Todays permitted exercise!

10.18 miles, 2,864 feet, 3 hours 20 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including along the ridge to the true top, down to the top of Hundreds Road and back up again, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Overcast, with the main cloud base at about 1,500 feet, and banks of cloud at various levels below that. Intermittent drizzle; a moderate breeze from the north. Terrain saturated/streaming/slippery. Given the weather, I was surprised how many walkers were on the fell, though I did start later than usual - Dental visit, all OK thankfully.

The race route descent is really good, despite all the rain.

10.28 miles, 3,100 feet, 3 hours 15 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including down the race route to the road at High Close, down through Deerbolts Woods to Grasmere shore, and back up to the top via the steps overlooking Grasmere. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,000 feet. No rain. A moderately strong wind from the north. Terrain wet/saturated and slippery in places. Lots of walkers on the fell; 3 other runners seen.

One of the runners had a rather threatening dog that was not on a lead. "It is very friendly". Lots of subsequent l'esprit de l'escalier.

11.41 miles, 3,337 feet, 3 hours 24 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 3 sides, including along the ridge to the true top, down to the upper section of Hundred Road and back up, down to High Skelgyll Farm and back up, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,000 feet. Intermittent inconsequential drizzle. A moderate wind from the south east. Terrain damp/wet and slippery in places. Not many walkers about, 3 other runners seen.

2 of the runners had a dog with them, it barked at me, once, from a distance, and was not at all aggressive - they apologised - that is the way to do it.

10.28 miles, 2,624 feet, 3 hours 7 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including down the race route to the road at High Close, and up the steps overlooking Grasmere. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet. Intermittent drizzle; intermittent weak sunshine. A moderate breeze from the north. Terrain dry/damp/wet/saturated and slippery in places. Not many walkers about; 2 other runners seen.

8.19 miles, 1,457 feet, 1 hour 41 minutes: The 9 hills of Ambleside, so all on road/pavement. Constant drizzle/light rain. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,500 feet. A gusty wind from the south, even at this level. Lots of puddles. Very few people about; no other runners seen.

I had on full waterproof kit, albeit very lightweight - it was just right.

10.15 miles, 595 feet, 2 hours 11 minutes: Low level roads in/around Ambleside/Rydal, so all on road/pavement. Initially overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,000 feet, later probably double that. Almost continuous drizzle/light to moderate rain. A surprisingly warm wind from the south. Lots of walkers about despite the rain; 1 other runner seen. As I was finshing the sun came out and there were patches of blue sky.

The Under Loughrigg Road was under several inches of water in places.

10.21 miles, 3,079 feet, 3 hours 22 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including down to the upper section of Hundreds Road and up to the true top, then along the ridge to the Pike, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. A mixture of sunshine/blue sky and clouds, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet. A few minutes of drizzle; a moderate breeze from the south. Terrain damp/wet/saturated and slippery. Quite a few walkers on the fell; 1 other runner seen.

10.83 miles, 3,089 feet, 3 hours 41 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including down the race route to the road at High Close, right along the road, then up the steps overlooking Grasmere. Overcast - initially the cloud base was at about 600 feet, later, it was above most of the high tops, and there were some glimpses of blue sky. A few minutes of drizzle, a moderate breeze from the east. Terrain damp/wet/saturated and slippery in places. Not many walkers about; 3 other runners seen.

13.15 miles, 3,715 feet, 4 hours 11 minutes: Ambleside - Low Sweden Bridge - rock step - Low Pike - High Pike - Pile of Stones between Hart and Dove Crags - Dove Crag - Scandale - Red Screes - south ridge - Roundhill Farm - Ambleside. A mixture of sunshine/blue sky and high clouds, mainly the latter. A moderately strong quite cold wind from the south. No rain. Terrain anything from dry to damp/wet/saturated and slippery in places. Lots of walkers on the fells; 7 other runners seen.

I took the Hodgson Relay trod just to the south west of Dove Crag, then came back over it before joining the route down to Scandale. On the initial ascent I stayed on the race side of the wall until just before Dove Crag.

9.59 miles, 2,615 feet, 3 hours: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including up the race route from the kissing gate, along the ridge to the true top, down to the top of Hundreds Road, back up to the Pike, and down the race route. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 700 feet. Almost constant drizzle/light rain. A moderately
strong wind from the south. Terrain saturated/streaming and slippery. I was surprised how many walkers were on the fell, but then the forecast was rather better than the actual conditions. 1 other runner seen.

10.19 miles, 3,181 feet, 3 hours 32 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including down the race route to the road at High Close, right along the road, then back up the steps overlooking Grasmere. Mainly overcast, with the clouds mainly above the high tops. Intermittent sunshine/blue sky; frequent brief showers. A blustery wind from the south. Terrain saturated/streaming and very slippery. Not many walkers about; 2 other runners seen.

