Mel Sykes is a Yorkshire girl who hates being indoors. She spent lots of that time outdoors last September completing a solo walk of our fav trail, the West Highland Way in Bonnie Scotland.

In Season 2, Episode 9 John and Steven welcome their first ever guest from south of Hadrians Wall as Mel joins us for a brilliant natter about her WHW adventure. Listen on for some precious tips and pointers for anyone considering completing the WHW or indeed any would be solo adventurers.

We cover much more aside, Mel enchants us with her tales of adventures on foot and on the bike and we find a mutual love for Coffee and Cake! Check out Mel's Twitter and Instagram for some piccies of those amongst other fab content. Not only that Mel is a runner too, with multiple marathons and an ultra under her belt we hear about some of these incredible achievements.

Mel show's no sign of slowing down either with big plans ahead to complete her Wainwright bagging quest, an eye on the Penine Way end to end trail, a continued fondness for trig pointing.

Some links we promised in the episode
Mel's WHW Solo Blog https://www.baldhiker.com/2020/10/05/a-solo-walk-along-the-west-highland-way/
Ordnance Survey Maps App https://shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/apps/os-maps/

COVID Trig Point Challenge https://www.facebook.com/groups/857557981374878/
Alpkit BruKit all in one cooking system, Mel's essential item on her WHW Walk https://alpkit.com/products/brukit

Plenty laughs guaranteed with the accent barrier more or less surmounted, oh and listen to the end to get Mel's rather unique favourite Yorkshire-ism.

Connect with John and Steven over on the Young Hearts Run Free socials https://twitter.com/yhrfpod and https://www.instagram.com/youngheartsrunfreepodcast/

S2 Eps 9 Young Hearts, Run Free Mel Sykes WHW Solo 28 Jan 2021