An LSBUD Adventure In The Peaks!
A few Friday’s ago, on the 19th of May, LSBUD employees embarked on a challenging 22km hike through the stunning Peak District. Before we could start the trek though, Sam and Laura did a marvellous job at keeping the hunger at bay for the adventure ahead by making a packed lunch for everyone, in the rain, under the little shelter a boot of a car can offer!
And so, accompanied by our 2 mountain guides from Peak Walking Adventures, Richard Tower and Rachel Bolton, we set off just after dawn from the picturesque Edale village in Hope Valley. We were now ready to take on 3 of the peaks: the notorious Mam Tor, and lesser-known Kinder Low and Grindslow Knoll.
The Long Walk begins
First on the list of summits to conquer was Grindslow Knoll, a lesser-known peak that offered stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Here, we encountered some of the steepest and most challenging terrain of the day, including a 1 hour 30 minutes, 750 metre ascent during some very wet and miserable weather. Luckily, our determination, encouragement and resilience kept the whole team going.
From here, we continued along the ridge towards Kinder Low, the second highest point in the Peak District. The trail was challenging, with plenty of steep ascents and descents, but the stunning scenery made it a joy to traverse. As we passed through fields of wildflowers, past babbling brooks, and over rocky terrain we steadily made our way towards our next goal just as the sun had started to peak out from behind the clouds.
After a few hours of hiking, we finally reached Kinder Low, where we paused to catch our breath and take in the panoramic views. Shortly after this summit, we found a perfect spot for a well-deserved rest, where we sat down to enjoy our lunch under some ginormous boulders and soak up the peaceful atmosphere.
The End is Near
The last leg of our journey took us up the imposing Mam Tor, also known as the ‘Shivering Mountain’. This short but steep ascent was not for the faint-hearted after already travelling 20km, but the breath-taking views of the surrounding countryside made it all worth it. As we crested the summit, the sun was now beating down on us, casting a warm glow over the rolling hills and valleys below. It was here that David (who had unfortunately gained blisters 5 miles ago) collapsed with a small glint of relief.
This was the final peak and as we gazed out over the rolling hills and valleys below, we all felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. The hike had been tough, but the beauty of the landscape and the thrill of the challenge had made it all worthwhile.
And so, with tired legs, sore feet, and happy hearts, we made our way back down to Edale village, where we could relax and reflect on our incredible adventure. The Peak District had proved itself to be a true gem of the British countryside, with its rugged beauty and breath-taking views. LSBUD had conquered it, one step at a time.
Click here to head over to our LinkedIn page to see even more LSBUD news: https://www.linkedin.com/company/linesearchbeforeudig/
