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They are nowhere near as good as those at Hardknott - just foundations, no mosaics nor heating systems, but a lovely setting, and a worthwhile walk on a day off, or for partners to do whilst waiting for runners to finish nearby races.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
8.05 miles, 3,248 feet, 3 hours 10 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 3 sides, taking in Stagshaw Gardens, the Champion Tree Trail, Kelsick Scar, Blue Hill Woods, and once down/up the race route to/from the kissing gate. Overcast and misty - again, none of the tops were visible, though some of the outlines of their upper flanks were discernible. Virtually constant light drizzle, a moderate breeze from the west. Terrain saturated and slippery. Very few about; one woman said "I think we saw you yesterday" - maybe!
12.22 miles, 3,830 feet, 4 hours 1 minute: Rothay Bridge - Miller Bridge - Low Sweden Bridge - around the Rock Step - Low Pike - High Pike - Dove Crag - Scandale - Red Screes - Roundhill Farm - Ambleside. Sunshine and clouds, most of the high tops were cloud free. A strong cold wind from the west. No rain. Very little snow visible. Terrain saturated and slippery. I saw about a dozen people ascending towards Dove Crag, but only three others on Red Screes, one a fellow runner.
I took some new routes today, one when descending towards Scandale, and a couple descending from Red Screes, though one of these was to avoid a lone dog whose intentions I did not trust.
9.11 miles, 3,118 feet, 3 hours 8 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including some new minor routes. Sunshine and clouds, the latter catching some of the higher tops. A sprinkling of snow visible above 2,000 feet. No precipitation whilst I was out. A cold wind from the west. Terrain anything from dry to saturated and slippery; no snow nor ice at this level. Very few about.
9.35 miles, 3,243 feet, 3 hours 15 minutes: Wansfell Pike from three sides, including once up and once down the race route from/to the kissing gate, and taking in the true top. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,500 feet; a moderate wind from the west; a couple of brief light snow flurries. Terrain anything from damp to saturated; icy and firm in places from the bottom of the valley up; slippery. Quite a few walkers on the main paths.
The weekend looks like it will be a little damp!
7.36 miles, 2,336 feet, 2 hours 11 minutes: Loughrigg trails, taking in Fishgarths Wood, Todd and Ivy Crags, but not Loughrigg top. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 600 feet; continuous light to moderate rain, and a strong wind from the south west even at low levels. Terrain saturated and slippery. Far more walkers about than I expected, given the weather; and I saw two fellow runners.
7.92 miles, 2,273 feet, 2 hours 42 minutes: around the Roman Ruins, then the lower flanks of Wansfell, including Stagshaw Gardens, the Champion Tree Trail, and Skelghyll and Blue Hill Woods. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,000 feet, constant light to moderate rain, a moderate wind from the south west. Terrain saturated - streams and puddles everywhere - very slippery. Very few about.
9.07 miles, 2,835 feet, 3 hours 7 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including Todd and Ivy Crags, Loughrigg top, and down to the road at High Close. Sunshine and clouds, mainly the latter, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet. Intermittent light rain. Patchy snow above about 2,000 feet. Terrain saturated and slippery; a moderate wind from the north. Lots of walkers about, but it is of course half term. Seven fellow runners seen.
7.2 miles, 3,027 feet, 2 hours 37 minutes: Wansfell Pike from two sides, including once up and once down the race route from/to the kissing gate, and to Wansfell true top and back. Sunshine and clouds, the cloud base being at about 2,500 feet. Less snow visible on the high tops than yesterday. A cold wind from the west; no rain whilst I was out. Terrain saturated and slippery. Again, lots of walkers on the fell.
9.73 miles, 2,627 feet, 2 hours 49 minutes: Brathay and Loughrigg trails. Overcast and misty - no distinct cloud base but nothing above 2,000 feet was visible. Constant light to moderate rain, a strong wind from the south west. Not cold. Terrain streaming - puddles everywhere - very slippery. Not many about.
