See someone is having a go now.. its on the book.. Jason?
Started yesterday 3 pm so should be finishing soon..
Any news?
Good luck to them, photos of last night at sunset look great.
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See someone is having a go now.. its on the book.. Jason?
Started yesterday 3 pm so should be finishing soon..
Any news?
Good luck to them, photos of last night at sunset look great.
Just seen this on twitter: "Fantastic winter Ramsay Round completion for Jon Gay, 23.18!" The first sub 24hr winter Ramsay! Well done!
That's a real moment, one of the real challenges left unbroken. Well done that man.
Fantastic achievement for a great mate... so pleased it was Jon!
Wow, brilliant achievement. Well done :thumbup:
Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceTheSweeper
Abs. Superb. Awesome achievement, first sub 24.. Noone can ever take that away from you! Part of the history of the round now.. Well done!
Well done Jon! Worth waiting for the conditions, I look forward to your report.
Well done that man on a fantastic achievement.
Fantastic effort. Brilliant weekend for it mind, absolutely glorious conditions. And here's me not even realising he was having a go. A smashing guy and a hardy runner, well deserved.
There were 3 of us out there at the weekend.
I don't think I was ever going to get particularly far having lost all fitness with the cold from hell - ill for the whole month of December, recovering through all of january and only just back in training.
I'd given up on any attempt on the Ramsay this winter but when the weather, the snow conditions and the moon all alligned for this weekend and I simply could not resist the temptation to just see if maybe...
The weather was great - not walll to wall sunshine but largely clear and largely calm, though there were localised bits of cloud clinging to tops and ridges, localised blasts of wind whistling over but on the whole really good. The snow cover was full and complete at higher levels with all tops, ridges and bealachs in deep cover. It was all in perfect condition, firm and giving a good grip.
This was the weekend.
I set off at about 6:50 pm on Saturday and the crossing of the Ben, CMD arette, CMD and the watershed was just the most fantstic experience with everything blanketed in snow, ridges and mountainsides lit by the moon and cast in shadow - simply awesome. If you ever get the opportunity to do this or similar then you won't regret it - such an experience! From Aonach Mor I had a fair bit of cloud so no more fabulous moonlit views for me.
I progressed to Leachach bothy in 6 hours and 10 but called it a day at that. Whilst bang on schedule I wasn't eating well and I think the superb snow conditions were flattering me, I was starting to tire and that was it for me. Nevertheless I'd had a superb night's experience on the hill and at least given it a shot.
So I put on every one of my 6 top layers and 3 leg layers and curled up for a cold and uncomfortable night on a bare wooden sleeping platform.
In the morning I chatted to the 3 other occupants of the bothy 2 were walkers - one was Jim Paxton of DP recceing for a summer Ramsey.
At about 7 am another chap turned up looking for Willy - "whats he up to ?" I asked " Oh - ridiculous things " came the response - "the Ramsey Round then " I said. correct.
This was part of Jason's support for his ACW round. Given the 3pm start and the time of day, plus the understanding that he'd been an hour down on schedule after the Mamores we deduced that Jason had likely abandoned at Fersit and this was indeed the case. I don't know more than this.
On to Jon.
Well done Jon.
The man who with his brother Dan has probably been trying to crack the winter round for longer than anyone.
Last year Jon and Dan and I set off on our attepts together at the same time, back to back though as they headed anti-clockwise to my clockwise. Afterwards in the pub back in Edinburgh I asked Dan how many attempts he and Jon had made and he wasn't entirely sure, half a dozen or more. I think the unsure bit comes from some of them never really having any realistic chance of success due to coditions.
Well, this time the conditions were perfect and Jon was ready (Dan is away round the world cycling or some such).
I've not spoken to Jon but have gleaned a few morsels.
An 8am start on Saturday, clockwise. Solo.
Across the Grey Corries Jon was going well. I know this because the stride length of his inov8 tracks showed he was stetching out and cruising - it was a stride length that I was not able to match.
The next report comes from one of Jason's support team who I spoke to back at Glen Nevis. They met him somewhere across Surr Eilde Mor ( I never understood quite where) again going strong and according to this chap 4 hours up on a 24 hour schedule. This I don't believe was ever the case. Particularly as I saw lights across Sgurr Eilde Mor when I was on Stob Ban - about midnight / 1 am. whether this was Jon or Jason's group I don't know but it puts him roughly thereabouts at midnight. Off an 8 am start then that is around 24 hour schedule. Best explaination is that Jon was about 4 hours up on Tom Philips' 27 hours. This was indeed the outcome for Jon in 23:18.
