It is never a fail - it is only postponing a victory for a later date. Try and pack as light as possible next time. It will definately help at lot and make you feel more happy with yourself to. Great attempt. Well done
Awww, Lezley, poor you! That was properly grim, everything conspired against you. Thanks for being brave enough to post the vid though, it's a lesson to us all! Hope you got home and got warm quickly
The world loves a trier Lezley and you certainly did that Lass, it`s not so much the mud it`s everything getting damp and not being able to dry it out, it`ll be there when the weather picks for you to have another go at which we all look forward to, get a nice sweet brew down ya and chill for a while, Regards George.
Hi Lezley. I can sympathise with you. We were out in a local Country Park practising map reading and using our new h/h GPS. Trying to stand still on a muddy slope as we slowly went down hill on a mud slide. Gave up and went home after 30minutes. Best wishes George and Jane.
Nothing to be sorry about. It's nice to see a very honest lady who isn't trying to sugar coat a grueling hobby. On my last camp I stepped into a hole full of stinking mud and had to wash my clothes in the brook. I nearly turned back after that, so it's not just you. My wife, Heather was very impressed (as was I) and said there was no bloody way she would have attempted it. Keep 'em coming! Atb phil
not a fail Lezley !! the Mud !! gets you down , depressing start. ( i have failed too and know what its like . you met it Head on If the campsite was open or found a place to pitch .It might have been a chance to re pack and dry out ..but 1 night good. its only FEB !! Great effort !!the brandy ( you deserved it) !!! keep your spirits up we love youxx
Hi Lezley February may not be the best time for the Dales Way! I can see why you decided to give this one up. I've done this trip 4 times and never used the same route for the whole trip. (Wrong way out of Ilkley the first time!) Remember... mud is on the outside - fall in it, roll in it, walk through it - just take care taking off the waterproofs! Suggest that you plan better, get fitter, carry less and enjoy the walking. Carrying 40kg would cripple me! (About 15kg including water works for me... 1.5 tent, 1.2 pack, Sleep: 2.3 (winter) Cook and filter 1.6, Food 1.2, Water 1, waterproofs, mid layer - and lots of underwear!) You may find that walking with a partner helps... I've found that the down moments are such a challenge when alone! This year; Norwich to Ilkley (10.00). then Kettlewell campsite(fabulous!), Dent campsite (via Pennine Bridleway), Burneside (then train to Windemere and then Troutbeck bridge YHA (2 nights - hell of an uphill walk!), return train to Burneside and walk to Bowness. To my mind, long days are way better than long nights! (Although, I do walk alone! (Contrary to what Liverpool supports mindlessly chat and Billy Bigelow believes!)) Dales Way in May... Amazing!
Lezley, you are brilliant and your attempt at the Dales walk in such appalling conditions was incredibly brave! I bet you would have completed the walk if it hadnt been so treacherous underfoot and the camp site had been open. You are an inspiration to us walking ladies and maybe we should all get together sometime. Don't be hard on yourself.
I didn't see it as a fail. You kicked butt. Fell three times with 20kg on your back. Your a machine. Keep it up we are all rooting for you. Your still chuckling so good on you. 👍🏻. The mud always puts a dampener on things. Till next time I say. Stroll on when the mud jogs on. Atb. Still think your brave kinda cuckoo in a good way and got balls for giving it a shot 💪🏻
Defo Not A Fail Lezley you were unlucky with conditions under foot, May as well be walking on Ice as walking in that mud, There are many people here and I am one who admire your grit and determination, there are not many around who would solo wild camp let alone take on an adventure as you did at this time of year, you will succeed and you made the right call, I know that feeling having to call it a day its happend to me up on the carneddau mountain ridge, so you are not alone, if its not fun its not right, ultra lightweight gear would help but its very expensive, I hope you are ok after taking those falls, try again in the warmer weather, Take Care,Les.
At least you gave it a go !. Nothing worse than damp wet and cold conditions to drain the spirit. Hope you did not hurt yourself to much on your fall?. Thanks for sharing. ATB jim
Thanks for sharing this Lezley - shame about the conditions; it looked hard going in all that mud. Given me plenty to think about especially the how much weight to take in my backpack as I’m planning a 2 day walk in the Summer. Looking forward to your next one. ATB Mark 👍
Mark’sGoneWalking ! All I can say is if you can afford it get the lightweight gear, I sleep cold which is my biggest problem this is a 2 night jaunt that went well ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oGT5668oyus.html
When I saw Fail, Fail, Fail, I had to watch. BUT! IT'S NOT A FAIL". Its too much to ask sometimes. You showed common sense calling it a day. I felt for you and it's all been said in the comments below so I won't add. Just to say BLESS YOU! Still love you!!!! X
Most blokes won't carry a pack that heavy. You've got the guts and determination it's your pack weight that's letting you down. Not yourself. Aim for 11kg maximum for winter and a little Less in the summer. Atb Darren
Sorry to see you are leaving the trail but if you weren't enjoying yourself its probably for the best. Maybe try again in the summer when the ground should be dryer. ATB
Lezley you didnt fail if anything you will have won a lot of admirers due to your determination and grit. Those conditions and with that pack weight combined were making it twice as hard, if it had been dry i am sure you would have pushed on and completed your walk. There have been a few uploads these past weeks on youtube were other wild campers have had to head back home due to the conditions, some have been young males carrying less weight by far so dont be disheartened. Atb Bill.
