Rush hour in Vietnam

Preparing for your Trek

Get the most out of your charity trek
Prepare properly for your trek with our top 10 trekking training tips.
Treks can vary enormously in terms of daily distances, ascent, descent and altitude, but all require specific preparation to ensure you get the maximum from your trekking trip. Our 10 trekking training tips — including advice on trekking equipment, nutrition, hydration and specific trekking training — will help you prepare correctly for your trek so that you're not left nursing blisters and sore legs after the first day.

Start your trekking training early
Even if your planned trekking trip is 12 months away, it’s never too early to get started on your trek conditioning program. Look to build your strength and fitness gradually, giving your body time to adapt to the new demands that you are placing on it. That way you can enjoy your trek training and avoid risking injury by trying to do too much too soon.

Choose the correct footwear for your trek
Good quality and appropriate footwear for your trek and your walking training is essential. A supportive hiking shoe with ankle protection is important but beware of ankle cuffs that are too high as they can irritate the achilles tendon at the base of your calf. Look for an ankle cuff that is scooped away at the back. Make sure that your trekking boots are thoroughly broken in and your feet have bedded in — the time for blisters is now, not during your trek. When purchasing your boots, try to shop in the afternoon when your feet have expanded slightly so that you get the correct size.

Don’t forget your walking socks
With plenty of footwear focus, it’s easy to forget about the best type of socks to wear. The right boots with the wrong socks will ruin your tekking trip so when trying on boots, wear the same socks that you intend to use for your trek. Look for materials such as Coolmax that has sweat wicking properties or consider the new Gore-tex range that wick sweat away but are also waterproof.

Build leg strength with gym work
Leg strength will be key for your trek so in addition to walking training which will strengthen your legs, try and include either gym exercises such as leg presses and weighted squats, or lunges and bodyweight squats.

Build your walking training
Walking training will be the foundation of your training program and it is important to build steadily towards the sorts of distances that you will be doing on your trek. Initially, intersperse training days with rest days but as your fitness improves, look to include some ‘back-to-back’ training days, which will more closely replicate your actual trek.

Train on similar walking terrain
Walking training is essential but it is also important to try and mimic the conditions that you will experience as closely as you can. Try and train on similar terrain to that of your trekking location. For example, for a trek that includes mountain climbing, try some weekend scrambling as part of your training. Also, practice in the same footwear and clothes and experiment with a loaded backpack — it makes a big difference to your speed over the ground.

Practice using your backpack
It’s likely that you’ll be carrying items such as food, drink, spare clothing and possibly more, so your choice of backpack is important. Look for models with adjustable chest and waist straps so that you can position it correctly on your back and also with external compression straps so that the load doesn’t shift. More specialist types have removable bladders for liquid consumption on the go, but remember that water and washing facilities may be limited, so sterilisation may be difficult. Practice using your backpack (loaded) as part of your training so that you are used to the weight and position.

Use walking poles
Walking poles make a big difference to your trek. Lightweight and telescopic, they ease the load on knees and thighs on descents and give you ‘two extra legs’ on steep climbs. They can also be used to help clear vegetation and have numerous uses in a campsite. Definitely one to try.

Hydrate yourself frequently when walking
Whether you are in a hot climate or not, your fluid requirements will increase significantly when trekking. Losses on the breath and from sweating will serve to reduce your blood volume, resulting in your heart having to work much harder. By the time you feel thirsty you will already be dehydrated so try and drink small, frequent quantities of water throughout the day. Carry out the urine test to monitor your hydration: a pale straw color indicates that you are well hydrated, anything darker means that you need to drink more.

Fuel your trekking
Similarly to hydration, your energy requirements will increase whilst you are trekking. Aim to eat small, frequent meals and snacks on the go to maintain energy levels. Depending on the part of the world, your favourite snack-type foods may not be plentiful, but fruit is frequently available which is easy to eat on the move and excellent for an energy boost. During your training, experiment with eating ‘on the go’, so that you get used to the feeling of food in your stomach when you are trekking.

