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After several years of trying, finally got a team in! :D Our team is 4 HPM novices - are there are any threads/web pages discussing route choices, navigation tips, etc? I've just read through all 132 pages of this thread (!) hoping to find some.
Any advice welcomed, especially for Lost Lad to Bleaklow summit, which is the section we're least familiar with, and obviously the hardest to run & navigate successfully.
Many thanks
Simple reallyQuote:
Originally Posted by Nick Smith
reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie reccie ......
once you are happy then reccie some more.... nothing beats time over the ground.
There's a facebook page also...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/6165...40496/?fref=ts
Thanks Ian, yes, going to do a lot of reccies, but as I found with the BG, you can spend a lot of time hunting for a trod that is 'common knowledge'. I'm already on the Fb page.
Hi - managed a recce over the New Year from Sheepfold Clough round to Swain's Head and we tried to find a route up Foul Clough after I had read something about a line up there on an old race review/report on the internet that I can no longer find.
There are plenty of trods/small paths criss-crossing the direct line up to the top of Margery Hill but nothing I that seems to go in that direction and the going is fairly rubbish through the heather for this to be much of a decent line
Does anybody know if there is any benefit in going up Foul Clough as opposed to round the edge - it seems slightly less of a climb but b*gger all else
there is a path all the way from SFC to Cut gate Cp however there are lots of small junctions and some less obvious ones than can save you time or send you the wrong way. if in doubt stay on the edge and hand rail.
there are trods that go straight to MH but why do you want to take a top in that isn't in the race:)
Going to do my first winter recce of Cut Gate to Bleaklow this weekend. Any nav tips? Do people ever drop down off Outer Edge and follow the valley path along the river, then back up to Swains Head?
Do NOT do it by yourself. If the bog monster gets you, you will find it hard to get out. Seriously, don't do a solo.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Smith
After Steve has scared you for a good reason :D after you pass cut gate look on the map for Bull clough, you cross it before the climb up to outer edge. avoid the path where it crosses BC either go right or left 50m for a dry crossingQuote:
Originally Posted by Nick Smith
Yes some have gone down. if you get a really good line it works out the same, a bit more sheltered but more climbing??In very bad weather it would give you a more sheltered route but if you don't know when to head up for Swains it could cost you a lot of time.
Those that have reccied it usually stick on the top>
I'll be at the top off up cutgate at about 10.00am, I'm leading a reccie of the straddle
Time wise about the same, as you said Ian. In very wet conditions with a strong westerly gale it might even be better to take the river path but this would be against the spirit of the event as it would miss out the most desolate and challenging section of the watershed.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
isn't that the point....:DQuote:
Originally Posted by ydt
No, I've actually gone there already :( Fell in that bog up to my chest several years back, and got properly scared getting out on my own. Now I'll only run in that area with company, or when very dry in the summer.Quote:
Do NOT do it by yourself. If the bog monster gets you, you will find it hard to get out. Seriously, don't do a solo.
Does anyone know what the conditions are like up around Derwent edge at the minute. I came across Woodhead on Sunday night and there looked to be quite a bit of snow around. we are looking at going up on Saturday from Derwent Res and going around to Swains head before dropping back down to Derwent Res.
This was last Sunday by Margary hill and Outeredge...since then we've had 6 inches of snow in my garden which isn't too far away, we might be going for a slow run this pm so if we go that way I'll let you know. it will be hard work though...although not as bad as the day me and Stolly and crew webnt out....Scary!Quote:
Originally Posted by philt1
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...2238719&type=1
Thanks Ian, looks just how I thought it would. looks like Saturday will be an interesting outing. hope we get the blue skies pictures look great.
Just been out on to the hills locally, some quite deep snow, I'd expect it to be much deeper high up.Quote:
Originally Posted by philt1
I've got 2 Navigation courses running this weekend and will hopefully be on Bleaklow so we may see you.
Allow a bit of extra time...
On brown knoll yesterday, lots of fresh snow but not very frozen underneath.
Just come off Kinder...it took us just under 30 minutes to do downfall to Kinderlow Trig 2 kms away..and we were pushing it...!
I was up on the watershed this afternoon, heading from Round Hill towards Cat Cloughs Head. Mine were the only tracks up there and it was slow going. After my third fall through the snow into a bog I sacked it and went straight back to the car :-D The snow was mostly less than a foot deep but it was very soft and a bit soggy. Needs a good freeze!
Did Sheepfold Clough around to the Snake today. A lot of the snow has gone, although there are still quite a bit on Bleaklow & some ice. Mostly *very* wet & muddy. First time we've done that section in winter, and we were all very relieved to make it safely past the Bog Monster :D
I found the navigation pretty damn hard! Think I need another daylight recce before trying a night recce on that section.
were you out with Chris today? he did that leg too.
