Joss Naylor Challenge

You have to be over 50 to take up this particular challenge so my involvement was in a pacing / supporting role – although maybe a useful recce for 13 years time . After a few weeks of mixed weather ( it is after all school hols !) we were blessed with the most stunning days on the Cumbrian Fells. I was supporting Dave Say ( Work Colleague, BGR completer, 3 Peaks Yacht Race oficionado and all round good egg). The 48 mile route from Pooley Bridge to Wasdale had to be completed in under 18 hours ( Dave is 61 although i think we need to see his birth certificate to verify that one ). So, with a 17:30 schedule we set off at quite a lick from Pooley Bridge at 3am on Sunday. A brilliant shooting star lit the sky above Loadpot hill and then we were greeted with a fantastic sunrise that wouldn't have been out of place in the alps. Road support at Kirkstone and then Dunmail before the long stretch over Langdale and the rocky hills beyond. It was definitely one of the best days this year to be out on the hills and to top it off we met a certain Mr Naylor on Seatallan who then accompanied us over to Middle Fell and then onwards to the finish at his house in Greendale. As he set off from the summit i could hardly believe my eyes ... wooden walking stick in hand and bent double he hobbled down the hill at a hell of a rate ! Finishing in a time of 16 hours 30 minutes it was a job well done and a day to be remembered for a long time to come.

Chris Near