Old County Tops

Got that slightly wrong Paulo ... Angle Tarn cut-off seems to be 5.5 hours with Cockley Beck Bridge 7.5 hours. If it's any consolation, from what I've read, a team who did 11hrs 5mins hit Cockley Beck with 15mins to spare and seem to have made the Angle Tarn with at least 30mins to spare.

Oh, and on Saturday, on my own, with some route-finding errors early on, taking it very easy.....I did just under 2.20 to the top of Helvellyn - which about fits in with 10-11 hour schedule.

Has anyone had anything back from organisers yet? I noticed that my cheque's been cashed so presume we're in :cool:

Had a superb day out today. Parked up at Stickle Barn CP and headed up Rosset Ghyll to join the route at Angle Tarn and did the rest of it. The section coming down from Little Narrowcove to Mosedale was just fantastic. Don't know how much time I added just stopping to turn round and drink in the views!!!! I only saw one other person from there 'til I was on top of the Coniston fells. Routes don't get much better than that.

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Originally Posted by goose fat

Had a superb day out today. Parked up at Stickle Barn CP and headed up Rosset Ghyll to join the route at Angle Tarn and did the rest of it. The section coming down from Little Narrowcove to Mosedale was just fantastic. Don't know how much time I added just stopping to turn round and drink in the views!!!! I only saw one other person from there 'til I was on top of the Coniston fells. Routes don't get much better than that.

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That's what I did a few weeks ago Goose....it is FANTASTIC isn't it?! Great Moss looks beautiful from up Little Narrowcove. How wet was it underfoot? Was quite boggy when I was there but there had been a fair amount of snow. Can imagine it would have dried out a fair bit.

Which way did you come down off the Coniston fells? Down to 3 Shires Stone? Apparently, some folks try and follow a grassy ridge all the way to the point where you turn off the road at the bottom

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Originally Posted by Mr1470

Which way did you come down off the Coniston fells? Down to 3 Shires Stone? Apparently, some folks try and follow a grassy ridge all the way to the point where you turn off the road at the bottom

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Just headed down to 3 shires stone from just after the big cairn on the top (the way you all seem to descend on the Three Shires race) and down the road from there. Reckoned that would be as good as any route at that stage in the race.

Any one tried any other ways off Scafell Pike than Little Narrowcove?

Hoping to recce the first half......to Angle Tarn, tomorrow. I probably won't be starting 'til midday, leaving the Gosling with his Grand parents and travelling over from Northumberland, but anyone wanting to join in, I'll be in the NT carpark by the NDG. in a blue/grey(blah, blah) Renault Scenic YB04 KNU. See you near the gate at 12-12.10. If I'm not there by 12.30 get going!!!!

anyone scanned in the entry form? would save sending an SAE to the organiser which seems a bit of a waste of time and stamps.

I have just got an entry form. I will try and scan it tonight.

Martin

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Originally Posted by goose fat

Just headed down to 3 shires stone from just after the big cairn on the top (the way you all seem to descend on the Three Shires race) and down the road from there. Reckoned that would be as good as any route at that stage in the race.

Any one tried any other ways off Scafell Pike than Little Narrowcove?

Hoping to recce the first half......to Angle Tarn, tomorrow. I probably won't be starting 'til midday, leaving the Gosling with his Grand parents and travelling over from Northumberland, but anyone wanting to join in, I'll be in the NT carpark by the NDG. in a blue/grey(blah, blah) Renault Scenic YB04 KNU. See you near the gate at 12-12.10. If I'm not there by 12.30 get going!!!!

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How did it go Goose? Sorry I couldn't make it....would love to have had another recce. Did you get the line off Helvellyn ok? I dropped into the ghyll too early, but I know better now!

Hmmm....looking back at Scafell Pike, I remember thinking that there WERE ways to drop straight down....but also thought that it could be a nightmare finding way through boulder fields and crags whereas Little Narrowcove is sort of runnable and easy to follow. Also gives an easy line at the bottom to get across to the left of Great Moss.

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Originally Posted by martin

I have just got an entry form. I will try and scan it tonight.

Martin

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I have put it on the Clayton website

http://www.clayton-le-moors-harriers...ps_EF_2007.doc

Note the scanned in document will have errors!!!!

Also press cancel if it asks you for authentification.

many thanks martin.

seemed to work without errors for me.

Only 2 weeks away now, and not having had the chance to recce...

Can anyone advise on the route between Cockley Beck Bridge and Coniston Old Man? - I can't see an obvious direct line on the map.

Any advice on carrying water? - are there any long sections without natural supplies?

