Race: Rab Mountain Marathon
Peaks: Carrock Fell, Bowscale Fell, Little Cockup, Skiddaw, Lonscale Fell, Coomb
Area: Back o'Skidda, Cumbria
Time/pts/position: Day 1(300), Day 2(210) 9th/54 SM
A fantastic weekend at the Rab mountain marathon, Back O'Skidda in the northern Lakes. Really pleased with my performance, especially since it was basically my first proper mountain marathon after last year's disappointing 'half OMM'! Slept in Dan's van on Friday night and woke to a promising morning: weather ideal throughout, largely sunny but relatively cool. The Rab is a fantastic event: score classes only, so a real navigational test, and it was good to be able to enter solo. Formed a vague plan after getting the controls on day one. After a couple of easy controls, contoured round Low Pike to Carrock Beck and a third control, then steeply up Miton Hill to another just west of Carrock Fell summit. Sunny now, with tremendous views over the interesting terrain south to Blencathra and north to Galloway. A great area for this kind of event, feels remote. The toughest leg then followed, with my plans for a high scoring check over Bowscale Fell involving an awful descent down bracken and boulders to Roundhouse - fell face first into a bog at one point. Then tried to pick the best line over east shoulder of Bowscale to the high scoring control hidden in a sheepfold above a small beck. Headed west easily to a control on Blackhazel Beck and took stock at half way point. Realised I was well ahead of my cautious schedule, and feeling strong, so climbed over Mungrisdale below Blencathra to pick up more points via Sinen Gill. Worked gradually back, remaining cautious, picking up two more controls via the handy Cumbrian way path, descending past Whitewater dash to the valley NE towards Meal Fell, then cunningly NW through the narrow hidden valley of Trusmadoor. Superb access to gain a final control then very satisfyingly back (but 25 mins early, far too cautious) to the lovely campsite in a wooded glade. Rather cold night, feeling limitations of equipment (my sac weighed nearly 7kgs, not exactly state of the art), but meeting up with Dan and friends. I was in 11th place in my category, with 300 points after day one. After some drizzly rain in the night, started at 8am next day in cool clear weather. An immediate climb up Little Cockup was a good wake-up call, I then chose to head immediately south to go for the big value controls on Skiddaw, partly because a cloud inversion was obviously developing and I wanted to see it! Very few runners headed up for these big checks, and nobody chose the same route as me, which was odd as the second day route immediately leapt out at me, and I stuck to my initial plan throughout. A very steep climb through the mist lead above Dead Crags to the shoulder of Skiddaw itself. Then the highlight of the weekend, when I popped through the mist to great views out over the Solway firth and then great running contouring Skiddaw in bright early sunshine with a clearing cloud inversion in the valley to the north - no other runners in sight - to pick up a big value control hidden in a beck below Little Man. Then more contouring over Jenkin Hill to pick up another on Lonsdale Hill, again alone. Then down in superb weather to the Cumbrian Way, but this time heading NE up the Caldew Valley. A good decision, but again cautious. Headed up the last real climb NW to a control below Coomb, then a line across moorland to Iron Crag and a poor, very steep route down to Roughton Gill, losing concentration after 11 hours in the saddle! One more hard-to-find control then back to the finish in Fellside, too early again, but deliberately cautious, just wanting to finish respectably and without penalties. Managed a reasonable 210 points on day two, for a total of 510 points and 9th senior male overall (no seperate solo class), perhaps 23rd in total from a few hundred entries. Very pleased with this, bodes well for future events, and nice to be able to do this one solo. Really enjoyable and satisfying weekend.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Pedol Peris fell race
Race: Peris Horseshoe fell race (18m/8500ft)
Peaks: Elidir Fach, Elidir Fawr, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Lliwedd, Snowdon, Moel Cynghorion
Area: Glyderau/Wyddfa, Eryri
Time/Position: 4:50:31 (29/62)
