Personal Blog of Mark Lockitt
The Pennine Way
The Challenge: Walk 268 Miles of the Pennine Way in 14 days for Cancer Research UK
Money Raised: £5,000 (Just Giving & Sponsorship) raised by Mark Lockitt and Andrew Williams
The Pennine Way Start: 7th July Finished: 21st July, 2007
Here’s a video of the stages on the fantastic journey that is the Pennine Way, it will always be one of the big achievements in my life! I hope the information helps anyone thinking of undertaking the journey.
The Pennine Way was completed on the 21st July @ 1:50pm, entering The Border Hotel to a singing crowd as we swung open the door… in total taking 14 days and 2 hours to complete this epic trek… we threw off our wet boots, had a beer and celebrated with all the people met on the way.
This has been the biggest challenge of my life, which at times I thought wouldn’t be completed, picking up injuries, being exhausted, bruised and battered. Through gritted teeth we pushed on, an achievement which will never be forgotten.
Thank you also goes to my walking partner Andrew Williams – we kept each other moving ever onwards!
Below is the route we took, Day 2 was pretty tough, I remember being in the youth hostel top bunk, every part of my body in agony, couldn’t sleep in one position, every time I moved a load of expletives would follow, it’s amazing how quickly your body adjusts though. But it was all worth it, was such an amazing feat and one which I look back with very fond memories, end of each day searching for the local pub!
On average we covered around 2 miles an hour carrying full equipment, on flat ground we’d make 3-4 miles an hour, but as we soon found out, the way just doesn’t have much flat ground, but comes with breath taking views.
The Route
Day 1. Edale to Crowden
Distance: 16.9 miles. Start: 11:45am – End: 7:40pm, Time taken: 7 hours, 55 minutes
We stayed at The Old House – www.oldhouse.torside.co.uk
Day 2. Crowden to Mankinholes
Distance: 25 miles. Start: 8:45am – End: 9:55pm, Time taken: 13 hours, 10 minutes
We stayed at the Youth Hostel – www.yha.org.uk
Day 3. Mankinholes to Ponden
Distance: 18 miles. Start: 10:00am – End: 7:10pm, Time taken: 9 hours, 10 minutes
We stayed at Ponden House – www.pondenhouse.co.uk
Day 4. Ponden to Gargrave
Distance: 19.3 miles. Start: 8.45am – End: 6:00pm, Time taken: 9 hours, 15 minutes
We stayed in our tent – worst night sleep, ever! Some nutter camped near us!
Day 5. Gargrave to Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Distance: 21.7 miles. Start: 8:30am – End: 7:30pm, Time taken: 11 hours
We stayed at The Golden Lion Hotel – www.goldenlionhotel.co.uk
Day 6. Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Hawes
Distance: 14 miles. Start: 10:00am – End: 5:05pm, Time taken: 7 hours, 5 minute
We stayed at the Youth Hostel – www.yha.org.uk
Day 7. Hawes to Tan Hill
Distance: 19.6 miles. Start: 9:00am – End: 7.10pm, Time taken: 10 hours, 10 minutes
We stayed some distance away thanks to a pickup from my folks – book very early for the Tan Hill as they only have a few rooms. Or book in Keld, it’s an amazing place, you’ll need to cover an extra 3 miles next day.
Day 8. Tan Hill to Middleton-on-Tees
Distance: 19.75 miles. Start: 10:00am – End: 7:00pm, Time taken: 9 hours
We stayed at a Guest House (I forget the name)
Day 9. Middleton-on-Tees to Dufton
Distance: 21.75 miles. Start: 9:20am – End: 7:20pm, Time taken: 10 hours
We stayed at the Youth Hostel – www.yha.org.uk
Day 10. Dufton to Alston
Distance: 20.17 miles. Start: 9:00am – End: 6:45pm, Time taken: 9 hours, 45 minutes
We stayed at a Guest House (I forget the name)
Day 11. Alston to Greenhead
Distance: 18.14 miles. Start: 10:00am – End: 6:30pm, Time taken: 8 hours, 30 minutes
We stayed at the Youth Hostel – www.yha.org.uk
Day 12. Greenhead to Bellingham
Distance: 24.99 miles. Start: 8:00am – End: 8:15pm, Time taken: 12 hours, 15 minutes
We stayed at Lyndale Guest House – www.smoothhound.co.uk/hotels/lyndale.html
Day 13. Bellingham to Byrness
Distance: 18 miles. Start: 9:20am – End: 6:00pm, Time taken: 8 hours, 40 minutes
We stayed at the Youth Hostel – www.yha.org.uk
Day 14. Byrness to Uswayford
Distance: 17.28 miles. Start: 8:20am – End: 4:00pm, Time taken: 7 hours, 40 minutes
We stayed at Uswayford Farm, about 1 1/2 miles off the track
Day 15. Uswayford to Kirk Yetholm
Distance: 15.41 miles. Start: 8:20am – End: 1:50pm, Time taken: 5 hours, 30 minutes
We stayed at a Travel Lodge on the way back home, I would highly recommend booking into the Border Hotel early to finish off your epic trek!