Thanks

MH

Theres lots of water,

The beck to grisedale tarn, the tarn, a brook you cross on the way down helvelly the checkpoint at hellvellyn foot Theres too much water in wythburn!
Must be the wettest in the lakes. Angle tarn. Esk hause. Little narrowcove.
The esk, cockley beck checkpoint.

The only section without is high up on grey knotts col to the old man and down towards three shires - so carry some water there.

From what I recollect you take the path up towards grey friar, then at about half height where that path swings right, you can swing further left to dead reckon the coll between grey friar and great carrs: from there there is a path that does a rising traverse to the ridge bypassing swirlhow completely. Stay just right of the ridge path for a good running line (there is a trod used on duddon race there) but be careful at brim fell: dont take the first traverse path you see: it goes to dow!, there is a high traverse that leads to the old man, further up brim fell.

Heading back use right hand side traverse lines but regain the ridge after great carrs, and if going to three shires dont attempt to drop too early: wait till you see the cairn.

Cheers AI,

What with this and the marathon advice...fancy a job as my personal trainer?:D

MH

From the recces that we've done this year, the first half is well served with becks to get your water from....our drinks bottles were never empty.

The bit I reckon you need to take care on is the section after cockley beck to the 3 shires.

There is a stream near the col (to the east of Grey Friars) but after that you've got the run out to the Old Man and back down to 3 shires (or even near to Blea Tarn) before there's an obvious fill up point.......and this is the section where you're knackered and you'll suffer like mad if you get dehydrated.

Good advice Goose Fat - I'll carry an empty bottle and fill up at Cockley Beck - assuming we get that far of course!

MH

Just realised that I made a mistake in what I said:

The traverse lines are all left as seen on the way back to three shires!
'I was thinking about it looking at it from 3 shires point of view when I said "right"'

Feel like I need to recce that section again after reading all that:confused:

Has anyone else heard anything from organisers about their entry or is it just one of those nice "turn up on the day and sort it all out" things? Cheque was cashed some time ago so I take that as a sign we're on the start list!:p

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Originally Posted by Mr1470

Has anyone else heard anything from organisers about their entry or is it just one of those nice "turn up on the day and sort it all out" things? Cheque was cashed some time ago so I take that as a sign we're on the start list!:p

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Same here. Afraid I can't remember what happened last year - I've slept since then.

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Originally Posted by GeoffB

Same here. Afraid I can't remember what happened last year - I've slept since then.

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Geoff, you sound like a teenager!! :D

Same here MR1470,

Cheque's cashed - as far as I'm concerned I'm in.

Failing that we can all go and watch the world and his wife at Fairfield!

Not long now - I keep telling myself the extra few pounds I've put on since FLM will help fuel me through the latter stages - let's hope I make the latter stages...

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Originally Posted by Mr1470

Geoff, you sound like a teenager!! :D

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More like senility, I think. Now, what were we talking about?

Just had a quick peek at a weather forecast:eek:

Showers

Cloudy

A few sunny intervals

but........very windy, potentially gale force:eek:

Temps.....10-11 C at ground level.

Time to change before Saturday though :cool:

Could be worse... what's the worst that can happen?:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Margarine

Could be worse... what's the worst that can happen?:rolleyes:

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I hope my feet don't get wet!

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Originally Posted by goose fat

I hope my feet don't get wet!

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Feet wet! Your going to have to swim :)

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Originally Posted by goose fat

I hope my feet don't get wet!

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At the top end of Wythburn there's an area called 'The Bog' - do you think that could be wet on Saturday?

Hmmm.... at least we will not need the sun cream and hats. Will be interesting to read the MWIS forecast later today/tomorrow.

:eek: Looks like it's going to be breezy too!......... Feeling like minus 6 on the tops. Hey ho!

MWIS forecast now up.......looking forward to that "hail" and "wet snow"!!:p

Not a shorts and "windproof cover" day then! Everyone had better make sure that they have waterproofs because I expect the kit list will require them. Not sure on the wording, but there's a bit where it says "and any other clothing necessary for conditions on the day..."

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Originally Posted by Mr1470

MWIS forecast now up.......looking forward to that "hail" and "wet snow"!!:p

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Felt well below freezing today on the tops, I ended up wearing my wnter kit :eek: I was only carrying it for the weight!
Was it really hot a few weeks ago or did I imagine it? :confused:

Wrap up well.

Bill

No shortage of weather then.

http://www.mwis.org.uk/mountain/LD.PDF

Anyone know who won?