A really disappointing performance in the Peris horseshoe race on Saturday. Felt I'd prepared quite well for it, had the mileage and the hills in my legs, but things really didn't go to plan. The first half went quite well, steady from Llanberis through the quarries - quite interesting in near perfect conditions of high cloud and occasional sunshine. Then steeply up to and over Elidir Fach before the scree climb up to Elidir Fawr. Started to pick up places over the awkward terrain on the ridge down to the Bwlch, then steady running on the contouring path before the long climb up Y Garn. Good descent down to Llyn y Cwn, then direct up the stream bed to Glyder Fawr (for me, slower than the normal route). Over the top of Glyder Fawr, then a good descent picking the best line in the sunshine down to Pen y Pass in 2:01. So quite well placed, and feeling good. As a result, I didn't take on board enough water and that was to be my downfall. Went well up to towards Lliwedd initially, but then started to blow up. Struggled painfully up Lliwedd, then made up some ground down to Bwlch y Saethau. But massive dehydration picked in up the East ridge to Snowdon - lost it completely, desperate for water and unable to maintain any kind of pace. Neil kindly waited for me, later telling me I looked dreadful at this point. I lost maybe 15+ places and at least half an hour. Recovered with some water on the summit, and perked up a bit for the descent down the Snowdon Ranger path to the final climb up Moel Cynghorion. Steep descent down to Maesgwm was brutal but then felt fine for the final descent back to Llanberis. A frustrating day, comfortably the most disappointing race of the year. But a cracking, classic event in perfect weather, and nice to have done the big two Welsh fell races this summer.
Peaks: Elidir Fach, Elidir Fawr, Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Lliwedd, Snowdon, Moel Cynghorion
Area: Glyderau/Wyddfa, Eryri
Time/Position: 4:50:31 (29/62)
A really disappointing performance in the Peris horseshoe race on Saturday. Felt I'd prepared quite well for it, had the mileage and the hills in my legs, but things really didn't go to plan. The first half went quite well, steady from Llanberis through the quarries - quite interesting in near perfect conditions of high cloud and occasional sunshine. Then steeply up to and over Elidir Fach before the scree climb up to Elidir Fawr. Started to pick up places over the awkward terrain on the ridge down to the Bwlch, then steady running on the contouring path before the long climb up Y Garn. Good descent down to Llyn y Cwn, then direct up the stream bed to Glyder Fawr (for me, slower than the normal route). Over the top of Glyder Fawr, then a good descent picking the best line in the sunshine down to Pen y Pass in 2:01. So quite well placed, and feeling good. As a result, I didn't take on board enough water and that was to be my downfall. Went well up to towards Lliwedd initially, but then started to blow up. Struggled painfully up Lliwedd, then made up some ground down to Bwlch y Saethau. But massive dehydration picked in up the East ridge to Snowdon - lost it completely, desperate for water and unable to maintain any kind of pace. Neil kindly waited for me, later telling me I looked dreadful at this point. I lost maybe 15+ places and at least half an hour. Recovered with some water on the summit, and perked up a bit for the descent down the Snowdon Ranger path to the final climb up Moel Cynghorion. Steep descent down to Maesgwm was brutal but then felt fine for the final descent back to Llanberis. A frustrating day, comfortably the most disappointing race of the year. But a cracking, classic event in perfect weather, and nice to have done the big two Welsh fell races this summer.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Celyn XC race
Race: Celyn multi-terrain race (5m)
Time/Position: 32:27 (4th/12)
A disappointing performance yesterday in this two lap cross-country race around Northop college. Tiny field, but still unable to finish higher than 4th! Did feel a bit tired, and I suppose it's my first fast short race for a good few months, but never really got going. The race is good, though, with some steep muddy climbs and plenty of waterlogged fields. Recovered pleasantly at an afternoon beer festival.