Despite the intermittent showers it was not cold, and my waterproof top stayed in my bumbag.

10.11 miles, 3,155 feet, 3 hours 20 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including along the ridge to the true top, down to the top of Nanny Lane and back up again, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,000 feet. A few minutes of drizzle. That moderately strong wind from the south persists. Terrain anything from dry to wet/saturated/streaming and slippery in places. Not many walkers on the fell; 2 other runners seen.

I started by going through the fields next to the Roman Ruins, but it was under about a foot of water in places so I turned back. I did of course end up with wet feet eventually, but I would prefer they got wet gradually rather than all at once. I am just wearing Injinjis at the moment, not Dexshalls.

10.18 miles, 2,560 feet, 3 hours 13 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including up the steps overlooking Loughrigg Tarn, down the race route to the road at High Close, right along the road, then up the steps overlooking Grasmere. Overcast, with the cloud base between 1,500 feet and above the high tops. No significant wind - yet. Drizzle/light rain for the last couple of miles. Terrain wet/saturated/streaming and slippery. Not many walkers about, though there were several groups of youngsters in hi-viz vests who were probably doing an event; no other runners seen.

10.03 miles, 2,666 feet, 3 hours 3 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including along the ridge to the true top, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet; misty below that. A few minutes of drizzle; a moderately strong wind from the south. Terrain wet/saturated/streaming and slippery. Not many walkers about; 1 other runner seen.

The strong winds that were forecast for overnight do not seem to have happened. We have certainly had far worse without any hint of a yellow warning.

13.15 miles, 4,031 feet, 4 hours 17 minutes: Ambleside - Low Sweden Bridge - rock step - Low Pike - High Pike - Pile of Stones - Dow Crag - Scandale - Red Screes - south ridge - Roundhill Farm - Ambleside. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet. A few minutes of drizzle. A very strong quite cold wind from the south west. Terrain wet/saturated/streaming and slippery. Very few walkers about; 2 other runners seen.

I ascended on the race side/east of the wall, and took the Hodgson Relay trod south west of Dow Crag to get to the Pile of Stones, then came back over Dow Crag.

10.25 miles, 3,196 feet, 3 hours 11 minutes: Wansfell Pike, including the true top, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Overcast, with the cloud base initially at about 700 feet; it was a coupe of hundred feet higher later. No rain. A moderately strong wind from the south. Terrain wet/saturated and slippery. Lots of walkers on the Wansfell steps; 6 other runners seen.

Some people chase me when I overtake them on the Wansfell steps. Today it was 3 separate people - they were clearly unaware of their limitations.

9.14 miles, 2,320 feet, 3 hours 13 minutes: Kirkstone Inn - Red Screes - Scandale - south west of Dove Crag - Pile of Stones - Dove Crag - High Pike - Low Pike - rock step - Rydal Park - Ambleside. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,000 feet initially - it cleared to an extent later, with patches of blue sky and most of the high tops cloud free. Intermittent drizzle/light rain, a moderate breeze from the south. Terrain wet/saturated/streaming and very slippery. Very few walkers on the fells; apart from those in the relay I only saw 1 other runner.

I was marshalling at Kirkstone for the Hodgson Relay - I set off just after the mass start. Basically I did the first half of the 3rd leg of the relay, and then a bit less than the 2nd half of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

My watch is really playing up - whilst it recorded my run, it has refused to download it. Luckily I did look at the numbers when I stopped running.

Its a good day out following the Hodgson race round.

If you're very quick you could probably run the high level version and see much of all 4 legs.

Last time i caught the first two legs, then descended back to Brothers Water/Patterdale down Threshthwaite (which is a very long and lonely route down!)

13.56, 3,793 feet, 4 hours 33 minutes: Yesterday I ascended Red Screes from Kirkstone, today I went up from Ambleside via Blue Hill Road/Lane, Roundhill Farm, and the south ridge - thereafter the route was the same as yesterday, apart from some minor variations after Scandale. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet, and multiple banks of cloud at various levels below that. No rain, a moderately strong wind from the south. Terrain anything from dry to saturated, and slippery in places. Very few walkers about; no other runners seen.

I think I have finally worked out the best way to cross from Scandale to below Dove Crag, but I need to try it again to be sure.

10.11 miles, 3,056 feet, 3 hours 19 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including Todd Crag, Lily Tarn, down the race route to the road at High Close and back up the steps opposite Grasmere, and twice up/down the slope between the kissing gate north east of Lily Tarn and the little wooden bridge. Overcast and misty - the cloud base was at about 2,000 feet. Almost continuous drizzle/light rain; a moderately strong wind from the west. Terrain wet/saturated/streaming and slippery. Very few walkers about; no other runners seen.

