Chris Saunders and his teacher friend Graham Hollows had planned to celebrate their 50th birthdays within weeks of each other climbing 50 Lake District peaks in one year. Then Graham died suddenly in 2009. Chris decided to go on with the plan and raise money for Teacher Support Network, who Graham supported, while he was doing it. In this unique diary, Chris explains how he got on.
5 February 2011 (Graham's 50th birthday)
Peak 1 - Loughrigg (Graham's favourite fell)
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Ange and I met up with Towe (Graham's widow) and their three girls, and Simon, Sue, Eddie and Jonah (Graham's other great friend and his family) at White Moss Common. Aila and Leiva jumped up and down in puddles in their new walking boots and got their feet soaked before we even started, while we tried and failed to put Eirin on my back (my waistline seemed to have grown). Then, having just paid £7 each for 3 cars, we found that our way was blocked by floods and we had to drive to Pelter Bridge, where luckily there were (i) no floods and (ii) no more car parking fees. The caves looked exciting but the girls were disappointed not to be able to get into them. Despite the rain and blisters on Aila's feet, we all made it to the top, where we toasted Graham with a bottle - of course - of Veuve Clicquot. Simon carried the half-full bottle down and it was curiously empty when we got to the bottom. Walked back along Loughrigg Terraces and Rydal Water, which had flooded over the path so by the end of the day we all had wet feet.
Had to abandon the second planned peak - Silver Howe - because of having to park the car at a different place and time was against me. We retreated to the house to eat Graham's birthday cake.
1 down, 49 to go. And already one behind plan.
6 February
Thought I would be walking on my own in heavy rain. Having requisitioned a hotel porch to get changed into every piece of waterproof clothing I possess, I walked up to the agreed meeting point expecting to meet nobody - but there was Adam (musician friend now living in Windermere) with his dog Bix. We trudged off towards Steel Fell, but at around 1000' the wind became so strong that it was too dangerous to carry on. Retreated to Adam's house and oozed green envy when seeing that his house overlooks Windermere and the Langdales (neither of which we could actually see because of mist). Lovely to see Clare. Back for early bath and trip home.
Still only 1 peak scaled , and now 5 behind plan.
25 March
An extra weekend planned in haste to make up the shortfall. Picked up Lucy (younger daughter) and boyfriend James in Birmingham. Arrived at the cottage in Uldale to find Emily (elder daughter) and boyfriend Pete just putting a meal on the table - isn't it wonderful when one's children can organise all this? Made the largest mountain of sandwiches ever seen (would that count as peak number 2?)
26 March
Ange worked her usual charm on a farmer's wife to allow us to park next to their farmyard. Tried the new iphone app to see how the GPS system worked but it continually told me I was in Morecambe, drawing derisory comments from the young. After a slog up the heather we reached the disappointing summit of Great Cockup, which lives up to its name only in the disappointment it kindles. Lunch at the very beautiful spot of Trusmadoor before meeting unfriendly dog and owners at the top of Meal Fell. Great views of Skiddaw and Blencathra though, and it didn't rain! Back to the cottage to a beer-tasting session - won by the aptly named Lancaster Bomber ale -and games. More mountains of sandwiches manufactured.
5 peaks out of 50.
27 March
A beautiful day. We drove to Stair in the Newlands valley to find the car park almost full at 09:30 - but one man in his camper van was just leaving having already done the walk we were just about to do. Also a group of bedraggled business types on executive teambuilding were packing up to go after what looked like a long night in the river. Lunch on Outerside with fantastic views of Grisedale Pike and the mine in the valley. Ange and Lucy then went down while the rest of us went on to Sail, and then James joined me to go onto Eel Crag while Emily and Pete sunned themselves. Met two elderly ladies on the top of Eel Crag who were doing a monster route determined by which properties they wanted to have a good nose at. Finally picked up Em and Pete again on top of Sail and then walked the magnificent ridge over Scar Crags to Causey Pike. Brilliant views all round.
10 ex 50
29 April
An early start from Preston, arriving at Birks Bridge in the Duddon valley about 08.30 for an unplanned extra walk. It's Royal Wedding day and I expected to be the first and possibly only car in the car park, but there are three cars already there and a group of people waiting for their friend Ken. They depart; ten minutes later Ken turns up with his friend Dave, who swear about their friends departing without them. I leave to climb up Harter Fell in hazy but windy conditions. I bump into Ken and Dave again, who kindly take my picture at the top while we admire the views towards the Coniston fells, and the head of Eskdale. We walk together over a dried out bog to Green Crag, with Ken talking the hind legs off several donkeys on the way. After having lunch together - sheltering from a very strong wind - I walk down only to meet 2 of the original group again. Naturally I recounted everything Ken had said and they returned in kind. What a great way to find out about people!
Drive over via Eskdale to Wasdale to find my B&B - the farm at the head of Wasdale - he farms the whole area around Wasdale Head and must be the luckiest farmer in England. As it happens he and his wife are celebrating The Wedding in the garden and with difficulty I gain entry. Go to the Wasdale Head Inn and await arrivals - first Keith and Clare who have made record time from Epsom, then Guy and Mark (ditto from Somerset) and finally Jon from Peterborough. We enjoy the beer and fodder before retiring - the farmer and friends are still celebrating and continue to do so until about 2 in the morning.