The top 4 teams were:

1. Martin Beale / Tom Brunt 7:13
2. Mike Robinson / Alan Ward 7:34 (?)
3. Morgan Donnelly / John Whitaker (?) 7:38 (?)
4. John Fleetwood + A.N. Other (from Lakes)

A great day out. A real adventure. The Achille Ratti did an excellent job in organising and marshalling the race.

The prize for the gnarliest checkpoint had to be Coniston Old Man. That looked like a hostile place to be in a Force 10 tent in the wind, hail and cloud.

Good stuff Mr Zlod.

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Originally Posted by Zlod

The top 4 teams were:

1. Martin Beale / Tom Brunt 7:13
2. Mike Robinson / Alan Ward 7:34 (?)
3. Morgan Donnelly / John Whitaker (?) 7:38 (?)
4. John Fleetwood + A.N. Other (from Lakes)

A great day out. A real adventure. The Achille Ratti did an excellent job in organising and marshalling the race.

The prize for the gnarliest checkpoint had to be Coniston Old Man. That looked like a hostile place to be in a Force 10 tent in the wind, hail and cloud.

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I think John Fleetwood's partner was Matt Beresford

15. GeoffB / Dan Riley (Pennine) 8:55
20. Mountain Hare / Brown Hare (I think)

I think the Coniston Old Man checkpoint was open for 4 1/2 hours, and the chap appeared to be on his own. At least the rain & hail had eased off by then. Blimey, we had some weather, didn't we?

A great day out, thoroughly well organised - thanks to Arthur & his happy band of helpers (especially the lady who threw all the cakes on the floor at Wythburn & then very quickly put them back on the tray!)

Bad luck to Mark Palmer who had to pull out earlier on with a pulled hamstring - otherwise I'm sure he'd have been up there in the top 3 again. Quite a surprise, then, to see him at Cockley Beck doing the kit-check.

Well done to everybody who took part - it is a serious mountain challenge this event.

Good to meet M.H. for the first time, still haven't met MR1470, though - how did you get on?

well done zlod. have you checked out those poles yet?

I can only echo the words about the marshals. Must have been horrid at Angle Tarn where the wind was blowing and on Helvellyn. Many thanks to all who helped out.

It was a great day out in the Lakes, with some classic Lakeland weather to boot!

Highlights for me were (in no particular order)

1. The pre-race briefing - went something like 'have a good day, off you go then'

2. Tea and cakes at Wythburn.

3. My brother sinking up to his waist in 'The Bog' - wonder how it got that name?:rolleyes:

4. Feeling really strong going up Scafell Pike

5. Only getting passed by 1 pair descending Little Narrow Cove

6. Tea, cake, egg sarnies and particularly Beryl's flapjack at Cockley Beck

7. Marshall in tent at Coniston Old Man - never saw his face, but still he managed to thrust a Tupperware container out of the tent - 'want some grub lads?'

8. Finishing as 19th pair - 8th vet team - having never done anything longer than Wasdale before

This event is a classic, thank you Achille Ratti - I never thought I could run for 9 hours and put on weight! That's down to you Geoff B - quote - 'eat as much as you can as often as you can'.

Hopefully see you all next year at the 20th running.

MH

p.s. my brother 'Brown Hare' was as solid as a rock throughout - many thanks to him too.

Plodded around in a steady 10.30. 39th I think?...

The drinks and nosh at Cockley Beck is the best cafe in the lakes! Could have stayed there for a good half hour! It was nice to be clapped in to the checkpoints.

Thanks to all the marshalls and organisers. It must have been pretty damn cold in that wind yet they seemed pretty cheerful.

Special 20th anniversary tee-shirt next year!

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Originally Posted by GeoffB

still haven't met MR1470, though - how did you get on?

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I know GeoffB....there have been a few races we've both been at now and yet to meet you. We'll have to rectify that next time we're both on a start line.

What a fantastic day! I reiterate what everyone has said about the marshalls, the food and the organisation....absolutely brilliant. And just a grand day out in the fells.....what could be better?

Me and Chris had a day to remember. As well as all that weather(!)....I went over on my ankle coming off Helvellyn and seriously thought I'd have to stop at Wythburn (but then decided I hadn't got too far to go;)) and Chris had a slip on a boulder coming off Little Narrowcove and bashed both his knees nicely! But these long races teach you a lot about your ability to dig deep and continue and we finished as 41st pair. We were about 6 minutes behind Macc Lad.

And we vowed, as we crossed the finish line, to return next year and get ourselves a much better time :cool:

Now sitting on my sofa with an ice pack and a nicely swollen ankle contemplating at least a couple of days rest :D