Again, well done Jon
As Mark mentions - the last big challenge has been cracked and its fantastic that its gone to Jon, based in Fort William and who has persevered over several years to finally break the 24 hour Winter Round.
Congratulations that man.
well done great effort. I saw Jims post on FB but he was more bothered about his whiskey....:)
Fantastic achievement - well done! Sounds like cracking conditions.Quote:
Originally Posted by IanDarkpeak
OK, folks, Jon's just been trying to register here to thank you all for the congrats and post his report, but has asked me to do it because he's waiting for moderator approval or something. So thanks to you all, and here goes:
The Report
The SplitsQuote:
Clockwise, Solo, Charlie Ramsay's Round. 23 to 24th February 2013. Jon Gay.
'Winter conditions paradox'.
I was extremely fortunate to complete a Ramsay's Round in stunning weather and snow conditions this weekend. I finished in a time of 23 hours, 18 minutes. I have decided to write it up briefly as I have enjoyed reading reports by others.
Having the advantage that the the Ramsay's is within running distance of my house it is possible to pick my weather (assume drizzle in Fort William). This time there was superb winter conditions, very benign. Paradoxically I believe that the snow surface made significant parts of the run easier than summer. Please see attached my split times.
I like spend most of my spare time in these hills and admit to failing many a winter Tranter or Ramsay attempt over the years. My Brother Dan (summer Ramsay's completion), and I became experienced at running the Corrour to Tulloch railway after abortive attempts, great for the neck muscles and general awareness. Last February we did manage to get well over half way anti clockwise before retiring with cold feet. At the time Andy Kitchin was going the other way and also stopped due to the cold after a similar distance (we saw his head torch at Loch Treig). We realised that if you aggregated the times it proved that the winter round could be done in under 24 hours, assuming perfect conditions.
I was pleased to complete a Ramsay's in summer 2010 along with Pete Duggan. I am an average runner especially on the flat, but ok at ascending or general hill bashing. Completion for me in winter seemed a long shot.
Friend Bruce Poll who is a Ramsay- ist and Aspirant Alpine Guide had blogged about the improving climbing and snow conditions during the last week of very settled high pressure. I asked him if it was runnable up top, he said yes- solid, remember your axe! Arguably a wind chill of minus 20, frozen to sea level and snow line at 600 metres would comprise 'full winter conditions', continental ones possibly. Axe and crampons were extensively needed. From studying the weather it was obvious that there was zero cause for concern here. As implied above I am not up to attempting in harsh weather at the winter solstice, but this would be a much more admirable ethic for completion!
This time I decided to go clockwise, not start in the middle of the night, nor walk to the start, nor go unsupported with a huge sack. This strategy had resulted in my latest retreat in January (drizzle). Sense prevailed and I asked my friend and fellow Lochaber Athletic member Tark Gunn, at short notice, to provide food (and motivational) support at Loch Treig Dam. I recommend Tark's hill walking courses, his advice and help kept me safe and made it all possible.
Ascending the Ben the cloud was down and there was fine snow falling. Here we go again I thought, whilst struggling with my crampons/ reviving my fingers. But emerging down Carn Mor Dearg Arete (runnable due to snow cover) I entered an Alpine wonderland with rime on the rocks and full 'styrofoam' neve (hard snow) underfoot. Extensive snow cover was visible throughout the route. CMD was way quicker than summer, most of the rubble was banked out. Descent was a full but careful run. Even a man in heavy plastic boots was fairly shifting, initially I thought he might be doing a Ramsay!
The ascent of the West face of Aonach Mor was a little hairy in places (in Kahtoola flexible 10 point walking crampons) with pockets of water ice and very hard neve, I went too far left where it steepens. On top some ski mountaineers asked me if I was ok and had I lost something? Why would anyone be running about up there? Fortunately the descent of the narrow Coire Bhuic, possibly the technical 'crux' of the route went well. I had tried digging an improvised snow inspection pit but could hardly penetrate the snow with the axe, it looked very safe. I carefully climbed along the back of the broken cornice and front pointed down the steep to a more comfortable angle.
