Some miles matter more Walk alone, with confidence

For wheelchair user Paul Smith, the thought of reaching the top of some of the UK’s iconic summits seemed impossible… until he met #walk1000miles challengers Claire and Darren Woodall.

WALK 1000 MILES HAS always been a force for good as much as for fitness – and what better example than husband and wife challengers Darren and Claire Woodall from Lincolnshire? The couple recently pulled together a team of 16 to help their cerebral palsy-suffering friend Paul Smith reach the top of the Lake District’s Blencathra (2848ft).

Paul’s condition affects his speech and movement, meaning outside the home he travels around in an electric wheelchair, and inside on hands and knees. Yet Blencathra isn’t the first peak the 53-year-old has summitted.

Inspired by photos of Darren and Claire’s trips to the hills, Paul told them he’d love to look across mountain ranges and into valleys with his own eyes. A year later, a group of 31 helpers – armed with a borrowed off-road wheelchair, ropes and harnesses, and a T-bar to help push and stabilise the chair – pushed and pulled Paul right to the top of Snowdon.

“Before the trip we did a recce, and took pics of the route and any obstacles we may encounter,” explains Darren. “We set up a system where Paul’s wheelchair was securely anchored to six pullers and two pushers at all times.

“It’s hard work – you need a few in the team with mountain legs that can power up the hills. You also need people to carry the extra food and water. And if possible there should be one person at the front to guide the chair, direct the pullers, and ask other hikers to stand aside if the path is narrow.”

Once on Snowdon’s summit Paul manoeuvred himself on his bum up the final steps to the trig point. And so elated was everyone with the achievement they planned another trip up Blencathra. This time Paul was able to leave his wheelchair and walk the final few paces to the summit.

“The atmosphere was incredible – the team are a great bunch,” said Darren. “We know the reason we’re sweating our bits off is because we can enjoy the mountains and escapism at any time we choose, whereas for others it’s not as simple as putting your boots on.

“It not only fulfilled Paul’s dreams, but left all concerned with a feeling of happiness in helping someone see such wonder and beauty.”

From the top of Blencathra, the peak of Skiddaw was visible – and this will be the next target for Mark, Claire, Darren and their committed team of helpers.

Author and podcaster

Holly Worton tells us how she went from fearing companionless hikes to embracing these life-enhancing adventures. Solo walking is great because it can help us step outside our comfort zone, which in my experience, creates a ripple effect in other areas of life. It can help us let go of our fears and be bolder.

Walking helps us know ourselves better: we find our own pace, focus on our feelings, and make better decisions in our lives.

I wasn’t always a confident solo walker. I remember hiking alone on a mountain in California when I was a teenager and checking my back every few minutes to make sure I was truly alone.

After I moved to the UK, I felt much safer on the trails, yet that fear was always there. I would look behind me often, and whenever I crossed paths with a lone man, I’d turn around to make sure he’d continued on his journey and wasn’t waiting to double back.

My fears were unfounded; nothing has ever happened to me on a trail, anywhere in the world. And the more time I spent alone in the woods, the more comfortable I felt. I just needed to get out there and put in the miles as a solo walker. It’s liberating.

Three ways Holly stays confident when walking alone…

• I always tell someone where I’m

planning to go.

• I stay alert and never listen to music (unless it’s on bone conduction headphones so I can hear what’s happening).

• If I’m on a linear walk I take photos of the signs and text them to my husband, so he knows where I am on the route.

Holly Worton has written several books about her solo walks, including Alone on the South Downs Way. She also has a podcast called Into the Woods about personal growth through outdoor adventures. www.hollyworton.com