I'm in!! :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by peawet08
Like a fool I hadn't filled in my DoB correctly. I mean, who knows there DoB off by heart! :o
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I'm in!! :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by peawet08
Like a fool I hadn't filled in my DoB correctly. I mean, who knows there DoB off by heart! :o
woohoo! im in :-)
Not for me this year, and to be honest after last years entry 'procedures' I'm quite glad it's my year away from the Ben.
Grisedale Horseshoe for me this year ~ the better race (and you can enter on the day!!:thumbup:!!)
.... now just the 1,000 mile return journey and accommodation to sort out ....
Looking at Campsites for this now - has anyone stayed in Glen Nevis?
That's where you'll find most of the other runners that are camping. I'll be there. No need to book, just turn up, but the gates are locked at 11pm, so if arriving after this, you have to park in the car park outside and carry gear.Quote:
Originally Posted by DylanWales
Iawn Dyl.
When are you heading up mate. I need to find somewhere to stay to. Would be cool to hook up with you chief and make a weekend of it :-) Gad imi wbo :-)
Excellent - all booked...going up the week before and doing as many activities I can before the little race on Saturday :-)
Clean tidy site but no noise after 12 other wise the guard gets nasty. Beware of the search lights.Quote:
Originally Posted by DylanWales
Been a couple of times and it does the job.
i expect it may be booked already but I stayed in the Chase the Wild Goose Hostel recently, about 3 miles down the road from Glen Nevis - lovely place.
we left some sachets of porridge in the kitchen, if you're lucky they may still be there :-)
Dont know anything about the race or the course!!
What shoes do runneres wear on this??
is it like snowdon with a debate on road/trail/fell shoes??
Looking forward to it now :-)
Thanks.
Defiantly no debating..Fell shoes are a definite even if there is a mile of road at the start and finish. Iv never done Snowdon but have done the Ben route and it looks alot more technical and steeper than Snowdon.Quote:
Originally Posted by gafrymynydd
Nice one Scott, I was gonna ask the same question - I've run down part of the route after various mountaineering epics on the Ben and remember it as being very rocky.Quote:
Originally Posted by scott baistow 93
So my only remaining question is - Mudclaws or beaten up Walshes ? I figure the Mudclaws would get mullered by all the tarmac / rock, whereas my beaten up Walshes with less than perfect studs would fare better and give me sojme grip on any grassy/muddy sections - is that a fair assumption ?
If the grass is wet you'll slide down regardless! I'd go for the more studs the better - I've a pair of Mudclaw 272's that I've hardly worn since getting them on the basis I wanted them to be as new as possible for the Ben! Yes they will be trashed at the end of it but not really because of the road section just by virtue of running up and down that great big mountain - can't wait!Quote:
Originally Posted by FarFromTheFells
Quote:
Originally Posted by emmilou
Emma is right; if you start with trashed shoes you'll end with a trashed bum!
I'm thinking of doing the Ben at some point but if I'm honest I'm a bit scared of it. It's an awful long climb and will be a miserable descent if I bonk before I hit the top. I will do it though, this and borrowdale are my two long term goals.
Thanks for the shoe advice folks - much appreciated. I just wish I'd had an opportunity to properly recce the route itself rather than relying on relatively distant memories of doing the mountain in big boots...!
Looking forward to it all the same :D
I had a little climb up this week after picking up MrsK from the end of a west highland way run.
It was the first time I've actually seen anything at the top. Clear skies, lovely. All the rubbish on the top, not so lovely.
Very excited about the race now.
We took the full walkers route and didn't cut off any of the zig-zags so not a proper reccy. I'd forgotten how grim the straight up route is.
Having said that Rob, if I can do this race, being terrified of heights and generally a big namby, I think anyone can. You'll be fine.
Best map for this - to carry for the race?
You dont need a map man, straight up and down innit.
I know, but I assumed the RO would still want us to have a map - not so?Quote:
Originally Posted by Kepi Blanc
Website doesn't mention out about a map.
I didn't have one last year.
Done it 5 times, never been any mention of a mapQuote:
Originally Posted by Kepi Blanc
It's a category AM race so a map is part of mandatory kit
Just take one anyway (and a compass), if the organisers say you need it then fine, if they say you don't then leave it in the car.
