Many people on here done it?
I've said I'd lead a group doing it from work as a charity challenge. I'm a fairly competent walker and have tackled a lot bigger/taller hills but not in a continuous long loop.
Planning to walk it prior to taking the group so I know the way and what to expect. How hard actually is it? Also what is a decent time for it? I know the challenge is 12 hours but we were hoping more like 9 when me and a friend go scout it out. Seem acceptable?
Thanks
Did it last year with my lads u11 rugby team. He did it in 10 1/2 hrs.
Weather was perfect though which does make a difference. A lot of the paths are now paved which makes the going easier (if not harder on the knees!!!!)
9 hours will be a breeze for a reasonable walker in good weather. My mum did it under 9, she walks a lot and was probably about 60 at the time. I think the average time taken overall is under 9.5 hrs
It's not hard providing people are fit and have decent fitting boots. It's bloody boring though between PyG and Ribblehead as you'll find out by the second time you do it. Sponsored walks aside there are far better days to be had. Hats off to the U11's!
That sounds alright then. I've tackled bigger challenges before but I think it's just the big distance that was making me wonder. Sounds like 8ish hours should be manageable for the trial run. But of a mixed bag when we get to the team so we will just aim for under the 12!
I'm going to buck the trend and say that it can be pretty hard - certainly at the 9 hour end of things. I've finished it 3 times but twice after I've bailed out when other people have been finding it tough and I've had no particular reason to want to drag myself around again. Worst was when the sun was blazing hot (it does happen now and again)...found it impossible to get past the ice cream van at Ribble Head (which won't be there the time you really want it to be) and suddenly find you don't have enough water (the streams are not very inviting for drinking!). There is some variation in routes...early days I remember going straight up Whernside from Ribblehead but in later years I've followed the railway easy which is longer / steadier (TBH if feeling fit I'd opt for steeper / shorter).
When tired I've hated the long stone path off Ingleborough into Horton and since I've started at Chapel-le-Dale (or RibbleHead) to get that done when fresher.
Navigating off the top of Ingleborough in dense fog can be challenging...a compass and the ability to use it may help but generally navigation is simple.
For a group pack a load of blister plasters, also if you can have a support car parked up with extra supplies then this could be invaluable...although in our case it just meant that we decided to pack in and go to the pub.
I'd agree with Fubar - that last limestony bit off Ingleborough can be torture! I've done it 3 times; 71/2, 8ish and 10 hours (the last one with my other half and her 'fit' friend (who turned out to be anything but). On a good day it's good. On a poor day, however .....
I've done quite a few times both directions all seasons and although not very exciting it's a challenge.
Butfor goodness sake look at a map and use the Ribbleway I think it it's called to link PYG to Whernside and not the road, as a motorcyclist it's something of a nightmare avoiding all the bobblehated types festooned along the tarmac.
If "as a motorcyclist" you're not capable of sharing the road safely and courteously with other users then I hope your inevitable and painful crashes don't injure any innocent parties.
Did it in 10 with snow/ice slowing me down quite a lot on a couple of sections, so nine for a reasonably fit party should be fine.
Personally would do it clockwise, starting with Ingleborough. Less of an issue now they've improved the bog crossing next to PenyGhent, but wearing wet approach shoes for 20 miles didn't appeal.
And that way means a quick finish after the last peak.
Ooh this is interesting. All the websites I've seen have suggested anti-clockwise and as were a fairly large group looking to stay over we were considering Horton as the start finish.....other suggestions??
We did it in 8 hours a few years ago. 45, reasonably fit at the time, but not that fit ie I did a few hill walks beforehand and I suppose I had a reasonable base fitness from occasional MTBing, a bit of cycling to work, occasional jogging. I don't recall doing loads of fitness prep, but I'm sure I would have done some.
We kept moving at a steady pace with small packs, stopping only twice at food/water stashes at Ribblehead and near the pub nr Chapel-le-Dale (Old Hill Inn??). can't recall how long for, maybe about 15mins each.
Was reasonably easy TBH and, altho tired at the end, I didn't ache that much the days after.
If you keep moving with a reasonable pace and have only one or two stops, then you'll easily do it in 9hrs IMO. I only recall one wide bog you have to find a way across. Navigating is easy, the only point I think you need to be sure about is coming down off PYG where part way down you head off on a small path rather than the obvious wide track down (assuming anticlockwise).
Horton is as good a base as any, you have the cafe and can stamp your card* there if that's your sort of thing.
I guess the other reasons I like doing Ingleborough first is that it's a fairly steady, long ascent which warms you up nicely, and clockwise also means you get past the first two peaks quickly before you hit the long boring slog between Whernside and PYG.
*Not a euphemism.
Did it in just under 6 hours a few years ago. Sounds like you'll have no problems getting round comfortably in under 12 hours, but remember you'll only be as quick as the slowest person in your group. Even if your workmates are fairly fit, if they're not used to long days in the hills some of them might struggle with motivation as it goes on.
In defence of Posiwev, that bit of road is part of the 'Dales TT' and has some fantastic bends .... 😉 Plus, the new-ish path is quite good anyway.