Saturday, December 31, 2016

Bowstones fell race

Race: Bowstones fell race, Poynton (11k/1063ft)
Time/Position: 47.47 (23rd from 389)
We all really enjoyed this fine coda to the running year in 2015, so went back again. But whereas last year I felt quite good on this fast and runnable race, which is almost closer to a trail or multi-terrain event, I struggled from an early stage this year. I still had hamstring damage from the Jubilee Plunge although can't really blame that for my travails which were more fundamental in nature! The route is eyeballs out throughout, with no really steep climbs: it goes gently up into Lyme Park, then embarks on a steady climb interspersed with a wooded descent that eventually leads to a short ridge on the edge of the Peak. I lost around 10 places on the climb, struggling to run, but gained a few on the descent back to the Cage Tower and Lyme Park: eventually finishing around a minute (and 10 places) down on last year.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Y Garn walk

Peak: Y Garn
Area: Glyderau, Eryri
The traditional post-Christmas walk with Rich. Just a short one this year, although conditions were superb with a hard frost in the valleys and perfect clarity from the summits. The East Face of Tryfan would have been wonderful, sheltered from the cold (but fairly gentle) westerly. Rich fancied Y Garn though, so we walked along the valley to Ogwen Cottage then up the very familiar steps towards Twll Du. Emerging into the sunlight at Llyn y Cwn was very welcome: memories of my solo summer wild camp in this wonderful spot. Delightful winter sunshine for the plod to the summit, and lunch with a raven for company. Excellent views over Llyn, in particular. We completed the mini loop in familiar fashion, down Banana ridge and back to Idwal. An ideal gentle outing to stretch the legs after all the festive races.

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Jubilee Plunge

Race: Jubilee Plunge (2.2m/-1361ft)
Time/Position: 12.39 (8th from 81)
The shortest and physically easiest race of the year, yet always the most damaging in terms of recovery! I'd avoided it in favour of the 5k handicap last year, conscious that my poor descending and overstriding leaves my legs in shreds for a week even if I hold back. It is one of the most enjoyable outings of the year though, and I have always liked the village pub. A convivial trot to the top of Moel Famau for this most eccentric of race starts in front of the usual crowd of curious onlookers on the Jubilee Tower: nice weather with low sunshine and milky high cloud. I started mid-pack, the intention being to take it easy and save my legs. This backfired in a fairly obvious way as I found myself way behind on the first steep drop then felt obliged to push on the ridge to try to gain some places. By the time you reach the narrow track branching off towards the Vale it is all too late. I could see Steve, Andy and Chris below me and knew I was unlikely to catch up! It is a fantastic grassy descent back to the road but I avoided the 'shortcut' as nobody else seemed to be taking it. The flatter fields back to the pub suit me a bit better and I ended up half a minute down on my best time. My fourth time at the Plunge, and the third short enjoyable race in four festive days.

Monday, December 26, 2016

Round the Walls race

Race: Round the Walls, Chester (6k)
Time/Position: 23.53 (10th from 491 [1st V45])
With the walls under refurbishment in two places, the race route must have been hard for the organisers to work out this year. There was no ice this morning though (always a concern on this race as it means the walls can't be run). Instead, just a nice sunny day as we headed off for a lap of the car park then short loop of the Roodee (as in 2014). From here, the race headed down Sealand Road then up past Telford's and the locks to take the cobbled canal towpath before joining the walls much higher up near the cathedral. Flying along the walls is what this race is all about, it always gives exciting racing, and I managed to gain a few places and get close to a compact group of five who were themselves well behind the lead five runners. Brilliant running past the clock and down to the Dee, and although I couldn't catch the faster group in front I just squeezed into the top 10 for the second time. Kate enjoyed it too: my fifth time at this race, which works so well as a bracing family outing on Boxing Day morning,

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Wepre Parkrun

"Race": Wepre Parkrun (5k)
Time/Position: 20.16 (6th)
My Parkrun debut, after almost 500 'formal' races since 1982. Legs were a little tender after yesterday's exertions in the Berwyn storm, but these are not races, merely 'timed runs'. A little lap (on which I have previously marshalled) with a sharp climb leads to two longer laps each containing two longer climbs. The course is quite challenging and would make an excellent hard XC course with one or two more laps. I really enjoyed it, despite my jaded limbs which remained creaky and tired throughout, and despite the fact I recorded my slowest ever 5k time by quite a considerable margin! In fact I was three minutes slower even than this year's best 5k time, but this is certainly not a quick course (in fact, some say it is the hardest UK Parkrun). It is the 32nd week at Wepre, so I was rather surprised to break the course record for my V45 age category. Very nice inclusive event: neatly followed by our usual Christmas Eve walk.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Berwyn horseshoe

Peaks: Mynydd Tarw, Foel Wen, Tomle, Cadair Berwyn, Moel Sych, Moel yr Ewig, Godor
Area: Berwyn, Denbighshire
After a dry interlude yesterday (and a walk up Conwy mountain with the children), another depression swept in today. Dubbed Storm Barbara, it was another example of unfortunate pre-Christmas timing. In the event, however, Jez and I arrived in Cwm Maen Gwynedd just after 9am, and the worst of the weather had yet to arrive. We wasted no time, and injected a bit of pace for the steep climb up Mynydd Tarw: tarmac, then track, then steep fields. But the climb gets you onto the ridge very quickly: probably my fourth time round this excellent horseshoe. I thought it would make a good choice today, relatively sheltered in the east, and always with the option of dropping into the valley if things get too extreme. Ferocious gusts as we ran across the boggy terrain to the north: over Foel Wen and its tops, blown into the fence a few times. But it stayed dry initially, with a surprisingly high cloud base. After Tomle, Ffordd Saeson gave a few minutes respite before the main Berwyn ridge into the teeth of the gale. However, it wasn't quite as bad as I'd expected. Jez coped with the conditions better than I did, but we made good progress and even got some fine views to the south as we skirted Cwm Maen Gwynedd. The usual bog on top of the ironically named Moel Sych, then we took the great contouring narrow path down to Moel yr Ewig and along the ridge in deteriorating conditions: heavy rain and gale-force winds throughout. From Godor, an excellent fast descent back down to the valley bottom (2.15 for the round). Warmed up in front of the fire in The Hand, Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog.

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Carneddau run

Peaks: Foel Dduarth, Yr Orsedd, Drum
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
The familiar diabolical weather on our pre-Christmas outing, although it was particularly unfortunate this year after two weeks of stable conditions. Options were by definition limited, but it was at least dry as we set off from Aber. The steep tarmac start to the Foel Fras race is never pleasant, but you do gain height quickly. The very steep climb up gorse to Foel Dduarth is demanding, but again over quite quickly. From here, the grassy ridge always gives superb running over to Yr Orsedd. The wind picked up at this point, and the black clouds gathering to the west moved overhead. As we dropped down to the main Drum track, horizontal hail and icy blasts made life very difficult. Conditions got progressively worse as we climbed towards Drum: painful hail, poor visibility and ferocious gusts. At the summit of Drum, the wind whipped across the ridge: conversation was impossible so I gestured to Peter that a descent to Cwm Anafon was on my mind! He seemed to agree. Problem was that this was into the teeth of the gale: hard work initially, very hard to see. But I have used this as an escape route before and it works well. Half way down, the wind eased and in the cwm it was much gentler. We were finally able to communicate as we ran back north then extended the run down old tracks to end up on the A55 itself. Dried out in the Albion, Conwy.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Welsh XC Championships

Race: Welsh Regional and Masters Cross Country Championships, Brecon (9.5k)
Time/Position: 34.53 (49th from 133 [7th V45])
Having been selected to run for Wales for the first time since 2012 in November, and then being unable to make it, this was a welcome opportunity to at least represent my region. I've run for North Wales three times at the 10k road championships but, although I've been picked for cross country before, this was my first actual XC appearance in the regional champs. The course was a new one, round the fields surrounding the Penlan centre outside Brecon. The day was dank and drizzly, but the going was relatively kind underfoot. Better still, the course (three long and tortuous laps) suited me fairly well, with long flat sections to hammer out some kind of rhythm. A few twists and turns and a couple of short, sharp hills kept it interesting. Having struggled a bit to maintain the pace at Bangor last month, I ran conservatively but didn't feel too bad for a change (albeit still slow!). I picked up a few places on the second and third laps and finished in a reasonable position for my age, scoring in second place for the North Wales V45-55 team (although we just missed out on the team medal, by a very small margin).

