Unwritten Fell Running Rules

[logicmonkey]

thanks - as i thought.

more gate etiquette...

1) if you have to unhitch and open a gate and there's someone hot on your heels, should you leave it open for them to hitch up again?

2) if i can't see what the person ahead of me did but i know there's someone behind me, is vaulting legit? i define that as one hand on top of a gate post, no climbing.

[DrPatrickBarry]

No, unless the route was flagged over the stile.

But does a right of way (or open access land) go through the gate. Were you trespassing by doing that?

[logicmonkey]

But does a right of way (or open access land) go through the gate. Were you trespassing by doing that?

the conduit (water course) runs to the fence and you run to the right of it and hit a stile. if you jump it and run on its left, you reach the gate. both are on access land and the gate and the stile emerge onto the same path. the gate simply exists so you can get through the fence from the other side of the conduit. you have to cross the conduit early since at the fence it's very boggy between the gate and the style which are both on firm ground. i use the gate because the style is slippery when wet.

[DrPatrickBarry]

Sounds like you are perfectly OK!

[DangerMouse]

thanks - as i thought.

more gate etiquette...

1) if you have to unhitch and open a gate and there's someone hot on your heels, should you leave it open for them to hitch up again?

This is a bit of an old thread resurrection, but I just read the entire thing looking for an answer to this question.

I have always closed gates behind me when out and about - that's just what you do right! Or more accurately, leave them as you find them, they may have been left open by a farmer for a good reason.

Of course if there is someone close behind then I won't pull a gate shut on them - that would be mean, but if I know it's a little while before the person behind me will arrive at the gate then I would instinctively close it.

Is there any preferred etiquette on this?

[Chris K]

No. Common sense, personal judgement!

[DrPatrickBarry]

Yes as Chris said, If they can see that you have deliberately left it open for them you have to assume they will close it.

[DangerMouse]

Cool - thanks!!

So, if it's obvious, leave open, otherwise, close.

Will see how that works out anyway

Thank you!!

[Derby Tup]

Obviously it depends if the runner just behind you is related to you by marriage or not (especially if you’ve just hit a bad patch) 😏

[PiesAreGood]

I have in the past, opened a gate then stopped to politely hold it open for the runner(s) behind before carrying on. They weren't even related! Maybe I'm just not competitive enough...