Gritstone Any Time Challenge

Gritstone Tryal Anytime Challenge

A fellow Moorlander has devised a new challenge based on the Gritstone Tryal formula.
Starting and finishing at the Cat & Fiddle pub, visit 5 trig points,navigating your own route between them using open access land and public rights of way.

Start Cat & Fiddle SK001719
Trig 1 Shutlingsloe 976696
Trig 2 Roaches 001639
Trig 3 Axe Edge 035706
Trig 4 Burbage Edge 029732
Trig 5 Shining Tor 994738
Finish Cat & Fiddle 001 719

The route is aprox. 20 miles with 3500' ascent. Makes it a good training day for mountain marathons, Bob Graham attempts, long fell races etc. Or just a nice day out with a few beers afterwards.
So far there have been 10 completions. Walked in 7hrs 29 mins. Jog/walk pace in 4hrs 55mins. Record currently stands at 3hrs 58mins. Its there to be beaten.

Most attempts have been anti clock, but Den n I went clockwise in very wild weather and took 5hrs. ( Ladies record )

Please report any attempts on here or SMAC forum

Hi.
Gave this a blast last Saturday.

Parked at the car park just near the Cragg Inn. My route (anticlockwise) was as follows.

1) Trig 1 - Shutlingsloe
2) Cumberland Brook
3) Trig 2 - Shining Tor
4) Deep Clough
5) Berry Clough
6) Trig 3 - Burbage Edge
7) Trig 4 - Axe Edge.
8) Turn Edge
9) Trig 5 - The Roaches
10) Gradbach YHA
11) Cragg Inn.

Took me 5 hrs 32 mins.
The section between Turn Edge and The Roaches is tricky. I went up the road towards Moss End Farm instead of going in and out of Gradbach twice. Don’t think this helped and I feel I lost time here.

It’s a great route.
I'll be doing it again. Really want to do it under 5hrs.

Tim

Sounds like a good route. Anyone know what the parking position is at/around the Cat & Fiddle?

Might have a go at this next week some time. Anyone know whether the A53 is out of bounds heading north for Axe Edge from Axe Edge End? Or has everyone been following the ridge? Don't suppose it matters much: it's only half a mile of A53 anyway. I'll take the FP north from Flash to Axe Edge End.

there's a layby opposite the C&F that I used - not very big, but as long as you get there early enough you should bag a spot - not sure what the deal is with the C&F car-park itself though...

don't see any reason why you could'nt use the A53 if you wanted - I used shedloads of minor roads between Roaches and Axe Ede End!

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Originally Posted by DazTheSlug

there's a layby opposite the C&F that I used - not very big, but as long as you get there early enough you should bag a spot - not sure what the deal is with the C&F car-park itself though...

don't see any reason why you could'nt use the A53 if you wanted - I used shedloads of minor roads between Roaches and Axe Ede End!

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Thanks Daz!

over 2 years since I 1st posted this one. There have been at least 50 completions of the round and Spyke has the record at 3hrs 20mins.

Den and I were up there today and whilst we didnt do a full round, we had a great day out in fantastic weather. If you like your wild life, we spotted -hares , rabbits , Squirrels, long eared owl, buzzards, Kestrels, curlews, snipe,dippers, grey wagtails and many more and all these whilst running. Its a fantastic area for a day out.

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

Might have a go at this next week some time. Anyone know whether the A53 is out of bounds heading north for Axe Edge from Axe Edge End? Or has everyone been following the ridge? Don't suppose it matters much: it's only half a mile of A53 anyway. I'll take the FP north from Flash to Axe Edge End.

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Hi.
I think the A53 would be a little out of your way.
I've been down the Axe Edge ridge to Flash and aslo picked up the Dane Valley Way back to Gradbach.
Still not sure which is the best route.


Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tim Ruck

Hi.
I think the A53 would be a little out of your way.
I've been down the Axe Edge ridge to Flash and aslo picked up the Dane Valley Way back to Gradbach.
Still not sure which is the best route.