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Bangor XC

Race: Bangor XC (North Wales Cross Country League, race 3)
Time/Position: 35.50 (32nd from 152 [4th V45])
A long break from racing, over a month since the Flintshire 10k. Very little running in South Africa, and a heavy cold on returning, so my struggles in the two intervals sessions I've managed since recovering were hardly surprising. This was, therefore, merely a damage limitation exercise! A perfect winter day, with a hard frost and snow on the Carneddau. Felt I should have been up on those hills, and that feeling intensified as I began to struggle on the second lap. I last did the Bangor course 10 years ago, and it has changed since then: possibly a tad shorter, but more intense, with a sharp climb on all four laps. The course was muddy, slippery and demanding today despite the weather. I finished way down the field, which was a shame as I missed the second race in the league last month, but at least I didn't fall apart completely as I had half expected.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Clywedog trail run

A very pleasant outing on a beautiful crisp winter morning. Starting from Minera, we initially went too far across the river, adding a steep extra climb, but eventually joined a contouring path which eventually led down to Bersham via beautiful woodland. Astonishingly, and slightly shamefully, this was new territory for me. The Clywedog trail continues in this vein, broadly following the river through the edge of Wrexham, although urban scenery rarely intrudes. Peter and I continued through Erddig and nice parkland scenery to the end of the trail at King's Mill, then turned round for the long return leg along the riverbank. Just over half marathon distance in total.

Thursday, November 03, 2016

Quartzkop

Peak: Quartzkop (1750m)
Area: Blyde River Canyon, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Just a short jog, glad to be able to expend some energy after several days driving round the wonderful Kruger National Park. This morning, I left Satara Camp in Kruger very early, driving into Limpopo then through the huge township of Bushbuckridge to Graskop. After breakfast, I headed up to the famed God's Window viewpoint. Here, the warm air of the Lowveld rises to meet the cooler air of the high plateau of Mpumulanga at the start of the Panorama Route and Blyde River Canyon. At this time of year, early summer, mist is the inevitable result. So, instead of the vast view over the Lowveld, a misty subtropical atmosphere prevailed. Still very atmospheric, with ever changing views over the top of the clouds and the plateau clear. I quickly realised that the path continued past God's Window to take in the subtropical cloud forest beyond: all moss and dripping vegetation, reminding me of my trip to Panama earlier this year. Above, typical Highveld scenery and vegetation as a plateau is reached. Great running here, with cloud to the right over the Lowveld and huge views left over the plateau towards the Blyde River Canyon. I kept on going to the highpoint, some interesting birds, then jogged back to resume my tour of the region. Later, I took in the Three Rondavels, Blyde Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and many more sites in this wonderful area before staying in the hills above Graskop, near the famous Berlin Falls.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Flintshire 10k

Race: Flintshire 10k
Time/Position: 36.10 (4th from 566 [1st V45])
The route for this long-established race has changed numerous times over the years: this new version echoed the much older two lap run up the gently inclining Ruthin Road. I can remember going under 37 minutes for the first time on the old course a decade ago. A big field as we set off from the school, and a lot of twists and turns as the route avoids the middle of town. This slowed times down a bit, as did another tortuous section higher up after the hill - through gates and narrow entrances. The long and gradual descent is fast, though, and I gradually worked my way through some quick starters. I was third at the Flintshire 10k two years ago, on the very hilly version, and have been fifth in the past too. The gaps were quite big by the final mile.

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Mold XC

Race: Mold XC (North Wales Cross Country League, race 1: 5.5m)
Time/Position: 31.47 (29th from 197 [3rd V45])
For a change, I was well up on my previous time for this newish course, which we ran for the first time last November. However, conditions today were hardly typical for cross country. It was mild and dry, the ground no worse than moist after morning rain. Last year, by contrast, it poured down throughout and the route was a quagmire. I didn't feel too bad on the route, although slowed on the third lap and struggled to hold the pace. But I moved gradually up the field after a deliberately slow start. I am hoping the field was quite strong, as I had expected to be a bit higher up!

Sunday, October 09, 2016

Caernarfon border league

Race: Caernarfon 10k (Border League race 1)
Time/Position: 36.29 (16th from 318 [2nd V45])
The rule of 30 seconds strikes again. The third consecutive race in which I have been half a minute down on my most recent previous time for the course. Still, at least the decline is relatively gradual! Given the lack of recent road running, and only one intervals session in preparation, I was reasonably pleased with this - and I always enjoy the route, perhaps my 8th time round the course, both clockwise and anticlockwise. Today, we went the 'normal' way round, with a light easterly a slight help for the long, flat 5k alongside the Menai Straits. Always a glorious place to run, and the weather was delightful, as it often is on this race. Views of Yr Eifl and Mynydd Mawr as we turned inland to face the hilly second half of the course. I caught quick-starters Chris and David from Buckley and we ran together for a bit up the first hill. I moved up the field a bit over the second half and did my usual pace-holding (albeit slow!) routine, managing to hold off a small group immediately behind on the always enjoyable, very scenic final km past the castle.

Saturday, October 01, 2016

Ceiriog Canter

Race: Ceiriog Canter fell race (11.5k/1307ft)
Area: Glyn Ceiriog (Vivod Mountain)
Time/Position: 53.45 (5th from 37)
Driving down the Ceiriog Valley, I always think I should spend more time there. This is the only fell race based in the valley, and another of those I have never got round to doing. The weather was rather unpleasant: steady drizzle, low cloud, rather chilly. But the race is runnable and excellent, almost closer to a trail race in places. It leaves Glyn Ceiriog to join a rutted and steep track. Our plod up this was enlivened by a wedged Sainsbury's delivery van, presumably a disastrous sat-nav error. It was quite a job to squeeze through the vegetation to get past the van. The track eventually emerges at a road, then takes a great path up the side of Nant y Dramwys. This gives excellent running, with good (albeit misty) views of the Berwyn. A group of six pulled away from the rest of the field during the climb. At a gate, the route turns left for the final climb up to the top of Vivod Mountain, all runnable. I began to fall behind Simon on the climb, and lost more ground initially on the descent, which takes a different route north of Y Foel to emerge at Finger Farm: at this point there was a great clearance in the mist and drizzle to reveal the verdant Ceiriog Valley. A road section meant I could catch Simon up, and a great contest ensued. I didn't get enough of a gap to cancel out his descending skills, though, and we were neck and neck on the final descent into the woods above Glyn Ceiriog. This was enlivened by a collapsing gate and numerous fallen trees. Eventually he pulled clear and finished up 15 seconds ahead back at the finish in Canolfan Ceiriog. We were around 90 seconds behind the winner.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Wirral Multi-Terrain Series, Arrowe Park

Race: Wirral MT Series, Arrowe Park
Time/Position: 26.49 (17th from 219 [2nd V45])
Half a minute down on last year's time, exactly the same as two weeks ago, so my slowdown is at least consistent! Last year, this race was something of a showdown as our V45 category went right down to the wire. This year, the pressure was off as I have already missed two races in the four race series, so I just used it as a speed session. It is a great course round Arrowe Park near Birkenhead: quick running through the woods, which get very dark on the second lap as dusk gathers, then some surprisingly tough gently rising slogs across a series of playing fields.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Chisinau run

