Wow, just caught up. This thread is almost more epic than the event was. There are so many interesting and valid comments from all sides. One comment I must make: Suzanne is the dog's whatsits and can do no wrong in my eyes. She made the right decision, period. Everyone was safe and warm before the rain compounded the problems caused by the cold and gale.
I probably experienced the worst of the conditions on Buckden Pike and Great Whernside and felt comfortable throughout, but experience tells me that it's a fine balance between too much clothing causing sweating and chilling, and too little causing chilling. Too much clothing can be worse than too little in my experience. I had it about right. It's too easy to have too many layers on the torso and not enough on the extremities. Just one short-sleeved shirt can tip the balance and ruin it for you. For the record I wore one NikePro T-shirt baselayer (no warmth, for anti-chafing more than anything), one Craft ribbed long-sleeved winter baselayer and windproof waterproof breathable jacket with hood. That's it. (I did have another thicker long-sleeved layer in my backpack, which I did not need.) I wore tights and windproof bottoms (not often I have to cover the leggies). On the extremities I wore thin silk gloves and a thicker pair on top. (I had an even thicker pair of waterproof mittens my backpack, which I did not need.) On my head I wore a warm hat with Buff on top of that, headscarfe stylie. The coat hood on top of that lot pulled up tight kept me feeling just right. Don't overdo the torso but take care of the extremities. It works.
Dogbreath, we must have caught up with your group at Capplestone Gate and you must have re-overtaken us yards before the finish. I thought your team mate who was going in the opposite direction shortly before the checkpoint was a marshal. I asked him if he was and he replied no, he had lost his group and was looking for them. I realised subsequently that he can't have been thinking straight. I'm glad that the marshal who went after him shortly afterwards (we had to shout inches within each other's ears to make ourselves heard) was able to find him and get him to safety.
protodoc, it was a pleasure to meet you at the start and at Hill Inn. See you next year as an entrant.
Karen, great to see you at the start dressed for business, and what a successful outcome on that ankle - third place! :thumbup: I hope the lack of discomfort during has translated into steady recovery afterwards.
There was a couple of references to my report. Here it is, just updated with over 100 photographs linked.
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Originally Posted by BritNick
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