Tim

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Thanks Tim. I'm planning a go at this tomorrow, as a last long run before the Saunders. I've just been measuring on MemoryMap, & the road route picking up the A53 at Flash is about a mile shorter than going via Gradbach, & saves about 100m of climbing. I'm thinking of going over the Oliver Hill path north from Flash although it'll be slower than the A53, just to avoid the main road. Is there a runnable path along the southern part of the Axe Edge ridge, from Axe Edge End to the Dane Head minor road? I was thinking of taking the A53 just for this bit in case I'd be flogging through heather or bracken without a path.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Splatcher

Thanks Tim. I'm planning a go at this tomorrow, as a last long run before the Saunders. I've just been measuring on MemoryMap, & the road route picking up the A53 at Flash is about a mile shorter than going via Gradbach, & saves about 100m of climbing. I'm thinking of going over the Oliver Hill path north from Flash although it'll be slower than the A53, just to avoid the main road. Is there a runnable path along the southern part of the Axe Edge ridge, from Axe Edge End to the Dane Head minor road? I was thinking of taking the A53 just for this bit in case I'd be flogging through heather or bracken without a path.

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Hello.
The southern part of the Axe Edge ridge is great to run along. There is a narrow path which runs over it.
I feel that the southern section is easier to run over than the area around the trig point.
Hope you have a great day out.

Tim

I took the path to the west of the southern "blob" of Axe Edge, leading to the Dane Head area
I might've considered going up over the blob, but there's no PROW marked on the map, I couldn't see an obvious way onto the fell through the houses at Axe Edge End, and also it seemed like unnecessary extra ascent...

oh, and the northern blob is more tussocky rather than heather or bracken

Well I got round in 4:25, starting at 8 this morning. It was still too hot for comfort even at 8 but apart from that the weather was great (still is). I avoided the main road around Flash, taking Daz's suggested route. An excellent morning out, although I was a bit disappointed with my time. I'd like to think I'd have taken a few minutes off if it hadn't been so hot & if I hadn't done a load of hill climb training on Saturday. It was hard work getting from the Roaches trig point to the road for Flash - I took a beeline but the heather was up to my waist at times.

Having used the Gritstone any time challenge as a training route for the last 3 years I thought it was about time I had a crack at setting a decent time. Ive read with interest the various route choices that have been made over the years. Having spent lots of time out on the route and recced it plenty, I had no excuse for navigational cock ups. Weather conditions were warm and sunny, but a light breeze kept the temprature down. Going underfoot was very dry and I only had a few areas of high heather to slow me down a little. I also had the advantage of support from Den who is injured, supplying food and drink, saving me from having to carry. I was really pleased with my time of 3hours 24 minutes...not bad for an old Git.

Here's the route again, for those interested in having a crack.

Gritstone Tryal Anytime Challenge

Starting and finishing at the Cat & Fiddle pub, visit 5 trig points,navigating your own route between them using open access land and public rights of way.

Start Cat & Fiddle SK001719
Trig 1 Shutlingsloe 976696
Trig 2 Roaches 001639
Trig 3 Axe Edge 035706
Trig 4 Burbage Edge 029732
Trig 5 Shining Tor 994738
Finish Cat & Fiddle 001 719

The route is aprox. 20 miles with 3500' ascent. Makes it a good training day for mountain marathons, Bob Graham attempts, long fell races etc. Or just a nice day out with a few beers afterwards.

I've been inspired to have a crack at this in a couple of weeks as a last blast before heading off for my summer holidays. Looking through the previous posts and at the map, the route choice is fairly straight forward except for the leg from the Roaches to Axe Edge. Is there any concensus on best route?

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Originally Posted by Homeward Bound

I've been inspired to have a crack at this in a couple of weeks as a last blast before heading off for my summer holidays. Looking through the previous posts and at the map, the route choice is fairly straight forward except for the leg from the Roaches to Axe Edge. Is there any concensus on best route?