Fit to trek
The fitter you are before you depart, the easier your trek will be. You will have spent a lot of time, effort (and probably money too!) to get to your trekking location, so it makes sense to get the most out of your trip by being in good shape and having suitable kit. By following the tips above, not only will you be well prepared for possibly a trip of a lifetime but you’ll get so much more out of your trekking experience.

300km Bike Ride - Morocco- High Atlas to the Atlantic Ocean

Winter Toubkal

We've just returned for yet another amazing Winter Mt Toubkal Trek, the conditions were sweet and we couldn't have ask for a better snowpack. Summit day the sun shone with no wind what so ever and if you've ever been to the High Atlas Mountains you'll know the wind can blow pretty hard at times, which is what happened on day 2 when attempting Quankrim summit. Unfortunately we had to retreat from the summit early but it was certainly a blast trying, with strong winds of 40mph + it felt like Arctic conditions.

So now it's to wait until the end of 2015 until we head out for yet another Winter Moroccan Epic Adventure.
We have now been running trips to Morocco for over 5 years, working with the same team through out, If your looking for a true Moroccan experience with super friendly local stuff then give us a shout and I hope to see you in Morocco soon.

Nothing By Halves and Adventurous Ewe

Who's looking for a new challenge in 2015.
We have heaps of new challenges happening here at Adventurous Ewe.
You join our 3 Peaks Challenge which runs all summer long and is most popular mountain challenge in the U.K. The 24hr challenge is a tough one and a great way to raise money for charity or as a corporate event.

Another exciting challenge we have is the Nothing by Halves 12 challenge in 12 months, you join Jess and the team raising money for Diabetes UK, Tusk International and NGH Dementia Fund.
There doing a huge amount of exciting challenges from climbing Mt Toubkal  to the Snowdon Challenge for a full list of the challenges with Nothing By Halves follow the Adventurous Ewe Link

Don't forget to check out our new Scottish Challenge the Sea2Summit this truly amazing challenge starts in Inverness, cycling 65 miles through the Great Glen with stunning views of the Scottish Highlands all before you climb Ben Nevis the highest and most stunning summit views in the U.K.

Only 4 days to go !

Check out Andy Gardiner's blog below as he prepares for his biggest challenge to date.

http://disabledgolfer.weebly.com/blog

My Sahara Diary. The Dimise of Gary #4

Camp broke and off we went.  It was Anita’s birthday and instead of the camels setting off we walked with them, which was really nice.   A bit further on and as a birthday treat for Anita, we were allowed - if we wanted - to ride a camel.   I had said to Annais, my daughter, that I would have my picture taken on a camel.  Chris and the others in the team stated that I had to ride it as well.  There was nothing I could do but comply.  Petrified, I felt the camel rise.  Firstly forward and then backwards then off you go.  All I could do was remember what Harry had said, ‘don’t put yourself at risk’.  Looking down, I knew if I fell I would definitely break something.  So I held on and eventually relaxed and quite enjoyed my little self.  You could see so much more on a camel.

Everyone who wanted to took a turn and the day, even though hot, was not as windy and the ‘trek’ continued.  We had a break and Mammon had a bag of oranges for us to eat.  I normally don’t like to get the peel in my fingers but I put that to one side and really enjoyed the fruit, giving the peel to the camels.  Being covered up was the right thing to do and I enjoyed the walk even though it was quite a while before we stopped for our lunch.  The guides took the camels to a well nearby and surprised us by bringing water back so that we could all have enough water for everyone to shower.  I will never ever forget how refreshing it was to wash my hair and have a strip wash under the moonlight.  You could have packaged that feeling and sold it for a fortune at Christmas.  I knew now why it was so important for me to be there and how ‘water’ is an essential that everyone needs and should not go without.  That evening we again sat on a dune and watched the sun go down.  It was heavenly.

