What better way to enjoy a Saturday afternoon than by slipping your way across snow and ice covered fields and footpaths! On Saturday 26th January Kev, Joel, Dave, Ally, Paul, Mat and new recruit Jorge embarked on day one of a weekend of walking. This was to be the a 20 mile round trip from Chilton setting off at midday. Having snowed heavily during the week it was hoped that most of the route would be clear from ice and snow. This was correct to a point but there were many areas where slipping on compacted ice was your only option. Having set out at midday we returned to the village at 7:30pm. Given the conditions under foot this wasn't to bad.
Left/Below: At the start of day One. Why leave the pub instead of going inside and drinking round the fire!!!!!!!!
First climb up onto the Ridgeway. This is about 2.5miles from Chilton and the snow is building up.
Dropping down to the south side of the Ridgeway and we decided to stop to make an igloo!! In places the snow was 2 feet deep. This was a slippery decent.
Through Catmore to the south of Chilton and the paths start becoming better for us for the time being. This wasn't to last to long! Here Mat, Paul and Joel are forging ahead manfully.
Halfway now and new boy Jorge is still smiling! This section is the Downlands Villages Riding route from Catmore to Beedon.
The path is still being good to us although this was rare during the walk. Mat and Kev are getting a fair pace on here
A bit of a breather. A chance to take on some food and stretch out the muscles. All together now!
My word that could have ended in disaster! One small slip turned into the splits! Kev and Joel to the rescue.
Nearly home now. Approaching Churn with about 3 miles to walk having climbed out of Compton.
Day two started out how day one finished.; In the dark and with aching legs and sore feet! For the Sunday hike Duncan joined Paul, Mat, Dave and Kev for an early morning 10 mile walk from Chilton towards East Ginge up onto the Ridgeway and then back to Chilton. Having left the village the weather turned very bad and for about 15 mins the wind and rain hammered down. But it seemed to blow itself out and apart from a nasty headwind in places the hike went very well.
Paul's looking very jolly for 7am on a Sunday and having walked 20 miles the day before!
Off we go out of the village. Yes it's Sunday, yes it raining and yes it's 7am !
Heading towards East Ginge and we are finally out of the headwind.
Duncan, Paul and Mat approaching the dreaded climb back up to the top of the Ridgeway. We're about halfway at this point.
Made it to the top. Time to refuel. Now only a 3 mile walk along the Ridgeway and then back down into the village. And the sun was shining.
View 26th Jan Trial
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