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Having tried plenty of routes I reckon this is as good as any. From the Roaches Trig, forget the direct line down through the heather, go back down the flags to Roach end then follow the foot path (track) towards Goldstitch. As you climb out of the valley cut across to the path leading to the road that leads to flash. follow the road to Flash about 2 miles on road. Take diagonal path across field as you approach the village ( cuts corner). Then take the path leading across towards axe edge ridge. Follow the ridge path parallel to the main road, this isnt shown as a path on the map, but is a good clear trod. then drop down valley cross the road and pick up the path that leads directly to the Axe Edge Trig point.

Moorlander, thanks for the route advice.

Cheers for the advice moorlander - I'm looking at giving this a go in a week or 2 and was thinking of taking a more westerly route on that leg, going through Green Gutter Head, Knotbury and Orchard Common, coming out onto the road below Axe Edge trig at SK029702 (so about 400m further West on the road than your route). Have you tried this route? It's a bit more convoluted, but pretty much dispenses with road other than a 1/2 mile section at Hawks Nest. (near SK016674).

Ideally I'd not have much road (makes my hips hurt) but your route looks less tricky to navigate....

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Originally Posted by PaulE

Cheers for the advice moorlander - I'm looking at giving this a go in a week or 2 and was thinking of taking a more westerly route on that leg, going through Green Gutter Head, Knotbury and Orchard Common, coming out onto the road below Axe Edge trig at SK029702 (so about 400m further West on the road than your route). Have you tried this route? It's a bit more convoluted, but pretty much dispenses with road other than a 1/2 mile section at Hawks Nest. (near SK016674).

Ideally I'd not have much road (makes my hips hurt) but your route looks less tricky to navigate....

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Hi Paul.
I was planning a rerun of this soon.
When do you think you'll be doing it. Would you care for some company?

Tim

No particular plan for time really - I finish teaching for the summer this afternooon so will be doing it one day when the weather looks nice! If I plan it more than a couple of hours in advance I'll put a note on here as company would be good.

The road option being the most direct is the one to take if you are after a time. I havent tried the route you described but I know from "Rodders" who has, that the paths get very over grown and you pass through some very dodgy looking farms. ( Not quite sure what he meant by that).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PaulE

Cheers for the advice moorlander - I'm looking at giving this a go in a week or 2 and was thinking of taking a more westerly route on that leg, going through Green Gutter Head, Knotbury and Orchard Common, coming out onto the road below Axe Edge trig at SK029702 (so about 400m further West on the road than your route). Have you tried this route? It's a bit more convoluted, but pretty much dispenses with road other than a 1/2 mile section at Hawks Nest. (near SK016674).

Ideally I'd not have much road (makes my hips hurt) but your route looks less tricky to navigate....

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tim Ruck

Hi Paul.
I was planning a rerun of this soon.
When do you think you'll be doing it. Would you care for some company?

Tim

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Hi, Is that climbing Tim from SC Climbing club?

Im interested in having a go at this, make a change to doing the same route or make up as i go along!
Give me a txt on 07854458103
Cheers.:D

I've done this route a couple of times now, in both directions, start and finish at C&F. Park opposite pub or in rough layby W down rd 100yds.
My approach has been to avoid road as much as poss. On the anti route, as an alternative to Cumberland Brook, I dropped straight down across open access moor to join newish ftpth down Chest Hollow past Brough's Place and up (can't avoid) steep rd and then left on track to Shutlingsloe. Drop down to Wildboarclough, over via Tagsclough, Gradbach up to Roaches, straight down to Goldsitch (rough), join lane and then ftpath left thro Green Gutter, then the Wash to hit lane. Footpath opposite and then run parallel to lane for a bit, then left over hill to hit lane near Far Brook. Up road (climb) to take left ftpath past some houses before Flash village. Over Oliver Hill to Oxenstitch. Rt on lane then lft to Hilltop.Take track/path left and follow until hit Dane Head lane. Cross to pick up clear trod to Axe Edge. Down over rough moor to A537. Cross rd to grass verge and pick up path on right which takes you to Burbage. Backtrack to Berry Clough. Down, cross Goyt Valley rd. pick up path opp. thro trees via Deep Clough upto Shining Tor. Stagger back down to car and a welcome drink. Did this in winter in around 5hr 20min. Winter is a good time to do this route if it's solitude your're after - met nobody on the hill and hardly anyone on the road bits. Magic!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fudge the Elf

