Lake District 3000 Footers

[Al Fowler]

I was reading 'Joss' last night and came across this.

Keswick - Skiddaw, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn - Keswick.


I cant remember the exact figures but it was in the regions of 45 miles with myabe 18,000ft of climbing and he did it in under 9 hours.

Now, i know im a long way off being able to run 45 miles and that much climbing but it tempted to set my sights on having a bass at it in the next decade.


Anyone else done it? Does joss still hold the record...(sorry if theres already a thread on it, couldnt find it)

[Derby Tup]

I think I remember reading about an LDWA Lakes 3000s challenge event. No longer run because of conditions in Lords Rake?

[Mark G]

Never really fancied this because of the road involved (basically all the way down Borrowdale after Skiddaw and later on back to Keswick after dropping off Helvellyn), although you could obviously choose to stay high if you wished. For my money the Old County Tops is a much better route. Anyway I understand that if you really want to do the Lakes 3000' it actually should involve 8 summits?

[XRunner]

Get the book "Lakeland Mountain Challenges" by Ronald Turnbull and Roy Clayton.

Chapter 1. The Lakes Threethousands: a 45-mile trek over Skiddaw.

This book also some information about the Bob Graham Round.

[Al Fowler]

Never really fancied this because of the road involved (basically all the way down Borrowdale after Skiddaw and later on back to Keswick after dropping off Helvellyn), although you could obviously choose to stay high if you wished. For my money the Old County Tops is a much better route. Anyway I understand that if you really want to do the Lakes 3000' it actually should involve 8 summits?

I didnt really think about the route until i got the map out last night and i didnt realise how much road there was.
Bit of a shame really, looked a goood challenge.
But as you say you could go higher and find alternative off-road routes where possible.

I'll investigate what the Old County Tops is.

[ukhursty]

Skiddaw puts me off everthing lol, anything but bloody Skiddaw!!

Its SO Steep!!!

[Al Fowler]

Skiddaw puts me off everthing lol, anything but bloody Skiddaw!!

Its SO Steep!!!

I know what you mean, my calfs still havent recovered from the climb up it in july during the race.

[ukhursty]

I know what you mean, my calfs still havent recovered from the climb up it in july during the race.

What makes it worse is that its the most boring, un-characteristic hill in the whole of the Lakes, its just one solid steep lump of mountain hehe.

A giant mole-hill with one trod leading all the way up pretty much.

To be fair though, its much better from the north side, I've mountain biked up there, past Skiddaw House, on onwards, but the Keswick side....no thanks!

[scott baistow 93]

Skiddaw puts me off everthing lol, anything but bloody Skiddaw!!

Its SO Steep!!!

Try the kirk fell race 2.4m 2500ft now thats climbing

[fellgazelle]

I did this route back in 1999 and although there is something like 15 miles of road involved, in my opinion it is still a great day out.
I used Lord's rake at the time but would probably avoid it nowadays.
If you get Skiddaw out of the way first you get a nice long recovery run down Borrowdale before climbing the Scafells. For me the toughest section was the climb over High Raise from Stake Pass, although I can honestly say the last 5 or so miles back to Keswick along the A591 were the least appreciated 5 miles I've ever done.
If you fancy a big long day out without the amount of training required for the BGR then give it a go.