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Thanks

Scott

Scafell Pike - Sunday 21st March

With less than 4 weeks to go we met up for our last walk at Wasdale Head campsite on Saturday night for camping before walking on the Sunday.

The campsite nestles under the Scafell mountain range at the head of beautiful Wastwater, the deepest lake in England, with its distinctive Nordic character and the pyramidal peak of Great Gable reflected in its waters.

This stunning place is attractive for its remoteness and utter peace, or was until we arrived! The real reason for camping there was not for the beauty though - instead for the fact that England's highest mountain Scafell Pike is within easy walking distance.

Saturday afternoon was gorgeous as you can see - this was the view from our tent.

We went to the pub for dinner, although I have to advise you that if you ever go there, don't go expecting to be able to watch the rugby (it was England v France!) or anything else on the TV as they can't get a signal under the shadow of Scafell Pike. Gutted was the word.....

After a top notch breakfast courtesy of John the hairy biker, a cob grill, Mark's bacon and me, we were off on our way..

The view looking back towards Wastwater just before we started to climb

At the top of the first rise.. these apparitions appeared

Views looking up towards Scafell pike

John posing for his blogger shot..

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Ian and Dave stopped for lunch before the final climb

It was hairy at various times getting to the summit and the trip back down was equally challenging, in hindsght I wonder whether we should have attempted it without the gear but we all came back safe.

It is hard to believe that we are away in less than 4 weeks, but the clock is ticking and this was a good final walk to set us up. The highest mountain in England done, but will it stand us in good stead for one 6 times higher, only time will tell...............

I can see clearly now....

Well that's it - I think I have got the last bit of kit I need - my sunnies for the climb and summit day! It feels a bit like the Marks and Spencers advert - these aren't just any glasses and all that....



Alison and John from On-Spec (www.on-spec.co.uk) sorted me out with some Adidas prescription sunglasses with all sorts of cool things like different lenses and a headband to turn them into a wierd sunglass/goggle hybrid. Just need the sun and this big hill to try them out now!

And if you have ever wanted any, well now you know where to go and tell them I sent you!

If it is good enough for Jack Bauer .........

Did you see 24 last night? Jack was using a laptop identical to the ones Dell donated! Now I am sure it is going to be alright, he is still alive after 7 series!!!!!!!

Songs for the mountain

The summit day (21st April) of the Kilimanjaro climb is up to 16 hours (dependant on a number of factors one being suffering from Acute Mountain Sickness).

As a group we have agreed we won’t use IPODs until this day. But Aaron has suggested we should ask for songs to play on the climb - here is what he has so far - so any suggestions gratefully received..

Ain’t no mountain high enough, by Diana Ross
River Deep Mountain High, by Ike and Tina Turner
Kilimanjaro by Johnny Clegg and Savuka
Down Down, by Status Quo
Stairway to Heaven, by Led Zeppelin's
Move any Mountain, by The Shamen
The only way is up, by YAZZ
Up on the Roof - Kenny Lynch
Reach for the Stars, by S Club Seven
The Climb, by Joe McElderry
Don't Stop me Now, by Queen
500 miles, by the Proclaimers
It's a Long Way to Tipperary
I've looked at clouds from both sides now, by Joni Mitchell
Moving on up, by M-People
Bluberry Hill, by Fats Domino
I'm Walkin, by Fats Domino
Living on the ceiling, by Blancmange
Walking back to happiness, by Helen Shapiro
Cold as Ice, by Foreigner
Don't let the sun go down on me, by Elton John or George Micheal
Knocking on Heaven's Door, by Guns n Roses, or Bob Dylan
Free Fallin, by Tom Petty
I Won’t Back Down, by Tom Petty
Higher Ground, by Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Sometimes you can't make it on your own, by U2
Half the World Away, by Oasis
What a Wonderful World, by Louis Armstrong
I Feel Good, by James Brown
I Can See Clearly Now, by Johnny Nash
Walking On Sunshine, by Katrina and the Waves
What A Feeling, by Irene Cara
Unbreakable, by Bon Jovi
Mountains, by Lonestar
Rocky Mountain High, by John Denver
Climb every mountain by Julie Andrews

Sleeping Bag sorted

A friend has just lent me his sleeping bag and a load of dry bags for the trip, so that hs saved me a couple of quid....Thanks Paul

Plane Tickets arrived today

Got the E Tickets for the flight today, cant believe that it is only 54 days to go....... getting closer slowly but surely.