Tour de Helvellyn

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Originally Posted by keswicksimon

That's it. I've signed up too.

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Good man.

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Originally Posted by paulo

this year's too close to xmas family doings for me too

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Blinkin' flip!
Isn't Christmas long enough without starting it a week early?

Is there a way back to civilisation if one decided to just do half of the run? Thanks

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Originally Posted by kennedr

Is there a way back to civilisation if one decided to just do half of the run? Thanks

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The route's basically a lollipop shape*, so once you're half-way there is no easier route back. I suppose you could do Askham to Patterdale and back, but it seems a bit daft to pay to do that. It's a long route, but there's not a massive amount of climb (2200m) and it's all steady going on good tracks, with the exception of the climb up from Dunmail, but that's over in no time.

*Askham to Patterdale (16k apx), loop of the Helvellyn ridge from Patterdale via Sticks Pass and Grisedale Tarn (28k), Patterdale to Askham (16k).

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Originally Posted by Hank

it's all steady going on good tracks, with the exception of the climb up from Dunmail

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Not last year it wasn't. Sticks Pass was waist deep in snow at some points. The only tracks were the footprints of the faster runners, and they weren't running up there, that's for sure. I agree with Hank: if you think it's too long, then go for a different event. The best bit is the middle section: the out & back from Askham to Patterdale isn't enough to travel for.

and the final section back to Askham is pathless in parts. Obvious enough if it's still light, but plenty of back markers got lost to varying degrees (we just lost 15 minutes or so, some people ended up in the wrong valley!)

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

Not last year it wasn't. Sticks Pass was waist deep in snow at some points. The only tracks were the footprints of the faster runners, and they weren't running up there, that's for sure. I agree with Hank: if you think it's too long, then go for a different event. The best bit is the middle section: the out & back from Askham to Patterdale isn't enough to travel for.

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I know, I was there! They're good paths/tracks in normal conditions though. I guess I'm saying that for 38 miles, in the Lakes, in the middle of winter, it's a steady one... especially compared to something like the OCT route, which is a similar distance but would be a right beast in winter.

As for the last section, I'm surprised folk struggled so much as it's all on paths and we'd all passed that way once already.

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Originally Posted by Hank

As for the last section, I'm surprised folk struggled so much as it's all on paths and we'd all passed that way once already.

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Ah, but it was still light when you go there, it's much less obvious in the dark!
The bridleway marked on the map doesn't exist on the ground, the actual track goes up towards the woods, but you have to turn right before you get that far. Disappearing head torches suggested a few people had carried straight on and then up the gap in the forest. We turned right, and then (I think) followed sheep's footprints rather than runners' :) so hit the wall left of the track. Then thought we'd hit the wall right of the track, and turned left - the sort of elementary error that people tend to make after 37 miles. Luckily we met some other lost souls coming the other way before we'd gone too far...

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Originally Posted by Toreador

Ah, but it was still light when you go there, it's much less obvious in the dark!
The bridleway marked on the map doesn't exist on the ground, the actual track goes up towards the woods, but you have to turn right before you get that far. Disappearing head torches suggested a few people had carried straight on and then up the gap in the forest. We turned right, and then (I think) followed sheep's footprints rather than runners' :) so hit the wall left of the track. Then thought we'd hit the wall right of the track, and turned left - the sort of elementary error that people tend to make after 37 miles. Luckily we met some other lost souls coming the other way before we'd gone too far...

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We had headtorches on for the last couple of miles, so did cover that ground in the dark. The bridleway way does exist, it's just a bit indistinct. On the way out from Askham you go through a big gate and the bridleway veers off to your left there, it's just not that clear... the more obviously trodden wide, grassy track continues up the slope to pretty much hit the SE corner of a wood, which is the way I think most people went out and tried to come back. If you take that half-left at the gate on your way out and follow it to the big path junction near the stone circle you'll find it easier to pick up on the way back.

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Originally Posted by Hank

If you take that half-left at the gate on your way out and follow it to the big path junction near the stone circle you'll find it easier to pick up on the way back.

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I took that route on the way out, but never found it on the way back. And I was doing my best on the way out to get it taped for the return journey too, as I suspected it could be tricky to get right in the dark. It was, & I didn't. Only lost 5 mins or so though.