I have traversed the Grey Corries many times but never has the 'running track' been this amenable, the hard snow covered nearly all the rubble. I had to phone Tark to say I was early. Just before meeting my upstairs neighbour. I was able to sprint down to Stob Ban, although I nearly emasculated my self with my crampons in an unfortunate slide, didn't know my knee bent that far. The following describe the next few hills and are trends throughout the route- firm snow down to near valley level (if you followed the 'leads'). Not once did my foot go through crust, the surface was reliable. There was no ploughing through heavy snow. In some popular areas preserved footprints enabled crampons to be avoided (saving time). There was water Ice in the valley (nice dry feet). Much of the heather was covered. My split of about 9 hours at Chno Dearg (say half way) illustrates the strength of the conditions. I witnessed stunning orange Alpenglow as the sun set when I was descending this hill (at twice the speed of heather bashing). An Alpine day.
Along the track after Corrour innate mediocrity kicked in and I slowed. I met a guy called Viv who was completing a fast Loch Treig round (I realised that we had seen him at the Dam). I had thought his footprints may have been from a Ramsay-ist. Again this shows how good the mountain running was that day.
At Loch Eilde ruin I saw head torches, amazingly they proved to be supporters for Jason Hubert's Anti Clockwise Ramsay's attempt. A big coincidence but shows consensus on the quality of the conditions. I was grateful for the coffee and malt loaf they gave me and I had a short rest. Kinlochleven was rather tempting at the time. I met Jason and friend on Sgurr Eilde Mor, this was very uplifting. It looked like he was going well. He warned me that the Mamores were Icy. I confirmed that the Grey Corries were a dream.
Shortly after I started feeling sick, weak and dizzy- completely debilitating. I gave in a number of times and had to lie briefly in the snow, before becoming cold. It was a thorough effort of will to move. If there had been any weather threat or higher wind chill I would have force marched myself immediately down, I guess to the bothy. But it appeared to be temporary low blood sugar or the body generally protesting as it does on these long routes. Glucose gradually brought me back to life. Binnein Beag was a grim experience. I felt bad again on Na Gruagaichean where in my tired state the lights of Kinlochleven were tantalising.
The Mamores were indeed icy and I believe retain less snow level than the Grey Corries side. Therefore the rocks protrude through which slow things down relative to my earlier mountain 'pavement' experience. The out and back legs are a slog (spiced up with their isolated exposed moves). I have done the Mamores too many times and I can be forgiven for not feeling an appropriate sense of adventure at points, the sickness making a minor reappearance. Sgurr a' Mhaim's ascent was soul destroying, especially against the clock. I had haemorrhaged 2 hours in the Mamores, no doubt from my earlier over exuberance.
Seeing Mullach nan Coirean under the moonlight raised my spirits exponentially and reminded me of our winter 19 hour winter Tranter's round when we were nearly dead on our feet (harsh conditions). If I could do it then I could do it now, especially without ice block feet. I think this is crucial, this time two pairs of wool lined waterproof socks did the trick. The descent from Mullach wasn't the dream I had been expecting and I fell several times on water ice, too tired to to care or to put my crampons on again. Despite having been living for the moment I could stop running (lets call it jogging by that point) it was almost disappointing to do so, such was my exhilaration at the end.
Conclusion. Besides the mountains being so 'runnable' and the weather perfect, the near full moon topped everything. The solid snow may have made it faster or marginally less exhausting than summer. I have been extremely lucky. I am obviously delighted to complete but feel humbled to have got a decent time in winter when many runners could have gone faster in such wonderful conditions.
The Ramsay's Round is a 24 hour hill circuit of 60 miles taking in 24 summits including Ben Nevis, the Aonachs, Grey Corries, the Loch Treig group and the Mamores with a total climb of around 28,500 feet. Originated by Charlie Ramsay in 1978. http://www.ramsaysround.com
Quote:
Clockwise, Solo, Charlie Ramsay's Round.
23 to 24th February 2013.
Jon Gay.
Solo with static support.
Start Glen Nevis YHA 08:10 (am)
Ben Nevis 09:37
Carn Mor Dearg 10:13
Aonach Mor 10:57
Aonach Beag 11:12
Sgurr Choinnich Mor 12:09 (I think it says)
Stob Coire an Laoigh 12:36
Stob Choire Claurigh 13:06
Stob Ban 13:33
Stob Coire Easain 14:46
Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin 15:03
Loch Treig Dam Arrive 15:47 (food support)
Loch Treig Dam Depart 16:10 approx
Stob Coire Sgriodain 17:08
Chno Dearg 17:39
Beinn na Lap 18:46
Railway Bridge near Corrour 19:24
Ruin at Loch Eilde 22:00 or just before (spent about 5 to 10 minutes). Coffee with another runner's support.
