Two decades ago, I used to trek across mountains. I loved the freedom and sense of adventure it brought to my life.
Then, I put all that behind me. I stopped prioritising time for my health and doing the things that lit me up. I let everydayness get in the way of my passions.
A year ago, as you probably already know, on the day of the autumn equinox, I picked up a book in a local tourist information centre: The Dales 30. After procrastinating whether I had time to climb them for four months, I began on my birthday at Imbolc, the old Celtic fire festival that marks the first day of spring.
Mountains have been considered sacred across many cultures throughout history. They are places of pilgrimage. They are places of transformation.
Since that first summit, I have been on an incredible journey, challenging myself with my health, fitness and confidence in climbing mountains alone. In doing so, I have re-written core beliefs about myself.
In this new film, I take you on a journey up the final four summits during a three-day trek, walking and camping in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. It will give you a little window into what it has been like on the fells and peaks, where I court the birds of prey, and my mind can wander free as I walk.
I usually leave film creation to Jason. I am not sure what was more challenging... putting this together or walking 42 miles and ascending 2 km with a 14 kilo pack on my back!
Enjoy 🙂
Wow! Nicola, I'm so pleased for you! What a fantastic achievement! Congratulations! You should feel very proud of yourself. The views are amazing. Where are you going next? I loved watching this. 🙂🌿✨️💕
This is so inspirational Nicola and well done to you. You are beaming in your videos and the embodiment of the benefits of what you have done. I am sure the mountains were aware of your mission and hoping your connection to them all will bring you insights and integration beyond your wildest dreams. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Well done Nicola! Your determination is so inspiring and what a lovely video with such stunning scenery. Thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thank you Emma, this is so lovely to hear this 🙂
Wow that a wonderful achievement Nicola… What an inspiration you are! Interesting that you noticed the difference in Time passing when you were with people… and it's the deep stillness that walking alone brings if we brave that space…totally inspiring!!! And a brilliant little uncomplicated atmospheric film… I Loved it!! Loved the music too!!
Thank you so much for your note here Glennie. You are bob on and explain that special experience of walking solo and what it brings. I love that you enjoyed my film 🙂 thank you ! 🙂
Lovely Nicola, thank you for sharing Nature’s beauty😊
Thank you Suzy 🙂
Congratulations Nicola. What a fantastic achievement. What you have done is VERY inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing your adventure with us.
Thank you so much Martha!! I am delighted you are inspired 🙂
Well done Nicola, you and Jason are such an inspiration in every thing you do, thank you.
Such a beautiful film, loved seeing the rugged English countryside and unpredictable weather was
so refreshing to where I live here in the hot dry desert, quite a contrast!!! Winter is just around the
corner bringing cooler weather and after seeing what you have achieved Nicola, I'm raring to tackle the
many hiking trails on the surrounding mountains around us once again.
Thank you so much for your note here Sheila. Really touching 🙂 Gosh yes, our English countryside is so different to where you live! I love you are raring to go hiking in your mountains 🙂
Brilliant. An amazing thing to achieve, especially on your own. Loved seeing the film. One thing I really miss is mountain walking. However I am fortunate to live close by the beautiful Sussex downs. I’m off on 5 days of 8 miles in Minorca shortly and having not walked much lately was a little concerned, but if you can undertake that journey, then I can certainly do this!
Thanks for your note Sue. This is lovely to read your note here and I love to hear your motivation. Enjoy Minorca 🙂
This was brilliant to watch and so inspiring
Ah, thank you Dan!
This is a lovely record of a wonderful achievement, Nicola. The images at the end of all those mountains brought tears to my eyes and a blessed flavour of the high lands of the Dales. You look beautiful, too. I think this challenge has made you glow!
By the way, just to say that we don't normally sound the second Ks in Kirkby Stephen, Lonsdale or Malham: just said as Kirby. I don't know why!
I never knew that Mary. Thank you! I have been saying it wrong then and I had no idea! Great to know. Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, those Dales did seem to make me glow. Blush 🙂
Thank you Nicola, well done for carrying out your vision and filming it as well! Beautiful photos of the mountains at the end too. Inspiring. It's wonderful to see the landscapes and the birds and the rawness of it as the weather changes, quite awesome!
Thank you Clair for your reflections here and congrats 🙂 It is lovely to hear!
Well done 👏 Nicola looks amazing xx
Thank you Jennifer 🙂
Beautiful and inspirational. At one with nature and the environs.
Thank you Diane 🙂
Enjoy? Loved this ! Brilliant !! Soooo well done Nicola ! Loved the film as well and the pics hope your super proud xxxx
Ah thank you Lisa. You know, I am! Lovely to read your note here 🙂
Congratulations, Nicola! I am full of admiration for you, overcoming obstacles and regaining your "freedom and sense of adventure". Your film was a delight to watch and I loved the images you captured and put at the end. What a beautiful country we live in! X
We really do don’t we Betty. Our country is so beautiful. Thank you so much for your note of congratulations 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Nicola. Tip of my hat you.
Thank you so much Helen!
Thank you for sharing your amazing adventure Nicola. CONGRATULATIONS on achieving your intentions and following your soul. You are an inspiration. Blessings. Val x
Thank you so much Val! I am touched by your note here 🙂