Several years ago I met and interviewed an amazing young lady, Rachael. At the age of nine she walked the 96-mile West Highland Way with her dad, Ian. Prior to her Scottish trek, she had already walked another long-distance trail, the Coast to Coast Path in England, a record-breaking three times.
Rachael, nine, walks the West Highland Way.
Since meeting her, she has walked Hadrian’s Wall, trekked the south coast of Iceland and trekked in the Himalayas twice. She is planning a third Himalaya trek soon. She is aged just 12.
Rachel lives in Patterdale in the Lake District and Ian wrote to me to tell me about her latest achievements.
He also said: “Rachael Explore, the name of her website, is inspired by you. She really liked your Fiona Outdoors idea and she was inspired to become Rachael Explore.”
Walking the Coast to Coast Path when Rachel was younger.
I am delighted that in some small way I have offered her some inspiration to spend time outdoors and to write about it. See Rachael Explore. I wish her all the very best. Go that outdoors girl!