Sgurr Eilde Mor 22:43
Binnein Beag 23:50
Binnein Mor 00:56
Na Gruagaichean 01:23
An Gearanach 02:37
Stob Coire a' Chairn 03:08
Am Bodach 03:37
Sgurr an Iubhair 04:07 (I think it says).
Sgurr a' Mhaim 04:38
Stob Ban 05:39
Mullach nan Coirean 06:21
Finish Glen Nevis YHA 07:28:06
Total time: 23 hours: 18 minutes.
Inspirational Stuff - phenomenal effort Jon - your write up gives a good sense of just how hard it actually was (on the latter half !)
Well Done Jon, sounds brilliant.
Brilliant Jon a fantastic achievement and what superb conditions!
.... and also reflects why we need to be aware of conditions to succeed and be safe in the hills. This is an amazing achievement despite your humble respect to the mountains. Enjoy.
just wanted to say well done to jon.
to give you an idea how tough he is thought this might help.
on my ramsay jon not only saw us off, met us at sgurr eilde mor and then ran the last leg with me, half of which as solo support but after all that and no sleep for over 24hrs went and ran the half ben race and finished well up too.
makes the rest of us look a bit soft,
jonathan whilock.
Jon's kit list
Quote
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Clockwise, Solo, Charlie Ramsay's Round. 23 to 24th February 2013. Jon Gay.
Gear list.
Not that I know anything, but here's what I took.
Equipment used. Comments Very thin silk balaclava. Thin Lowe Alpine Balaclava. Less likely to get lost than a hat. Led Lenser H7 headtorch. Light weight, very bright with a penetrating/focussing beam, helped navigation. AAA batteries faded after about 8 hours on full beam. Took 2 spare sets of 3. The only brighter and reasonably cheap ones I could find were made by Princeton Tec and Fenix. Smartwool tee shirt. Warm when damp from sweat. OMM 'Smitten' long sleeve top. Thumb loops to help keep hands warm. Montane 'Event' jacket. In damp conditions I also wear a home made fake Goretex smock under. With a tee shirt. Or if it's really bad a third Goretex. It's like armour. Apparently Scott wore wool layers and got wet and cold, whilst Amundsen wore one impermeable sealed outer layer with little underneath, creating a dry micro climate, like the Eskimos? Lowe Alpine wicking pants. Not that anyone is interested. Tescos bag to keep 'downstairs' warm. Essential and better than using a hat. Try 2. Lidl motorcycling tights. Very stretchy. Thin running tights. Both have been too cold previously. Cheap fingerless gloves Great for messing with crampons. Mountain Range shell/ fleece mittens. With wrist loops to stop them blowing away and store them on wrists when not in use. 2 pairs wool lined Sealskins 'waterproof' socks. More success then wool or neoprene. Have tried home made over gaiters, bits of Karrimat/ neoprene on shoes and over shoes made from welly boots. Would need them if feet wet on snow. Maybe cycling over boots glued to shoes? Manufacturers should get their act together. Inov 8 Roc lite 318 fell shoes. A size and a half too big to fit socks. They have a rand at the front which seems to help keep toes warm- ish. Karrimor 'Xlite' 15 litre running sac. £15 incredibly light, sculpted and comfortable. Bin liner to keep stuff dry. Home made light bum bag. Worn at front- for crampons, saved time. Camp XL20 200 gram ski tour axe. Carried between back and rucsac strap for immediate access, string leash clipped to chest strap. A 'toffee hammer'. Generally in hand on snow. Better than a self arrest stick made from a television aerial. Kahtoola 10 point flexible walking crampons. Great on fell shoes. When you need them you really need them? Wore them on Ben, Aonachs, Easains and most of night in Mamores. Partners have gone well on Kahtoola micro spikes- up to a certain angle and then you start wasting time. Avoid Kahtoola micro spike copies from ebay or you will be tying them together on the move. Postman's rubber crampons- never again. Instep crampons made from the back of a climbing crampon- painful. Very cheap watch altimeter. Pretty accurate. The new Harvey's Ramsay map. Includes East Loch Treig area. Cut down Silva compass tied to sac belt. Ortlieb map case tied to compass. Stored under sac belt. Schedule and pencil. Bag tied to rucsac. Idiot card with pacing/ timing etc. Brain cells die. Phone in Ortlieb waterproof bag. Tied to jacket. Cycling bottle. Carried down shirt for convenience but would also stop it freezing. Normally this is tied to something as well. Equipment carried, not used. Spare Smartwool shirt. 