No trip that you do then decide to cut short is a failure if you return with an more experience. Not known when to turn back is the problem. I think a lot of the trouble your having is with your pack weight. I have a video showing my kit I use on trips like the west Highland way. It's very light and one of the cheapest set ups you can buy for the money. It's not perfect and requires some knowledge to use but I'd say have look and adapt your own kit. Anyway good effort and I'm enjoying watching your videos.
Wow, brave to even attempt it in winter, and camping too! We did it in September last year and stayed in hotels - lugging all that gear around must be very hard work! You’ll do it next time! :)
It's the same in Pembrokeshire muddy muddy all over. Listen you did good. You was not feeling right about the pack, the condition of the walk. You did great 😂. Maybe when the weather is better you will try again. Well done mi friend. ATB
The weather was against you that day you gave it a go that's good enough thing's get more difficult as time goes by for me I can't do something's it takes an effort and i still consider my self fit.
Thats pretty grim conditions, that mud gets in everywhere, takes the fun out of it, maybe try again when the weathers better and it's dried up a bit. You did the right thing in stopping, if your not happy with things it's the safest thing to do, push on tired and on slippery ground and thats an accident waiting to happen. Regards Wayne
*On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at, On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at*. Hope that song cheered you up.......What an awful day and you make the sensible call, not a fail, just a postponement. I am the first one to admit I am a fair-weather camper and the only time I would consider another wildcamp, will be in the warm and dry weather. Kissing gates are deliberately made small for kissing.....I always insist on a 10 minute snog when me and Mrs MetalMan go through one! I hope you did not hurt yourself when you went over, but proves the point, in these (or any) conditions you need to take it easy, so easy to have an accident. I admire your spirt and respect your determination, you did not fait and you are not too old, you are sensible and I am sure you will be back in the warmer weather and do this. Cheers Alan
just go back and complete the walk in more favourable conditions lesley this walk is on my radar so look forward to the views if you go back and finish it
Oh dear Lesley, its a shame is that. Best going by your instincts, at least you had a crack at it. Least you know now how hard it will be, maybe have another try in the warmer weather doing a shorter distance. I take my fluffy hat off to ya. Take care. Jules
Great effort well done for trying, unfortunately everything was against you.You should try again, maybe later on in the year when the weather is nicer as the ground will be firmer and your pack would be a bit lighter. again well done
You made the right decision in the face of extremely adverse conditions. That's not a fail. That's using your brain. Put it down to experience and I'm sure you'll be able to take something worthwhile from it.
No fail in my eyes Lezley, muddy winter conditions and falling with a 20kg pack on is awful, dust yourself down and give it another crack when the weather picks up. atb Gaz
Mud, mud, mud all the way up to your hips. You are not to old, the conditions were against yo from the start. I am sure if you wait for some better conditions, get some time in short walks with your pack to get acclimated, maybe take a few things out, then give it a go again. Not a fail at all just a setback.
This was nail biting viewing, wondering at what point you'd decide to call it off. Having seen the puddles and mud at the start, I think everyone watching with walking experience would have been left wondering where the superpowers came from had you gone much further than you did. Still, this is impressive stuff with the overnight camp and hike continuing the next day.
Sweetheart, you remember that you have nothing to prove to yourself by pushing your enjoyment past its breaking point,as it'll just piss you off even further and put you off planning further long trips. You didn't fail so do not be downheartened, the place is a shitehole with mud, your source of information was wrong...and you obviously have a cold coming on too! Almost shit myself when you fell at the start. Chin up love...Head held high because you know that there are young uns who wouldn't even attempt what you were going to do. Wait for some drier ground conditions.
Nothing worse than humping a big pack in mud...go home and look at plan b maybe a shorter trail..tough time of year for LDW...have a big vino and just laugh about this me lovely big huggs x
What an ugly slog. I don't blame you for turning around; it was a swamp. This is not a fail. Common sense won. Keep on keeping on! There will be better days for sure. ☺
