Fellsman

[Erich K]

Interesting point: there is a lot written about the terrors of Fleet Moss. However, going up Gt Knoutberry I was longing for Fleet Moss for a bit of "flat" running.

Agree - actually found the Fleet Moss to Cray section fairly good going (particularly the route south of the fence-line) while the long haul up to Gt Knoutberry from Stonehouse via Arten Gill a bit of a monster!

[AlanB]

Interesting point: there is a lot written about the terrors of Fleet Moss. However, going up Gt Knoutberry I was longing for Fleet Moss for a bit of "flat" running.

I've mulled over several of the tough sections since finishing and there was definitely more than I remember there being. I found the following the worst ;
* Out of Redshaw - it's a climb all the way to Dodd Fell. Barely one step down hill !
* That Great Coum ridge - very bogy this year at the Gregareth end and then slowly uphill for miles
* Dent to Blea Moor - steep then just runnable, not pleasant with a sting in the tail too.
* Fleet Moss to Hell Gap was long, very long but wasn't that bad generally (southern route)
* The bogs after Gt Whernside being way longer than I remember, plus loads of running still after Capplestone Gate.

Clearly, I've not mentioned the first triple whammy but I had a little bit of spring left in my step there so didn't find them too bad ! There really are just so many BAD sections on this bugger !
Arkengill we walked most of it so it wasn't bad (and saved us a lot of wasted energy I think).

Any other thoughts ?
Personally, I think it's only about 2/3rds as painful as a BGR too Mark

[Stolly]

By BAD sections I assume you really mean 'good' Alan . The fact that so much of the terrain is properly off piste is what really makes the Fellsman a great challenge I think. If you think about it, most of the climbs are on pretty good trails (although the first bit of Great Whernside is a tad swampy) whilst most of the flat running and descents aren't. And as for Fleet Moss, it gets loads of bad press for being boggy, based on the now seldom used northern line across 'the Somme' to Jeffrey Pot - Fleet Moss and Middle Tongue are more about tussocks than mud and bogs and really aren't that tricky to navigate unless you can't follow wall lines and can't find slightly north of east on your compass .

[dav657]

When are the results usually published?

[BritNick]

By BAD sections I assume you really mean 'good' Alan . The fact that so much of the terrain is properly off piste is what really makes the Fellsman a great challenge I think. If you think about it, most of the climbs are on pretty good trails (although the first bit of Great Whernside is a tad swampy) whilst most of the flat running and descents aren't. And as for Fleet Moss, it gets loads of bad press for being boggy, based on the now seldom used northern line across 'the Somme' to Jeffrey Pot - Fleet Moss and Middle Tongue are more about tussocks than mud and bogs and really aren't that tricky to navigate unless you can't follow wall lines and can't find slightly north of east on your compass .

Stolly, from Yockenthwaite Moor I've always gone NE to wall gap and E from there to the gate, but the terrain is horrendous with peat cliffs, valleys, groughs and various other impediments to progress to deviate your intended heading. Do you suffer the same horrors on the N of E from the checkpoint, which would take you on a slightly more southerly route?

[BritNick]

I've just uploaded my snaps. Hope they bring back pleasant memories.

[Stolly]

Stolly, from Yockenthwaite Moor I've always gone NE to wall gap and E from there to the gate, but the terrain is horrendous with peat cliffs, valleys, groughs and various other impediments to progress to deviate your intended heading. Do you suffer the same horrors on the N of E from the checkpoint, which would take you on a slightly more southerly route?

Nick if that means you go to the top fence line, I definitely don't go that way. I just follow a bearing (slightly north of east) all the way from the Middle Tongue CP. To be fair on Saturday I was a little too north I think as I still hit quite a few groughs but it wasn't as bad as my memory of following that top fence line. The first year I did the fellsman with the CP in the old position was better still as you actually crossed the top fence and took a pretty good diagonal to the old higher Hell Gap CP

[karen nash]

Blimy Nick- fantastic effort. I take a few and then start running and forget! I think I took a dozen in total, a tiny fraction of your 175! I have pinched a few of me, hope that is OK

[BritNick]

No problem, Karen.

Stolly, I know better than that; I know not to climb to the top fence line. That would be a bit rubbish. :wink: I'm talking about the cross wall, which I cross at the gateway (right-hand of two gaps) a little higher than you would cross it. I also remember the old route across the top to the left of the wall on the 4-wheel track - amazingly runnable it was.

[AndyA]

I've just uploaded my snaps. Hope they bring back pleasant memories.

How bizarre!

I did the three peaks, just don't remember any of that snow on Ingleborough at all. I was topless, in shorts for most of the race!

Sounds like you had a good day out; I missed this event and I think I'll be back next year (PPP is a bit too frantic for me!)