The demise of Gary.  Eid was the festival that the guides were celebrating.  It goes back to the Old Testament when Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son.  Abraham showed his love for God and he was about to kill his son.  God told him that his faith and love had saved his child and he was now to slaughter a sheep instead.  Gary died and the guides shared their festival with us by sharing their meat and their company with us.

Anita then had a surprise.  One of the guides made her a birthday cake.  They made a pizza-like dough and cooked it in the coals of the fire and then topped it with jam, apple, cinnamon and cheese.  They asked Lolly to spell her name and, although when they brought out the cake, Amelia thought it was topped with anchovies, it was actually piped on chocolate.  We all were touched by their kindness and thoughtfulness.  A singsong then proceeded with the guides and then the Brightly Hodges family doing their family song.  I can’t remember when I had laughed so much.  An early night was needed as we were going to get up at 4am and walk to a really high dune and greet the morning.

Under the stars and again tucked up nice and snug but still with my ‘keep me safe prayer’, 4 a.m. arrived and up we all got.  Nick lent me a torch, as I could not find mine (useless).  He was a really kind person and it was lovely to see how he and Amelia were so happy with each other.  Off we went into the darkness.  Another adventure and some new challenges in front of me.  I knew I would struggle.  The dunes in complete darkness are a bit like the sea when it’s on a turn.  Respect is needed and fear is not to be shown.  I was respectful enough but I was pushing myself too hard and failing hugely.  All of a sudden, I felt despair and wanted to cry as this was all a bit too much for me.  I thought everyone was in front and I was falling flat on my face.  All of a sudden Angie was behind me with Jim.  They both encouraged me as well as calmed me down.  I had my inhaler and I knew I had used it too much already but …  I still could not see in front of me but I had Angie and Jim at my side calming me down.  Slowly we went on and upward.  The dunes were getting steeper and I was not sure if I could do this.  I wondered what would I do if I fell and broke something.  But having Angie and Jim there I felt safe.  The huge dune loomed ahead of me, threatening my self-control to give way.  I got half way up and then I started to feel quite sick.  A case of too much inhaler steroids, fear and nothing in my stomach.  I sat down and said I could not go on.  My stomach started to go into the motions of being sick and I felt quite close to tears.  Angie pulled out an energy bar and asked me to eat it slowly.  I did and started breathing slowly as well which calmed me down.  All the team had made it and we were only half way up.  Angie asked me how old Annais was and I said 22 years old.  She said, ‘Why don’t you go 22 more steps and then, if you can’t go any further, we will stop’.  I agreed.  I was told later that I had fallen for the oldest trick in the book.  Jim then said why didn’t I stand in his footsteps and that way I would slow down and be able to catch my breath.  Between Angie and Jim I made it to the top and everyone clapped.  I was over the moon.  I thanked Angie and her reply was, ‘that was what friends were for’.  I was really touched.  On the way down I shed a tear or two just out of relief and pride in the fact I had made it.

In view of the stress of the morning, my asthma had kicked in so I was told to ride a camel for an hour, which I did.  I dismounted feeling much better although I focused on breathing and not speaking to anyone for quite a while.  It was getting really hot.  Jim said we would be another half an hour before we reached camp.  We knew by now that meant at least an hour if not more; it was two hours.  In the distance, we spied a tower and that was our destination; it seemed to take an age before we arrived.  Some of the team were struggling with blisters now.  I was called Ms. Boots as I had brought with me loads of Compeed, Savlon and Sudacrem, as well as mouthwash, antiseptic etc. etc.  When we arrived, the mats were taken off the camels and they were free to roam for a couple of hours.  Mint tea was served and then fresh salad, bread and of course the flies!!  We all sat in the shade and tried to relax.  Slumber prevailed for a while.

Nick, who was our camera man, had joked with Mammon that he could have his camera if Mammon gave him some coke.  Before we left camp, we were told his cousin would be going to a village by motor bike and when we arrived in camp, he would bring us all a coke.  We were all so excited at the prospect, it was like he had promised us the best thing in the world and at that moment in time it was.

