The second day of my challenge was definitely the toughest. My feet had picked up some blisters on day one which swelled up over night. It was a long day…
What is Stafford2Snowdon?
In June 2024 I took on a huge hiking challenge, Stafford2Snowdon. A nice little one hundred and eighty mile trek crossing through the English and Welsh countryside, including a combined elevation gain of 28,000. I took it on to raise funds for Mind, and some awareness of mental health issues.
It took me nine days to complete the challenge, but lets get into how day two turned out. Making my way from Audlem to Whitchurch.
Brisk to start, maybe too brisk
The second day of the challenge was a big one, twenty four miles in the end which took me the whole day! My legs were feeling the 32 miles I had done on day one, although I was full of determination starting the day.
The last miles on the Shropshire Union Canal
There was only a few miles to starting following the same canal path which had been the majority of day one. I could have followed it to Nantwich but I found some public footpaths that joined up the the Llangollen Canal with a little cut through.
It was a wet damp morning but conditions became more unsettled throughout the afternoon with blast of beautiful sunshine and patches of thunderstorms passing over. Where do you go when you are on a canal path when there is lightning. Trying to stay away from the water but away from trees to isn’t the easiest on the narrow paths. I did however peg out my hiking poles away from me as I tried to shelter a little from the storm. Probably wouldn’t have done much and I’m glad that I didn’t find out if it would have worked to divert any bolts.
Wild Canal Paths
The canal paths were passing through more towns in the afternoon and became much more walkable for quite a stretch. Passing through Whitchurch I felt like I was making good time. I had kind of forgotten about me feet hurting stopping for a quick snack but not detouring from the route.
A little break had a big effect though. I still had a fair few miles to go and my legs were getting really tired. The skies were just grey with showery spells, at least it wasn’t cold.
I did make one last little stop, even added a bit of elevation to a rather flat day by heading up some steps to this view point. The mammoth tusks intrigued me
Getting darker and getting wetter for the last four miles
As it started to rain more, the sun seemed to be escaping the skied a little bit earlier than expected.
The canal paths were also starting to get wilder again, it was a long slog. Reaching the campsite after dark was not the best. I had spoke to them on the phone so I was prepared for a self check in but it wasn’t the easiest in the wet dark.
There was a big barn which I sat in for a little while winding down and eating before setting up camp. In hindsight I might have had an easier night if I had just snuggled down in the barn but hindsight is a blessing.