Rocky Mountains

So today I decided to take the first move in Kilimanjaro outdoor training. I climbed Scafell Pike in the Lake District, which is the highest mountain in England. A measly 978m or so I thought. 

Now, to start I need to take you back in time. The main catalyst for my fitness journey was the feeling of failure and impending doom on day 2 of the Inca Trail. That day started at 3000m and we hiked to Dead Woman’s Pass at 4200m. So that day we climbed 1200m and it absolutely killed me. Given this wasn’t that much less I was expecting a similar experience but I did think it would be easier due to the training I’ve been doing. 

Ok, so some good news, I made it intact, and I only threw up once (don’t worry it happens a lot, I’m sure I have hypoglycaemia or hypotension when I climb) and fell over twice, right at the end when my legs were tired. The elevation itself was actually ok. I mean I could hear my heart pounding in my ears and I threw up but in comparison to two years ago it was a doddle. 

What wasn’t so easy was the sheer amount of rocks and boulders on the route! There are rocks more or less from the beginning (I started at Borrowdale) and they only get worse to a point where you pass through ‘the Boulder Field’ which, quite frankly, is an ankle fracture waiting to happen. There is no clear route and you just have to follow the masses and hope you can climb over the boulders. The final ascent to the summit is purely boulders and almost vertical. I was using my hands and feet to climb it. 

So then, I’m up and the views are spectacular. Luckily the weather was good and the cloud cover didn’t ruin the view! 

So the descent should be easy, right? No! Bloody boulders and a descent is not easy. Couple that with some agitation and tiredness and toward the end you’re tripping over every rock and cursing at it wishing for the day to be over! However, I did make it and just before I reached my car I saw a mum cow nudging and licking a baby cow. The calf tried to stand up and then fell over all wobbly like. I was stopped to say awww what’s going on? Nope, not even internally and yes, I was alone. Then I noticed umbilical cord in mums bum. It had literally just been born. 5 mins earlier and I would have witnessed the beautiful miracle of a baby cow falling out of its mum’s arse. Unlucky. 

Michelle’s top tips

My biggest annoyance of the day was sweat. It was a humid day and I was wet through. I had only worn a cotton vest. Mistake. Always go for technical clothing as it wicks the moisture away from you and makes you more comfortable. My rucksack was also pretty sweat inducing. I’m going to get one of those with the airflow thing. 

Secondly do not underestimate the power of the weather and how quickly it can change. It was cold and cloudy this morning with a rain forecast so I donned my fleece and left the sun cream in the car……….

🧳 UNPACKED

The Goal: Kilimanjaro training. Climbed Scafell Pike (978m) – highest mountain in England. Inca Trail Day 2 (3000m to 4200m) nearly killed me two years ago, so expecting similar but easier with training.

The Reality: Made it. Only threw up once (happens a lot when climbing), fell over twice at end. Elevation was fine compared to two years ago – doddle. The problem? Rocks. Boulders everywhere from the start. “Boulder Field” = ankle fracture waiting to happen. Final ascent purely boulders, almost vertical, using hands and feet.

The Descent: Worse. Tired, agitated, tripping over rocks, cursing. But made it. Witnessed baby cow being born (5 mins later and would’ve seen it fall out of mum’s arse – unlucky).

The Mistakes: Wore cotton vest – soaking wet all day. Always use technical moisture-wicking fabric. Rucksack too sweat-inducing – getting one with airflow system. Left sun cream in car because forecast was rain – got burned.

Essential Hiking Kit:

• 📦 Pack here: Hiking rucksack with airflow system
• 📦 Pack here: High SPF sun cream (always pack it!)

Worth Knowing: Don’t underestimate UK mountains. Weather changes fast. Never wear cotton. Don’t do it in rain – those boulders would be lethal. And you might witness cow birth.