As the FRA Calendar makes clear, the Ben Nevis Race is neither permitted nor insured through the FRA.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob Furness
Ah, didn't know that. Just looked at the page. Oh well, I wouldn't worry about a map then unless the organiser specifies itQuote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Yeah I'd say map and compass is well near useless on the race. You'd usually need a compass in bad weather to get to the summit but on the day there will be about a thousand marshalls at the top gathering your tokens.
Two years ago the viz was awful but it was still a very easy to find the summit marshalls.
(it felt like thousands; almost more marshalls than runners).
I suppose, if all else fails, glancing at the Ben Nevis Race rules might just clarify the need for a map.
Rules here: http://www.bennevisrace.co.uk/html/entry_details.html
;)
Hi Ian - I had looked.Quote:
Originally Posted by IWCharters
" Equipment:
a) Competitors must carry full waterproof body cover, including head covering and gloves.
b) Competitors must carry a whistle and the runners card issued as confirmation of entry.
c) Failure to comply results in immediate disqualification from the current race. "
As is sometimes the case it is a bit vague - but I guess map/compass are not mentioned so can be left - in the car! Hood vs hat - or both? Who knows! I have Emailed the RO.
I have not been up Ben Nevis but I understand it is one of the few walking descents where an accurate compass bearing can be crucial particularly in poor visibility - if you do not have ascending walkers/runners to aim for.
From the race secretary: "A hooded top would suffice. Trousers also."
It certainly could be crucial and make for a very speedy descent, although it would leave you with a longer road run at the end ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
Take a map and compass regardless, it's not as if they weigh much. If my memory is right, a bearing of 230 from the summit for about 150 yards and then 280 takes you to the zig zags avoiding Five Finger Gully and the North face crags.
.....which is where I came in - which map? - have since been to the shops and the BMC map looks OK - nice detailed summit section with distance/bearings off the summit.Quote:
Originally Posted by Deejay
I'll be getting the BMC map. Those Harvey's maps are very good much more practical than an OS and will easily fit in a bumbag.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
This looks like a good set of instructions with a small map - scroll down to "descent" http://scottishwinterroutes.com/bennevis.htm
If you can find the summit the bearings are more use than a map.
In bad weather and snow, an accurate bearing to the summit is crucial. I learnt this last week when I went up for the first time in perfect viz (and no snow) and saw the massive drops that are so close to the main path. Step on one of those when they're covered in snow and you will indeed descend very quickly. You won't pick up any prizes though.
On race day, there's no chance of this happening.
You don't really need to stress about maps, but note that the descent cuts off the zig zags on the walkers route. If you get detached from the runner in front (easy to do in bad viz), you might end up following the walkers zig zag path all the way down, the obvious (but safe) route, which is an embarrassing and slow error.
Good advice. After the crucial 150m of 231 degrees, follow that 282 bearing for about a mile and a half. You'll know you're done with following the bearing when you cross the Red burn and clamber up back onto the tourist track at about NN 142 719 (and you don't have to be terribly accurate on this leg either).Quote:
Originally Posted by IWCharters
Time to bring this one back to page one. Only a few more days till the classic up and down race in the British Isles. Just been looking through the finalised entry list - who can pick a winner?
Will Rob Jebb be running after his dislocated shoulder at Whittle Pike?
Will Ian Holmes pick up another win?
Will newly crowned English Champion Lloyd Taggart prevail?
Finlay Wild last years winner will surely be in the mix with maybe Ricky Lightfoot challenging.
I'll stick my neck out and pick Lloyd Taggart who seems to be in form at the moment.
Looking forward to the weekend - my aim is just to finish without injury!!
PS Map not required - but you will need good studs!
Weather's looking a bit iffy but I'm getting excited now!!!
Good luck, I bet it will be great fun:), I quit fancy it for next year.
Just looking at the records, I knew the record has stood for a while, but will Kenny Stewarts time ever been beaten? what a record, 1 hr 25 and stood since 1984, wow, it is still the same course yes? Finley Wild ran 1 hr 35 last year, 10 minutes off, which is still a bit off, if the conditions were good, could he chop more off that 10 minutes?
Good luck all:thumbup:
Andy