The sun came out briefly from time to time, making it look like it was going to clear up, but if anything it got worse.

The slope between the kissing gate and the little wooden bridge adds 1/4 mile each way, and 275 feet of up or down.

12.04 miles, 4,005 feet, 3 hours 57 minutes: Rothay Bridge - Rothay Park - Rydal Park - Low Sweden Bridge - rock step - Low Pike - High Pike - just below Dove Crag - Scandale - Red Screes - south ridge - Roundhill Farm - Ambleside. Overcast and misty, the cloud base was at about 2,500 feet. A strong blustery wind from the south west. Intermittent drizzle/light rain. Terrain saturated/streaming and slippery. Only 3 walkers seen on the fells, and no runners.

From below Dove Crag to Scandale went well, as did the ascending trod away from the wall up Red Screes. The latter path is vague at the top, and I will need to recce it again.

10.18 miles, 1,053 feet, 1 hour 58 minutes: Ambleside - Bog Lane - Skelwith Bridge - Drunken Duck - Ambleside. Overcast and misty; the cloud base was at about 2,000 feet. Almost constant drizzle/light rain, though I took my waterproof top off after a couple of minutes and did not put it back on. All on bitumen, which was wet/streaming. Very few walkers about; 1 other runner seen.

I did add several out and back sections to increase the distance a bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike T

10.18 miles, 1,053 feet, 1 hour 58 minutes: Ambleside - Bog Lane - Skelwith Bridge - Drunken Duck - Ambleside. Overcast and misty; the cloud base was at about 2,000 feet. Almost constant drizzle/light rain, though I took my waterproof top off after a couple of minutes and did not put it back on. All on bitumen, which was wet/streaming. Very few walkers about; 1 other runner seen.

I did add several out and back sections to increase the distance a bit.

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How do you fair on bitumen Mike (re physical impact)? I avoid it like the proverbial plague as it seems to chew my calves and ankles these days. Maybe I've just grown soft and feeble in my dotage:(

I am fine on bitumen with the right shoes - Trailfly Ultra G 300 Max - they are lovely and cushioned - I would wear them all the time if they had decent grip on fell terrain, but they don't.

10.14 miles, 3,402 feet, 3 hours 16 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate, and along the ridge from the true top back to the Pike. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,000 feet. Constant drizzle/light rain, a moderately strong wind from the south, terrain saturated/streaming and very slippery. Very few walkers about; 1 other runner seen.

10.47 miles, 3,093 feet, 3 hours 42 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including up the steps overlooking Loughrigg Tarn, down the race route to the road at High Close, and up the steps overlooking Grasmere. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 1,500 feet. A few minutes of drizzle, no significant wind, terrain saturated/streaming/slippery. Not many walkers about; 1 other runner seen.

There has been lots of rain in the past few days - streams and puddles everywhere, though the roads are mainly OK.

11.05 miles, 3,047 feet, 3 hours 27 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including along the ridge to the true top, and down the race route to the kissing gate. Thin high clouds, with banks of mist at multiple levels below that. Occasional weak sunny spells. No rain, no significant wind. Terrain mainly wet/saturated and slippery. Not many walkers about; 3 other runners seen.

12.28 miles, 2,488 feet, 3 hours 35 minutes: Rothay Bridge to Silver How and back, going out via Under Loughrigg, Rydal, Grasmere shore, and Deerblts Woods, and coming back via the steps overlooking Grasmere to Loughrigg top. Sunshine and high clouds, mainly the latter; the cloud base was at about 2,500 feet. A moderate breeze from the north. No rain. The terrain is anything from dry to wet/saturated/streaming/slippery. Not many walkers about; 1 other runner seen.

The entire Loughrigg-Silver How race route is now viable in terms of the bracken - but it is of course very slippery in places.

11.58 miles, 3,540 feet, 3 hours 41 minutes: Ambleside - Rydal Park - Low Sweden Bridge - rock step - Low/High Pikes - Scandale - Red Screes - south ridge - Roundhill Farm - Ambleside. Overcast, with the cloud base initially at about 800 feet, later twice that; some brief sunny spells. A few minutes of drizzle; a moderately strong wind from the south. Terrain mainly wet/saturated/streaming and slippery. I saw perhaps 8 walkers on the fells, and no runners.

It is amazing how different some paths look when the crag is down.

