“I EXPECTED a walk not a rock climb!”
That was the comment from one of my fellow walkers after completing the toughest part of the HACK (Hike Against Cruelty to Kids) – a gentle scramble along the cliff-face of Black Hill in the Peak District.
I would have to agree.
The going got a little tough in the middle of Saturday’s walk as we made our way single file along the Pennine Way, with stunning scenery several hundred metres below to our left.
I managed just one stumble, going over on my right ankle, but thankfully not snapping it.
Just in front of me a man in his sixties fell on rocks and had to be helped up. He dusted himself off and kept going.
It was humbling to see the many grey-haired walkers like him making their way along the arduous route.
On and on we went through the Peak District, with hundreds of walkers behind and in front.
At every bend I yearned to see the luminous jackets of the NSPCC volunteers which would indicate we had reached the second checkpoint for a guilt-free sitdown and a quick banana.
But each twist in the mountain path just revealed more walkers up ahead.
Then finally the Crowden pit-stop emerged in the distance.
As someone who grew up in Northern Ireland, it was the first time in my life that I had been happy to see a checkpoint.
I plonked myself down next to the ambulance to catch my breath.
Only 11 miles to go now, I was cheerfully informed.