12 / 50
30 April
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Cloudless and windy - a perfect day. About nine o'clock the farmer emerges nursing his head and worrying about the sheep. We set off up to Styhead in 2 parties where we meet again and re-live the school trip 35 years earlier when Jon and I failed to open the stretcher box to help an ailing Keith (needless to say a couple of pints at the Inn later revived him). On via the Corridor Route to first Lingmell and then up to Scafell Pike. It is like Blackpool beach up there - find a square inch to sit down amid hundreds of people or queue to ascend the summit cairn. The views are fantastic - probably the best I've ever seen from there because I've nearly always been in mist before. We can see the Isle of Man, Scotland and the Pennines very clearly. Keith and Clare opt to go down while Jon, Guy, Mark and I continue down to Mickledore (what a fantastic place to be!) and then down even further before starting the grind up to Scafell. And what a difference - just 2 others on the top. It is very special here - partly because we are not surrounded, but also because it is my first time on Scafell and there is a wonderful view over to Pillar; also down the secret valley of Mitredale. We start down and it all gets very steep and the knees begin to complain - as we turn the corner to Wasdale there is a poor girl who has broken her ankle and the Mountain Rescue are out in force. More Wasdale Head Inn fare before retiring exhausted and slightly tipsy. Mend trousers with borrowed needle and then spend 40 minutes mending daughter's computer by phone. Sleep well that night.
15 / 50
1 May
Drive round to Loweswater to meet Jon, Guy, Mark, Paul & Gwithian, Rob & Caroline for the so-called easy walk after the hard day yesterday. Attempted to get some sun cream on the way but everyone has been caught by surprise and run out, so have to borrow some as it is again completely cloudless and windy. Unfortunately Debbie and Hilary couldn't find us and we missed them (caught up with them later in the pub). Interesting routes up to Burnbank Fell and down from Gavel Fell through thick heather, but lovely walk along the top to take in Blake Fell - this time we could see as far as Stranraer. Back to the Kirkstile Inn to meet Debbie and Hilary before dinner with Jon, Rob and Caroline.
18 / 50
2 May
Met Jon at Wasdale Head and started up Yewbarrow. Very steep both up and down before going on up to Red Pike, with its cairn perched at the top of the Mosedale cliff. With surprisingly few people around for a bank holiday Monday, we set off up Scoat Fell and then over to Steeple, with its eyrie-like position over Ennerdale. Lunch with a wonderful view down Ennerdale before going over to Pillar. Reciprocal view back to the Scafells from Pillar as we take our leave and descend to Black Sail pass. We decline to go up Kirk Fell and take the knee-friendly route down to Wasdale. This is the best walk so far - another ambition as I have not done the Mosedale Horseshoe before; a great opportunity to spend a day just with an old-school friend (note not old school-friend), great weather and relatively few others around.
23 /50
26 June
Ange and I met Ian and Peter at Howtown, after passing lots of cyclists on a triathlon. It is cloudy and warm and we set off - for the first time I feel under par and struggle up the first 500 feet. After some slow going over Steel Knotts we stop for a bite to eat and watch the first triathlon runners returning to Pooley Bridge. After that the going gets easier and we arrive on the ridge to go over Wether Hill and then Loadpot Hill, where there is a horde of schoolgirls reluctantly engaging with the great outdoors. After a short trot to Bonscale Pike, it is steep down to Howtown where the htoel serves welcome refreshment. Despite the cloud the top of my head is very burnt. We pass a very weary triathlete doggedly still going before heading off to a barbecue in Watermillock with Daphne, Denis, Janice, Peter and the Mother In Law. They cook enough to feed a hundred and so there is plenty to make a sausage sandwich for the day after.
Past the half-way point. 27 / 50
27 June
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Peter gives me a lift to Mardale at the head of Haweswater, where no-one else has turned up (luckily as we were 40 minutes late). I realise that I have no socks but fortunately Peter has a spare pair. We head off up the aptly-named Old Corpse Road - it is hot and windless. I quickly realise that I have not got enough liquid for the day and have to start rationing myself. We plod up to Selside Pike and collapse in a sweaty heap at the top. Lovely views over to High Street and the ridge we were on yesterday. Then over to Branstree - as we get steadily higher there is a little more wind. We have a brief lunch at the top of Harter Fell but I have such a dry mouth that I can't eat it all. On to Mardale Ill Bell and then High Street, then Rampsgill Head (very difficult to find the top) and Kidsty Pike (very easy to find the top, and probably quite easy to fall off it). At the bottom, we walked straight past the RSPB hide before Peter wondered aloud where the Golden Eagle is nesting (answer = here). However, the thirst needed dealing with, and dealt with it was at the Mardale Inn. A wonderful day - Peter an excellent walking companion for both pace and conversation.
34 /50
27 August
On Saturday, I climbed Skiddaw (together with my brother and a friend Ian) - the only mountain that Graham and I climbed together. Last time there were strong winds and we were in mist on the top - this time we had the strong winds but did actually get a great view of the mountains, lakes and also Scotland.
28 August
On Sunday, I was joined by several friends and their families - there were 15 of us in all, the youngest being six years old - plus a dog. As I said before, the highlight of this challenge is that I have not done a walk on my own. So as well as remembering Graham, it is a great opportunity to catch up with some old and new friends.
48/50
A few statistics so far:
I have so far walked 107 miles and climbed 34,000 feet, counting all the people who have joined me, all of our peaks totalled together is 249 (and we have walked an aggregate of 572 miles and climbed 180,000 feet ...)
- You can help Chris reach his £5,000 target on his Virigin Money giving page: Remembering Graham.
