Calderdale Hike

[Mr1470]

Correct, Walshaw hamlet is not on the long route.
You can either cross the first dam and run on the right side of the second reservoir, or stay on the left and cross the second dam. I've always stayed on the left, but might try the right-hand route this year (which most others do anyway). It looks to be more runnable, even if it might be a few yards longer.

Thanks Nick. I was up on that part of the route a couple of weeks ago so, like you in the past, was planning to stay on the left all the way to the bottom dam. Is it ok to cross the first dam at the moment? There was lots of construction traffic up there, and they seemed to be digging at the side of the dam.

Regarding the moor just prior to the Sportsman's Arms, the first path to the right, up the clough then alongside the fence, is not there on the ground. It would be ankle-twisting tussocks a la Rhayader Mountain Trail. Take second right instead (at stile), where at least there's some sort of path to follow to the right turn onto the nice runnable track.

Thanks for that.

After Delf End, do exactly as Chris said - climb to the ridge path, turn right, bear left across the heather to the first ventilation shaft where you pick up a nice path to the next shaft. Bear right along waterlogged boggy path up the rise, heading for Emley Moor mast in far distance.

Ok, thanks, will look out for that. Another look at the map later methinks.

[Rombald]

Ouch.

That is all.

(I will have more to add later!)

[Rombald]

The ground was wet today (with some paths being indistinguishable from streams), and the weather was very variable, with both snow and sunshine making an appearance.

There was loads of route choice, and the field separated even before the first checkpoint, so it was difficult to keep track of positions. I took a fast route on the roads after Jerusalem Farm that allowed me to overtake Mark Hartell, though he caught me again later on.

Between Ogden Reservoir and Delf Hill I made a bit of a navigational error on a section that I’d recced twice - it looked different today with snow on the ground! - but realised quite quickly so didn’t lose much time. Having the walkers to catch added some interest as well.

I was getting pretty tired by Widdop Reservoir, and was not very amused that we were only halfway round the course. I reached there in 2:52 but was obviously going to slow down quite a lot in the second half.

Between Widdop Reservoir and Reaps Water I took what was probably the longest deliberate route of anyone – back down the road to Clough Foot, on the Pennine Bridleway and then the good track on the north side of Gorple Lower Reservoir: 2.1 miles compared with the direct line of one mile. It would probably have been quicker to do the suggested route of the path by the Clough Head Stones, but I’d not been on there and I knew that going wrong and getting off the paths in that area could make for some horrendous terrain.

Reaps Water to the Noah Dale stream crossing (935 290) was as bad as expected, but once Four Gates End was reached, the worst ground of the route was behind us. It took me fifty minutes to do the 3.6 miles to the Sportmans Arms, where my time was 4:01.

I plodded down the road to Great Rock on my own, but there met Chris Davies and we did the rest of the route together which I think kept me going slightly quicker than I would have done on my own. I didn’t have any more problems finding the route, but between Delf End and Crow Hill took a safe rather than short route, partly along the Calderdale Way but cutting off the loop out to the old quarries.

We found the Luddendenfoot checkpoint with no problem (thanks Zlod!) and after a steady trudge up Styes Lane I timed myself back at the finish in 6:27 (maybe 6:29 officially).

How did everyone else get on?

I think it was won in 5:50. Was that you, Matt the Brum?

[Derby Tup]

Found it very tough going today running with my friend David. The changeable weather and sections of rough sodden ground made keeping going difficult. Course is great, with sections of many familiar events/races from Giant's Tooth and Beefy's Nab to Haworth Hobble and the Hebden. However, that stretch from Widdop Res to Sportsman is soul destroying. Good to see the Master, Mrs C and Mr1470! We finished in 9hrs 8mins

[Sasquatch]

Was that you I was running with over Midgely Moor DT?
I found it hard going - shorts were a bit of a mistake. The road combined with deep bogs also made shoe choice difficult - my flyrocks do jar the joints on the road sections. eventually trundled in at around 9.20 then had to drive straight back to Leek staffs - told the babysitter id be done by 3pm!!! wishful thinking there ...add another 3 hrs.
Good fun though... here comes the Fellsman!

By the way did anyone find a tallycard after great Rock checkpoint - mine came undone...

[chris brown]

Was that you I was running with over Midgely Moor DT?
I found it hard going - shorts were a bit of a mistake. The road combined with deep bogs also made shoe choice difficult - my flyrocks do jar the joints on the road sections. eventually trundled in at around 9.20 then had to drive straight back to Leek staffs - told the babysitter id be done by 3pm!!! wishful thinking there ...add another 3 hrs.
Good fun though... here comes the Fellsman!

By the way did anyone find a tallycard after great Rock checkpoint - mine came undone...

This was the furthest distance i've ever done and probably the most challeging course ever done. I did quite a bit of recceing this but this was the worst i'd seen - paths had turned in streams adn what was previously runnable was think deap mud. I hid a bad time after Widdop, thinking overy one knew better than me (why do i always fall for this?), i took a "short cut"!! - crossed bogs, streams, tussocks to Reap Water Cp (big mistake), and this continued. After the sportsman; wind behind, down hill, sun out with jacket off and my own, my mood picked up and had a good run (bit of a high between you and me) all the way to New Bridge cp, adn to my surprise i was there before a few that had passed me previousy! Although was disapointed in the amount i was able to run, the was well organised - what an adventure!
I did 7hrs 56
How did everyone i sent maps to???

[duracell]

Is that the last of the snow this year ? Not mentioned on the forecast on Fri night ,but got a right coating on Ogden Moor . Went wrong on the way to Jerusalem Farm - I should know better by now. Lets hear it for all the checkpointers and helpers who gave of their time . I did 6.50 and Mrs D got the trophy for the first lady walker (short route) again ,we'll have to suffer looking at it for another year -or hide it in a cupboard.

[team pie]

great race really enjoyed this one, furthest i have ever gone and we managed to win the oldfield trophy (fastest team) which was an excellent surprise at the finish!

Thanks to checkpoint volunteers and organisors you all did a brilliant job.

[Derby Tup]

Was that you I was running with over Midgely Moor DT?

Hey up Will! Yes, it was me and Dave. Hope no problems with missing tally and you get your 'runfurther' points!

[Mr1470]

Good to see the Master, Mrs C and Mr1470! We finished in 9hrs 8mins

Good to see you as well Derby Tup.

You're right, it was tough, with a capital T! Did it with Helen from my club and agreed that we'd stay together, me having limited local knowledge and her having never been there before in her life!!

So boggy in places, you just couldn't get any running rhythm going. Walshaw reservoirs to Reaps Water I'd amazingly done only a couple of weeks ago when out for trot, so I managed to show some people the route across there!! Difficult in other places, and we probably lost some time taking "easy" options. Finished about 15mins after Derby Tup.

Great event, and like others have said, a special thanks to the CP folk, who were fantastic spending hours out in some fairly "testing" conditions!!