After memorable day trips to Transdniester (Wednesday) and Gagauzia (Thursday) I had a bit of time for a run in the Moldovan capital this morning. I had already managed an unusual jog yesterday on my return from Gagauzia, running from the distant South Bus station in the furthest suburbs of Chisinau to my city centre hotel 6km away, stopping only for beer, sarmale and ciorba! As with many post-Soviet cities, Chisinau is not ideally suited to running with its potholes, crumbling pavements and big kerbstones. But, having said that, there's plenty of green space in the city and it is certainly easier than I found running in Tbilisi, Bishkek, Yerevan and the like. This morning I ran from my hotel at the eastern end of Pushkin Street up towards the parliament in perfect crisp, clear and sunny conditions. I made my way to the obvious large urban lake of Parcul Valea Morilor and did a lap of this with several other runners. I made my way back via a tortuous return through the city centre.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Mourne traverse

Peaks: Slieve Meelmore (704m), Slieve Bearnagh (727m), Slievenaglogh (586m), Slieve Corragh (641m), Slieve Commedagh (767m), Slieve Donard (850m), Slieve Beg (596m)
Area: Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland
A traverse of the northern Mournes, a very pleasant outing but far removed from the reason we were here! In fact, we were here to do the Mourne Mountain Marathon elite course, long in the planning and obviously requiring some complex logistics. Peter and I had flown in to Belfast on Friday and arrived at the Meelmore lodge late on Friday night. This morning, a bus from Tollymore took us through delightful Ulster countryside to the start of the event at the Fofanny dam. All went well initially, although I always find it takes a while to 'get your eye in' on mountain marathons and we made a few small errors. After a bigger error on the north side of Slieve Meelmore, we slogged over the top of the hill and, when looking for the next checkpoint, Peter let out an agonised shout and keeled over: ankle badly sprained. That was essentially the end of that, a mere two hours into the event. We descended slowly to the col where Peter could hobble down to Meelmore. The day, rather frustratingly, was getting better and better: blue sky with some high cloud drifting in and out, warm but not too hot. The only option for me was a long run in the hills as a consolation prize. As I've never visited the Mournes before (apart from a trip to Newcastle in filthy weather with K and L some years ago) this was an appealing prospect. The northern traverse seemed an obvious continuation from Slieve Meelmore so I jogged up the steep side of Slieve Bearnagh, soon slowing to a striding walk. This is a fine hill, steep and shapely, and from this side even gives some mild scrambling if you look for it. Its summit is crowned with several large tors, reminiscent of Dartmoor granite. In fact, its summit is probably one of the harder summits to reach in the British Isles. I guessed the highpoint, took a route through a notch then along to two mild chimneys which led to the true summit and excellent views over the range: I had the time to really get my bearings, which I wouldn't have done had we been engaged in the intricacies of the mountain marathon! Good running led down to the famous Hare's Gap, a broad col, and the next lower peaks of Slievenaglogh and Slieve Corragh were also fairly gentle and runnable with good paths near the remarkable Mourne Wall, which continues along the entire ridge. I managed to find a water source at the next col and took a short break there. Slieve Commedagh is a steep haul but another fine peak with its summit set back a bit from the main ridge line and good sea and coastal views. I had it to myself, in stark contrast to Slieve Donard, and watched dozens of walkers slogging up to the summit as the mist covered it, then melted away again. I ran to the col, where numbers increased dramatically, perhaps 10 or 15 fold! I suppose Slieve Donard is so dominant, and so accessible from Newcastle, that it inevitably becomes a major day trip target. Its the highest point in Northern Ireland too, which probably adds to the appeal. It is a dull and crowded slog along the wall from the col to the summit, so I jogged where I could, reaching it in around 19 minutes. Mist drifted across the summit, with partial clearances giving views of the sea directly below. I ran down to the Bog of Donard at the top of the Bloody Bridge route, then joined the superb Brandy Pad - which takes a great direct route through the middle of the range, traversing below the peaks I had just done. I broke off to take in the minor summit of Slieve Beg for views of the Annalong Valley, then enjoyed the glorious gentle descent to Hare's Gap. From here, more excellent sunny running led down past some impressive granite crags to Meelmore lodge and our unplanned overnight camp. Very far from the weekend we had planned, and obviously a disappointment, but still an enjoyable traverse in great conditions and a fun weekend in Northern Ireland.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Wirral Multi-Terrain Series, Thurstaston

Race: Wirral MT Series, Race 2 (Thurstaston Beach)
Time/Position: 30.01 (14th from 236 [3rd V45])
Having thoroughly enjoyed this series last year, and having won my category, I was keen to give the races another go this year. But circumstances look like preventing me completing the series: indeed I was in Austria for the first race last week. As a result, I just treated this race as a speed session and wasn't too disappointed with a time well over half a minute down on last year. I struggled a bit with the pace, as I expected to, but just about held on for the second lap along the beach. The sand seemed softer than last year, with more boulders, but perhaps it just seemed that way! A great combination of cycle tracks and beach running, with oystercatchers and curlews a nice accompaniment.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Grainau trail run

We headed straight for Garmisch after the Wildspitze, stopping only for coffee and cake in Imst. After an excellent evening near our hotel in Partenkirchen, we had limited time this morning before heading back to Munich airport. There was a crag near Grainau, so we headed there for a few climbs, only to find a rather scruffy and unappealing wall of conglomerate. After an excellent few days in the Otztal, this just seemed wrong, so we decided on a trail run into the hills instead, mainly to enjoy the fantastic views of the Zugspitze across the valley (we had already pledged to make a return trip to take in the routes on these limestone peaks above Garmisch). We crossed the Loisach river, crystal clear and delightful, the water glinting in the low sunshine, and headed up the Kramerlaine valley. Vic descended to the riverside trail, while I continued upwards for a while, unsurprisingly rather tired after the last few days but enjoying the beauty of the Bavarian hills and the superbly civilised nature of the trails themselves. I made it to a highpoint above the valley and admired the view across to the Alpspitze and Zugspitze before taking a contouring path back down. After a wash and submersion in the icy river, we headed to Munich.

Friday, September 09, 2016

Wildspitze

Peak: Wildspitze (3772m/12362ft)
Route: Mitterkarjoch/Normal Route (PD)
Area: Otztal Alps, Austria
The highest peak in the Tyrol, and the second highest in Austria, the Wildspitze is also a very beautiful objective. It takes the form of a tent-like pyramid soaring above extensive snowfields. It was an obvious target for our short trip, and is unsurprisingly popular. It gives a straightforward but excellent route over the Mitterkarjoch: much more interesting and varied than we had anticipated, as it breaks down into four distinct parts. Breakfast was at 5.30am, late by Alpine standards, and we were away by 6.15. The route initially climbs into the Mitterkar, a glacial bowl of rubble and boulders which has presumably lost a great deal of its ice in recent years. A decent path winds through the moraines until the upper cwm is reached. The dim light gave way to Alpenglow on the Hinterer Brochkogel high above while behind a cloud inversion formed in the Vental. We passed one big guided party just before the cairns ran out as the upper cwm was reached. This is guarded by steep rock walls, with the summit of the Wildspitze high up on the right of the cwm, cloud streamers curling over the cornices. The actual Mitterkarjoch, which is the key to the whole route, is a tight col above a hidden rock couloir that rises steeply to the north. A dry glacier, just shallow ice, rapidly diminishing, leads up to the couloir, so we donned crampons and headed upwards, behind another guided party. The route up was pleasant, frozen solid after a cold night. Eventually, the glacier gives way to a small bergschrund and then a 150ft via ferrata section, which takes the couloir on its solid left-hand side up a series of cables. I would imagine that, until fairly recently, this couloir was a tracked out snow plod. Now the cables take you on to fairly solid ground up the left walls. Some surprisingly strenuous hauls needed, tricky work in crampons, and we were initially stuck behind the one small guided party that now remained in front of us. However, the steepness eases quite quickly and gives way to a long and very enjoyable diagonal traverse, eventually gaining the atmospheric Mitterkarjoch itself, where the environment and ambience changes suddenly and utterly from rock to snow as you enter the white world of the upper snowfields. The small col gives access to the summit glacier and is a tremendous spot with new views to the west over the Pitztal to Glochturm and a galaxy of other peaks. Cloud in the valleys just added to the atmosphere, particularly as wisps enveloped us from time to time. We geared up for the glacier crossing, which was a delight. Horizontal initially, it then rears up and crosses three or four crevasses. At this point, we were joined by climbers from the Pitztal side, but it never got overly crowded. The glacier crossing ends at a shallow col below the final rocky (at this time of year) summit pyramid. We removed ice gear and scrambled to the top (3 hours), very enjoyable despite the altitude. Verglassed rocks and my ancient Alpine boots (badly worn soles!) made it a little trickier than it might have been. Banks of cloud filled the Otztal and Pitztal with the high summits rising above, a spectacular view. Looking over the Stubai to the Schrankogel was particularly satisfying, and the nearby peaks on the Italian border were also notable, like the Similaun and Weisskugel. We deliberately timed the descent to perfection after a wonderful stay on the summit, avoiding the biggest guided parties on the scramble, then romping down the glacier to ensure we had the couloir to ourselves: this worked perfectly and we made rapid progress back to the hut. After enjoyable crampon work down the dry glacier, we took a long rest in the upper Mitterkar, enjoying the high Alpine ambience for one last time, then the long trudge through the moraines back to the Breslauer Hut (the first team down, just before midday) for Bergsteigerressen (wurst and pasta) and coffee. Thus fortified, we made our way down to Stablein in hot sunshine.

