I’m joining some of the Marsden Walkers are Welcome team (and at least one member of the mountain rescue team) on August 31, to walk 18 miles from Hebden Bridge to Marsden, across the moors, to to raise funds for them and for two local mountain rescue teams.
I haven’t walked this distance in quite a long time – Achilles tendinitis caused by a reaction to a specific antibiotic (yes, it’s a problem, who knew?!) put a stop to long walks four or so years ago. more.
Although I’ve tried my luck on slightly shorter yomps a few times since. If I had been more active with the physiotherapy exercises I was given at the time I would have fixed the problem, but it became a constant grunt, alas – tight and sore Achilles and calf.
I’m now training until the end of the month and doing a lot of “eccentric heel lifts” along the way. See below for one of these practice walks (an excuse to add some photos of the beautiful part of the world I live in).
Why this challenge walk?
There are two (well, three I guess) goals for the fundraising challenge walk:
– Fundraisers for Marsden Walkers are welcome: as they aim to reach their annual fundraising target of £1,500. This funding is crucial to their activities, which include publishing walking route leaflets, maintaining trails, taking part in outdoor events, organizing monthly guided walks and a biennial walking festival.
– Raising funds for the Oldham Mountain Rescue and Holme Valley Mountain Rescue teams. You will of course know that mountain rescue teams play a vital role in ensuring safety in hills, mountains and moors (and in more urban environments if necessary). These volunteer teams are superstars and provide essential services, all for free. The entire charity relies heavily on donations from the public to maintain high standards and keep its operations running smoothly.
HVMRT is based in Marsden but the village and local or passing walkers (especially those venturing further across the moors) are in fact covered by both teams. And both teams support much larger areas than their names suggest!
The walk itself:
On August 31, participants will walk 18 miles across the moors from Hebden Bridge to Marsden. Donations will be split between Marsden Walkers are Welcome and the two mountain rescue teams, supporting their ongoing efforts to make the outdoors accessible and safe for all.
You can support the march here via JustGiving
I am no longer on the Marsden WaW committee (lack of time for several reasons), but the philosophy of Walkers Are Welcome and the work of Mountain Rescue are both well worth our support. And I have been bribed into talking about cakes in several places.
One of my training walks – Swellands Walk:
This was essentially the 6 mile ‘Swelllands Walk’ as designed and published in leaflet and GPX form by Marsden WaW. I improvised a few sections for more variety.
Jasper approved of the stop at Black Moss Reservoir where he could get his feet swollen on the exposed peat of the foreshore.
