By Meg Collington
The 9 Edges Challenge started when I met Chloe Montgomery at an OAG hike in January 2021 and we instantly hit it off. She spoke about having done the 9 Edges hike before and I said it sounded good so we decided to organise a Facebook event through OAG for it.
I absolutely love being outdoors and I wanted a challenge…I started hiking again in December last year after starting medication for POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and getting my symptoms under control. When I finally got my energy and fitness back, I ventured outdoors.
I organised some training hikes in the run up to the challenge and hosted one every week in the four weeks running up to the challenge:
1. The Roaches, Luds Church and Hen Cloud on Saturday 12 March – 10 miles which took us 6 hours in total
2. Chrome Hill and Parkhouse Hill (aka the Dragon’s Back) on Saturday 19 March – 8 miles and took us 5 hours in total
3. Dovestones Reservoir and the Trinnacles on Saturday 26 March – 12 miles which took 7 hours in total
4. Kinder Scout via Jacob’s Ladder from Edale on Saturday 2 April – 16 miles which should take us approximately 8 hours
We completed the 9 Edges Challenge on Saturday 9 April with a total of 23 miles which took approximately 11 hours. The hike consisted of points such as Derwent, Stanage, Upper and Lower Burbage, Froggatt, Curbar, Baslow, Gardom’s and Birchen edges in the Dark Peak.
Next, I’m thinking of doing the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge, climbing Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis (the UK 3 peaks) but next time I don’t think I will make it a challenge so I can enjoy them instead!
Blog by Megan Collington @waddupmeg
