Scrambling and fell running
I was just writing a post for my blog about scrambling on fell runs and in fell races, and got a bit stuck thinking of fell races that involve scrambling in them. I came up with
- Peris Horseshoe: the bit over Y Lliwedd
- Welsh 1000m Peaks: as of last year, the Gribin ridge onto Glyder Fawr
- Langdale Horseshoe: if you pick the Bad Step down from Crinkle Crags anyway, but it is avoidable...
Both grade 1 and arguably at the bottom end of the grade. Are there any other races that involve sections of scrambling? And what are people's opinions, do scrambling and fell running mix?
I can definitely see in a race context encouraging people to go as fast as they can over graded scrambles could lead to disaster, though in the same vein encouraging people to go as fast as they can in the hills at all has its dangers.
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
I believe fell running and scrambling mix fine.
if the question is do fell racing and scrambling mix I would say yes to that as well
one of my fave runs in snowdonia is to run Moel Siabod from the rear approach and the up the grade 1 scramble then down the fell race route it is far more interesting and varied.
I think races that incorporated some hands on rock
would be really good fun.
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
Quote:
Originally Posted by
N-dubya
I believe fell running and scrambling mix fine.
if the question is do fell racing and scrambling mix I would say yes to that as well
one of my fave runs in snowdonia is to run Moel Siabod from the rear approach and the up the grade 1 scramble then down the fell race route it is far more interesting and varied.
I think races that incorporated some hands on rock
would be really good fun.
I have to agree I like a bit of scrambling in a race, for me part of the fun in a fell race is pitting yourself against the “hill” or terrain, along with fellow runners. To remove the trickier bits of the terrain from the race IE the scramble, is dumbing the race down IMO.
ATB
Tahr
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
Top of Causey Pike on Buttermere Sailbeck. It's not exactly loads of scrambling but it can feel quite exposed in the wind and rain!
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
Not a great fan of scrambling, im more a poaching or frying man myself.
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
I like a bit of hands-on rock (preferably in ascent though!). Bit of very easy scrambling up Crag Hill in Coledale yesterday.
Being able to deal with easy scrambles is all part of the skill needed for fell-running I reckon.
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
The scrambling on Crag hill yesterday was pretty straight forward but the volume of people on it all at the same time mad it a bit tricky at times especially trying to overtake. I was about to overtake a person who then ended up blocking my way. to avoid her I had to jump to the right and in doing so stood on a chaps hand (really sorry), I dont think he was too happy despite my apologies!!
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
Plus the risk of catching a face full of dislodged scree! I moved over to the right of the line most people were taking to try and avoid this possibility....
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
Going up the Prison Band from Wetherlam to Swirl Howe on the Coniston race? As a scramble it's pretty easy but last year I was sending people out the back door all the way up it.
Re: Scrambling and fell runnin
Gable from Beck Head on Wasdale
first bit of Tryfan Downhill
last bit of ascent on Ras Yr Aran