High Peak Marathon

[Martin Brice]

It might not actually end up that bad an experience on the night. The hardest time I had on the HPM was when the groughs were really wet and we were knee-deep in mud for miles, and the easiest was in 2006 (I think it was) when the ground was frozen and we simply tripped gaily over the muddy groughs while following the tracks in the recently-fallen snow left by the faster teams. So that snow, if it freezes, will fill in the groughs and other teams will leave a trail through the frozen drifts. Obviously there's a problem with getting the marshalls to checkpoints, but they will walk up from the valley, or perhaps drive round and approach Snake from Glossop. Strangely, after four times on the start line (only three at the finish though), and swearing i'll never ever ever do it again, I wish I had a place.

[Grouse]

2006 was frozen for much of the way but heading up to Bleaklow Stones was hard through drifts at least as deep as those up there now. It was an amazing dawn that day - Kinder looked absolutely stunning from Bleaklow - like you could reach out and touch it. I remember many hues of purple, violet.. it was gorgeous.

(Must be the rosy - tinted specs...)

[southernsoftie]

is anyone getting a little exited

Hell yeah!

"I think the phrase rhymes with clucking bell"

Sounds like a great name!

[daz h]

Grouse Attachment 2930

you wanna borrow ma coat for friday

[emmilou]

Grouse Attachment 2930

you wanna borrow ma coat for friday

oompa lumpa springs to mind!! the pockets are big enough to stuff with jelly babies - you can leave us a trail

[Filthy Rich]

Strangely, after four times on the start line (only three at the finish though), and swearing i'll never ever ever do it again, I wish I had a place.

We have a team looking for someone, don't know who they are- contact Nick [email protected]

[Martin Brice]

it hurts to say this, but i don't think i will - i haven't been training at all and would only hold up a team. my navigation is OK, given the number of times i've been round the course, but i think nav won't be the problem this year - it'll be a question of following the footprints in the snow. good luck though.

[IanDarkpeak]

lazy post sorry, Short of time

Copied from HPM Facebook group

What a difference a few days makes.
Blue sky, no wind and an incredible view. Conditions on howden edge are heavy wet snow over meltwater and some wet bogs!
From Swainshead the snow is much deeper and the going very hard. It hasn't had time to consolidate yet but it is doable. if the sun keeps up for another day or so and then we get a good freeze we should be ok but there are some substantial drifts over streams, I went in chest deep twice today, I'll be posting some picture soon on the FRA forum under high peak marathon. The crossing of Bleaklow looked ok as two groups had been over and a trod had appeared. Go off the trod at the moment and you are soon up to your knees/thighs

Those that are friends on Face book can see pics now.

I'll post some pics on here when I get back from Leeds.

[IanDarkpeak]

I'll post some pics on here when I get back from Leeds.

ok here we are. ass long as we don't get a serious storm on Friday we should be ok. I would take extra food though as the going is very energy consuming and it will take longer.


first pisc is about 50m past Swineshead
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The snow is deep and hard going up to Bleaklow stones
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The groughs are pretty full.
Attachment 2938
two views of the expanse of Bleaklow looking towards Bleaklow Head.

This needs crossing but a trod is already appearing. lets hope the wind keeps off as they will soon fill in

Attachment 2936

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[Stolly]

Great pictures Ian - looks doable (and beautiful) now. Well compared to Friday's outing it does