So, you're going for a stroll?
Sir Ranulph Feinnes OBE, arguably the world's greatest living explorers, was once asked what kept him going during his Everest expedition. He replied;
"I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep trudging forward, thinking there is no end point to the journey"
A simple and profound piece of advice from a man who has experienced life in a way very few of us ever will. But what is interesting is his use of the word 'trudging'. A quick flutter on Google will provide several definitions; 'to walk in a laborious, heavy-footed way', 'a long, tedious walk' or 'to walk slowly with heavy steps, usually as a result of exhaustion or harsh conditions'.
These are all perfectly valid offerings but I feel that there is an aspect of the verb 'to trudge' missing from it's definition. Although an abstract aspect of meaning, I'm of the opinion that it is a very important omission, one in which may even create a new meaning of the word entirely.
Fiennes has been admired for his fierce determination which has been said to come from his ability to live in the moment rather than fixate on an end goal. It is in this spirit I believe trudging should be viewed. Rather than trudging being the end product of immense effort and an inevitable period of any challenge, it should be viewed as the necessary mindset in which to attempt a intensely demanding challenge. To trudge should be the ability to focus on the moment whilst continuously progressing forward, regardless of external factors, whether physically drained or otherwise.
This idea of trudging, living in the moment and simply putting one foot in front of the other offers us the perfect psychology to adopt when taking on our challenge.
"I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep trudging forward, thinking there is no end point to the journey"
A simple and profound piece of advice from a man who has experienced life in a way very few of us ever will. But what is interesting is his use of the word 'trudging'. A quick flutter on Google will provide several definitions; 'to walk in a laborious, heavy-footed way', 'a long, tedious walk' or 'to walk slowly with heavy steps, usually as a result of exhaustion or harsh conditions'.
These are all perfectly valid offerings but I feel that there is an aspect of the verb 'to trudge' missing from it's definition. Although an abstract aspect of meaning, I'm of the opinion that it is a very important omission, one in which may even create a new meaning of the word entirely.
Fiennes has been admired for his fierce determination which has been said to come from his ability to live in the moment rather than fixate on an end goal. It is in this spirit I believe trudging should be viewed. Rather than trudging being the end product of immense effort and an inevitable period of any challenge, it should be viewed as the necessary mindset in which to attempt a intensely demanding challenge. To trudge should be the ability to focus on the moment whilst continuously progressing forward, regardless of external factors, whether physically drained or otherwise.
This idea of trudging, living in the moment and simply putting one foot in front of the other offers us the perfect psychology to adopt when taking on our challenge.
Ladies and gentlemen... without further ado...
With the mental grit of Sir Ranulph and our bold re-definition of a verb to inspire us, we are pleased (and somewhat terrified) to announce our route.
Now this is not set in stone neither do we have major commitments in each area. This intimidating itinerary is the best route we can muster that gives us a good chance of completing the challenge.
We do have the added advantage of amazingly kind friends and family offering resupplies on each weekend of the challenge. So at max we will only have to carry 7 days gear and food at one time. This was, as you can imagine, great news and has given us both a confidence boost and made planning that much easier.
Now this is not set in stone neither do we have major commitments in each area. This intimidating itinerary is the best route we can muster that gives us a good chance of completing the challenge.
We do have the added advantage of amazingly kind friends and family offering resupplies on each weekend of the challenge. So at max we will only have to carry 7 days gear and food at one time. This was, as you can imagine, great news and has given us both a confidence boost and made planning that much easier.
DAY STARTChester Towyn Penmaenmawr Red Wharf Bay Cemaes Bay Penrhos Feilw Malltraeth Caernarfon Nefyn Rhiw Llanystumdwy Harlech Tywyn Brynowen New Quay Poppit Sands Fishguard Whitesands Marloes Pembroke Dock Bosherston Amroth Camarthen Llanelli Llangennith Swansea Ogmore by Sea Barry Nash + 1 day in the bank | DAY ENDTowyn Penmaenmawr Red Wharf Bay Cemmaes Bay Penrhos Feilw Malltraeth Caernarfon Nefyn Rhiw Llanystumdwy Harlech Tywyn Brynowen New Quay Poppit Sands Fishguard Whitesands Marloes Pembroke Dock Bosherston Amroth Camarthen Llanelli Llangennith Swansea Ogmore by Sea Barry Nash Chepstow In case of emergency | MILEAGE/TOTAL30/30 27/57 34/91 25/125 32/157 30/187 30/217 26/243 30/273 31/304 30/334 32/366 30/396 30/426 30/456 30/486 29/515 34/549 30/579 32/612 25/637 31/668 30/698 30/728 30/758 30/788 30/818 30/848 24/862 These aren't 100% accurate but are as close as possible for the time being. |
||| IF ANYONE WANTS TO JOIN US FOR A SECTION, A MILE OR EVEN A SECOND, YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME. ||||
WE PLAN ON INVITING SCHOOLS TO WALK WITH US TOO!
BY WALKING WITH US YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT FOR ACTION TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S HEALTH IN THE U.K.
YOU CAN LEAVE US A COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM IF YOU'RE INTERESTED OR EMAIL [email protected].
WE PLAN ON INVITING SCHOOLS TO WALK WITH US TOO!
BY WALKING WITH US YOU ARE SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT FOR ACTION TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S HEALTH IN THE U.K.
YOU CAN LEAVE US A COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM IF YOU'RE INTERESTED OR EMAIL [email protected].
If that wasn't challenging enough.
FUEL
We've still got to figure out the best way to fuel ourselves through the mammoth task. With a calorie consumption thus far worked out at 5000-7000 calories per day, fueling the well-oiled bio-mechanical machines we will definitely be is proving difficult.
We've learnt that a 3:1 ratio of carbs to protein must be adhered to and products like Cytomax can help this. Avoiding sugary products that will give fast highs but dramatic drops in energy is also important.
Expedition Foods have kindly offered us some support, who coincidentally provided Feinnes with his sustenance, offers lightweight, high calorie meals solving some of our problems. Cost is proving to be an issue.
The reassuring thing is that breakfast is sorted. Ziplock bags filled with protein porridge (available from supplement stores), brown sugar, dried milk powder and raisins provide a delicious base to which we can evolve. Adding things like Omega-3 rich milled linseed and other powdered supplements such as whey protein can create a 'super-food' like porridge giving us a great start to every day. Besides, we LOVE porridge.
We've still got to figure out the best way to fuel ourselves through the mammoth task. With a calorie consumption thus far worked out at 5000-7000 calories per day, fueling the well-oiled bio-mechanical machines we will definitely be is proving difficult.
We've learnt that a 3:1 ratio of carbs to protein must be adhered to and products like Cytomax can help this. Avoiding sugary products that will give fast highs but dramatic drops in energy is also important.
Expedition Foods have kindly offered us some support, who coincidentally provided Feinnes with his sustenance, offers lightweight, high calorie meals solving some of our problems. Cost is proving to be an issue.
The reassuring thing is that breakfast is sorted. Ziplock bags filled with protein porridge (available from supplement stores), brown sugar, dried milk powder and raisins provide a delicious base to which we can evolve. Adding things like Omega-3 rich milled linseed and other powdered supplements such as whey protein can create a 'super-food' like porridge giving us a great start to every day. Besides, we LOVE porridge.
Ultra-Light Gear: Infinite Trade-Offs
If I had to tell someone one thing about the world of Ultra-Light backpacking it would be this. NO ONE WINS. There seems to be always someone offering more and more expensive options for lightening your load or on the other hand, home-made innovations provide light weight packing for a shoe-string budget.
The constant cost to weight trade-offs are literally unbearable and for a group of guys who are inexperienced, underfunded and have little time to offer the ultra-light Gods, we are in a very tricky place indeed.
Some very kind people have offered their help but with a self-funded budget of very little and so many decisions to make, there are only so many emails we can send and to be honest, so many emails people have the patience to reply to.
We understand that every little helps and any horsing around (apologies TESCOS fans) with regards to callas weight decisions can be costly. We will tread lightly but confidently in this area and let you know how we're getting on, once we start to spend.
If I had to tell someone one thing about the world of Ultra-Light backpacking it would be this. NO ONE WINS. There seems to be always someone offering more and more expensive options for lightening your load or on the other hand, home-made innovations provide light weight packing for a shoe-string budget.
The constant cost to weight trade-offs are literally unbearable and for a group of guys who are inexperienced, underfunded and have little time to offer the ultra-light Gods, we are in a very tricky place indeed.
Some very kind people have offered their help but with a self-funded budget of very little and so many decisions to make, there are only so many emails we can send and to be honest, so many emails people have the patience to reply to.
We understand that every little helps and any horsing around (apologies TESCOS fans) with regards to callas weight decisions can be costly. We will tread lightly but confidently in this area and let you know how we're getting on, once we start to spend.
Anything else?
Apart from the immense amount of training taking up 4-6 hours a day, 6 days and week, the never ending amount of promoting that needs to be done and not forgetting the main reason we're all here, encouraging people to donate to our cause.... I think we're doing OK.
When it comes to the challenge I like to think we have a tight grasp on small aspects of a mammoth task. The magnitude of the challenge dictates that having anything more than this could lead to us simply going insane.
So, we must 'trudge', in it's newest sense and live in the moment NOT thinking about the sheer volume of steps that will get us to the finish.
Fuel is key and so is our gear. However, with little money sacrifices must be made, accepted and understood.
I think we're all happy with what stands in front of us and are simply concentrating on what we can accomplish, not afraid of what people think is impossible. I think Feinnes surmises very well;
“With fear, you must prevent not cure. Fear must not be allowed to take hold in the first place. If you are in a canoe never listen to the roar of the rapid ahead before you let go of the river bank. Just do it!” - Sir Ranulph Feinnes.
When it comes to the challenge I like to think we have a tight grasp on small aspects of a mammoth task. The magnitude of the challenge dictates that having anything more than this could lead to us simply going insane.
So, we must 'trudge', in it's newest sense and live in the moment NOT thinking about the sheer volume of steps that will get us to the finish.
Fuel is key and so is our gear. However, with little money sacrifices must be made, accepted and understood.
I think we're all happy with what stands in front of us and are simply concentrating on what we can accomplish, not afraid of what people think is impossible. I think Feinnes surmises very well;
“With fear, you must prevent not cure. Fear must not be allowed to take hold in the first place. If you are in a canoe never listen to the roar of the rapid ahead before you let go of the river bank. Just do it!” - Sir Ranulph Feinnes.