Thursday, September 08, 2016

Oberried climbing

Crag: Oberried (Otztal, Tyrol, Austria)
Routes: Captain Hook (u6-/f5b:led), Mila Johara (u5-:sec), Night Rider (u5-:sec), Playboy (u5/f5a:sec), Baker Street (u6/f5c:led), Grisu (u7-/f6a+:sec), Loreley (f5b:led), Loschaktion (f5b:led), Wasserklang (f5b:led), Lausbubenverschneidung (u6+/f6a:sec)
A truly delightful crag, with well over 100 varied routes in a wonderful setting next to tranquil valley pastures with tremendous views up towards the Gamskogel and other peaks. It was virtually walking distance from our hotel, just across the valley floor, but had its own car park with toilet. A hot day seemed likely, so we started early as the morning sun hit the crag casting long shadows over the wet meadows, cow bells the only sound. Our chosen starting point was a side slab, with three overlapping slabs, all quite distinct, with the top one jutting out over a steeper wall. Captain Hook took the full height and gave a pleasant VS pitch, delicate climbing interspersed by the odd steeper move over each bulge. Vic led the similar but shorter line to the left, and two easier routes further right completed the fun. After this little warm up, it was already too hot to climb in the sun so we found a shady west-facing nook further left where I led Baker Street, an excellent HVS/f5c pitch up a steep wall of grey granite. It looked slightly smooth and polished from below, but wasn't really: it took an obvious line of weakness up the steep wall, a diagonal line of jugs leading towards the left-hand arete, then weaving right taking a further line of positive cracks up the steeper headwall. Great pitch, although bettered by Vic's lead of Grisu at f6a+. This took a direct line up that left-hand arete and gave superb climbing. A thin but positive flake crack right on the edge of the arete gave steep, dynamic moves up to a rest. Then an intermittent crack system with some interesting jamming led to the top via more fine climbing direct up the edge of the arete: excellent pitch. Further left, back in the sunshine, I led the classic corner line of Loreley - which felt like a traditional British VS. An obvious, strong line with some surprisingly awkward bridging and steep moves higher up. Loschaktion, immediately right, was a distinct contrast, taking a clean and delicate slab via some surprisingly technical moves on small holds and foot smears. Both quite stiff leads for the grade. Wasserklang was the worst pitch of the trip: something of a sandbag with me tiring after a bad night's sleep. A very steep start up an overhanging wall led to two thrutchy and steep grooves: awkward and disjointed, but close to a picturesque waterfall, as its name suggests. I flailed clumsily up this, with fading forearms, but was revived by the terrific corner of Lausbubenverschneidung (scallywag's corner!), a great f6a led by Vic, taking a very obvious clean corner direct up the high face at the left of the crag. Easy climbing low down leads to a superb textbook layback crack. Great moves up this to a high jug, before a pulsating finish taking the steepening finger crack in the corner. The crux comes right at the top: a layaway and very long reach for a flat finishing hold. With regret, we called it a day after 10 routes and headed up the valley for a late lunch before driving up to Vent at the end of the Otztal. From here, we got the chairlift to Stablein, then enjoyed a wonderful relaxed walk-in over the dramatic Rofenbach to the Breslauer Hut in great weather. Another superb hut, more traditional and crowded than the Amberger, with us in a small wooden room with great views. We refuelled with goulash, spatzle, gruner veltliner, blaufrankisch and other delights.

Wednesday, September 07, 2016

Schrankogel

Peak: Schrankogel (3497m/11473ft)
Route: East Ridge (PD)
Area: Stubai Alps, Austria
Rather high for an acclimatisation peak, but the Schrankogel is a superb mountain that had the added advantage of getting us into the heart of the Stubai Alps before our planned ascent of the higher Wildspitze in the Otztal Alps later in the week. The two ranges are quite distinct, although both can be accessed from the main Otztal valley. We spent the night in the splendid Amberger Hut, which was wonderful in the way that only Austrian huts can be, and enjoyed a relative lie-in before breakfast at 6am. Fresh snow had fallen above 3000m so we packed a short rope as precaution, although I wore approach shoes throughout as there is no glacier to cross on this route. We moved up the broad and magnificent Sulztal valley, almost Himalayan in feel at this point, with the Sulztalferner glacier sunlit above. The sun had yet to reach us, and we made rapid progress up the side valley of the Schwarzenberg to the east. A steep ascent led to a superb path on top of a moraine which gave a wonderful mile or so of walking, as the sun began to light up the Mutterberger Seespitze and Schwarzenbergspitze across the valley. In the dim morning light, with a fallen signpost, I failed to spot the line of the normal route going up the south-west ridge. This was no bad thing, however, as the moraine path was truly wonderful and took us up to the Schwarzenberg glacier high above. Some rubbly material at the top of the moraine, dusty, steep and arduous for a while. Above, however, we arrived at a plateau with the east ridge towering above: clearly a much better and more interesting option than the normal route, plastered with a good few inches of fresh snow. The weather was absolutely superb: deep blue cloudless sky and crystal clarity in all directions. We were both going at our own pace, so I set off for the main ridge, enjoying the more solid slabby rock. The snow made things trickier in places, but there were no real difficulties: it was rather like a giant Crib Goch. The ridge tapers constantly until it becomes more exposed as the summit cross comes into view. The final section is quite narrow with a few awkward steps but leads quickly and directly to the summit (2.50 from the hut). The amazing and unusual clarity of light made this one of the best views I have ever had in the Alps, or anywhere. I shared the summit with a chap from Bavaria who helped me with some of the unfamiliar peaks. Close at hand, the pyramidal Schrandele, Zuckerhutl and Wilde Leck impressed, but the Schrankogel is so prominent that it is the highest point for miles around, so the main feeling was one of distant views stretching right across the Alps, from the Todi and Silvretta to the Gross Venediger and the distant Dolomites. The Wildspitze dominated the view to the south-west: a beautiful summit. I spent a long time gazing at the view until Vic arrived, and we eventually tore ourself away for the descent. This was awkward, long and tiring, and I was a tad annoyed that I'd failed to realise the obvious traverse option. But the moraine was equally good in descent and the sun-drenched Sulztal a wonderful place to linger as we neared the hut. Sadly, we'd run out of money, so had to scamper back to the car in Gries before a surprisingly lengthy hunt for valley accommodation in Langenfeld. We got it sorted in the end, however, and a fine meal of wild mushroom soup, Tyrol lamb and rosti restored some of the lost calories.

