Journeys for Knowledge

So as I alluded to on Sunday, a lot has happened between leaving London and arriving in Cambridge. To summarize my journey in brief, I traveled to Edale via Manchester to start hiking the Pennine Way, England’s oldest National Trail. From there I hiked 16 miles to Crowden to spend the night, and another 11 miles the next day to reach Marsden, from which I returned to London via Leeds. After one final night with my cousin, I packed my bags and finally moved to Cambridge and spent most of today getting settled.

Now back to the hike. To get to the starting point in Edale, I had to take a bus to Manchester and from there take a local train to Edale. I did not have much time to explore Manchester, so I hope to return one day soon. In Edale I found the path with a simple marker and started walking. All around me were rolling green hills and plenty of sheep for company on a sunny day. Soon I reached the main ascent of the day’s trek, Jacob’s ladder, which was essentially a large stone staircase that brought me close to the top of the hills.

Once at the top, I was simply blown away by the view, and of course the howling winds passing over them. The wind some of the strongest gusts I had ever felt, and they did not let up as I hiked along the hilltops for miles. There were times when I forgot I was 500 meters above the ground because the top was so open and vast. Just when I thought I was completely alone, a fellow traveller would come by to remind me that I wasn’t.

Eventually, I made it to the last stretch, a walk along the edge of a steep hill before dropping down into Crowden. I was completely alone for this part, with only some goats staring at me along the way. By the time I made it to Crowden I was exhausted and somewhat out of sorts. Thankfully a kind English couple gave me some water which gave me the strength to make it to my hostel for the night. After a simple dinner and a quick shower I collapsed in bed and slept.

I decided to just get an early start, so after an early breakfast I hit the trail at 9 to get to Marsden as fast as possible. Overnight the fog had rolled in so the trek became a little more mysterious. The wind as always did not let up over the hills, especially along another steep edge. At times I would simply kneel down and wait for the wind to subside before pressing on. Before long the hill sloped down and brought me into moor country.

Even though the actual elevation was not noticeable, it somehow felt good to be on the lower ground again, following a creek as it winded through the fog. Today’s hike had a very somber tone, with no company but the occasional sheep and the footprints of those who came before me. Once I passed the last pinnacle of my journey, Black Hill, I spotted a road and green pastures, signs of civilization again. The rest of my journey was relaxing and steadily downhill, passing a few reservoirs before ending at Marsden.

Unfortunately, I had arrived extremely early, and since my train ticket could not be preponed, I simply took my time refueling and relaxing. I had forgotten about this, but I had booked first class tickets to London, a fitting way to end a long challenging journey. The hike was mostly certainly harder than I expected, but that made the finish all the more rewarding.

Today felt mundane in comparison, even though it was quite important. My cousin dropped me off at train station and soon I was back at Churchill College, this time for good. I came to find my house empty and quiet, so after unpacking I decided to walk into town to explore some more. By the time I came back I thought I heard some people inside, but it wasn’t until after dinner that I met the first of my housemates. One studies engineering, but the other studied Renaissance Literature, so I imagine there will be some interesting conversations in the future. Overall today felt like freshman year at Berkeley, but without the closeness or familiarity of the Bay Area.

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