Fellsman

[stevefoster]

I've got a full set, laminated, after running it in 07 and 08.

2 clubmates were round our 'ouse Monday evening collecting route tips. I hope they were listening properly.

Quick summary:

ODG Hotel, over below Silver Howe, through Grasmere, bit of road, up Tongue Gill to Grizedale Tarn, on to Helvellyn, down to Wythburn car park, up Wythburn valley, up Flour Gill, round High Raise, Angle Tarn, Esk Hause, Scafell Pike, Upper Eskdale, down Mosedale, Cockley Beck bridge, up to the col between Grey Friar and Great Carrs, away to Coniston Old Man, 3 Shires Stone, down Wrynose Pass, cut round to Blea Tarn, last bit of the langdale descent, then head right to get back to the ODG.

Some of the route finding is quite tricky if the weather is traditional Lakes.

Nothing to it for a man of your calibre.

Cheers Morgan, my Fellsman partner did it last year and felt it was harder than the BG, mind you, she was pushed hard by her teamate, they won the mixed pairs trophy
Pencilled in for next year

[MorganW]

Cheers Morgan, my Fellsman partner did it last year and felt it was harder than the BG, mind you, she was pushed hard by her teamate, they won the mixed pairs trophy
Pencilled in for next year

I recall being surprised, nay horrified, to find Mrs BG Sec and I, with a comined age of 90 plus, leading the mixed race on arrival at Cockley Beck last year.

The pair behind didn't have our downhill speed and we had sneaked away descending Scafell Pike.

They climbed much stronger than we did and we were put to the sword going out to the Old Man and were 10 mins adrift by the end.

Still, we squeeked under 9 hours.

Mrs BGSec is making BG noises for next year, so who knows......a return to my most favourite race............

[lantern rouge]

This looks a fantastic race and great BG prep I am told.

However, the mixed experience oif the preceding 9 hours and the persistent diabolical weather on Saturday morning around the Fairfield area somehow takes the shine off it!

Seeing a number of the OCT pairs making their way around Grisedale Tarn en route to Helvellyn... with most of a big day ahead of them... made me feel lucky to be heading for Dunmail and a return home.

Maybe the awful conditions just followed me around !!!

[Stolly]

My entry reminder just plopped through the letter box. Entries open 1st January and I'm a deffo

[Donkarlo]

I should definitely be there Stolly and maybe with the wife in tow.

[IWCharters]

We'll be back too

[Derby Tup]

Ian, Karl or anyone else with experience, what are your thoughts on Fellsman same year as a BG please? Ideal prep or too much?

[stevefoster]

Ian, Karl or anyone else with experience, what are your thoughts on Fellsman same year as a BG please? Ideal prep or too much?

Worked for Karl, i fancy the Old Counties Tops instead by way of a change.

[Bob]

Ian, Karl or anyone else with experience, what are your thoughts on Fellsman same year as a BG please? Ideal prep or too much?

I thought about it but it tends to be too close to the best times for a BG. I did my BG on the same day as the OCT so that's definitely too close!

Obviously it depends on the actual date of an attempt but I'd say nothing too long or arduous within a month of an attempt - unless you are called Bland

[IWCharters]

Ian, Karl or anyone else with experience, what are your thoughts on Fellsman same year as a BG please? Ideal prep or too much?

Traditionally the Fellsman has been used as a benchmark for the BG. Sub 18 hour Fellsman is considered as "on track" for a successful BG. You will need time to recover, of course, so don't schedule your BG for the next weekend

The only thing against it is that it isn't in the Lakes so the terrain is different and also, I suppose, you may be better spending time on the BG route rather than somewhere else.

OCT has the advantage of being in the Lakes with sustained climbing on tired legs which is just what you should be looking for.

If you can avoid getting stale on the BG route that is where I would suggest you spend the time but the Fellsman can provide a bit of welcome variety.

So much of the preparation is highly personal that others' preferences could be complete bobbins. Do what feels right for you