April Training Walk 2018

April Fools Up Sugar Loaf

I know it wasn't actually April Fools Day BUT!! . . . Monday 2nd April 2018 was not the nicest Easter Monday that we've seen. The weather forecast was not good for Abergavenny but there was the possibility that it might stop raining long enough to actually get some walking in to try and walk off some of the Easter Eggs!!

We all met up at the Llanwenarth Car Park in the mist and set off at a comfortable pace!! Its easier from there as the car has done a lot of the climbing!!

The mist was fairly thick but we skirted Cwm Trosnant and took the path to the south of Sugar Loaf. At the south-eastern edge, by Twyn Gwyn, we climbed the path to skirt the northern side of Sugar Loaf. The 'younger' members of the party forged ahead whilst this 'oldie' stopped occasionally to admire the view, wall-to-wall mist!!

We crested the western-most edge of Sugar Loaf where the path is much less distinct. Up until then we had been walking on a grassy (sometimes muddy and snowy) wide and clearly defined path. The way down towards the car park was now steeper, boulder-strewn with deep pockets of snow. The idea was that we took our time and placed our feet carefully. Sometimes ideas fail to become a reality!! We had all had a few slips and slides during the walk and one of us had earlier taken a sit-down unexpectedly! The steepness of the slope took one of the party by surprise and she descended quicker than she'd wished, twisting her booted ankle as she tried to halt. It was a scary time as she combatted the pain and we tried to find the least problematic descent route for her. Being a true tough ex-soldier she gritted her teeth (and saved us all the embarrassment of having to call out the  Mountain Rescue Team!) and limped her way painfully back to the car. Miraculously the mist lifted as we got nearer to the car park!! 

The following day she took herself off to be X-rayed but fortunately she hadn't broken anything. Its going to be a long road to recovery. Thank the lucky stars that she was wearing boots as I think anything less could have meant a break.

And the things I've learnt from this little episode?
1) Take your time & look where you're going.
2) Wear the right kit.
3) Be lucky!!

Do I think we were foolish walking that day? No because we had all the right equipment and it could have just as easily happened on a fine, clear day. Accidents happen - but maybe I'll stick to walking on the flat till my Walking Challenge is over!!! My thanks to my lovely friends for providing me with exciting training walks.