I’ve been inactive since my gold hunting exploits in Australia and I’m putting on weight and I’m very unfit. It concerns me greatly because the weight gain catapults me into the clinically obese bracket. Actually, I’ve been there at a lower level for quite a few years, so it’s wrong to say it’s catapulted me there, but I’m billowing.

I’m 72 now and I want to be able to carry on trekkin into the future, and I don’t feel up to it at the moment. In addition to which I’ve got a proper trek in late September with my nephew Daniel. We’re doing a ten day, high Alpine walk in the Vanoise region in France. It isn’t a social stroll. In my present state I won’t complete it. I may as well pack up if I don’t. Old bastard.

So.

I need to get fit and I’ve decided to do a new walk over the next five (and a half) days to trigger a continuing fitness commitment. It should be a good challenge, with my tent, food and drink on my back, until my sister Che arrives in a few days, and then I can reduce my load.

The red lined route above looks innocuous but it has a sting in its tail. It is 80 miles long and it climbs 22,000 feet over the ten highest peaks in the Yorkshire Dales. Another problem is that we are entering a new heatwave. However, I will do my best.

I took the train from Leeds this afternoon up to Horton in Ribblesdale, which is the start for me of the Yorkshire Dales Top Ten. The first of the ten is Pen y Ghent, waiting up above Horton. Brooding.

I love this part of the world. Nearly as much as the Peak District. On the way to the campsite I crossed the River Ribble, dramatically low with the present drought conditions.

Then on to the campsite.

And the tent was up in ten minutes.

It’s hot. I’m in a pub cooling down, and I’m going back to the tent shortly. I’ve brought some food with me, contributing to the 17kg in my rucksack. Toddlers’ cartons of purée and six cartons of baked beans for breakfasts. That should slim me down!

It’s difficult to get a signal up here so I’ll blog when I can.

This is me setting off this afternoon from our ouse.

I’ll be slimmer at the end.

Night night. X