Go on Linda, you know you want to!
Think I might:)
Printable View
Go on Linda, you know you want to!
Think I might:)
Well, got my entry in. Weather like last year wouldn't go amiss. Best get some long runs in!
Excellent! See you there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
That's me entered too. I hope I don't run out of legs 5 miles before the end this time...
I'd love to do it again but the 22nd is too close to Xmas down on Hayling Island. :angry:Quote:
Originally Posted by Moulinclimber
I'll be at the Beacons Ultra though. Are you doing that? Or Molehill?
Have wanted to do this the last 2 years and been stymied by different things and this year's too close to xmas family doings for me too - so I'm also consoling myself with the Brecon 40 - say hello if you recognise me from avatar, real name Paul AtkinsonQuote:
Originally Posted by Don't fear the sweeper
cheers, P
just signed up for this, it should give me an incentive to get some Christmas shopping done earlier than usual as the 22nd Dec would be my usual mad dash / panic looking for pressies.
Rich
There's always the post office in Patterdale if you're really stuck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich C
I appreciate they might be difficult to compare...........
But how does this compare in difficulty to the high peak marathon? Similar?
Cheers.
Am on the verge of entering this ...... I need someone to come and talk some sense into me quickly! :D
Sign up for XOTF instead :thumbup: The run's free, all you need is your beer and curry money :w00t:Quote:
Originally Posted by Martyn P
Very different. The TdH is almost entirely on good paths, so little navigational effort needed, and much more running. Which is probably why I found the HPM easier :)Quote:
Originally Posted by A-B
Thanks for that. I think I would be the same.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toreador
Now that's the kind of sense I was talking about!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Derby Tup
Don't be soft! I'll buy you a pint in the Queens Head in Askham at the end... there's not may pints taste as good as one you've run 38 miles for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martyn P
I always find the fifth or six pint at XOTF tastes rather good. And all you have to do to earn it is a gentle stroll up Keswick market-place from Lakeland Spice to the Dog and Gun past the Moot Hall :closed:Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
Pics from last years event can be found here
http://aim-adventureinmind.blogspot....helvellyn.html
Hope to see you there and maybe the kit check will be more stringent. Please bring a survival bag not blanket.
Cheers
Stumpy
Right, we're in. I'm looking forward to that beer already :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Hank
Good man. I might throw in a packet of peanuts if you're lucky.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martyn P
That's it. I've signed up too.
Good man.Quote:
Originally Posted by keswicksimon
Blinkin' flip!Quote:
Originally Posted by paulo
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
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by kennedr
*Askham to Patterdale (16k apx), loop of the Helvellyn ridge from Patterdale via Sticks Pass and Grisedale Tarn (28k), Patterdale to Askham (16k).
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
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!)
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splatcher
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.
Ah, but it was still light when you go there, it's much less obvious in the dark!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
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...
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Toreador
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
Trail of jelly babies? Not only a navigational aid, but a vital energy supply for that last push!Quote:
Originally Posted by Splatcher
If that's an offer, you're on. Just scatter them on your way back!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
The thought of a pint in the pub will spur me along that final bit!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hank
Splatcher, that was exactly my experience last year. When everything is covered with snow, the nav is not obvious in the dark on the moor above Askham where the fell ponies roam. It's never been obvious so far because it's always been plastered with snow.Quote:
Originally Posted by Splatcher
Sticks pass last year was a white-out pathless challenge - almost a compass bearing job.
Could it be snow-free this year? Bet you it will be. I haven't bothered to enter (yet?) but I have magical memories of surviving the frozen years - minus ten in 2010 even without the wind chill. With the wind chill above Grisedale Tarn it was becoming a survival job. Without decent kit an' all that..... I jest not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
Dont hold your breath http://www.ukweatherforecast.tv/wint...be-a-cold-one/
:thumbup:
Well they've already got November wrong.
http://metofficenews.wordpress.com/2...the-headlines/
Oh no, winter is going to be cold, or wet or wet and cold or snowy or mild and wet or dry or possibly wet and dry or something....Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
That did it. I've just had a splurge on Sportident and entered this, among others. I can't miss out on the chance of a third year of winter magic can I? Kahtoolas at the ready. Thanks for the heads-up, John. There was even still accommodation at the Queen's Head for Fri and Sat nights (I must be the only one going for the luxurious option ;)). If anyone wants to share, let me know. It's a twin room.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
Not the only one. Me and 't missus are staying at a nice B&B in Pooley Bridge :DQuote:
Originally Posted by BritNick
...and I'm staying in a nice warm house in Keswick. I'm happy to put myself through the discomfort that 7 hours+ running around the Lakeland fells in arctic conditions entails, but camping, or kipping on the floor, or staying in a hostel the night before/after? No chance! I'm soft as sh**e really.Quote:
Originally Posted by Martyn P