Tuesday, September 06, 2016

Oetz climbing

Crag: Oetz (Otztal, Tyrol, Austria)
Routes: Rampe (u6-/f5b:sec), Rechte Wand (u6/f5c:led), Mittlere Wand (u5/f5a:sec), Linke Wand (f6a:sec), Kante (u6/f5c:led)
After my morning jog up Kofel, we headed straight for the Otztal in improving weather. The plan was to walk in to the Amberger hut around 4pm, but over a late lunch in Oetz I spied what looked like a roadside crag. We immediately revised our plans to squeeze a brief climbing session in, and it worked perfectly - particularly after being rained off the crags this morning. Oetz is an unusual crag, right next to a busy road and immediately above an industrial wood processing plant: not the most tranquil venue! Oetz itself is at the head of the Otztal, our proposed 'home valley' and is surrounded by mountains. The routes were good: around 20m high on excellent solid granite, all well bolted and highly convenient. Our time was very limited so it could hardly have been more suitable. Rampe was a good line up an inset slab to a steep final wall, which is replete with sharp holds and much easier than it looks. I then moved to the slabby wall immediately right, a fine sweep of granite, and led the arete line of Rechte Wand. This was a good route, quite delicate in places, with crisp moves low down giving access to the juggy arete with a tricky move to finish on small holds. Slightly overgraded, not noticeably harder than the 5a line to its left. Vic led the Linke, which gave more technical climbing to a steep finish on awkward side pulls and unhelpful holds. Finally, I just had time to bag another arete line: this time Kante, which takes the edge of the Rampe slab. This was nice but overgraded: nowhere near f5c, it felt like a two star British Severe with lovely flowing moves on positive holds in a nice position on the edge. We packed the gear away quickly and headed up the valley to the elevated hamlet of Gries above Langenfeld, where we enjoyed a delightful walk-in to the Amberger Hut. A great start to the trip, varied and productive, particularly after heavy rain this morning. It improved further as we arrived at the hut with eight minutes to spare before dinner, by pure fluke. A three course meal, with a vast amount of meat, followed by beer and schnapps to ease digestion and prepare us for the Schrankogel tomorrow.

Kofel

Peak: Kofel (1342m/4403ft)
Area: Ammergau Alps, Germany
Although its dimensions are small, the sharp limestone spire of the Kofel is very much the signature peak of the famous Bavarian town of Oberammagau. It made an ideal short outing this morning, as our Alpine trip got off to a soggy start and Sunday's long race was still in my legs. Vic had some things to sort out, so I set off alone from our excellent pension near the station in the middle of town, jogging along the river in the rain as the limestone spire of Kofel intermittently emerged from the mist directly above. An Alpine meadow lies above the car park and leads to broad zigzags as the forest is reached. Dank and atmospheric in these conditions: I had it virtually to myself, unsurprisingly. The forest was wreathed in mist and the zigzags gave good running up to the Kofelsattel, an obvious col below the final summit spire. A short level path leads to the spire (the Kofelsteig), which is a polished limestone scramble, easy and replete with chains. A short traverse leads to stepped rock, then a slabby open groove to the summit (less than an hour from the hotel). A brief clearance gave views of Ettal and I could hear cowbells below, but most of the time the Bavarian landscape was obscured by low cloud. It stopped raining, at least, and I jogged down under dripping trees with some spectacular clearances as I neared the bottom of the forest. We abandoned plans to climb nearby, and headed instead into Austria, over the Fernpass and a late lunch in Oetz as the weather began to gradually improve.

Sunday, September 04, 2016

Stretton Skyline

Race: Stretton Skyline (31km/4500ft)
Time/Position: 3.33.46 (40th from 79)
Multiple races going on this weekend, and it was a little tricky to decide on the best choice. Caernarfon 10k would have been a more sensible option, but, mindful of the forthcoming Mourne Mountain Marathon I thought it might be a good idea to return to the Stretton Skyline for the first time since 2009. It emphatically was not, and I limped home a staggering 33 minutes slower than seven years ago! Having said that, it was at least a sociable option and I enjoyed the day (most of it anyway). It began well, jogging up from Carding Mill Valley with Peter and running with him along to Pole Bank at the top of the Long Mynd. The descent to the road is glorious, and well remembered from 2009: a sweeping series of ridge tracks and contouring paths leads to the village of Little Stretton. The steep climb up Ragleth that follows is probably the hardest climb on the race, but I felt reasonably fresh at this point and overtook a few runners towards the top. Great running on the ridge towards Caradoc before the descent. Here, things started to go wrong! Seven years is a long time, and I couldn't remember the best route down to the next checkpoint in Church Stretton. I took the left-hand path through the woods, which takes much longer, and was passed by at least ten runners, ending up behind a big group as I started the climb up Caer Caradoc. This was rather demoralising, but worse was to follow as I began to lose energy on Caradoc. A few slices of fudge didn't help much, and the rest of the day was a real struggle, the first time I have really suffered on a long fell race for a good few years. The descent from Caradoc to the Lawley gave some respite, and takes in some delightful countryside, but the long out and back to the Lawley was slow again. Returning to the A49, I knew what lay ahead: the climax of the race up the never-ending Motts Road back to the top of the Long Mynd. With good legs, this gentle gradient can be run efficiently. Drained of energy, it is a bit of a nightmare and I lost at least 15 places as I limped up the gentle slopes, literally walking most of the descent back down Carding Mill Valley to the finish in Church Stretton. Shame not to do this great race justice: not sure what the problem was, so will have to use the feeble excuse of a bad night's sleep!

Thursday, September 01, 2016

Elidir Fawr race

Race: Ras Elidir Fawr (5m/3000ft)
Time/Position: 1.09.44 (11th from 48)
An exhilarating, classic horseshoe, staged during the last couple of hours of daylight on a September evening: all rather memorable. As with the Cnicht race on Saturday, this is one of very few Welsh mountain races that I've never done. I think it has been absent from the calendar from time to time, but staging it in the evening at this time of year seems like a great idea. The climb is, of course, pretty hard: familiar to most people because of the standard Welsh 3000s route. Although there are some short sections of respite, they are very short and in essence it's a continuous 3000ft slog from the village of Nant Peris. I didn't feel especially sharp after an afternoon of constant slate climbing, although a tailwind helped in places. Some rain, and mist playing round the summit, which I reached in 40 minutes. The descent is familiar from Pedol Peris: steep, rocky and technical initially, then a few grassy sections allow for quicker running until the path begins to contour round the top of Cwm Dudodyn below Foel Goch. The long, looping descent is absolutely superb: reminding me a bit of the Waun Fach race. Very fast, into a headwind with the light beginning to fade and mist swirling around Crib Goch and Cwm Glas across the Pass. I picked up a few places, then the route follows the spur on the opposite side of Cwm Dudodyn (indeed, it is perhaps more accurate to describe the race as the Dudodyn horseshoe). This gets rocky at the end of the spur, then steep and fast down to the cwm and back to Nant Peris. Across the river, then across a field to the finish for bara brith. Later, a pint and a good meal in the Faenol Arms rounded off an excellent evening: an appropriate start to what will be a busy September.

Llanberis slate climbing

Crag: Never Never Land, Llanberis Slate
Routes: Titan (f4c:led), Zeus (f6a+:led), Operation Zig Zag (f5c:sec), The Gargoyle (f6a+:led), Octogenarian (f5b:sec), Learning to Fly (f5a:sec), Fresh Air (f6a:sec)
I like to have at least one session on slate each year and, when I do, always think I should go more often as I really enjoy it as a climbing medium. We were planning to combine a few slate climbs with the Elidir Fawr race this evening, so were quite late setting off in the afternoon. We headed from Dinorwig down to the brilliantly named Medusa's Lair: an enclosed gorge of slate right of the main Never Never Land slab. This sheltered us from some of the wind, but it remained cold, cloudy and windy all day. We all led the easy but worthwhile Titan as a warm-up: this takes a series of well defined grooves on the right of the wall. I then led Zeus at 6a+, a good route deserving a star. Steeper than the average low grade slate climb, some nice crisp moves lead up the wall to a pronounced crux. I initially attempted this to the left up tenuous smears before moving right where a few pulls on small holds gain a huge jug and easy climbing to the finish. Slightly soft for the grade but the grading here is at least more accurate than some of the absurdly overgraded new routes nearby. Mick then led a rather scruffy route, supposedly 5c, up the blunt arete of dolerite which leads to a slab. This was pleasant enough but massively overgraded: it would be 4 in Provence. Emerging from the gorge, I led The Gargoyle, also at f6a+. This is an interesting and varied route, slightly unnerving in places. It takes an easy slab to good moves left round the obvious arete before a very sharp and balancey crux move to gain the 'gargoyle', a jutting piece of slate below a hanging groove. The expected jug isn't there, so pinch holds and a high step are needed to straddle the feature (a novel and vaguely alarming move) and pull up into the groove. It remains awkward above, but not hard. Mick led two simple routes on the main face, both massively overgraded (really f4) and Vic finished with the pleasant detached slab of Fresh Air, which I've led a couple of times before. We just had time for the dash down to Nant Peris and a coffee before the second part of the afternoon began.

