Yesterday evening, I was looking at the map wondering where to walk today. I've been doing variations on local walks in the same two areas for what seems like a very long time, and I had to be honest with myself: I really didn't want to do the same routes again and have the hassle of avoiding people to boot.
So I came to a decision. I'd focus almost entirely on treadmill adventures for the foreseeable future and perhaps go on outdoor walks when or if the weather keeps everyone else indoors.
Today I did a lot of virtual hills!
I began by walking the final 3 miles along footpaths to Machu Picchu followed by 2 miles wandering around the citadel seeing it all. This was an enhanced Google Street View walk which meant I didn't have a companion and I could set my own pace. The track in the fourth image in the collage shows the extent of the sightseeing wander...
Next I decided to climb Ben Nevis. I'd already done a couple of video activities with Graham McTavish (Hobbit actor) and I decided to join him on his walk up the mountain. He talked a lot about kilts (he was wearing one) and various battles, which passed the time quite well, but he said nothing about our route. The video activity ended somewhere on the mountainside with views of what I worked out must be Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. So, wanting to reach the summit (which I've not done), I used Google Street View to follow the obvious path to the top. Adding the ascents from the two walks gave roughly the correct total so I'm happy to claim that I've climbed Ben Nevis... virtually!
I must admit that I was surprised by how straightforward the climb appears to be, although I'm sure many other routes would be harder. The path was occasionally rocky but mostly gravelly, stepped or like crazy paving, and I didn't see any tricky bits at all.
Having done two walks today where the slopes were almost endlessly upward, I decided to do a short (2 mile) downhill hike through a spectacular canyon on an Hawaiian island with my friend Heather. Actually, our treadmill doesn't descend, but level was fine!
Tomorrow, I plan to do the first stage of the Pennine Way...