Attachment 7967Attachment 7968
we were out on Saturday, form Sheepfold Clough. there was 1 set of prints going up from the stream through the snow. the snow was very soft and hard going all the way around to Derwent Edge. we ended up cutting short due to the time it took us. hopefully get up again before the 27th Feb. Fingers crossed we have some cold nights before then otherwise it could be very wet and hard going.
Ian, were there any callouts on Saturday afternoon? as we dropped off Derwent edge we had the Helicopter fly straight over us before banking away. looked as though they were looking for someone. though we didn't see anyone up there at all.
was it the yellow budgie (Seaking)It flew over our heads too about 3.30 in the Little Don Valley. no call outs in our area but it continued out over Edale and into south peak. If you see it again say goodbye and thanks as it will be gone in a few weeksQuote:
Originally Posted by philt1
If it was the new Red/Blue Bristos they were on a familiarisation ex with some rescue team personel.
They take over in April
it was the yellow one Ian, wasn't sure if they were looking for anyone. interesting to know that it will be gone in the next few weeksQuote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
I saw the yellow seaking on saturday too, flew over hathersage late afternoon
We found it tricky from Swains Head across to Bleaklow. There is a line of stakes leading west from Swains Head, and then they run out? The 1:25K OS map has the stakes all the way to Bleaklow Head, but once we did that initial turn south we didn't see any more.
We met a couple of old hands near Bleaklow Stones and they suggested it was usually quicker to go further west from Swains Head into Far Black Clough and then follow that south/south-west ? We'll try that way on our next recce.
Any more navigational/route tips for that Howden section? Thanks!
Far Black Clough is bar far the best option.. the first time I did the HPM we tried to follow the posts but as you say they quickly disappear. at least going across to Far Black clough you hit a track for a while. that's if there is no snow covering it.
FBC is/was the fastest route, all the damming of the cloughs though has made the area a little wetter near the top. A few years ago we "were" heading that way and we made the call to take the path as deep snow had blown in to the clough making it hard going, It was also the year the CP was just off the top so we got there really quick :DQuote:
Originally Posted by philt1
I'd head up a midweek before the race and check it out.
I’m hoping to do a recce tomorrow, ideally parking at Edale, but Castleton also OK if necessary. Can anyone comment on current road conditions (in the Edale/Hope valleys) – I have a long drive up from the south and don’t want it to turn into a complete wasted/nightmare trip. Am not worried about ice and a few inches of snow – have winter tyres on the car (snow chains and shovel in the boot).
Ideally, I’d consider postponing this recce and doing another weekend….. but likely to be my last chance before actual race day, so really want to get out there, even if slow going on the hills.
The Hope valley roads were almost completely clear this afternoon - you'll have no problems getting to Castleton. Not sure about the Edale road, but I'd guess it will be fine, especially with winter tyres.
The snow up on the tops was soft & wet today - up to thigh deep near the top of Win Hill. Going down Parkin Clough was very slippy in the soft snow (rather than because of ice). All needs a good freeze!
Thanks Nick, that is really helpful and sounds quite promising….at least in terms of getting there in the car. Could be a long/hard day on the hills though. Oh well, it’s all good in terms of training.
Have 'fun'. There will be a few of the Iced Spiced Collective heading out from Edale YHA tomorrow for a trot around a bit of the route. Might see you out and about. I'll be the fat one at the back gasping for breath.
LOL. Will look out for you. I'm also more heavy duty snow plough, rather than racing ski doo.
Who has been up on Howden Moor/Bleaklow/Kinder in the last couple of days? Be interested to hear about current snow conditions up there. Hoping to go tomorrow.
I did Edale->Lose Hill->Win Hill->Stanage->Moscar on Sunday. Colder, so the snow was much firmer than Friday, and icy in sections - spikes were helpful on the steeper descents. Edale as far as Bamford had had plenty of foot traffic, so generally easy going. Along Stanage High Neb and down to Moscar was deeper snow and really hard work.
I would be really grateful if anyone knows whether the road to Slippery Stones is clear to drive right to the end of the road?
I attempted to get from the top of Doctor's Gate where it meets the Pennine Way to Bleaklow on Sunday, but the snow trodden path ran out after a bit and it became impossible to run so I headed for Higher Shelf instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Smith
I think the road is open to the public as far as King's Tree on weekdays, closed at the weekend (with a bus service).Quote:
I would be really grateful if anyone knows whether the road to Slippery Stones is clear to drive right to the end of the road?
I think he meant is that road clear of snow & ice at the moment?
Ah, right, sorry!Quote:
I think he meant is that road clear of snow & ice at the moment?
Anyone know what the conditions are like at the minute?? Is there still plenty of snow around ??Planning a run out tomorrow morning..