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Cnicht race

Race: Ras y Cnicht (4.5m/1850ft)
Time/Position: 46.14 (14th from 64)
Because this race clashes with the Cilcain mountain race, which I did every year for a decade from 2003, I've never done it before. After 'retiring' from Cilcain, I then did the Wild Wales cycling event on the same day, so Cnicht remained one of the very few North Wales mountain races 'unticked'. I have walked up the peak numerous times from Croesor, however, and always thought that the race must be a classic 'up and down' from the village. It is indeed, with steep tarmac giving way to the track through beautiful oak woodland. Then a bit of a respite as the path winds up the lower slopes towards the conical summit that gives it the hackneyed 'Welsh Matterhorn' nickname. I felt reasonably good initially, but slowed a bit towards the top of the approach slopes which are inevitably steeper than they first appear! From here, the route becomes rocky until you reach the scrambly chimney with gives access to the summit. It was misty for this top section, which limited route choice on the descent. I suspect detailed local knowledge might yield some racing lines, but as it was I stuck to the main route including the chimney which is obviously fairly hazardous to descend. All rather slow until gaining the grassier lower section. Having said that, I gained a place and finished reasonably quickly. A few seconds over 30 minutes to the summit, 15 back down to the finish. We then enjoyed the novelty of the slate swimming pool 'ice bath' in the village: I managed full submersion and two widths!

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Chwarel Penrhyn climbing

Crag: Chwarel Bach y Penrhyn (Penrhyn Bay)
Routes: Cobra (f4:sh), Sidewinder (f3:sol/sh), Sidewinder variant (f5:sh), One-Eyed Trouser Snake (f4:sol/sh)
A minor venue indeed! Certainly not a crag to make a special trip to, but ideal for my purposes today with just an hour to spare first thing in the morning. The Twin Piers 10k goes right past this obscure quarry but it is so small it is barely noticeable from the dual carriageway over the Little Orme. It is reasonably high though, 15m or so. The routes are quite easy but characterised by rather smooth limestone and sloping holds. The two harder routes through the obvious overhang are not really feasible on shunt, with one hard move low down, so I did some variants on the other routes instead. The two on the left are slabby and easy, with a better line taking the obvious groove with a borehole on the right.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Aber-Bwlch y Ddaefaen-Cae Coch-Sychnant-Conwy

I felt too sluggish for my planned reprise of the Capel Curig-Conwy traverse, so after a family walk in Betws I got dropped off at the coast near Abergwyngregyn and ran to Bwlch y Ddaefaen. From here, I joined the Penmaenmawr fell race route, turning off at Cae Coch then continuing all the way down the fantastic gently descending track to the Sychnant Pass where I took some obscure paths and extended the run somewhat. More wonderful weather, particularly towards the end of the run. On Friday, I did a slightly shorter version of the North Wales half marathon route over Sychnant to Penmaenmawr then back via the coastal cycle path to the Morfa.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Conwy valley climbing

Crag: Penmaenbach Quarry
Routes: Smart A55 (f3+:led)
Crag: Clogwyn Cyrau
Routes: The Groove (VD:led), Siencyn (S:sec), Sion (S:sec)
In tutorial mode with E and M, who had both agreed to accompany me climbing. We walked to Penmaenbach first from Sychnant in more glorious late summer weather, the heather and gorse in full bloom and the sea calm and deep blue below. I led the obvious slabby groove right of the delicate 6a arete that I did last year. Both children followed easily, and M also got up the slab further right with a tricky start. Plas y Brenin then arrived, rather spoiling the atmosphere, so we headed back to Conwy. Later that week, we did a bit more climbing at Clogwyn Cyrau: a few easy routes in light rain. Both children enjoyed it without being overly enthusiastic.

Monday, August 22, 2016

Conwy climb and run

Crag: Conwy Mountain Slab
Routes: Left-Hand Crack (VD:sol), Oaklands (S:sol), Central Crack (M:sol)
In Conwy for a few days, so indulged in my usual jog up Mynydd y Dref in glorious late afternoon sunshine an hour or two after arriving. I paused to pad up and down a few routes on the slab, lovely in the warm sunshine, before continuing to the top and the usual great views over the Orme, sea and Carneddau.

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Birchwood 10k

Race: Birchwood 10k (Warrington)
Time/Position: 36.59 (29th from 1012 [4th V45])
As the family enjoyed combining this race with an Ikea visit last year, it seemed a good opportunity to repeat it. But having blown up very badly over the last 5k and recorded my slowest 10k time for years in 2015, I started very slowly this year, conscious that I never do speedwork (or road races) over summer and so can't hope to hold any kind of pace. This worked reasonably well, and I enjoyed the race more this year: but my finishing time was inevitably slow given the plodding pace, only marginally better than 2015. Very well organised race, which goes past the front of the Warrington campus at one point. It has never seemed a particularly quick course to me though, with lots of twists and turns, and a few long drags.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Clogwyn Cyrau climbing

Crag: Clogwyn Cyrau (Betws y Coed)
Routes: Conwy Corner (S:sec), Long Climb Direct (S:led), Central Route/Long Climb (HS:sec), Bomber's Wall Route Route One (HS 4b,4b:led p.1)
A little tired after the last few days, and my early start, so Vic's suggestion of Clogwyn Cyrau sounded like a good idea. I've done all these routes before, but that is not always a bad thing and lent a welcome relaxed air to the morning. The beautiful morning turned into a perfect August day, with wonderful views over Siabod from the top of the crag with the heather and rowan in full bloom: unusual clarity for the time of year. Conwy Corner is a nice line with mild bridging, probably the third time I've done it. A predictably overgrown descent path, followed by a walk to the main crag where I kicked off with Long Climb Direct: this is a nice 30m pitch up a steepish corner to an old oak tree before a slabby and easy finish. Vic set off up Central Climb, but ended up traversing right along the original Long Climb instead: I did exactly the same thing when trying to lead this hard to follow VS a few years ago. After lunch, we finished with Bomber's Wall where I led the nice first pitch up a rib to a thread, then a broad groove with some tricky moves to a sapling. Easy ground leads to a huge flake belay. Above, Vic led the enjoyable finishing groove. There are two independent versions of this route - I've certainly done it before, but couldn't quite remember which version! Hot and sweaty by now, so the dappled woodland descent gave a welcome cool-down.

