Edale Skyline Fell Race

[theNoor]

just got back from two days in edale, perfect weather, lovely walking, great days out on the hills.

Am i mistaken in thinking that because the race is less than 250' of climb per mile, it doens't actually class as a category A? i could be wrong, but i thoiught that was who races were classified!

i looked at that grinslow shortcut. if i knew where to go when i get to the bottom, and had reccied a route back up to ringing roger then i might have been tempted. but when you get to the bottom of a climb you've never been up before, it is difficult to navigate your way and not become demoralised.

i'll be sticking to the top ridge.

[IanDarkpeak]

Your correct Ian 1000ft ascent and 1.05 miles in length, it saves 1.08 miles of skyline running.

I was under the impression that it was a checkpoint race with only a couple of sections flaged, which suggests the route choice is optional?

Surely everyone will have put the ground work in and choose the route that suits their strengths?

Quite correct Stagger the Official route is quite clearly laid by the race organiser and is free to be interprated from that.
The Gindslow- RR is a definite option if you are brave/strong enough and if you want to go that way I'm sure you would have reccied it.
My comment was purely personal with the reguard to Joe's Jacob Ladder-Grinslow option. I can't imagine that that route would gain you any thing but tired legs.

Any way it's too nice out there at the moment for any more chatting so I'm off to go for a run.

[GeoffB]

I'm still wondering about doing Jacob's Ladder - Grindslow direct. I know it's 650 feet more ascent more, but it's more runable. Honest.

I think you're taking the Micky, Joe. The whole skyline section from Jacob's Ladder to Grindslow Knoll is runnable.

[NotOnUrHelly]

Are maps available on the day.

Sorry if this has already been mentioned

[Nobthrob]

Yes I will be selling maps on the day. There isn't many left though so email [email protected] to reserve a copy! Don't rely on turning up and there being any left if you haven't reserved one.

[PlumBum]

i looked at that grinslow shortcut. if i knew where to go when i get to the bottom, and had reccied a route back up to ringing roger then i might have been tempted. but when you get to the bottom of a climb you've never been up before, it is difficult to navigate your way and not become demoralised.

i'll be sticking to the top ridge.

Did this direct route once, about 5 years ago , and didn't lose any time but didn't gain any over someone with me on Grindslow.
I found the decent, even though I normally love the down hills, difficult on tired legs as the grass covers a fair few rocks .
The ascent, if indeed I picked the optimum route, was in heather over rocks which I found again to be difficult and, by the time I had reached the Ringing Roger checkpoint, my legs were somewhat wobbly for a short while, not good on the first part of the drop off Ringing Roger.

I for 1 will be sticking to the edge path this year.

[Joe]

I think you're taking the Micky, Joe. The whole skyline section from Jacob's Ladder to Grindslow Knoll is runnable.

Sorry - it's my wicked sense of humour. I had considered an alternative training run - the "Edale Not Much of a Skyline". You visit all the checkpoints on the real race, but you have to visit the valley in between every one :-)

For example:
Start - Ringing Roger - Edale YHA - boulder near top Jaggers Clough - bottom of Jaggers Clough - Win Hill - Hope - Lose Hill - River Noe - Mam Tor - Barber Booth - Ringing Roger - Dalehead - Brown Knoll - down Grain Clough - up Jacob's Ladder - round the edge then down Crowden Clough to Upper Booth - Grindslow Knoll - direct to RR and then finish.]

Some time I'll work out how far it is - and how much ascent!

[Stagger]

Sorry - it's my wicked sense of humour. I had considered an alternative training run - the "Edale Not Much of a Skyline". You visit all the checkpoints on the real race, but you have to visit the valley in between every one :-)

For example:
Start - Ringing Roger - Edale YHA - boulder near top Jaggers Clough - bottom of Jaggers Clough - Win Hill - Hope - Lose Hill - River Noe - Mam Tor - Barber Booth - Ringing Roger - Dalehead - Brown Knoll - down Grain Clough - up Jacob's Ladder - round the edge then down Crowden Clough to Upper Booth - Grindslow Knoll - direct to RR and then finish.]

Some time I'll work out how far it is - and how much ascent!

A rough estimate would be around 9 to 10 thousand feet of ascent.
More that twice Ben Nevis.
May be one for the future

[IanDarkpeak]

Sorry - it's my wicked sense of humour. I had considered an alternative training run - the "Edale Not Much of a Skyline". You visit all the checkpoints on the real race, but you have to visit the valley in between every one :-)

For example:
Start - Ringing Roger - Edale YHA - boulder near top Jaggers Clough - bottom of Jaggers Clough - Win Hill - Hope - Lose Hill - River Noe - Mam Tor - Barber Booth - Ringing Roger - Dalehead - Brown Knoll - down Grain Clough - up Jacob's Ladder - round the edge then down Crowden Clough to Upper Booth - Grindslow Knoll - direct to RR and then finish.]

Some time I'll work out how far it is - and how much ascent!

Sounds like good BG training to me

If any one is interested there are a couple of 'runs' around Kinder. One is the Kinder Dozen 24 miles 10,000 ft and includes a circuit of Kinder with you guessed it 12 ascents and descents. A very tough day out

The other is the Kinder Killer which to my mind is a bit easier but longer and takes a different circuit this also takes in a few out laying tops and is a good day out.

If any one is interested in the full route descriptions send me a PM

[daz h]

can anyone actually say they gained time doing the alternative route
it looked very inviting when we recced the race but the legs will be screaming going up teh other side.
im still tempted mind