On the 7th and 8th September, between midday on Saturday and midday on Sunday, a group of six from 1st Hazel Grove Scout Group took part in the annual Bullock Smithy hike. They were Ruth Sykes, Stuart and Kathryn Vernon, Iain and Karen Povey (my cousin and his wife who travelled from Carlisle to take part) and myself.
The hike, known to so many, involves hiking fifty six miles around the Peak District and checking in at thirteen check points along the way – starting and finishing in Hazel Grove. This annual event is in its thirty eighth year, and is run by our friends at 3rd Hazel Grove Scout Group.
The weather forecast at the beginning of the week was for heavy rain throughout, but in the end the weather was near perfect apart from a five minute shower at Furness Vale. As temperatures dropped during the night, ice was present on some stiles because there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. It was a beautiful clear starry night as we walked over hill and dale. The muscles and joints in our bodies slowly began to ache as the hike progressed, but it was all worth it as we all completed the hike between 8.30am and 9.30am on the Sunday morning.
The reward on completion was a full breakfast provided at 3rd Hazel Grove’s headquarters on Macclesfield Road.
All the check points were expertly manned with plenty of nourishing food and drinks which kept us going during the long night.
Congratulations must go to Ruth Sykes
as she was awarded the trophy for the Scout who finished the hike in the fastest time which was 20 hours and 37 minutes. What a great achievement Ruth, WELL DONE!
Peter Sidgwick.
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Brilliant effort, well done to all.
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