Ffestiniog climbing

Crag: Carreg y Foel Gron (Ffestiniog)
Routes: Elephant's Crawl (VD:sol), Cracked Slab (VD:solbr), Tiger Feet (VS 4b:sh)
Woke up at 6am after a pleasant night at Llyn Dubach and, after a cuppa and some porridge headed up to Carreg y Foel Gron which looms above the lake and is very obvious from the Ffestiniog road. Despite that, I've never actually climbed here before. It is used by outdoor centres, I think, but is surprisingly unpolished and reminiscent of the main Moelwyn crags to the west. That means that it is riddled with lovely incut holds and pockets, with gentle slabs ideal for solo entertainment. I nipped up the inset slab to the right of the main crag to begin: easy but enjoyable out towards the arete on the right. After a downclimb, I took the precaution of setting up a backrope on the main slab before abbing off and nipping up Cracked Slab. This is a nice varied 30m pitch at the grade: up a steepish but juggy crack to a trickier move over an overlap. I popped a clove hitch on the backrope for the final few moves up the finishing slab: with the early morning sunshine just beginning to warm the face. I used the shunt for the harder line of Tiger Feet which goes directly up the slab further right - delicate to start - then finishes more steeply over a bulge with one tricky move right at the top. I then jogged round to the hidden upper tier with fantastic early morning views over Llyn Morwynion and Cwm Cynfal to the Rhinogydd and Llyn peninsula. Some of the arete lines looked great but there are no belays at all above most of the routes, so with regret I jogged back to the car for a wonderful drive down the minor road to Cwm Penmachno then Betws. Wonderful views in more perfect weather, and a delightful riverside breakfast at Pont y Pair while I waited for the second part of the day.

Monday, August 15, 2016

Yr Arddu climbing

Crag: Lliwedd Bychan (Yr Arddu)
Routes: Heather Gully (D:sol), Central Route (VD:sh), Orthin (HS 4b:sh), Eastern Route (S:sol/sh), Right Gully Rim (D:sol), Left Gully Rim (D:sol)
I last drove up the single track road from Gwynant to Nantmor in 1989, but only remembered quite how narrow it is when I was an irreversible mile in to it. After lengthy shenanigans and a ludicrous encounter with a steam roller I arrived at Coed Dolfnog south of Buarthau and began what I suspected might be a tenuous walk-in to the somewhat obscure crags of Yr Arddu. The narrow path, marked on the map, is navigable initially through the superb oak woodland. Above this, however, the wet summer had rendered it essentially impassable. I followed the wall above the woods first, but gave up in extraordinary neck-deep ferns. I've experienced this kind of thing all too often, however, so persisted higher up the western side of Yr Arddu. It got worse as I tried to contour round to the obvious wall that heads east to the crags: heather, bogs, ferns, thistles. I lost my water bottle in the chaos: cue dehydration to add to the fun. It was as bad as anything I've experienced in a lifetime of this sort of nonsense, including the northern Rhinogs, and my legs were still a bit tired after yesterday's race. After a steep climb, much blood and torn clothing, the terrain got better (just bog and waist deep ferns) and a tiny path led to Lliwedd Bychan. This gave a splendid couple of hours entertainment, a 30m slabby crag ideal for the solo wanderer with superb views to Cnicht, Moelwynion and Traeth Lafan: perfect weather, warm sunshine and crystal clear clarity throughout. The sun had just left the face as I plotted my way up the delightfully simple Heather Gully, then abbed off for Central Route (partially shunted), which takes a gently sustained line up the face on sharp little holds. Good consistent pitch at the grade. Orthin was a tad more technical, with good 4b moves over a bulge at the top, then I moved the backrope a little. Eastern Route is probably the most obvious actual line: taking a slab to a shallow corner, then steeper moves trending left to the top. Two easy solos completed the fun. My plan was then to run up Cnicht, but the walk-in (and the fact that I didn't start until nearly 4pm having spent most of the day at work) put paid to that. Instead I bushwhacked my way out, shedding more blood and sweat, and plunged my head into the stream above the woods, drinking deeply with huge relief. After a wash in the River Nantmor next to the car, I retired for fish and chips in Penrhyndaedraeth then a peaceful night next to Llyn Dubach in the moors between Llan Ffestiniog and Penmachno, the ancestral home. A full moon rising over Arenig and beautiful pink sunset made up for the midges.

Sunday, August 14, 2016

Two Hillforts race

Race: Two Hillforts fell race (9.3m/2000ft)
Time/Position: 71.04 (8th from 104)
Since this race was launched a couple of years ago, I assumed it was a version of the now defunct Tavern Trail or Lletty. It actually takes quite a different route around the northern end of the Clwydian range and is a very runnable route. So runnable, in fact, that I went off far too quickly, thinking any remaining road pace might push me up the field. In reality, I couldn't hold the pace and blew as soon as the route steepened below Pen y Cloddiau. From Llandyrnog, the route goes across fields to the road taken by the Vale of Clwyd 10k. This continues much further up before breaking off for a steep path that I couldn't remember running before. This takes a direct line to the Pen y Cloddiau car park. Superb level running around the side of that hill before a short, steep climb gains the summit. I know this area well, and love the descent down OD towards Moel Arthur. I was in fifth place at this point, but knew the game was up as we started the climb to Arthur, paying the price for the quick start and lack of recent speed work. From the top of Moel Arthur, a very long but not too steep descent to Llandyrnog awaits, taking the road and long contouring bridleway. Theoretically ideal, but I was still blowing badly and really struggled: ended up being passed by three and finishing eighth.

Friday, August 12, 2016

Minera climbing

Crag: Minera Quarry
Routes: Easy Grooves (f4c:led), The Quartz Slab (f6a:led), Thin Grey Wall (f6c:led), Narrow Arete (f6a+:led), Hard Start (f6a+:sec), Quartz Wall variant (f6b:sec)
It is a shame that this venue is so small and limited, as the climbing is quite good and it is only a 20 minute drive from my front door. This was a brief but enjoyable session ticking the remainder of the crag after my initial visit last week. We moved systematically from right to left: beginning with the very easy but pleasant line of shallow grooves. Gentle but nice. The Quartz Slab to its left was more delicate with nice technical moves leading to a superb but tiny quartz slab: if this went on for 50ft it would be a classic. As it is, two crisp moves on incut holds gets you to the top. Virtually all the routes on the crag are overgraded, a common issue with UK sports routes, and the Thin Grey Wall was no exception. Supposedly f6c, it is indeed quite technical with some intricate moves, but nowhere near 6c, which is my leading limit. I led this clean and onsight. Good friction, small footholds and neat edging up to an awkward rockover on to a long thin ledge. Nicely sustained, probably more like 6a+. Narrow Arete gives another pleasant climb, up the eponymous feature via some technical moves on small holds. Again, never particularly hard, probably 5+. The route to its left is steep to start, as its name suggests, and looks disjointed: but is quite good again. I climbed Quartz Wall from the same lower-off so moved left at the top to avoid the pendulum (and therefore the full tick). Good rough limestone: if only the crag was twice as high and six times as long.