Time/Position: 32:27 (4th/12)
A disappointing performance yesterday in this two lap cross-country race around Northop college. Tiny field, but still unable to finish higher than 4th! Did feel a bit tired, and I suppose it's my first fast short race for a good few months, but never really got going. The race is good, though, with some steep muddy climbs and plenty of waterlogged fields. Recovered pleasantly at an afternoon beer festival.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
South Rib, Tryfan
Peaks: Tryfan
Routes/Grade: South Rib (M/III)
Sunny weather for a change, but rather tired after a faster-than-usual run up Moel Famau yesterday evening. With a race scheduled tomorrow, a mild scramble seemed the best option. Set off up the Heather Terrace with Rich, scratched around on the ribs left of Arete Climb (soloed in 1992?), to the point of actually leading a 50m pitch up one of them, before finally locating South Rib at the extreme left of the east face. It's not a bad route, starting with a broken rib and open groove leading to a platform. Then a nice second pitch up a gangway to a thrutchy chimney, then along a ramp to an exposed notch followed by excellent easy climbing up the rib crest for 15m or so. Used a single 9mm rope with a couple of slings, but the rest was easy: skirting a green chimney to a traverse back to the main ridge, then easily up to another thrutchy chimney and a final easy rib to another traverse up to the South Summit. After lunch in pleasant sunshine on the top of Tryfan, descended S Ridge to the valley and Ogwen. First outing on rock, even very easy rock, since Provence.
Routes/Grade: South Rib (M/III)
Sunny weather for a change, but rather tired after a faster-than-usual run up Moel Famau yesterday evening. With a race scheduled tomorrow, a mild scramble seemed the best option. Set off up the Heather Terrace with Rich, scratched around on the ribs left of Arete Climb (soloed in 1992?), to the point of actually leading a 50m pitch up one of them, before finally locating South Rib at the extreme left of the east face. It's not a bad route, starting with a broken rib and open groove leading to a platform. Then a nice second pitch up a gangway to a thrutchy chimney, then along a ramp to an exposed notch followed by excellent easy climbing up the rib crest for 15m or so. Used a single 9mm rope with a couple of slings, but the rest was easy: skirting a green chimney to a traverse back to the main ridge, then easily up to another thrutchy chimney and a final easy rib to another traverse up to the South Summit. After lunch in pleasant sunshine on the top of Tryfan, descended S Ridge to the valley and Ogwen. First outing on rock, even very easy rock, since Provence.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Clwydian runs
A quieter few days, the awful weather continues to render most options unappealing. Ran the Druid route up Foel Fenlli via Penbarras from Llanferres in a rare dry interlude this morning. Rather tired after a decent set of intervals last night (3:21 average, as last week, so gradually regaining). Recovered quite well from the big outing last week, enough to run up Moel Famau on the Friday and push the weekly mileage close to 50 again.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Ogwen/Ffrancon horseshoe
Peaks: Carnedd y Filiast (2697ft/822m), Mynydd Perfedd (2667ft/813m), Foel Goch (2726ft/831m), Y Garn (3107ft/947m), Glyder Fawr (3278ft/999m), Glyder Fach (3261ft/994m), Y Foel Goch (2641ft/805m), Gallt yr Ogof (2503ft/763m), Pen yr Helgi Du (2733ft/833m), Carnedd Llewelyn (3491ft/1064m), Carnedd Dafydd (3412ft/1040m), Pen yr Ole Wen (3209ft/978m)
Area: Glyderau/Carneddau, Eryri
A tiny semi-break in the continuing appalling weather allowed for this sizeable outing along the entire Glyder ridge then across and over the Carneddau for extra fun. A tremendous, varied outing. Set off with Neil from Tai Newyddion above Bethesda for the long and unrelenting, often pathless, climb up Carnedd y Filiast. Mainly walking, so took almost 40 mins. A sharp shower then blew in as we ran over Mynydd Perfedd to the sharp climb up Foel Goch. Cold wind, heavy rain as we ran down to Bwlch y Cywion and up Y Garn (1hr from car) as the mist blotted out all views for a while. The top of Y Garn was cold, wet and hostile - exactly as it was on our last visit 2 weeks ago. Down quickly to Llyn y Cwn and the steep scree up to Glyder Fawr where it was even colder, with heavy sleet. A reasonably quick traverse of the Glyder