In 2006, my partner and I walked Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast from the Irish Sea to the North Sea. This was the second long-distance path that we had done, and was more than twice the distance of our first (The West Highland way is 96 miles, the Coast to Coast is 192). My partner at that time was studying medicine at University, while I was volunteering with the local vegetarian group. The Dr Hadwen Trust seemed a perfect charity that would support medical research, without compromising our ethics on the treatment of animals. Nine years on, a marriage, and three kids later, I am desperate to once again don my pack and hit the hills. Last year, I managed a day's hike along the Pennine Way (between Littleborough and Hebden Bridge) walking barefoot. The feeling of the peat moors and the grass on the feet was really liberating. So my challenge is to complete the Dales Way without shoes. My only concession will be a pair of Xero shoes (barefoot-style sandals) for walking on gravel and roads.

The Dales Way is a 78 mile Long Distance path from Ilkley to the shores of Lake Windermere. It has been described as a good entry for those starting on their first long-distance path. This will be my third long distance path, but the first I have done barefoot, and carrying all of the camping equipment alone. I think the biggest challenge will be carrying all my food for the week to ensure I get some tasty vegan food each day.

Thank you to everyone who gives a little, or a lot. Thank you to everyone for sharing my page. And thank you to all who have supported me in the madness of training barefoot in puddles, in bogs, in stinging nettles (ouch!), and not laughed!

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