8.04 miles, 3,590 feet, 3 hours 3 minutes: Wansfell Pike from three sides, including once up and twice down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Sunshine and clouds, mainly the latter, with the cloud base above the tops. A few minutes of light drizzle; a strong cold wind from the west. Terrain dry in places - elsewhere damp/wet/saturated and slippery. Lots of walkers on the main routes.
9.27 miles, 2,890 feet, 3 hours 6 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including Todd and Ivy Crags, Loughrigg top, and down to the road at High Close. Sunshine and clouds, mainly the latter, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet, and the snow line 500 feet or so below that. A cold but not particularly strong wind from the west. Intermittent light rain/graupel. Terrain wet/saturated and very slippery. I saw a couple of dozen walkers on the fell, and one fellow runner. Given that we are in a yellow warning area, with the amber area not far to the south, conditions were fairly benign. Having said that, I was hooded/gloved/triple layered, and there are a few hours left for things to become interesting.
9.05 miles, 2,829 feet, 3 hours 17 minutes: Wansfell Pike, ascending via the steps from Waterhead, Stagshaw Gardens, Skelghyll Woods, Blue Hill Road, and the race route steps from the kissing gate; descending via the Hundreds Road, High Skelghyll, and Blue Hill Woods. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 600 feet initially. Intermittent showers of light rain/wet snow. A gentle wind from the west. Snow on the ground above 800 feet, though I did not encounter any ice; terrain saturated and very slippery. Microspikes carried but not used. Quite a few walkers on the Wansfell steps. One fellow runner seen. As I was finishing the sun came out.
What could you expect from the new KWL Sallow race, Mike?
Interesting. I have never crossed the private land section, and I have only done the stretch from the under 17 turn around point to the top of Sallows once - in descent - it was jolly wet, and the path was clearly not often used. The Garburn Pass is a very rough and rocky descent. The flat section is very runnable. Have fun if you do it.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
7.46 miles, 2,401 feet, 2 hours 18 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including Fishgarths Wood, Todd and Ivy Crags, and Loughrigg top. Overcast, with the cloud baes at about 1,500 feet. Constant light to moderate rain, with a very strong wind from the south west. Terrain streaming and slippery. I saw a couple of dozen walkers on the fell, and six fellow runners.
The Under Loughrigg Road is starting to flood, and both ends of the pedestrian wooden bridge opposite Rothay Manor are under water.
8.05 miles, 3,589 feet, 3 hours 5 minutes: Wansfell Pike, including once up and once down the race route from/to the kissing gate, and along the ridge to Wansfell true top and back. Sunshine and clouds, the cloud base being above the high tops. An extremely strong wind from the north west. No rain. Terrain anything from damp to streaming - very slippery. Quite a few walkers on the steps up to the Pike - not many elsewhere.
I doubt I did that much up/down - as mentioned before I blame the strong wind.
9.5 miles, 3,357 feet, 3 hours 12 minutes: Loughrigg trails. Sunshine and clouds, the latter mainly above the tops. Intermittent drizzle/light rain. A strong wind from the north west. Terrain saturated and slippery. Lots of walkers on the main routes.
9.01 miles, 2,836 feet, 3 hours 3 minutes: Wansfell Pike, taking in Borrans Park, the Waterhead steps, and Skelghyll Woods on the way up, and the Hundreds Road and Bluehill Woods on the way down. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,000 feet; a strong wind, even in the valleys, from the south west. Intermittent light rain. Terrain wet/saturated and slippery. Very few about; two fellow runners seen.
At first I tried to go past the Roman Ruins, but there are short unavoidable sections that are a couple of feet under water, so I turned back. I found a nice relatively dry stretch of grass in Borrans Park - between the Ruins and Waterhead - so did some drills and strides after warming up.
My brother, sister in law and nephews are staying in Ambleside this week Mike.
Although i highly doubt they are clocking up your kind of mileage!
