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Four
years ago Chris Brown, a farmer from Baldersby near Thirsk, realised
his boyhood dream of climbing Everest.
As
a way of marking the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest
this week I joined Chris on a walk on the North York Moors which
he uses to train for his expeditions.
It's
a circular walk of some 20 miles from Chopgate, north of Helmsley.
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| Chris
Brown
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Don't
let the length of the walk put you off because it can be broken
down to more manageable portions which the family can enjoy.
 Listen
to Chris Brown and Mike Kemp on the walk
There
is after all a delightful café at the bottom of Carlton bank.
But, if you can, this walk, involving a number of steep climbs,
is worth the effort. The views on a clear day are to be marvelled,
and few places can better them.
Chris
uses this area for training because of the climbs and the exposed
moorland. On a wintry day you can experience the same weather as
on the walk-in to the base camp of Everest.
From
Chopgate head steadily up towards the Bilsdale TV transmitter before
turning on the ridge to Carlton Bank which is still used by gliders.
Drop down to the road and to the café.
Once
replenished another climb awaits you, in fact three more on this
walk which takes in Hasty Bank. This section of the route will have
you mingling with walkers either on the Coast-to-Coast or the Lyke
Wake Walk.
But
don't rush. Chris with his years of mountaineering experience will
be the first to encourage walkers to go at a comfortable pace, walking
steadily, and you'll soon be catching up those overeager beavers
who have exhausted themselves trying to get to the tops first.
Chris
is an enthusiastic supporter of the great outdoors and is keen to
encourage as many people as possible to get out and enjoy what we
have on our doorstep.
And
there are few better places than the area around Chopgate, one of
Chris's favourites and a reminder to him of his Himalayan adventures.
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your favourite walks on our Message Board
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