Bob Graham Route Choices

[Bob]

I did leg three over the week end and wondered over a route choice. I only had time to do one version which appears to be the 'official' short route but has more climbing over rougher terrain. any one done both or has an opinion. I'd like to go back and try it but theres only so much time.

On leaving Pike O Stickle you drop to Martcrag Moor before

1)cutting the corner via the Langdale Combe and climbing/traversing under Black Crags until you can traverse the false summits to Rossett Pike.

The quickest and driest route is to leave PoS and follow the main path until it becomes a series of stepping stones. Down and left is a small rocky knoll, go round this and head directly for the left hand side of the tarns on top of Martcrag moor. If you get the right line this is dry underfoot - it was in February - and is easy running ground. Eventually you join a trod that is used by the Langdale fell race and drops you straight to the beck crossing in Langdale Combe. Go up the opposite slope for 100m then take another trod leftwards to the nick in the skyline (also part of the Langdale route). From the nick bear left again and follow a good path along the valley edge until you overlook Rossett Gill and then up to the summit.

This way is virtually all on grass and with the exception of the pull up from the beck in Langdale Combe, easy angled.

On my BG round, I gained time on a faster contender when they went further right aiming for "grassier" terrain. I also gained time on my schedule despite having really bad leg cramps on PoS and having just lost 6 minutes in 12 on the short section from Harrison Stickle to PoS.

[IanDarkpeak]

The quickest and driest route is to leave PoS and follow the main path until it becomes a series of stepping stones. Down and left is a small rocky knoll, go round this and head directly for the left hand side of the tarns on top of Martcrag moor. If you get the right line this is dry underfoot - it was in February - and is easy running ground. Eventually you join a trod that is used by the Langdale fell race and drops you straight to the beck crossing in Langdale Combe. Go up the opposite slope for 100m then take another trod leftwards to the nick in the skyline (also part of the Langdale route). From the nick bear left again and follow a good path along the valley edge until you overlook Rossett Gill and then up to the summit.

This way is virtually all on grass and with the exception of the pull up from the beck in Langdale Combe, easy angled.

On my BG round, I gained time on a faster contender when they went further right aiming for "grassier" terrain. I also gained time on my schedule despite having really bad leg cramps on PoS and having just lost 6 minutes in 12 on the short section from Harrison Stickle to PoS.

Hmm sounds like you've got the best of both worlds. We must have gone too far left as we ended up climbing a steep rocky rake for what felt like an eternity. (Longer and steeper than the BB rake).

I'll try it out next time i'm up there thanks

[alwaysinjured]

Interesting observation about the descent from yewbarrow.

For years I have done one of two things
(a) The normal descent to the col between two tops, then
horrible sidehill traverse to below stirrup crag
(b) Part way down (a) Then using a grassy rake to drop to the valley floor

On a reccie yesterday I noticed that the shallowest descent on the map,
and nicest grassy descent is almost immediatel after leaving the summit around 100 m from it on a line almost dead reckoning red pike:

After a couple of hundred metres of traverse descent there is a narrow grassy reentrant that allows a drop of 200 feet, then a trod that continues a sidehill traverse descent: finally just before hitting any rocks, a grassy shute takes you down to the bottom, probably 300m from the col below stirrup.

It leads to a firm grass ascent heading right of all visible crags, and crossing the stream to regain the path, and then head right of the path on grass to redpike.

OK you lose a little height ( not much!) but get rid of all of the scree crossing, and it is fast and got to be 400m shorter - and it is a pleasure to do.

Maybe not new to some people, but new to me!

Food for thought? Bet Billy used it on his walk BG

[Baggins]

On a reccie yesterday I noticed that the shallowest descent on the map,
and nicest grassy descent is almost immediatel after leaving the summit around 100 m from it on a line almost dead reckoning red pike:

Tried to find this yesterday but was very thick cloud on top and cold not make out an obvious route down, seemed very rocky everywhere? Is it clear where to drop down?

I use the traverse then down a scree shoot halfway along that lands you at the stream ref 173 093 I then follow the stream branch up to 171 095 before cutting straight up to join the path where it levels out.

Looking back to Yewbarrow from where I first join the stream I could make out a line on grass coming to the same point which would save all the rough traverse, of course the cloud had cleared when I got there and I could see up to Yewbarrow summit, again getting down to the grassy terrain was not very clear as there seemed lots of small crags about.

It leads to a firm grass ascent heading right of all visible crags, and crossing the stream to regain the path, and then head right of the path on grass to redpike.

Is this stream the same one I follow?

Bill

[Forrest Gump]

I'm a newby to the forum. I made an attempt at the BG 2 years ago and had a terrible line up Fairfield. Ended up dropping out at Wasdale. Will be supporting Dan Booth for an attempt in June. Does anyone know the best route up Fairfield? I'm told there is a direct route up. Is it just straightlining up from the Tarn outflow stream to the summit or is it a bit more subtle? Any comments gratefully received.

[Baggins]

I'm a newby to the forum. I made an attempt at the BG 2 years ago and had a terrible line up Fairfield. Ended up dropping out at Wasdale. Will be supporting Dan Booth for an attempt in June. Does anyone know the best route up Fairfield? I'm told there is a direct route up. Is it just straightlining up from the Tarn outflow stream to the summit or is it a bit more subtle? Any comments gratefully received.

I think a lot of people go via the col between Fairfield and Seat Sandal

Bill

[Forrest Gump]

I think a lot of people go via the col between Fairfield and Seat Sandal

Bill

Thanks 4 the quick reply. Which way round the tarn?

[Bob]

From Dollywaggon I went straight down heading towards Seat Sandal from the old gate, following the line of old fence posts, then contoured round to the hause. Here's a shot showing the two alternatives - blue is the direct line, pink is the main path.

[little binnian]

On my recent BG we went via the Hause and then took a line up and down the grass on the right of the wall as you look up Fairfield from the col, this avoids the horrible scree slopes/path. The other line commonly used goes to the left of the blue line on Bob's photo; you follow the small stream up about 100m and then the path goes leftwards, and then straight up to come out just below the little rock steps on the path betwen St. Sunday and Fairfield.
I think that there is little time difference in whatever way you go and what is more important is saving energy and having a way that you are happy with.

[Forrest Gump]

On my recent BG we went via the Hause and then took a line up and down the grass on the right of the wall as you look up Fairfield from the col, this avoids the horrible scree slopes/path. The other line commonly used goes to the left of the blue line on Bob's photo; you follow the small stream up about 100m and then the path goes leftwards, and then straight up to come out just below the little rock steps on the path betwen St. Sunday and Fairfield.
I think that there is little time difference in whatever way you go and what is more important is saving energy and having a way that you are happy with.

Thanks for the advice both of you. Last time we dropped down too low and headed off too far to the north and wasted a lot of time. I like the idea of going to the right of the wall, I'll give that a try next time I'm training.