I’ve just returned from completing the Leukaemia Research London Bikeathon. The cycle follows the Thames for 52 miles in a round circuit. It was a good challenge and it was great to see so many people raising money for the cause.
Its only 5 days until I leave for my trip this summer. I have finally worked out my GPS and uploaded the Sutherland Trail onto it. I have currently only planned the first 24 hours of the trip. This being to walk from Lochinver to Suilven where I will camp on the east peak. After that first night I am not completely sure what I will be doing but will try to update you as I work it out!
I’m sure you have head me go on about it before but can you please look out for a Satellite phone that I could borrow or rent for this trip.
Just under two weeks to go until I leave to begin my summer away. I have scout camp in Macclesfield for a week (24th-31st), which should be good fun, and I might get to sneak off to the roaches for a bit of climbing. From then on I’ll be on my own, a couple of days to travel up to Aviemore then I have a climbing development course at Glenmore Lodge. After this course hopefully all British climbing will be open to me so I am looking forward to many future-climbing trips. From Aviemore I am travelling to Loch Inver on the north west coast to begin the Sutherland Trail.
I’m currently trying to figure out GPS systems and Memory-Map to set the routes for the Sutherland Trail. After getting completely lost on Friday I resorted to getting a book ‘GPS the easy way’. I’m hoping that I will have fully got to grips with my new toy before I leave. A major problem at the moment is that I need to hire or borrow a Satellite Phone (if you have one please contact me francis.Charlesworth@hotmail.co.uk) I can’t find one anywhere!
I finish school on Friday and work the following Thursday. Thereafter I’m free to get into the hills and get some good mountain experience.
On another note I have a 52-mile cycle this Sunday (19th) in aid of Leukaemia Research. They cycle goes along the north side of the Thames and then back on the south side to the start/finish line on the Thames Barrier. I have been training a little but not loads so I'm not entirely confident!
If I don’t update my site before I depart, I hope you have a great summer whatever you have planned to do!
The North Downs Way was a bit of a mini epic! Starting off on Easter Monday I set off with all my kit and tried to make fast progress however the crowed paths made the going slow. The first night was spent in the garden of Tanners Hatch YHA. It was a pretty peaceful night as I was the only one camping there.
The following day most people were back at work so I managed to make good progress to Downe Scout Activity Centre where I spent the night in the Crew Hut. The day was another scorcher and with all my kit it took quiet a lot of effort to complete the 25-mile day.
Wednesday was spent at Gatehouse Wood Touring Park. This was a bit close to the M20 and M26 for my liking as it was very noisy. Then I was on to Dun Street Farm Camping. The weather was beginning to turn and there were storms and heavy rain forecasted for the Friday. I decided I would press on and finish the route on Friday.
The rain was hammering down as I walked along above the Eurostar Terminal in Folkestone looking for the 'White Horse' as a marker as to how far I had left to go. When reaching it I went into 'head down marching mode' until I turned the page in my guide book and saw I had a further 15Km to go so fell into a mindless wonder along the white cliffs. As coming down the final cliff I managed to fall over for the first time only 2km from the end.
I finished in central Dover at the water fountain in the town square. 4 1/2 days 125 Miles!
I have recently spent a week at the Kent Mountain Centre developing my leadership skills and getting experience working in the outdoors with highly qualified instructors. I helped lead on Tryfan N ridge, Gorge Walking, Climbing and Kayaking/Canoeing. It was a very useful week as I learnt from the instructors and teachers their leadership styles.
I have finally finished putting together definite plans for my expedition this summer to Scotland. You can read more on the Summer Expedition 2009 page.
Having just finished my exams I'm hoping to get my climbing grade up before my course at Glenmore Lodge.
So, what has been happening in the world of Francis since the last post? Well, Slacklining is off the cards after I go shooed out of my local park by the PCSO’s and told I was not allowed to do it in any public place! I tried setting it up in the garden a while back but I can only attach it to a fairly bendy bush so its not too productive.
