The Trigger

[IanDarkpeak]

I was sad to read the news that IanDarkpeak isn't running any more because of injuries. My sympathy to you Ian.
That news adds to the challenge of the race though. My Bleaklow crossing in the snow was quicker by (ahem) "chasing" IDP from Lawrence Edge to Bleaklow Head. Using Ian's line we popped into Wildboar Clough at the same time as my mates who had been somewhat in front of me when we crossed the reservoir.

Mates and Ian drifted off in front as I faded over Kinder...

Happy days.

First time i did the Trigger i went past Ian near to Kinder Downfall.

Never saw him again until i got to the finish and he was already there.

I was gobsmacked, considering i'd taken what i assumed to be a quick and direct route down off Kinder Low.

He does know his way around the peak doesn't he.

Indeed that year I mentioned, shortly after climing Lawrence Edge, I saw Ian heading off on a line over Bleaklow all by himself and thought 'why not, lets see where Ian is going'. He threaded us along a really 'efficient' runnable line through a couple of groughs to join into Wildboar Clough near the top. I did compliment and thank Ian at the time - hope he heard me through the weather and my panting.

I do know my way around Bleaklow well, so I knew I wouldn't be lost if I lost track of my "guide" i.e. I wasn't just chasing after someone into unknown territory. I did know that every other time I had tried taking the line Ian was headed towards, rather than following the main trod around the edge it had taken me much longer though. It was a gamble and happily my bet on Ian paid off.

LOL..thanks guys, when you spend most of your working life up there and many reccies with Nicky you get to know every twist and turn/ when it was Tankys I only ever had one bearing, if I needed the compass it was the same bearing..thick clag and snow,,,never needed the map I knew every inch of the route, it certainly helps having LK..

I find myself walking some of the routes now but what I wouldn't give for one last blast on a claggy race.

I'll be on route on the day, last time I was on top of bleaklow shouting get your compasses out....so many swirly routes on Strava