Win an Inglesport "Yorkshire 3 Peaks" Tee

[Inglesport]

We're celebrating 70 years of the Yorkshire Dales National Park!

We want to hear from you: What's your favourite Yorkshire Dales memory or experience? Pop it in the replies a chance to win one of our cracking Yorkshire 3 Peaks t-shirts. The story we think is the best will win.

Doesn't have to be caving-related, of course.

 

[Ian Ball]

Back in the day, after I'd stopped playing rugby and never having a free winter weekend, and before I got lazy, I set out on a caving weekend. I rode into town to the railway station, got the 3am train up to Leeds, snoozed in a waiting room to catch the 5am train up to Horton.
Getting off the train to deep snow, I set off for a solo trip along the Pennine Way. Passing The Crown, Jackdaw Hole, Sell Gill and up over Rough Hill as daylight started to arrive. Once I found the original entrance to Dismal Hill, the cold cold cold water was not happy but as my first neofleece trip I couldn't use that as an excuse. I made me way through the great fun of the route through to the fun of the free dives.
The cold water around the ears quickly drained my courage and I went for the Mick's End bypass, popping out of Old Ing with a big smile and I set off back the way I'd come, dropping into Sell Gill Fossil route on the way for a bit of relief from the snow falling and wind now punching me in the face. I'd brought srt kit and rope so seemed silly not to at least use them. The main chamber was freezing, the waterfall was not big but the wind it was pushing down was not fun and I set off for the surface pretty sharpish.
Off the fell, a lovely walk took me through a winter Dales morning untouched by anyone, only me crunching footprints along the river bank to the YSS at Helwith Bridge where I warmed myself up looking up at Penyghent and feeling pretty happy about everything, lovely trip.

 

[Cavematt]

Back in August 2015, I remember coming up to The Dales, staying at the NPC hut ‘Greenclose’ for what I thought was going to be a normal caving and walking weekend with friends.

We had a lovely evening meal at The Gamecock in Austwick while planning the following day. My partner, Gary, and I were intent on a walk up Ingleborough via the CPC winchmeet, something he had specifically planned for this weekend. Everyone else was keen for caving and a plan for the Red Herring Series in Large Pot was hatched, the significance of this location name only becoming evident the following day.

We set off up Ingleborough on a very pleasant day, leaving our friends who had barely started breakfast, which confused me as they had a much longer day ahead than us. Nonetheless, we made quick progress up to Gaping Gill where we stopped to chat with some friendly folks at the winchmeet. Then, continuing up Little Ingleborough, I became a little confused that Gary was spending so much time using his phone, which seemed very out of character. The wind had picked up quite a bit, but it was pleasantly mild, so we pushed on to the summit.

On arrival at the summit, we headed across towards the shelter and I noticed some kind of gathering ahead and what looked like a giant banner strung up over the shelter walling. Getting a little closer I saw that the banner said ‘Matthew will you marry me?’.

Being totally oblivious I assumed that someone else called Matthew was getting engaged that day, and moreover, I have gone by ‘Matt’ rather than ‘Matthew’ for most of my adult life. However, on arrival at the shelter, Gary produced a gold ring and proposed, while all our friends, the ones who were meant to be in Large Pot, jumped out from behind the shelter with bottles of bubbly.

I was giddy with excitement and surprise (and of course, I said yes). I couldn’t believe the effort everyone had gone to, it was perfect!

In true Ingleborough style, it was blowing a gale, so we quickly packed away the banner and scrambled down to a sheltered ledge just below the summit for a glass of prosecco and to enjoy the stunning views before a leisurely descent down to the cars at Chapel-le-Dale.

Why did the banner say ‘Matthew’ instead of ‘Matt’? Well, Gary was allowed so many letters for the price of the banner, and being a Yorkshireman, he wanted to get the best value for money.

We are still together, having got married in 2018 (at Swarthghyll Farm Bunkbarn near Hawes, a weekend long celebration also in The Dales) and we are both regular cavers and walkers in The Dales. It is a special place for both of us and the home of many of our happiest memories.

 

[Inglesport]

Back in August 2015, I remember coming up to The Dales, staying at the NPC hut ‘Greenclose’ for what I thought was going to be a normal caving and walking weekend with friends.

We had a lovely evening meal at The Gamecock in Austwick while planning the following day. My partner, Gary, and I were intent on a walk up Ingleborough via the CPC winchmeet, something he had specifically planned for this weekend. Everyone else was keen for caving and a plan for the Red Herring Series in Large Pot was hatched, the significance of this location name only becoming evident the following day.

We set off up Ingleborough on a very pleasant day, leaving our friends who had barely started breakfast, which confused me as they had a much longer day ahead than us. Nonetheless, we made quick progress up to Gaping Gill where we stopped to chat with some friendly folks at the winchmeet. Then, continuing up Little Ingleborough, I became a little confused that Gary was spending so much time using his phone, which seemed very out of character. The wind had picked up quite a bit, but it was pleasantly mild, so we pushed on to the summit.

On arrival at the summit, we headed across towards the shelter and I noticed some kind of gathering ahead and what looked like a giant banner strung up over the shelter walling. Getting a little closer I saw that the banner said ‘Matthew will you marry me?’.

Being totally oblivious I assumed that someone else called Matthew was getting engaged that day, and moreover, I have gone by ‘Matt’ rather than ‘Matthew’ for most of my adult life. However, on arrival at the shelter, Gary produced a gold ring and proposed, while all our friends, the ones who were meant to be in Large Pot, jumped out from behind the shelter with bottles of bubbly.

I was giddy with excitement and surprise (and of course, I said yes). I couldn’t believe the effort everyone had gone to, it was perfect!

In true Ingleborough style, it was blowing a gale, so we quickly packed away the banner and scrambled down to a sheltered ledge just below the summit for a glass of prosecco and to enjoy the stunning views before a leisurely descent down to the cars at Chapel-le-Dale.

Why did the banner say ‘Matthew’ instead of ‘Matt’? Well, Gary was allowed so many letters for the price of the banner, and being a Yorkshireman, he wanted to get the best value for money.

We are still together, having got married in 2018 (at Swarthghyll Farm Bunkbarn near Hawes, a weekend long celebration also in The Dales) and we are both regular cavers and walkers in The Dales. It is a special place for both of us and the home of many of our happiest memories.

Matt, for us this is the clear stand-out best story we've read! Thank you so much for sharing! We'd love to send you and hubby a Yorkshire Three Peaks tee each. Message or comment your respective sizes and we'll get that sorted right away.