On 5 August, Hal set off alone with nothing but his kit and determination. Over 44 days, he walked the distance of a marathon every day, camping each night under the stars. It was a completely solo and unsupported adventure, testing his limits both physically and mentally.
Driven by a fascination with the mind-body connection, Hal was excited to explore how mental processes respond when the body is pushed to its physical limits.
The toughest parts of the challenge, he explained, were the solitude, painful blisters in the early stages, and the need to replace pieces of kit that couldn’t withstand the journey. Hal commented: “I went through a dozen pairs of socks!”
Despite some difficulties, Hal said: “I absolutely loved seeing the changing landscapes and being so close to nature, although cows licking my tent was slightly alarming!”
“The most memorable moments of the journey often came in the transition between uncomfortable and comfortable, like finding a stream when thirsty, or seeing the landscape emerge as you summit a peak.”
Hal’s journey wasn’t just for himself. He raised an impressive £2,200 for North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team, where his father volunteers. The charity, which depends entirely on donations and voluntary work, will use the funds to support its life-saving operations.
Chris Tait, Team Leader of North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team, said: "Well done to Hal for completing this epic challenge and special thanks for fundraising for North of Tyne.
“The donations will allow us to buy an AED trainer for use by our first aiders and remote rescue medical technicians, and to provide specialist rescue helmets for our swift-water rescue technicians."
North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team delivers essential search and rescue cover for the whole of the Northumbria Police area, including much of Hadrian’s Wall, the Cheviot Hills, Simonside Hills, Kielder Forest and parts of the Pennine Way. The Team covers both urban and remote environments and call-outs include searching for missing or vulnerable people, and rescuing walkers, fell runners, climbers and mountain bikers who are injured or lost.
You can donate to North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team via Hal’s GoFundMe page.
There are many other places Hal is interested in hiking through, the West Highlands and Scandinavia to mention a few; however, for now, he is having a well-deserved rest.