11.46 miles, 3,030 feet, 3 hours 26 minutes: Rothay Bridge - Roman Ruins - Borrans Park - Stagshaw Gardens - High Skelghyll - Skelghyll Lane - Troutbeck - Nanny Lane - Wansfell true top - Wansfell Pike - Blue Hill Woods - Ambleside. Overcast, with the cloud base above the high tops. No rain; a moderate breeze from the south west. Terrain wet/saturated and slippery. Very few walkers about; no runners seen.

10.8 miles, 3,095 feet, 3 hours 48 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including down the race route to the road at High Close, and back up the steps overlooking Grasmere. Almost wall to wall sunshine, just a few very high clouds. No significant wind, no rain. Terrain very variable - dry in places, wet/saturated/slippery elsewhere. Quite a few walkers on the fell; no runners seen.

10.23 miles, 3,445 feet, 3 hours 29 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including the true top, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,500 feet; some brief patches of blue sky. A few minutes of drizzle, a moderately strong wind from the north west, terrain wet/saturated/slippery. Not many walkers on the fell; 1 other runner seen.

I did not go along the ridge - it was unpleasant in that wind - between the Pike and the true top I went via the upper section of Nanny Lane both ways.

10.36 miles, 3,286 feet, 3 hours 30 minutes: Ambleside - Rydal Park - Low Sweden Bridge - rock step - Low/High Pikes - High Bakestones - Scandale - Red Screes - south ridge - Golden Rule - Ambleside. Initially sunny, then it became overcast, with some snow flurries, and, lower down, drizzle. The main cloud base was about 2,500 feet, but in places it was down to the valley floor. A moderately strong wind from the west. Terrain initially dry/damp, later wet/saturated/slippery. I saw about 30 walkers on the fells, and no runners.

10.13 miles, 3,492 feet, 3 hours 34 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 3 sides, including along the ridge to the true top, and up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate. Mainly sunshine/blue sky, though there were some high fluffy clouds, and higher thin streaky clouds. No rain. A moderate breeze from the north. Terrain mainly dry/damp with good grip, though drainage areas are still saturated. Lots of walkers on the fell; 1 runner seen.

There was ice on some of the puddles on the ridge, and the ground was quite firm in places.

13.47 miles, 3,463 feet, 4 hours 11 minutes: Fairfield Horseshoe clockwise, plus Borrans Park and the Roman Ruins. Sunshine through very thin high streaky clouds. No rain. A moderate breeze from the south east. Terrain mainly dry with good grip. Lots of walkers on the Under Loughrigg Road and doing the horseshoe. No runners seen.

For a change I went over all the tops on the way up; I stayed on the west of the wall on the descent until just above the rock step, which I went down.

10.45 miles, 3,502 feet, 3 hours 19 minutes: Wansfell Pike from 2 sides, including up/down the race route from/to the kissing gate, and back along the ridge from the true top to the Pike. Sunshine and initially thin high clouds, later large cloud banks developed catching some of the high tops. A strong wind from the east. No rain. Terrain mainly dry/damp with good grip. Lots of walkers on the fell; no runners seen.

10.73 miles, 3,354 feet, 3 hours 36 minutes: Loughrigg/Silver How race route with variations, including starting/finishing at Rothay Bridge, going out via Clappersgate and Lily Tarn, and going up to Loughrigg top the second time via the steps overlooking Grasmere. Overcast, with widespread thin very high clouds, and some rather lower fluffy clouds mainly above the high tops. Intermittent attenuated sunshine. No rain, a strong wind from the south east. Terrain dry with good grip. Lots of walkers on Loughrigg; very few on Silver How. No runners seen.

10.9 miles, 2,567 feet, 3 hours 18 minutes: Wansfell Pike via Skelghyll Lane, Troutbeck, and Nanny Lane. Overcast, with the main cloud base at about 800 feet; cloud banks below that, some as low as the valley floor. Constant drizzle/light rain. A moderately strong wind from the east. Terrain saturated/streaming/slippery. Very few walkers about; 2 runners seen.

Despite the precipitation my waterproof top did not stay on for long as it was not at all cold.

I noticed that this morning. Wearing a baselayer was incredibly warm and i'd have been better off in a t-shirt.

Which means it'll probably be a warm session tonight.

11.25 miles, 2.880 feet, 3 hours 20 minutes: Loughrigg trails, including Fishgarths Wood, Todd Crag, Lily Tarn, along the track past Loughrigg Tarn, down/up through Deerbolts Woods to/from Grasmere shore, and up the steps overlooking Grasmere. Overcast, with the cloud base at about 2,000 feet. Intermittent drizzle. A very strong blustery wind from the east. Terrain damp/wet with good grip apart from the wet rocks. Not many walkers about; 4 runners seen.

The wind was the strongest I have experienced on Loughrigg - several times the only safe way to make progress was by crouching down and using my hands, and even then it felt precarious. An adventure, even at this low level.