23 or 16 miles from Askrigg in North Yorkshire, via Stalling Busk, Thoralby, Aysgarth Falls, Castle Bolton, organised by LDWA Nidderdale Group
The first time we did this event, three years ago, it had snowed heavily the night before and many people didnt turn up, although the weather on the day was brilliant. Last year we decided to drive up the night before and sleep in the car in case it snowed overnight. Surprisingly, we overslept and only just checked-in in time. This time we risked one of those 5.30 a.m. starts from Leeds and, as the drizzle showed no sign of abating, nor of turning into snow (which is much more fun) I wondered if it would be worth it.
The first time we did the route there was fresh snow under foot, fantastic views and a good set of footprints to follow! On subsequent occasions the weather has been rather unpleasant. This time, after a couple of hours of uncertainty, it decided to go for full-blown rain. There was a grim, damp view of a soaked-looking landscape from the track above Stalling Busk, but I decided that if the route was done in reverse, in summer, this section could actually be quite pleasant.
Hot soup and cakes in Thoralby are always welcome after the long trek over the moor. The next section, over the valley bottom, is sheltered but then, as you rise up the other side to Castle Bolton and turn to face the wind, it gets really unpleasant. Each year I have done the event this section has been worse than the last time. The rain was turning to horizontal eye-stinging sleet and hail, and it was a struggle to make progress. Soaked through, I only kept warm by forcing myself to continue at a jog into the biting wind. It was gruelling (I was completely gruelled), but knowing the route was a bit of a help, because I knew that the last checkpoint, at Heugh (how do you pronounce that?) could not be far off, and I would be able to turn out of the wind and descend back down to Askrigg.
The weather continued to get worse and I pitied the slower walkers who must have had an even more unpleasant time. The first year I did the Wedge the views of the dazzling snowy landscape were brilliant but, if the weather is as cold and windy next year, I will have to have a serious think about whether I want to do this event again!