It is worth doing the route a few times to sort out the micro navigation - just a few feet to one side or the other can make a huge difference on the descent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
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It is worth doing the route a few times to sort out the micro navigation - just a few feet to one side or the other can make a huge difference on the descent.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Had a very enjoyable run round 'April in Ambleside' on Saturday. Haven't been to the Lakes for a long while so it was great to see the hills again in such beautiful conditions. Felt the lack of training and long runs towards the end, but good to get some decent miles in the legs. Organisation worked very well. About 120 starters with a couple going off every minute for an hour. Not ideal for proper racing, but fine for this kind of 'challenge' event.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
8.03 miles, 3,098 feet, 2 hours 39 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 3 sides. Sunshine and clouds, and that cold breeze persists, but I got down to my vest for the final descent. Terrain mainly dry and soft, though it was firm in places higher up where it had not seen the sun, with the odd patch of ice on minor streams. A few about on the fell and at Waterhead, but not as many as I was expecting.
Ventured out of Teesdale again to Eden Valley.
Start at Street, along to fell end road and then up via Fell End Clouds, carried on and straight up the fellside (considerably drier that usual) to Sand Tarn, short scramble, topping out at WILDBOAR trig. Off to Mallerstang edge and then headed SW to Swarth fell cairn, before running along the ridge and then dropped down the fence line into upper Grisedale Valley, turning back to Uldale road end, back over the 'Fell End Clouds, passing Wainwright's Lonely Tree, and return to Street after joining last section via Pennine Bridle Way.
12.09 miles, 2,644 ft, 2 hrs 51 mins.
Magnificent day of mainly wall-to-wall sunshine, heavy frost on the grass on the top slopes, cold fresh breeze, restorative heat out of the wind. Not a soul spotted, except at Uldale Farm on the way back to Street.
11.01 miles, 3,057 feet, 3 hours 6 minutes: Loughrigg trails. Sunshine and clouds, a cool breeze, no precipitation - I got down to my vest for the last hour. Terrain dry and soft - lovely to run on. I should have chosen somewhere less central - it was crawling with people. There is a section of path about 1/4 of a mile long that Ivy Crag overlooks - normally it is empty, occasionally there's 1 or even 2 groups on it - today there were 6.
Another 78 miles walked in the last week.
Back to the physio yesterday who has given me the go ahead to start cycling again as long as it is on smooth roads and no steep hills which will cause me to pull on the bars and overdo the strain on the shoulder.
She also gave me the green light to start jogging :)
Off to Mid Wales this afternoon for a few days so no cycling but the running shoes were the first thing packed so a bit of walking/jogging in the hills is on the cards.
Onwards and Upwards
14.82 miles, 4,304 feet, 4 hours 43 minutes: Fairfield c/w, including down to Grisedale Tarn, and back up over Cofa Pike. Sunshine and clouds, no significant wind, no precipitation - down to my vest for the last hour or so. Terrain dry and soft. Not that many on the fell, quite a few in town. I overtook a group of runners on the other side of the wall on the descent - I think it shows how much more runnable it is on the right side rather than any descending skill on my part.
Fantastic route.
There's a bus service from my village through Glenridding/Patterdale/Kirkstone/Troutbeck, so looking forward to some linear training runs around this area.
I got my free bus pass just a week or 2 before the first lockdown, and have yet to use it. My partner recently walked from Ambleside down to Claife Heights, took the ferry over to Bowness, then the bus back to Ambleside. Ferry - £1, bus - £6; she was the only person on the bus. Pre lockdown a group of us got the bus from Kirkstone to Pooley Bridge and ran back - a good outing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Using the bus pass from Kendal/Ambleside to Keswick or vice - versa then running back over Clough Head etc to Ambleside makes a good outing, I Particularly like boarding a bus after a good wet muddy run with well clarted up legs etc and presnting my bus pass which has often raised smile from some folk and been a coversation starter.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
There are some excellent outings to be had using the bus pass which in my opinion is very enviromentally sound.