ridge followed, atmospheric with mist clearing and falling intermittently. Headed round Castell y Gwynt to the scramble up to the true summit of Glyder Fach, peak number 6 (2 hrs). Then we left the awkward wet Glyderau rocks behind for splendid running down the ridge in clearing weather to Llyn Caseg Fraith. Kept running to the top of Foel Goch and along to Gallt yr Ogof in delightful sunshine: just under 3 hrs from the car. Instead of dropping down into Cwm Gwern Gof (which would have been sensible), we bashed down the heathery ridge NE, skirting W when we reached the crags. Dried off in the valley, had a flapjack (more or less the only food). Across the A5 for the pretty lengthy 2500ft climb up Y Braich to Pen yr Helgi Du. Rather tiring but we kept it going quite well, a mix of fast walking and light jogging. Superb prospects from the summit, with the weather continuing to clear and the first decent (albeit very brief) dry window for weeks. Over the always splendid ridge to Bwlch Eryl Farchog, then the scramble to gain the main ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn (5hrs). This was surprisingly comfortable, we were both feeling fine, so were able to keep running in pleasant sunshine over Carnedd Dafydd and up Pen yr Ole Wen and peak number 12 (5.50hrs from car). A good choice to finish on, since we could see the entire round and all the peaks from here - a superb, aesthetically pleasing and satisfyingly logical horseshoe. Surprised that it took so long to occur to me as a combination. Descent was awkward, inevitably. Down Braich Ty Du to the little outcrop of Carreg Fran and the end of the crags. Then down very steep heather and braken to Ty Gwyn. This descent forms part of my '40 at 40' plans, so might have to be re-reccied! Back to the car crossing Afon Ogwen to the old road.
Area: Glyderau/Carneddau, Eryri
A tiny semi-break in the continuing appalling weather allowed for this sizeable outing along the entire Glyder ridge then across and over the Carneddau for extra fun. A tremendous, varied outing. Set off with Neil from Tai Newyddion above Bethesda for the long and unrelenting, often pathless, climb up Carnedd y Filiast. Mainly walking, so took almost 40 mins. A sharp shower then blew in as we ran over Mynydd Perfedd to the sharp climb up Foel Goch. Cold wind, heavy rain as we ran down to Bwlch y Cywion and up Y Garn (1hr from car) as the mist blotted out all views for a while. The top of Y Garn was cold, wet and hostile - exactly as it was on our last visit 2 weeks ago. Down quickly to Llyn y Cwn and the steep scree up to Glyder Fawr where it was even colder, with heavy sleet. A reasonably quick traverse of the Glyder ridge followed, atmospheric with mist clearing and falling intermittently. Headed round Castell y Gwynt to the scramble up to the true summit of Glyder Fach, peak number 6 (2 hrs). Then we left the awkward wet Glyderau rocks behind for splendid running down the ridge in clearing weather to Llyn Caseg Fraith. Kept running to the top of Foel Goch and along to Gallt yr Ogof in delightful sunshine: just under 3 hrs from the car. Instead of dropping down into Cwm Gwern Gof (which would have been sensible), we bashed down the heathery ridge NE, skirting W when we reached the crags. Dried off in the valley, had a flapjack (more or less the only food). Across the A5 for the pretty lengthy 2500ft climb up Y Braich to Pen yr Helgi Du. Rather tiring but we kept it going quite well, a mix of fast walking and light jogging. Superb prospects from the summit, with the weather continuing to clear and the first decent (albeit very brief) dry window for weeks. Over the always splendid ridge to Bwlch Eryl Farchog, then the scramble to gain the main ridge up Carnedd Llewelyn (5hrs). This was surprisingly comfortable, we were both feeling fine, so were able to keep running in pleasant sunshine over Carnedd Dafydd and up Pen yr Ole Wen and peak number 12 (5.50hrs from car). A good choice to finish on, since we could see the entire round and all the peaks from here - a superb, aesthetically pleasing and satisfyingly logical horseshoe. Surprised that it took so long to occur to me as a combination. Descent was awkward, inevitably. Down Braich Ty Du to the little outcrop of Carreg Fran and the end of the crags. Then down very steep heather and braken to Ty Gwyn. This descent forms part of my '40 at 40' plans, so might have to be re-reccied! Back to the car crossing Afon Ogwen to the old road.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)