I've done this route a couple of times now, in both directions, start and finish at C&F. Park opposite pub or in rough layby W down rd 100yds.
My approach has been to avoid road as much as poss. On the anti route, as an alternative to Cumberland Brook, I dropped straight down across open access moor to join newish ftpth down Chest Hollow past Brough's Place and up (can't avoid) steep rd and then left on track to Shutlingsloe. Drop down to Wildboarclough, over via Tagsclough, Gradbach up to Roaches, straight down to Goldsitch (rough), join lane and then ftpath left thro Green Gutter, then the Wash to hit lane. Footpath opposite and then run parallel to lane for a bit, then left over hill to hit lane near Far Brook. Up road (climb) to take left ftpath past some houses before Flash village. Over Oliver Hill to Oxenstitch. Rt on lane then lft to Hilltop.Take track/path left and follow until hit Dane Head lane. Cross to pick up clear trod to Axe Edge. Down over rough moor to A537. Cross rd to grass verge and pick up path on right which takes you to Burbage. Backtrack to Berry Clough. Down, cross Goyt Valley rd. pick up path opp. thro trees via Deep Clough upto Shining Tor. Stagger back down to car and a welcome drink. Did this in winter in around 5hr 20min. Winter is a good time to do this route if it's solitude your're after - met nobody on the hill and hardly anyone on the road bits. Magic!

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Is there anywhere to park on Dane Head Lane? Going to try this again next week (last time gave up as way too hot) and fancy getting Axe Edge and goyt vallley ones done first

My tatic three weeks ago was to get the road section out of the way first. I parked ( plenty of space) where the bridal track joins the road above Goldstitch ( Grid ref 008 - 650)

Axe Edge - Then Burbage Edge, shining tor, Shutlinslow and finally Roaches. Use the track back to Goldstich rather than direct line across the heather.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by novice

Is there anywhere to park on Dane Head Lane? Going to try this again next week (last time gave up as way too hot) and fancy getting Axe Edge and goyt vallley ones done first

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Just back from a completion. 4:51. I am happy with that. I decided to give it a try clockwise, after fluffing the nav anti-clockwise on tuesday.

Shining Tor 16 mins
Burbage 56 mins
Axe Edge 1:28
Roaches 2:45
Shuttligsloe 4:01
Cat & Fiddle 4:51

I had run out of steam after Shuttlingsloe and was glad to meet Swoop on the Cumberland path, it perked me up a bit.
On the down side I lost a buff in the C&F layby!

Great route, glad to have done it.

Well done Rodders, nice to meet you!

Did this yesterday anticlock in 4hrs 50.
Hard work heading upto shining tor at the end, hot and lots of nasty midges

Quote:

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Originally Posted by novice

Did this yesterday anticlock in 4hrs 50.
Hard work heading upto shining tor at the end, hot and lots of nasty midges

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Is it safe to drink the water in the streams in the Goyt Valley?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by John Rowlands

Hi, Is that climbing Tim from SC Climbing club?

Im interested in having a go at this, make a change to doing the same route or make up as i go along!
Give me a txt on 07854458103
Cheers.:D

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Hi John.
Just seen your note.
I'm not from SC Climbing club.
Are you still going ot give this a go?

Tim

Ok he he. Yeah would like to, im heading up to Wasdale on Fri for 2 weeks so will have to be before then if I do! Im leaving Edale on 4th Sept to do the Pennine Way, so wont be running for a little while after that I think.