We all packed up and off we went.  The pace was slower as the sun was still very hot and we were all quite tired.  Eventually we arrived at camp and with the promise of the coke we were all quite excited.  The camp was situated under some trees and it was very picturesque.  When we heard a motorbike arriving we were all like excited children waiting for Christmas morning.  The coke had arrived and tasted like honey. Then, as if like magic, the cook came out with donuts, chocolate spread and fig jam - mmm … plus we had a third surprise.  Water for a shower for the second night running.  Like I said, it was just like Christmas with that sense of magic in the air.  However, it was not magic in the air, it was mosquitoes!!!!

Ms. Boots came into action with a ‘jungle spray’ and an antiseptic pen that cooled down bites.  Poor Amelia was bitten all over.  That evening we had another singsong around the fire and Mammon's cousin had a lovely voice.  The Brightly Hodges declined to sing the family song so Chris took over and with Amelia and Lolly supporting on drums, the crowds were well pleased.  Angie’s camel guide then got Angie up and I joined them for the ‘wedding dance’.  It was a lovely evening.

We slept under the stars again but fortune was not shining on me that evening.  It had become damp and through the night I started with asthma; in the morning it was quite bad.  Angie suggested boiling hot water and a cloth to breath in and clear my lungs . It did help but I spent the rest of the morning on a camel and tried not to worry too much.  The team were quite concerned, so was I.

That afternoon, I was much better and was able to walk with the company again.  Most of the team had blisters and Angie and I farmed out the plasters and the antiseptic.  Mammon had a little oasis and some huts that had been built for ‘nutters’ who liked to trek across the desert.  He had said that he had bore hole in which we might be able to have a splash around.  The last bit of the walk was walking across a dried up riverbank.  This was a nightmare for the people who had succumbed to blisters.  Huge stones and pebbles and it seemed to go on forever.  Then at last we saw a settlement and that inspired us to put our best feet forward, damaged or not, and give it our best.  As usual, the distance from sight to actual was huge and we were all extremely tired.  The mats were placed in a hut that looked like a stable and we all lay down.  As usual, the flies followed us in and we seemed to be inundated with them.

Mint tea and then lunch avec flies was served.  Some of my friends were curious about the bore hole that Mammon had talked about and went in search of it.  They came back quite excited.  Mammon and his friends were filling up a tank that was made of some type of plasterboard.  I went in search of it myself and came back with Angie - both of us had decided to have a dip.  Anita, Amelia, Sheri, Chris, Nick, Lolly and Jim were already in the ‘pool’; the tank was pumping water in.  The only thing was, how could I get in?  Anita came up with the solution.  I stood on Angie’s knee, turned around and sat on the sill.  Chris then helped me into the pool.  With a great sense of satisfaction, I went under the pump and let water spray itself all over me.  It was exhilarating!!!!  We must have stayed in there for ages and then went back to the stable.  Most of the team were there and it was decided that the boys needed to sort out their blisters, as they could not walk on them.  I won’t bore you with the details but with the help of some antiseptic etc., their feet, including Jim’s, were sorted.  The sand dune called us for the usual ritual and the sun sank and bade us goodnight.

I had decided to sleep in the stable due to the night being cold but also a tad damp and I did not want to start having asthma again.  It was our last night in the Sahara and we had a lovely meal.  The camels had gone but the guides came back and we all tipped them as they had done a fantastic job of looking after us.

We had to get up early to drive back to Marrakesh.  Bags packed and everyone was in the coach.  Jim came round and handed me my sleeping bag with a sly smile.  Whoops!  Whilst we were leaving the camp,  it dawned on me that I had not put my bag in the coach.  I casually asked whether I needed to have put my bag in the coach or had someone done it for me?  I felt so stupid.  What was I thinking?  I have no idea but fortunately someone had picked it up and put it in the back for me.  There were some sarcastic remarks - all done with good humour, of course - I was so thankful no one could see me blush.  We all closed our eyes and peace resumed for quite a while.

