My Golite Jam is leaking. Straight through the fabric. The seams are probably the only part of the rucksack not leaking. So when Earlylite proposed a draw for section hikers, with a Gossamer Gear sack as a prize, I looked at the rules to see if a protracted Munro campaign would qualify me. And very clearly, it wouldn’t.
So I set off from Clapham Station with my leaking pack. (Have you seen the price of new ones? Scandalous!) The pack worked well enough, despite the rain. The star, though, and remember that I had a new Trailstar to play with, was the Pennine Way, particularly the section from Hawes to Dufton. I hadn’t the time to continue on to Alston, but I doubt very much if the quality would have dropped on that high level section.
It was as I set off from Hardraw for the ascent of Great Shunner Fell that it dawned on me I was going to finish my present backpacking journey with just two stages of the Pennine Way to complete. I had section hiked from Horton in Ribblesdale to Edale during a walk from Heysham to Birchen’s Edge. I had walked from Sanquar to Melrose and on to Kirk Yetholm, where I picked up the Pennine Way and followed it as far as Greenhead. Now, my hike from Clapham to Appleby was using the section from Horton to Dufton. So I could have entered Philip’s draw. Here I was section hiking the Pennine Way and only belatedly realising it.
Of course, snobbishness had something to do with my lack of perception. I had always thought the Pennine Way offered lesser walking than Snowdonia or Scotland and that is true of some stages, for example between Malham and Hebden Bridge, but the stretch I mentioned above, Hawes to Dufton, is prime walking terrain. I had been missing out. My snobbishness means I’m also not section hiking Land’s End to John o’Groats except that finishing the Pennine Way, added to my days on Offa’s Dyke, would mean that I’ve completed a fair chunk of that route also. I wonder if Earlylite is planning another competition?
meallanliath 
I am sure he is. Till then keep hiking sections of trails and blogging great posts like that . Pennine Way is superb and do it in one go sometime.
Thank you, Martin.
I have done a number of sections of the Pennine Way. I been thinking of doing some more sections soon. Actually I think you are right – I have also been a bit snobbish about the Pennine Way wanting to go to the Lakes and Scotland instead. But it is a fine walk.
By the way and nothing to do with this post, but following on from your post about British Guitar Greats. This time just great guitarists. Have you listened to Dweezil Zappa’s latest live album ? – Return of the Son of – fantastic solos throughout.
Mark
Thank you for the information about Dweezil Zappa. I knew nothing about him other than his existence till your comment. It might be a while before I get round to buying any of his music though for two reasons. Firstly, I am supposed to be saving up to replace my ancient Mac Mini, which struggles heroically with the modern world’s demands. The second reason lies in the quantity of music I’ve bought but not listened to enough to know yet. Mind you, one play for Land of Cockayne, the Carl Jenkins CD issued under the Soft Machine’s name, might be about right.
Dweezil Zappa – is the son of the legendary Frank Zappa – check his work out at some time as well. I guess you would call it avant garde rock
Mark