The Allendale Challenge is regarded as one of the most difficult walks in our part of the country and it shouldn't be underestimated, especially this time of the year.
I arrived at the event and gathered in the main square in the town with in excess of 850 walkers/runners.
As I started to move, I raced off as usual trying to keep the pace consistent throughout the 26 miles, although the bogs, swamps, wet snow and sucking black peat took it's toll as approximately at the 9 mile point half of my body disappeared as I sunk into the peat, fortunately, I had my sticks and fought my way out, but as a consequence I was soaked up to the waist. (and not having Ian to pick me out) I had no option to just plow on, not that I would have quit unless I seriously injured myself.
As I restarted with my lower body freezing and muscles aching, I managed to compose myself to get back into a rhythm, despite being soaking wet and froze to the bone. The cheerful North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team kept me going and of course the beautiful scenery through the walk. The stewards encouraged all the runners and walkers at the checkpoints providing soup, tea, jelly babies, biscuits and were of course, offering their valuable first aid skills to anyone who needed them, which I'm sure would have kept many of us, runners/walkers, safe and fuelled on the day. Thankfully, I didn't need them on this occasion.
At the end of the challenge, I finished the walk in a very respectable 7 hours 22 minute time, I was provided with a certificate, t-shirt, and a buff and a ticket for a vegetarian pie, followed by two very large glasses of wine at the Golden Lion Hotel.
It's important to note, many people have accidents and get lost when out on the hills and mountains. The number of incidents occurring on the hills and fells increases as outdoor activities such as climbing and hill walking grows in popularity. The North of Tyne Moutain Rescue team is entirely staffed by unpaid volunteers, totaling just over 40 qualified members and a number of trainees. They are funded solely by charitable donations as they receive no government funding, unlike our Scottish counterparts. The team currently operates in partnership with the Northumberland National Park MRT, providing Search and Rescue cover for remote and urban areas of Northumberland and Tyne & Wear, 365 days of the year. If you can, and are able to give a donation use this link to donate to the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team or for more information go to https://www.notmrt.org.uk/ .
Below is a copy of the map I used to navigate our way through the hills in Allendale.
Map 1 - Allendale Challenge
Map 2 - Allendale Challenge
