THE MARSHALLS HARD AS STONE CHALLENGE
The concept
A challenge in three parts, a swim, cycle ride and Fell walk in a single day.
THE CHALLENGE
1) BUTTERMERE LAKE
The lake is beautiful with a footpath all the way around; it is surrounded by mountains and fed from numerous waterfalls. It is also between 1/3 and ½ miles across 60 feet deep and bloody freezing perfect for a morning swim.
2) HONISTER PASS
There is a variety of ways to the main road from the lake. The road from the Lake to Dale head is about 6k (4 miles) probably doesn’t sound like much, but this is Honister pass, a winding road that goes up and down, with mountain ranges on both sides. It is wild, windy and home to more than one or two sheep. This short cycle ride will terminate at the National Trust car park at the Slate Mine near Seatoller Fell.
3) DALE HEAD
Nicely warmed up? Good this is where the fun really starts. Dale Head is not the biggest or most well known mountain in the Lake District but at 753m (2,473 feet) it’s a bugger. I know I have walked up it. It’s a deceiving mountain, twice you will think you have reached the top you will be wrong both times but when you do the views are astounding (you can even see Ska Fell )
So that’s it. That’s all there is to it, the question is........are we up for it? Grant.