That sounds great....Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
But am i reading that correctly... £6 for a single fare Bowness to Ambleside!?!?
The Kirkstone - Pooley Bridge bus is the one which i'll be using (my village is next one after Pooley Bridge)
Here you go Travs :-
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/ticket...g%5Btotal%5D=1
Public transport at it`s best, if you want to go further checkout the Northwest Explorer ticket
Yes - £6 - that is the cheapest ticket. But you can go a lot further for not much more.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Looks like you're moving to the wrong mountains for bus travel, Travs: it's only £2 to Pen y Pass from as far away as Llanrwst.
Presumably one would be purchasing a First Class ticket for £6, with complementary refreshments - luncheon perhaps?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
:cool:
Thank you JohnKQuote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
Although I'm traditional and have the 508 timetable printed out to stick to my fridge!
Need to be careful with Lakes buses. I was once tempted on to the top deck of an open-top service on a cold bright day at this time of year. After doing 60mph along the A591 I couldn't feel my face for about half an hour after I got off.
Your welcome Travs, I will forgo the fridge tip though thank you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
13.27 miles, 4,388 feet, 4 hours 21 minutes: Wansfell Ridge - St Raven's Edge - Red Screes - Roundhill Farm. Blue sky, the occasional cloud, a slight breeze on the tops, terrain dry and soft. Quite a lot on Wansfell Pike, very few on Red Screes, though the Kirkstone car park was almost full. Superb running conditions.
10.53 miles, 3,073 feet, 3 hours 9 minutes: Loughrigg trails. The lovely calm dry sunny weather persists. Lots on the fell. My partner walked Red Screes - loved it - but wants me to remind her to take food next time.
Two fantastic days in Mid-Wales.
Yesterday a rectangularish walk with son and dogs from Eisteddfa Gurig to Plynlimon and Arwystli. The air was so clear that the views were the best I have had. From Plynlimon summit, to the north Cadair Idris, The Arenigs, The Arans and Berwyns and to the south The Preseli Hills, Camarthen Fans, Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains all could be clearly seen. To the northwest Bardsey Island and southwest to Cardigan and possibly Strumble Head. Not to be left out the Briedden Hills could be seen to the east.
From Arwystli we could see Snowdon and The Rhinogs which had been hidden behind Cadair Idris from Plynlimon.
Only 8 miles and 1,550 feet but every step a glorious one.
Today a lovely walk to Glaslyn and Bugeilyn where we spoke to a fisherman who said that the black finned trout in Bugeilyn were small but the best fighters. From what I could see the solitary Cormorant was catching more than he was!
Again spectacular views, especially from the TP at Foel Fadian, over to Cadair Idris, The Arans and back to Plynlimon.
7 and a half miles and just 754 feet. Only 5 people seen yesterday and 4 today. Hopefully it stays that quiet.
Having said that, I suspect that this weekend the Welsh coast and Snowdonia will be snided by the amount of traffic we met on our way out of Wales, proper summer Bank Holiday levels. The pictures on tomorrows news reports are not going to look good.
Covid numbers back up by the middle of May?
Sounds great, I must get back there sometime as had many a happy run and walk over those hills, much underated in favour of the North and South mountains. Fished and camped at Bugeilyn a few times as I would walk over from Hafren with the tent etc. my fishing club still has a ticket to fish there - perhaps I should make a plan for old times sake! Been very, very clear the last few days, feel like I could reach out and touch the Beacons from here with no haze at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
A great place to go for a bit of solitude with only few paths and trods. As you will know Moley, when the wind, rain and clag come in if you find yourself off the paths it will give anywhere a run for its money in terms of toughness to get about.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
9.68 miles, 3,461 feet, 3 hours 8 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 3 sides. The perfect weather and underfoot conditions persist. The tourist paths are very busy, as are the P+D car parks.
I've been in the Lakes today and can also confirm it was absolutely perfect weather.
