The Yorkshire Three Peaks walk (A snowy weekend adventure)

‘A cold, snowy camping weekend at Horton in Ribblesdale with Catherine’

After looking at the mountain weather forecast a few days before we set off to the Yorkshire Dales, we packed an abundance of warm clothes and winter kit to prepare us for the chilly-3 degrees predicted for the weekend. 

We set up our tent at the ‘lovers leap’ camping pitch located on Horton In Ribblesdale’s campsite (A fantastic campsite; cheap, very welcoming owners, turn up and pay 

My first winter camping experience 

Sunday 27th October

A few hundred meters from the Pen-Y-Ghent summit

We woke up early to the pitch-black sky (the clocks went back), munched some porridge and brioche rolls down and got ready for our adventure. We had our head torches on full to create us a lit path towards the first peak of Pen-Y-Ghent.

 

The first summit (Pen-Y-Ghent)

The first section up to Pen-Y-Ghent was so peaceful and beautiful as we were the first footsteps on the lightly covered snow. It really was a magical first hour; snow, clear and lovely route to Pen-Y-Ghent.

We were well above the 12 hours predicted pace for the challenge and summited Pen-Y-Ghent in just under an hour (including my photo stops).

We didn't hang around for too long at the summit though as it was rather bleak and exposed. The section towards Ribblehead was sheltered along the valley which meant we could get into a rhythm and quickly get a few more miles under our belt.

Traversing Ribblehead viaduct up towards Whernside (Peak number two)

After a quick snack stop, we continue towards Whernide where we began to meet civilization (lots of walking groups going to the summit of Whernside).

Catherine at peak number two (Whernside)

It was a gradual but long climb towards Whernside; we were both glad to get this peak out of the way as we seemed to be going up for hours.

The descent off the top of Whernside was quite technical in places with a number slippy eroded paths.

The unexpected scramble for Catherine  

We couldn't believe how fast and comfortable we were making it around the route; two summits ticked off and just one more to get up (arguably the hardest one at the end due to the steep scramble).

We made it up the scramble, wrapped up warm and powered up to the final summit of ingleborough (HORRAY).

The final summit of Ingleborough

The final section was all downhill back towards Horton In Ribblesdale. All we were thinking was a nice warm shower and a pub meal from the village. Even though I was constantly snacking it just didn't stop my stomach from rumbling!

The descent towards Horton In Ribblesdale overlooking Pen-Y-Ghent

All in all, It was a brilliant day for the Yorkshire Three Peaks; we comfortably made our way around injury free and had a lovely time up all three peaks!