The journey back to Marrakesh was uneventful.  The scenery was amazing and the driver drove so well we arrived in the city at around 4.30 in the afternoon.  We eventually found the hotel and the bags were collected on a trolley by a man who obviously had had a bad day as he was quite rude.  All the formalities were taken care of and rooms and keys were given.  I was sharing with Angie again so I was quite happy with that.  The pool was in front of our room, so I was keen to get my costume on and go for a swim.  No flies was the first thing I noticed and was very happy.  Trust me to go into the bathroom and take one of the fixtures off the wall.  I could not do anything but laugh and I swore Angie to secrecy.  The swim was invigorating and we all got dressed for dinner.

According to Jim, Marrakesh was quiet but to me it was really busy, coming from a quiet village in Leicestershire.  There were so many stalls and I found it quite intimidating.  You also have to haggle or barter for your goods.  Some of the people were quite rude.  I have never wanted to not get lost in a place so much.

My daughter Annais wanted a Moroccan light, so after Jim showed us where we would be eating, some of the girls went ‘shopping’.  Chris wanted a beer and Jim did not ‘do’ shopping if he could help it.  He once told me he used fairy liquid as shower gel.  The shop was just around the corner but he could not be bothered; a man thing I think.  We looked in quite a few shops and had a look at many different items of leather goods, pottery and, of course, glass.  My mother always kept me out of the pottery and glassware sections in stores and I do the same with Annais.  Things seem to happen and no one knows why….  I try to look and not touch, it is always the best policy.

Dinner was a delight and to everyone’s taste, mine included.

Sleeping in a bed was so nice although both Angie I slept in our sleeping bag liners.  A sense of peace and quiet came over me that evening and I fell fast asleep.  I awoke with a sense of excitement.  Showered, packed and ready for breakfast, I would be going home soon with so much to tell.  Breakfast was not like it was in the Sahara and I missed the quiet, the scenery and I must admit, the flies.  Daft as it may seem, they were part of a picture.  Every picture has a story to tell and without each piece the story would have a different tale.  The flies were part of a picture of serenity, wide open spaces, laughter, challenges, a sense of achievement and friendship, as well as making a difference to human beings who were not even aware of our existence.

Shopping had to be done but culture also needed to be part of the day.  A visit to the Kings Palace and the gardens was on the agenda and it was really beautiful.  The craftsmanship of the carvings and the mosaics that were on the floor, ceiling and walls was amazing and I would not have missed it for the world.

Amelia and Anita then went shopping for material for cushion covers.  They bartered and got the best price.  Nick and I looked on whilst Lolly did her own bargaining.  The lamp for Annais needed to be bought and Anita thought I ought to buy myself something as well.  So a-shopping we went.  Anita pointed out one shop and I went in.  Something caught my eye and as usual, I lunged for the item.  Unfortunately the item was at the back - some of the lamps lost their balance and fell.  The shop had been quiet.  Nick and Amelia made a quick exist.  Anita stayed put and smiled.  I apologized profusely to this very kind man who said he liked me and for me not to worry.  I found the lamp I wanted, bargained for the price, paid and left.  After that, I never ventured to touch anything again much to the relief of my friends.

Lunch was eaten and we were near to departure from Marrakesh.  Our bags were picked up and onto the coach we went.  Everything went like clockwork.  Into the departure lounge and on to the plane.  On the flight, what we had done and what we had achieved did not feel real.  I felt in a bit of a whirl.  A taxi picked us up and dropped us off back at Anita’s where it was coffee and muffins and off to bed.  Up, shower, brunch and onto the train.

Harry was meeting me with Bertie and I was so excited but why?  I felt like I had dreamt it all.  It was a joy to be home.  The last 10 days seemed to have disappeared.  Back home and back to work and I still had that same sense of bewilderment.