Fitful Head Rather Frightfull

Well did my first real test today climbing the highest point on the south end of Shetland, Fitfull Head, did a 10km circuit,highest point being about 1000ft, spectacular views from the top over Shetland.

But then the cloud base began to drop, it was a race down boggy ground, following steep sheep tracks trying to stay ahead of the descending mist.

made it in good time,1hr 50 Min's but will return on a better day, to really appreciate the views.

lots of sideways walking down steep slopes, and steep ascents into strong head wind, different muscles definitely got worked today,very sheer cliffs at route edge good practice for Nepal



Well that's it for today
Dave H

Oh yea forgot both supermarkets now confirmed for fundraising days
CO-OP SATURDAY APRIL 16TH
TESCO SATURDAY MAY 14TH

looking for volunteer bag packers for both days so if you can help me out leave me a message thanks alot

A Month Of Ups And Downs

well that's it the first month is nearly over,

MONTH 1 TOTAL 112.5 MILES COMPLETED IN 28HRS 37 MIN'S

FUNDRAISING TOTAL £1626.08

Many thanks to all those who have donated and supported me over the last month, even in these times of economic uncertainty your generosity has been fantastic.

My legs are getting stronger as is my desire to raise as much money as i can for this great cause,

Each Day new stories are revealed by members of the trekking group, check out my website http://www.shetland2everest.co.uk/ and their own individual sites to read Their stories in their own words
if you are feeling down or wondering what life's all about check them out, they are truly inspirational.(their permission was gained before being published)

Only 277 days to go to Everest, Hill walking is my goal for next month,I'm going to climb the highest hills Shetland Has to offer, to begin to build the muscles i will be stretching to breaking point while i am in Nepal


Fitful Head is one of Shetlands highest headlands and with its summit reaching 283 metres it has breathtaking views over the Quendale Valley below.

From Mavis Grind you enter a vast and magical landscape dominated by Shetland's highest hill, Ronas Hill (1475ft/450m), topped by a prehistoric chambered burial cairn. The summit has a sub-Arctic climate, with patterns created by freezing and thawing in the stony soils and some rare Arctic/Alpine plants.

 thanks for following my journey so far.

Best Wishes

Dave ( Dog tired) Hackett

Alone In The Dark

Weather for the weekend not looking good, so decided to go out walking tonight instead.
Dark, cold wet and windy just about sums it up, but having read the stories of some of the injured servicemen who joined the H4H trek today, i feel guilty about moaning. they all display such a positive mental attitude and put life back into perspective.

As i told one of the guys today i feel proud to walk alongside them, but being an aging overweight ex matlow i will probably be walking several miles behind them.But hopefully i will see them at the top!

Thanks again to the guys at the fire station for their donations today, you know who you are.
every penny counts and it is much appreciated.

cheers for now

On The Fundraising Trail

Me and Luke spent the day visiting family and friends with our collection tins, a big thank you to everyone who gave so generously,

Luke is my secret weapon how could you turn down that face!

Several more trekkers how joined our facebook group, 21 in total now, nearly all the places gone for the trek to EVEREST BASE CAMP

total group funrasing target is £115000, we are making good progress towards this thanks in no small part to the generous people of Shetland.

many of whom have had the mother of all hangovers over the last 24 hours but still found it in their hearts to help out.

Im glad my son is growing up in such a wonderful place, it was a bit difficult to explain why their were so many cross dressers setting fire to a viking longship on wheels the other night! but he is only three and a half, Im forty one and i still dont quite get it.

walking and more walking!

Well decided to combine working and walking yesterday, parked  the car at my mother in laws and then walked in to the Town Hall, first time i have walked in the dark, Shetland sure is a different place in the dark, the sky was clear and the stars were out. 9 miles completed in about 2 and half hours


The procession was good, but my position following the parade for the Red cross was down wind and by the end i smelt like i had spent the night next too a wood burner, Its probably good training for Everest though as we will spend our nights next to a fire, fuelled by Yak dung! and surrounded by 30 pairs of smelly trekking socks, oh joy.


This afternoon was bright with only a few showers, so decided to try out an extended walk around Sandwick, to see if it would fit in the mornings during the time Luke is at nursery
7 miles completed in 1hr and 44 Min's, so that should be fine for next week, as long as the feet hold up.
only problem is it contains quite a steep downhill stone path at the end of the walk, and on my old mans knees its the last thing you want on the home leg.


 But no pain no gain is what my sadistic PTI used to say when i was in the navy. i should add he was normally slapping me round the face with an old boxing glove at the same time so at least in this case its only my knees that are taking a pounding.

Well dinners ready , so i have to go, we are having a belated Burns night, so I'm off to dust of the bag pipes and find something sharp to stab the haggis with.

Fundraising Day

No walking today, having said that i think the fundraising is more exhausting than the training.

went around a few local companies looking for sponsorship, fairly positive response, special thanks has to go to Liz at Ness engineering for her generosity and kindness.

Also put the remaining collection tins to the northlink ferry terminal, sumburgh hotel,star rent a car, mainlands fuel pumps, john goudies and hair affaire,

Been working on the website, added the corporate sponsors that signed up today and sending mock up pages out to others who are showing interest in the site.

Wont be able to train tomorrow either as i am working for the Redcross at the lerwick UP HELLY Aa , but i dont mind, i get to stand in the burning ground which is always fun

The video above is of my friend and workmate Rae who was guizer jarl last year, it was a great day for him and he will lead the procession this year as chief marshaller

I could get him to make me some of those torches for my trek, to keep the chill off at night and keep the Yaks out my tent!

well off to bed as i am on early shift



Sunday Stroll

Up bright and early, unlike the sun, which never rearly made an appearance today,set off towards my mother in laws in Gulberwick, left marie and luke in bed. 10 miles completed in 2hrs 42 mins, head wind today which made it uncomfortable at times, legs and feet holding up well, a few blisters but nothing serious.
Marie and Luke came and picked me up and we all went out for lunch, back home now having a rest.
Shetland lamb for dinner tonight as a treat, then out again for Red cross training in the town.

80 Miles now completed in 21 days , once the weather drys up need to put in some more miles cross country, but on the whole quite happy so far,

On the fundraising front, have had confirmation from co-op to collect and bag pack in april, waiting to hear back from tesco for a date in may or june.
wristbands selling well at the airport, online donating has slowed down, but im hoping it will pick up after pay day.

training

Another five miles on weary legs, rest day tomorrow, winds picking up again but it stayed dry.
Going to extend the route on Sunday to include another Hill, up and down should take it up to about 6.5 miles, should still be able to fit that in whilst Lukes at nursery, but will have to forgo the shower before i pick him up, hope the teachers wont notice!
off now to update the website and twitter etc, it takes as much time as the walking, although i now have fingers that are fitter than my legs, which may come in useful in Nepal if i get blisters on my feet, i can always walk on my hands


see you

website design

Been working hard all afternoon on website, adding new sections and adding other trekkers details
just been working on this blog site again


looks a bit better now

new blog



 just starting out with a blog site