It is a shame they have to put up with such a dodgy week weather wise - but if you have the right kit and the appropriate mindset then it is exciting!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
I doubt they'll be considering kit choice too much... they'll just be doing the usual tourist stuff.... Brockhole, Grizedale, Preist Hole Sunday Lunch, etc.... i've told my brother to put some waterproofs on and get my nephew up Loughrigg, but i doubt it'll happen!
8.41 miles, 2,832 feet, 2 hours 42 minutes: Loughrigg trails, ascending via the rough zig-zag path from Clappersgate, descending via the track past the old golf club to Miller Bridge, and taking in Todd and Ivy Crags, Loughrigg top, and down to the road at High Close. Sunshine and clouds, with the cloud base at about 2,000 feet, with patchy white stuff on the ground above 1,000 feet. A strong cold wind from the north west, with intermittent showers of graupel. Terrain wet and slippery. Quite a few walkers on the fell, despite the conditions. Wind blown graupel in the face is not exactly fun.
9.05 miles, 2,338 feet, 3 hours 18 minutes: Wansfell Pike, including along the ridge to the true top and back. Sunshine and clouds; the cloud base was above the high tops. Some white stuff on the ground above about 1,400 feet, but no ice at the level I was at. No precipitation. A moderate wind from the west. Lots of walkers at the top of the Pike; one fellow runner seen.
I again tried to go past the Roman Ruins, but the ground is still under water in places - I have no doubt it would go over the top of my waterproof socks. Borrans Park inspired some drills and strides - the latter 20 x 85 yards or so, so about a mile of fast running - very unusual for me.
11.57 miles, 3,816 feet, 3 hours 48 minutes: Rothay Bridge - Clappersgate zig-zag path - Todd and Ivy Crags - Loughrigg top - High Close - Silver How - High Close - Loughrigg top - golf club track - Miller Bridge - Rothay Bridge. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet; a few minutes of weak sunshine from time to time. No precipitation, no white stuff nor ice underfoot on this route. Terrain damp/wet and slippery in places. A moderate wind from the south west. Quite a few walkers on the main routes; 5 fellow runners seen.
12.09 miles, 3,905 feet, 4 hours 4 minutes: Rothay Bridge - Miller Bridge - Low Sweden Bridge - up the Rock Step - Low and High Pikes - Dove Crag - Scandale - Red Screes - Roundhill Farm - Ambleside. Sunny, with a few high clouds. A strong cold wind from the south on the tops - almost still in the valley. No Precipitation. Patchy snow and lots of ice above 1,800 feet. Terrain anything from dry to wet/saturated to crunchy to frozen solid - slippery in places. Quite a few walkers on the main routes. Microspikes carried but not used.
9.01 miles, 2,146 feet, 3 hours 3 minutes: Wansfell Pike, ascending via Borrans Park, the Waterhead steps and Skelghyll Woods; descending via the Hundreds Road, High Skelghyll, and Blue Hill Woods. Overcast, with a very low cloud base at about 500 feet. Constant light to moderate rain. No significant wind. Terrain saturated/streaming and slippery. I only saw six others on the fell.
Drills, and, in total, one and a half miles of strides done in Borrans Park.
9.62 miles, 2,831 feet, 3 hours 2 minutes: Loughrigg trails, taking in Fishgarths Wood, Todd and Ivy Crags, Lily Tarn, Loughrigg top, and down to the road at High Close. Virtually wall to wall sunshine; the occasional thin high cloud. A gentle breeze from the west. No precipitation. Terrain anything from dry to saturated to crunchy/frozen - very slippery in places. Patchy snow visible on the very high tops. Lots of walkers on the main routes.
8.72 miles, 2,802 feet, 3 hours 9 minutes: Wansfell Pike, including the Roman Ruins, Borrans Park, and once down and once up the race route to/from the kissing gate. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,800 feet. Constant drizzle/light rain. A cold wind from the south. Terrain saturated and slippery. I only two other people on the fell.