You will have seen Silent Disco London appear in my Sponsors page! I’m extremely grateful to Chas (the boss of Miracle Fruit U.K and Silent Disco London) for all his help. Silent Disco is a new phenomenon sweeping across Britain where music is played through wireless headphones, so when you take them off all you hear is everyone’s out of tune singing! Silent Disco London has featured at many events including the Science Museum ‘Late’ nights. They will be there on Wednesday (18th March) so pop along and have a unique experience! (Over 18’s only and free entry!)
Regarding climbing I’ve been spending a lot of time at Arch bouldering wall recently and this morning I was up at Castle climbing wall. I’m slowly progressing up the grades. My focus recently has been a cycle of 52 miles, which is coming up soon in aid of Leukaemia Research. I’m trying to get back on my bike however it seems that to have a good training session I need to cycle for about 3 hours! The cycle is on the 19 June through Central London.
My plans for Easter are to complete the North Downs Way –131miles. I have a new tent from The North Face (http://www.thenorthface.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=10429&storeId=207&langId=-1&catalogId=10201&parent_category_rn=11750). It sounds sad but I’m pretty excited about trying it out on the trail.
I am putting a set of questions and answers together for the website so you can find out a bit more about what I think about climbing, life and a few pointless things
Just another short post to keep you up to date. Not allot has happened since the last one! (I seem to write that in each post)
One thing new is Slacklining! The art/sport of crossing some webbing suspended above the ground! I’m planning to set up one high and test my nerve!
I’ll add some videos and pics as soon as I have some good ones.
Hey,
Just a small note about my presentation last night!
I made a presentation to the Chislehurst Districts Duke of Edinburgh’s Group, not many people there, in fact 7! It was a good presentation and went without any problems! See the photos!
Hey!
Well to begin with, sorry not to have written on here since I got back! So where to begin, India was amazing! By far beyond what I expected and I wish that I was there for longer. I am now back at school and all the excitements that that brings. A-levels...
A lots happened since the last post but I can't remember what! Life seems to have just continued in its usual form. I know I keep saying I'll write on here more but this time Ill try harder! "If at first you don't succeed..."!
Not long to go now!
After getting my visa finally sorted out after slight 'disagreements' in the Indian Embasy it has finaly begun to sink about my forthcoming expedition.
According to the Indian Embasy, it seems more then likely I will be kidnapped whilst out there! Lets hope that I get rescued before the Embasy's find out or I'll be stuck for years the speed they work at!
I tried to pack all my kit today, but realised how much there was to pack and so decided to put it off untill the weekend, as usual! The biggest problem I curently have is trying to keep the weight down to under 15Kgs. I think certain items such as soap and a toothbrush might get left out as these are rarely used at home let alone on expeditions!
After a shoping trip i have been testing out my new kit including a "Buff"- a sock shaped piece of cloth with a hole at each end. I spent a long time testing out new ways to wear this odd piece of kit, and finally descovered its best worn as a hat!
The other dilemma I currently face is cloting sizes! Having grown out of kids sizes I have been looking in adults but they all seem too big! I think that companies should invent a 'kids/Adult' range for people like me that don't quiet fit into ether!
I'll be posting a few more updates before I depart for India so watch out for some more lame and unintresting posts!
HelvellynLake District U.K.
On Tuesday 19th Feb 08 I climbed Helvellyn U.K. It was a fairly easy climb with a well marked out path to the summit. The route to the summit was busy but it was good training for the unclimbed 6000m peaks waiting for me in Ladakh.
The climb took around 4 hours and I think we got the first sunny day of the year, so allow an extra hour if weather is bad! There were a few icy patches as we got higher up and there were a few scary moments slipping into other climbers! The views were amazing and by the time I got back down the river looked very inviting even with the ice floating by.
Whilst testing out my new ice axe upon the icy river banks I tried to hop across the river using my ice axe as an anchor on the other side. After previously testing the strength of the ice, close to river, I took a tentative step closer to the river as I plunged my axe on the other bank the snow from under my feet gave way and I ended up in the freezing river!
'The sea's only made up of drops!'
Keep Climbing
Francis