Unfortunately didn't have time for any sustained exercise, just a stroll round the village... Gorgeous views over the back to Cross Fell, and was rather surprised by a lovely view over the front to Blencathra and the Mell Fells, which I hadn't spotted previously.
Also a stunning view from the M6 near Shap, over to Kidsty Pike, High Street and the ridge running north.
I love Shap, me. Decent chippy and also has the New Balance outlet shop on the high street.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Favourite run of mine was from Hafren car park, up to scource of Severn and straight on down to
cross the Hengwmm, down the valley on the track and then back over to climb Pumlumon, Arwystyli ridge and make way back to car.
Took some beating on a good day and to be avoided on a bad day!
I bet!Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
I'm off to Llani again next weekend and if the weather holds might give it a go although walk/jogging. Can I pick your brains?
How far down Hengwm do you go? I am looking at either the path up Nant y Llyn to Llyn Lygad Rheidol then steeply up to Pumlumon Fach or taking the ridge up to Pumlumon Fach directly from the first marked stream that joins Nant y Llyn. With it being relatively dry at the moment the best progress might be made by the first option.
What do you reckon?
I used to cross the little bridge where Hengwm and Hyddgen joined, then carry on down the track to Maesnant cottage, somewhere around the gate there I took a little trod up beside the Maesnant stream (probably dry) that worked it's way to about the 668 spot height above Llyn Rheidol and then on up to the trig.
Haven't been on it for 10 years + but sure the track (sheep trod) would be there as used by walkers from the reservoir side. Possibly still!
Thanks. I'll let you know!
I can just make out the trod on OS ariel mapping, starts right where the drive forks down to Maesnant.
Got it.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
I've also spotted a faint trod beside Nant Gelligogau which will take me down to Afon Hengwm.
Looking forward to it!
13.32 miles, 3,422 feet, 3 hours 39 minutes: Under Loughrigg - Fox Ghyll - Loughrigg top - High Close - Elterwater - Swinescar Pike - Lang How - Sliver How - Loughrigg top - Fishgarths Wood - Clappersgate. Slightly overcast, a gentle refreshing breeze - the superb running conditions continue. In my vest for the last hour or so. Lots on Loughrigg, very few elsewhere. Quite a few cyclists about.
10.51 miles, 3,795 feet, 3 hours 19 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 3 sides, and along the ridge to Wansfell true top. Wall to wall sunshine. The terrain is so dry it is rather hard in places, but that is better than wet and slippery. Not many on the fell, but the car parks are pretty busy - I imagine lots are sitting outside at the pubs.
My partner walked to Elterwater and back - 17 km in total.
10.77 miles, 3,003 feet, 2 hours 59 minutes: Loughrigg trails. A bit hazy today, but this is not a complaint - sunny, no wind, not too hot - we are being spoilt. Quite a few about.
11.85 miles, 3,812 feet, 3 hours 16 minutes: Waterhead - Wansfell Pike - Roundhill Farm - Red Screes - Roundhill Farm. A bit more overcast than of late, and the wind was a bit cooler, but I still got down to my vest at the end. Quite a few on the Pike, and on the Roundhill Farm section - not many at all on Red Screes.
I wore my new TrailFly Ultra G300 Max shoes for the first time. I really like them - so comfortable, particularly when descending and on tarmac. It says a lot for Inov8's consistency that they could be worn out of the box on a run like this without any problems whatsoever. It will be interesting to see what their grip is like when it is wetter/muddier.
10.25 miles, 3,013 feet, 2 hours 56 minutes: Loughrigg trails. Blue sky, the occasional thin cloud, no wind - superb weather. Not that many about. My new shoes continue to impress.
One of my pals has just bought a new pair of them and will be wearing them "out of the box" on tonight's RATRun.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
I'll let you know how he gets on with them.
Given the price of them I would not expect anything else, Personally I have never been able to get on with INOV8 to short lived and overpriced for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
What do you use instead? Inov-8s are definitely expensive and don't last that long. But when I buy cheaper they seem to fall apart more quickly. I'd be OK with expensive and long-lived, if you have any recommendations.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK