pretty awesome views. The climb up onto the Roaches was a bit of a shock but spectacular- the lanscape consisted of oddly shaped flat stacks of rocks and huge boulders that had been dumped there by the retreating glaciers of the last ice age.
After a particularly steep pull up onto the top, I suddenly felt very odd- very dizzy and 'unreal' and as though I could just pass out. I've not had that feeling very often but it was horrid and for a short time I was worried about being able to do the rest of the walk. After Ross' kindly administration of jelly babies and a few generous gulps of water the feeling went as suddenly as it came and I felt fine for the rest of the day. The runners were passing us, and we shouted hi to Rich (Desert Racer) as he ran past.
I stocked up on biscuits and jelly babies at the first checkpoint at the foot of The Roaches- it was an exposed spot and I felt rather sorry for the people manning it! The wind was really quite chilly. Fortunately we dropped down into the forest and lost the wind, following a truly lovely path through the trees towards Gradbach Youth Hostel- I had last been here when attempting the now sadly deceased Leek Moors Marathon...
After Gradbach there was more climbing, through some steep fields towards the track which leads to Three Shires Head;
We were heading into some pretty spectacular scenery now- very wild and remote. The packhorse bridge at Three Shires Head is the meeting point for Derbyshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire and this was my first visit- but I'm sure it won't be my last!
We were faced with more climbing and then a gradual descent on a rocky track towards Wildboarclough.
It was here that I got my first proper look at Shutlingsloe, which fully made up my mind not to attempt it this year... maybe next year when I am fitter!
The 13 mile checkpoint at Wildboarclough was a very welcome sight, made even more so by the fact that their speciality is oatcakes (resembling mini pancakes) stuffed with grated cheese and then heated til the cheese melts... I can't believe how good they tasted and had to have another one just to check...
We chose to take the 7 mile Cheshire Loop option- there was obviously another event going on as we kept seeing scouts walking the other way, I think they were doing an event called the Cheshire Hike. We also saw a couple of lads doing their Duke of Edinburgh award which was great.
The scenery was still splendid, and at the top of one climb we could see for miles, even picking out the huge white disc of Jodrell Bank.
This was followed by more fields and tracks before returning to Wildboarclough for more oatcakes (wouldn't want them to have too many left over now!!)
The last part of the route was 7 miles back to Swythamley, and we thought we were on the homeward stretch... the sun came out but I was feeling too tired to really appreciate it as we were faced with yet more climbing...
After reaching Gradbach for a second time, we had a long, slow climb through the forest before reaching a long, long track winding its way along the lower reaches of the Roaches.
After what seemed an age, we dropped steeply down through woods to the quaint Wincle Brewery and Trout Farm.
After what would have been a pleasant walk through meadows if my body wasn't pleading for this to just stop now please, we reached a footbridge over the weir and what the route description cheerfully referred to as a 'steep climb'. Unfortunately it wasn't lying.
This was a tough, but fantastic, event, and one which I would love to do again... maybe the 29 mile option next year!!
Labels: Three Shires Challenge
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I wondered why you were heading back to the hall.
Thanks for the company, and catch you at Baslow or WPW.
Thanks for the company, and catch you at Baslow or WPW.
Lovely report, Steph. You captured most of our experiences well.
Did Ross mention White Peak Walk? I'll see you there!
Did Ross mention White Peak Walk? I'll see you there!
Hi Nick, thanks a lot for your comment; I have a place on the White Peak walk so will look forward to seeing you there!
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