hike

As the owner of a Garmin I took it upon myself to sort out the route for our hike. So with that I must take full responsibly for getting us pretty lost, well maybe lost is too strong a word but taking us up the wrong route initially.

As a bunch of big strong South Africans I decided on everyone's behalf that we would not do the regular route and look for a more challenging route. My decision seemed like the correct one when we all got together on the long drive to the Lake District. Apparently Scafell Pike has a reputation of a mountain that geriatrics climb. As our lead Voortrekker put it "I want a hobby with an element of risk", it had just so happened that I had picked the shortest route to the peak, at only 8 miles. I sold this idea to the less fit smokers in our group and tried not to focus on the point that it was also the steepest route.

    Day 0

The two love birds picked me up in the sexy Honda Jazz nicknamed Jazzper. Still painted in the wedding graffiti we stopped at the petrol station for a fill up and pre trip inspection. Lehesta then snuck off to the shops while Leon and I talked kak in front of the car. Much amusement was had, while Leon and I stood there like a married couple in front of the "just married" written on the cars side windows.

We all jumped in and split the drive into 2 hour splits with much hooting as people coming past saw the wedding graffiti. I learned all about Jazzpers Turbo button and little paddles, sweet.

This was really brilliant start to the new year for me. I have never done this hike and loved every second of it. It has motivated me to finally start going on crag www.crag.org.za events, they ran this route the Wednesday after us. Guy and I missioned our way up the mountain, we got to the top in 35 minutes a good 20 minutes before the rest of the crew started arriving. Joe was the last straggler taking well over an hour to get up the mountain. Like the other hippie tourist on top of the mountain we sat there ate snacks and watched the sunset before climbing down.