Drills and one and a half miles worth of 80 metre strides done in Borrans Park.
10.26 miles, 1,891 feet, 2 hours 51 minutes: Loughrigg trails, taking in the Roman Ruins, Borrans Park, Todd and Ivy Crags, Lily Tarn, Loughrigg top, and the track past the old golf club to Miller Bridge. Overcast and foggy, with visibility down to several hundred feet. Constant drizzle/light rain. No wind. Terrain saturated and slippery. Very few about; one fellow runner seen.
My new X-Talon Ultra 260s have arrived - looking forward to wearing them. When ordering them from Pete Bland's I forgot to put the discount code in - I contacted them later and they did it for me - what a store.
11.41 miles, 3,472 feet, 3 hours 45 minutes: Rothay Bridge - Clappersgate - Todd Crag - Lily Tarn - Ivy Crag - Loughrigg top - High Close - Silver How - High Close - Loughrigg top - old golf club track - Miller Bridge - Rothay Bridge. Sunshine and clouds, the cloud base just catching the highest tops; some patchy snow visible just below that. A breeze from the north. No precipitation. Terrain anything from damp to saturated - slippery in places. Not many about, though there were quite a few walkers sitting and taking in the view at each top.
The 260s: whilst they provide good cushioning underneath, I found them a bit stiff at the sides, so they rub my little toes more than the 255s. I will stuff them with paper to try and stretch them a bit. The 255s remain my current favourite shoe.
9.56 miles, 3,388 feet, 3 hours 44 minutes: Wansfell Pike from three sides, including once down and once up the race route to/from the kissing gate. Sunny, with some fluffy clouds well above the high tops. A strong cold wind from the north. No precipitation. It looks like almost all the snow has gone. Terrain anything from dry to saturated; slippery in places. Lots of walkers on the main routes; four fellow runners seen.
I did start off with drills and one and a half miles worth of strides in Borrans Park. It was so nice to be in the 255s again.
Day 2 of outdoor gym.
Chainsaw, trees felled, several tonnes of wood lifted and carried. More felling, carrying and burning tomorrow and Monday, then a lot of axe work through the summer.
Some people pay money to go to the gym, strange thing to do 🤔.
Chainsaw? You use this contraption instead of a saw that uses your own muscle power?:p
OAPs are allowed an engine on their saw!Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
12.18 miles, 3,319 feet, 4 hours 17 minutes: Elterwater Common - Silver How - Lang How - Swinescar Pike - Blea Rigg - Sergeant Man - High Raise - then back the way I had come. Sunshine and clouds, the cloud base being above the high tops. A cool breeze from the south east. No precipitation. Terrain mainly dry, though icy/crunchy/hard in places above 1,500 feet. Traction good as long as the ice was avoided. Plenty of walkers about; seven fellow runners seen.
8.21 miles, 3,435 feet, 3 hours 29 minutes: ODG - The Band - Crinkle Crags - Pike o'Blisco - ODG. Overcast, with the cloud base catching the high tops. A cold wind from the south east. No precipitation. Terrain widely frozen from the valley floor up, lots of ice. Very slippery in places. Microspikes carried but not used. Quite a few walkers about.
I was very glad to be triple layered top and bottom.
There are some good youtube videos of chopping down trees with an axe. eg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCshw5x-Ezs. I don't know about you Moley, but this guy looks a bit more muscly than me, and it still takes him a long time to fell it.Quote:
Originally Posted by molehill
MikeQuote:
Originally Posted by Mike T
I assume the daily runs of this length have come about since you retired and I wondered if your presumably greater fitness has been reflected in the fell races you have done, possibly arresting any natural decline in performance because of aging, although I appreciate that there may not have been a lot of races in the "Covid years", even if there were before?
Graham
(Mmmh. My question reminds me of when Johnny Rogan asked Gene Clark (ex-Byrds) a question that fills a complete page of his book - and Gene Clark responds briefly to say "I dont know"!).