1970's style Hollofill belay jacket 800 grams but warm. No hood as I often take 2 Goretex tops. Not sure if it would save your live if static in a blizzard? Old GPS Heavy. Would take a small route tracking one next time. If there is one. Petzl E Lite emergency head torch. Belt and braces. Pertex Aquablock cycling over trousers. Knees can bend. Silver 'survival' sheet. Taken to keep my conscience clean. Not sure it would keep you alive. I often take a cut down 'Blizzard Pack' double silver bag. This inspires more confidence since I have often slept in one. Duct tape round pencil. Some zip ties. On my first completion the sole of my new shoe fell off. Spare bits and pieces at Loch Treig Dam. Map/ compass, head torch. Gloves, socks, tops etc. A Yaktrax crampon. Shoes. Wallking boots- these might have saved a previous attempt where we stopped with cold feet. Food. Sustained carbohydrate binging for 2 days before. No fat, bland foods. As much pasta as I could physically eat for breakfast. Colin Donnelly's advice. Wholemeal honey sandwiches. Cheap Tescos energy bars. Palatable but should have got nicer ones. Coffee powder. For making 'crapachino'. Glucose tablets. For near end but palatable when feeling sick. Chocolate for dire emergency. Made the mistake of having some at Loch Treig, possibly a cause of nausea. Yet more pasta. At Loch Treig. Aspirin. Weight. No more than 6 kilos total I think. Carried 1.4 kilos of food. It's an eating contest. My brother is the champion.
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Unquote
Awesome, not like a hot dog awesome. Actual proper awesome.
Great acheivement. Hats off to that man
Jon,
I was the "man in heavy plastic boots" that you flew past starting up Aonach Mor. I am set on doing a Ramsey, but was doing a reccy for a summer round and only walked to the bothy at Leacach, where I met and walked out with Andy K in the morning. I'm in awe of your achievement. Apart from your obvious speed, strength and stamina, to move at that speed in (relative?) safety over terrain that steep and icy is a rare ability. Your organisation of kit and feeding must have been spot on and I've no doubt was based on hard won experience. Very, very well done!
Walking back to Glen Nevis with Andy K the next morning it occurred to me that had two or more of you succeeded in your attempts there would have been a "Scott and Amundsen situation" back at Glen Nevis YHA!
Regards
Jim Paxman
I am really pleased for Jon. Jon had helped so much with our Summer round in 2011 and as JWpipes says above his strength is pretty amazing. Dan too helped us that day towing us over The Grey Corries when we becam detached from our support crew and I am sure Dan will get a sub 24 hour as well in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by jwpipes66
Well Done Jon, amazing effort :thumbup:
Where do you even begin to describe how great an achievement this is.....speechless.
Yep, the more you read, the more interesting and impressive it seems. Particularly liked the kit list. Congratulations.
amazing effort. not as easy as he makes it sound running down the rock hard neve!
Well done, Awesome achievement, and what's next? Can't really beat that can you?? :thumbup:
This is one of the few occassions we can say, "amazing, a truly historic achievement". Good people have been trying to do this for years and years. Fantastic, very well done indeed. The last classic big British 24 hr challenge finally falls.
Found this by googling Jon Gay, for anyone that's interested - http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/201...r-ramsay-round
(He also runs a cookery school and is one of Norwich's youngest head chefs apparently! :) )
Wonderful to read this account and responses - many congratulations Jon - hard earned and very well done indeed. It is an inspitational achievement, hugely helpful write up (especially the kit list details!) and all refreshingly humble in approach and attitude. It's been quite a week for getting out into those places we love so much and your historic achievement could not have come at a better time - the micro-spikes have been especially well used this last week. Thanks - well done. Dave (Penrith)
Aye.. there are times when snow makes it quicker.. but I've always found wearing crampons trashed my quads and strained my knees.Quote:
Originally Posted by Full Moon Addict
Awesome run, as Geof says a historic moment for the round.
And he was back out at yesterday's Lochaber winter league race. Although the Ramsay had clearly had an effect.....he only came second ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by IainR