Pair chart their journey to Asia from Hellifield

A new book: From Hellifield to the Himalaya, charts the journey of Dave and Sue Pugh who ‘bagged’ all 282 of the Scottish Munros, sampled Norway’s Lyngen Alps and Switzerland’s Valais Alps - as well as traversing Penyghent many times to increase their fitness levels, before deciding to head east to scale new heights.

Dave, who is retired and Sue, who works part time in admin for a law company, have lived in the North Craven village for 20 years.

Before that they lived in Wrose, near Shipley, but spent many enjoyable days in the Dales before deciding to move closer.

In fact, the Dales holds very special memories for them as they first met 22 years ago while taking part on a walk from the Settle-Carlisle Railway.

From walking the Dales they headed further afield.

“We branched out visiting the Lake District then became lovers of the Scottish Highlands which ultimately led to Munro bagging,” said Sue.

“On the build up to the Himalaya expedition Yorkshire did its bit. “Penyghent featured in our training regime. An unlikely match but there is a special place in our hearts for Penyghent and a place we often visit.

“I also utilised Sandylands Fitness Centre in Skipton where a wonderful man called Matt Speres, a personal trainer, put me through my paces.

“I had never visited a gym in my life. I was so grateful for his help - albeit afterwards!”

Sue decided to chart her and her husband’s unusual journey in the company of friends, the youngest of whom was 60, in a book which she has self-published.

She explained: “I’m not a professional author and whilst the book revolves around walking and the world of mountaineering, I would like to stress that I’m certainly not a seasoned mountaineer; just someone who has been inspired by others far more competent than me, to attempt things I never dreamt imaginable.

“At the age of 63 I’m hardly in my first flush of youth. This is not a technical book, an easy read, yet includes a roller-coaster of emotions with some poignant moments. Many people visit the Himalaya but few have visited the area we went to.”

The book captures the excitement, humour, joy and sometimes sadness, of taking on a great life challenge, says Sue who adds: “If you want to know the best techniques for belaying or how to tie knots, this book isn’t for you.”

Written with a lot of humour, wrapped in real-life experiences and emotions, Sue introduces the reader to ‘a taste of things to come’ with a trial hike in the Dales rigged up with all the gear they’d need for scaling ice peaks.

It is written in four parts with much of the early parts given to their training regime nearer home.

The couple are happy to be heading anywhere in that region and eventually they come up with a destination.

The area of North Sikkim is mentioned for the first time and everything hinged on the political and military stability of the area. At the start of the year it looked unlikely due to the unrest.

As the reader gets further into the book the excitement of what lies ahead builds as the group heads for Leeds Bradford Airport with New Delhi in its sights.

A huge amount of the book is afforded to the expedition itself.

The pitfalls, some political given the area they were going to, but not insurmountable, were eventually overcome.

Eventually the group is on its way to a rarely visited area of the Indian Himalaya.

Behind them were equipment problems - expensive B3 climbing boots which needed some cobbler intervention. In front of them were times to test their patience, fitness and friendships.

The peculiarities of toilet breaks and the unusual use of snowballs are detailed along with ‘tetchy’ episodes of from lack of sleep and poor weather.

From Hellifield to the Himalaya is published by 2QT Ltd publishers based in Settle.

The book contains 46 colour photographs along with some pen and ink drawings and can be found in local book shops.

It is also available online.