Well it finally looks like I'm going to get to do this one of the days this coming week as I've got the week off work. Probably going to use Moorlander's tip and start at the road above Goldsitch and finish with the Roaches as I know that area best so can 'autopilot' when I'm most tired. Must admit to liking the idea of getting the road section out of the way first off. Sounds like a really good challenge...hopefully I'll update to say just how good I found it to be in a few days time.

Some friends and I are going to have a wander round this route tomorrow. Really looking forward to it after reading the posts on here, will probably be a looonng day as my mates are walkers at heart and it's all I can do to get a jog out of them on the down slopes :rolleyes:

ho-hum, should be enjoyable tho.

Started at C&F, then ST, BE, AE finished with Shutlingsloe. Had to cut it short due to time and a couple of the lads not thinking they would make it 'all the way over there'. Nevertheless a fantastic day out with stunning views and good weather plus a couple of sustainers at the Crag Inn. All good. I will be back to do the full round before christmas.

Sunday 10th October: Bob Smith (55); James Smith (27); Emily Ault (23); and Tom Neale (31) completed this challenge anti-clockwise in 4 hours 44 minutes. I believe this is a ladies record for Emily. it was a fine day and a lovely varied route. Many thanks. Bob:)

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Originally Posted by Bob smith

Sunday 10th October: Bob Smith (55); James Smith (27); Emily Ault (23); and Tom Neale (31) completed this challenge anti-clockwise in 4 hours 44 minutes. I believe this is a ladies record for Emily. it was a fine day and a lovely varied route. Many thanks. Bob:)

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Glad you enjoyed the route Bob, you picked a perfect day, the views must have been brilliant. The route has been completed by well over 50 runners now. Emily will have to have another crack at it if she want's the record. As far as recorded times go, Denise Broom holds the record in 4hours 34mins, set back in May 2008 when she was training for her BGR that year.

Moorlander ... you mention over 50 completions. Are you (or somebody else) keeping a record of completions?

Hi there Dale,

Does Spyke have the record for this unofficial challenge? If so could you post it up here? Cheers, Tom

Hi Tom

There have been at least 50 completions of the round and Spyke has the record at 3hrs 20mins.

Its not a particularly fast time though as I managed to get round in 3hrs 26mins earlier this year.

The

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Homeward Bound

Moorlander ... you mention over 50 completions. Are you (or somebody else) keeping a record of completions?

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There is a list of completions, but im not the keeper. I will contact Jim ( the Keeper ) and get back to you

I started to keep a list of completions but it is out of date. The list below is for completions up to Feb 2009 (numbers in brackets = number of completions) and the best time for each person has been recorded. It was first done on 12th May 2007 by myself, Steve Littlewood & Dora Deaville. It will need updating, when I devised it i didn't realise it would get so popular.

1. Jim Cooke (2) 4:55 Staffs Moorlands
2. Steve Littlewood (1) 7:29 Stafford Harriers
3. Dora Deaville (1) 7:29 Staffs LDWA
4. Rod Campbell (3) 5:13 Staffs Moorlands
5. Roger Ashby (2) 5:13 Sale Harriers
6. Ian Ankers (1) 3:58 Staffs Moorlands
7. Dale Colclough (4) 4:34 Staffs Moorlands
8. Denise Broome (4) 4:34* Cheadle Harriers *ladies Record*
9. Dave Edge (5) 4:12 Staffs Moorlands
10. Jon Whilock (2) 4:12 Staffs Moorlands
11. Tony Vernon (1) 5:25 Staffs Moorlands
12. John Pickering (1) 6:12 Staffs Moorlands
13. Richard ? (1) 6:09 ?
14. Hazel ? (1) 6:09 ?
15. Steve Pyke (3) 3:20* Staffs Moorlands *Male Record*
16. Craig Jeffries (1) 4:10 Staffs Moorlands
17. Rob ? (Got Gravity) (2) 3:51 (Matlock)