Sunday, August 07, 2016

Glyder Fach climbing

Crag: Glyder Fach
Routes: Hawk's Nest Arete (VS 4c,4a:led p.2), Needle's Eye Climb (VD:led p.1), Route II (VD:led p.1)
What was intended to be a day of cragging on high 'summer' cliffs turned into a classic mountaineering day out incorporating not one, but two traditional chimney pitches. This was largely because of bad weather: with strong winds, swirling mist and intermittent drizzle throughout. I used to climb on Glyder Fach a lot, and have ticked most of the lower grade classics. One such, fondly remembered, is Hawk's Nest Arete, which I did with Tim in the 90s. Vic hadn't done it, so we took the hour-long slog past Bochlwyd up to the detached buttress, right of the main crag, and he led it in high winds. It was cold on the fingers, which isn't ideal on this route, which has a surprisingly delicate crux. It looks much harder from below and is a very elegant line. Easy, juggy climbing up to a large block, before a steeper crack leads to a surprisingly hard crux using sidepulls and small holds to gain jugs above. It remains thought provoking above, with a thin finger crack leading to a ledge. All made much harder today by strong winds and cold fingers. A little drizzle in the air at times to add to the fun. The second pitch, my lead, is far easier but was wet and a bit dirty in places. It takes a wide and slightly thrutchy crack to gain a side crack and the top. The descent is complex but quite absorbing and atmospheric, particularly now that the mist had descended and was swirling round the pinnacles and gullies that characterise this part of the crag. We traversed over to Dolmen buttress and then intricately down Central Gully with some caution. After some lunch, I merged the first two pitches of Needle's Eye Climb. This was an obvious choice for two reasons: it is enclosed and out of the increasingly strong wind, and I hadn't done it before. The first pitch goes up a juggy slab to a mantelshelf which gains the top of the initial chimney. Then easy and vegetated climbing up to a clean rib. The next pitch is ungradeable and pretty memorable. Somewhat reminiscent of other famous thrutches like Monolith Crack and the Chasm, but essentially unique. A slab leads to a delicate traverse towards the wide crack behind a pinnacle (this is the 'needle'). It is impossible to get through this initially, even for skinny people. The only solution is to strenuously udge up the crack, with one leg 'cycling' up the outside wall. Eventually it becomes possible to squeeze through the crack to gain the cave beyond like a cork popping out of a bottle! The route keeps coming in this traditional vein, up a pinnacle and several cracks to the top. The mist swirled round and the drizzle got a bit heavier, so we continued the Victorian theme, starting to really enjoy and embrace the unexpected mountaineering ethos of the day. We traversed over to Dolmen Buttress. I have never climbed here before, one of the highest crags in Snowdonia. I led the easy classic of Route II: the first pitch goes up a fine clean slab on jugs. It is exposed for the grade, traversing out to the edge of the slab initially. From the mid-height platform, Vic then led the ultra-traditional top pitch up a very atmospheric chimney in the mist and rain. This goes easily at first, to gain the dank, cave-like interior. Then a back and foot thrutch, during which I tore my coat and dropped my nut key into the depths of the cave. From the top of an internal pinnacle, an easy traverse left allows for an escape to be made! Slightly reminiscent of Great Gully on Craig yr Ysfa: an esoteric little gem despite its lowly grade. Another complex descent, made more problematic by the fact that we were higher on the crag: tricky downclimb to gain Central Gully. Then directly down to boggy Bochlwyd and the car.

Friday, August 05, 2016

Castle Inn climbing

Crag: Castle Inn Quarry
Routes: Indian Summer (f6a:led), As You Like It (f6b+:sec), Conan the Libertarian (f5+:led), October Premiere (f5+:sec), Conan Eliminate (f6a:sec), Hidden Gem (f3+:sol), Route 2 (f6a:sec)
Having visited this crag dozens of times over many years, it's not surprising that there are only a few gaps left. One such is As You Like It, a tough 6b+ over the obvious bulge on the Fine View wall. We prepared for this by taking turns to lead Indian Summer for a warm up: always enjoyable, edging up the wall on small pockets and tiny ledges, good rough limestone. The sun came out and prospects looked good for Dave's lead of the 6b+. Vic and I followed, knowing that it is a hard route to onsight and keenly aware of my current lack of forearm strength. A steep slab with some good moves leads to an undercut and good moves right to where the route steepens. The last 5 metres of the climb contain most of the action: continuously steep and pumpy, leading to the crux at the final bolt, which requires a high step to a sloping foothold then a kind of layaway to a final jug. Very strenuous, draining climbing which took a couple of attempts to get right. Big lactic build-up, which was hard to shake off, although I felt OK for my next lead up the 5+ of Conan. After some lunch, we all took turns at various eliminates on this side wall, hot sunshine now, before finishing with the old favourite of Route 2 up the centre of the main face. I have done this route many times over several decades and always remember the crux moves up to a tiny pinched stalactite. Technical rather than strenuous, thank goodness.

Wednesday, August 03, 2016

Ponderosa fell race

Race: Ponderosa (4m/800ft)
Time/Position: 29.27 (7th from 94 [1st Veteran])
My slowest time ever on this course, but also probably my highest finish. Possibly an illustration of the effects of a strong headwind on the descent, or maybe just a weaker field than usual. The weather is often unseasonal on this race, which I have done around six times. Always a very tricky race to judge: it is so short, and the climb up to the top of Cyrn y Brain so quick (around 8 minutes) that it is inevitably quite intense from the start line, but you can't slacken off much as it is hard to overtake on the very long descent which contours the lovely but boggy hillside above Eglwyseg. Blustery with some rain for this section. The final climb, after such a long and fast descent, is always pretty desperate and today was no exception. I was catching the guy in front but couldn't quite find the strength to get past him. Got a prize for first in category: a first for me on this particular race.

Minera climbing

Crag: Minera Quarry
Routes: The Calch (f6b+:sec), Open Grey Groove (f4:led), Blocky Wall (f6a:sec)
After a frustrating half hour searching for the lower quarry, we eventually emerged at a windy and drizzly upper quarry. This has one broken but fairly impressive crag, the one that is obvious from the World's End road above Minera: I've often noticed it in passing but have never investigated further. This crag now houses two routes, one of which is The Calch at f6b+. Andy led this, with Hayley and I following. Given my lack of climbing this year, this was hardly the ideal route to get back into it. It was steep and fairly technical higher up, although did give a few decent rests (which helped). A broken lower wall leads to a dirty ledge, then much better climbing up flowstone features reminiscent of a steeper Castle Inn. A juggy crack leads to a few rounded pillars, then steep and technical moves to gain a wider upper scoop. I went too far right initially and messed up the sequence, inevitably fighting failing strength (as well as the light rain that was falling!). After this, with time running out before this evening's Ponderosa race down the road, we finally located the undistinguished Lower Quarry. I led the very easy Grey Groove on unpolished black limestone and we finished off with the overgraded Blocky Wall before zooming round to the Ponderosa to enter the race in the nick of time.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Esterel-Mont Vinaigre loop

Peaks: Mont Vinaigre
Area: Esterel, Provence
This was the second long run I'd done during our week in the Esterel. I've run up Mont Vinaigre from the caravan before (seven years ago, incredibly). It is not that far as the crow flies, although it looks distant from the swimming pool, but it is problematised by the lack of a simple approach. Tracks lead everywhere in the Esterel, and I have a reasonable knowledge of them, but there is no simple way of approaching Vinaigre from the south. On Wednesday, I had a mini-epic after taking the long contouring path above the Vallon Olivier attempting to join the GR51 but eventually running out of time. I then took several different paths on the western slopes of Malpey before dropping down to an untracked side valley. This was temporarily appalling, crashing through the maquis and boulders to eventually gain the dry stream bed at the valley bottom. Scratched and bruised, the stream bed was better but still blocked with fallen trees and boulders at various points: all a reminder of how wild the Esterel is in some corners. Eventually the side valley emerged in the main N-S (broadly) valley and I made good progress back to the site. Today, I made a more concerted effort to get the navigation right. It was another 6am start, beautiful high pink clouds well before the sunrise: wonderful ambience as ever, nobody around. I went straight for Carrefour Castelli, down to the bridge, then the steep climb to the derelict Maison Forestiere which is right in the centre of the range, perhaps the most remote spot of all. From here, a superb path contours the hillside then heads due north for Mont Vinaigre: superb running in the early morning. It emerges on the Route des Cols, forcing you onto a long detour west along the metalled road to finally pick up the GR51 which leads more steeply to the top. Surprisingly lengthy: 100 minutes or so from the caravan. Views were stupendous, the best I have ever had in scores of visits to Esterel summits. Cloud was gradually clearing from the valleys, lending superb foreground views with distant summits poking through. Wonderful, although bizarrely I had to share the summit with a four-piece female choir singing soft spiritual tunes as the sun rose. I fear I ruined their special moment, dripping with sweat and downing two cereal bars in quick succession. My plan was to continue along the GR51, but I felt too tired, so went back a similar way via a few short variations. Back in time for the bakery opening and the usual breakfast.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Dramont climbing

Crag: Cap Dramont, Esterel
Routes: Slab Route 1 (f3+:sol), Slab Route 2 (f3+:sol), Slab Route 3 (f3+:sol), Slab Route 4 (f3+:sol)
Just a short play around on the easy slab above the sea that I have enjoyed on previous occasions. It is a family venue really, but works well in conjunction with bouldering on the steeper side and the combination of bouldering and coasteering that is possible in some of the steeper calanques closer to Tiki beach.

Castelli mountain bike loop

MTB route: Perthus/Castelli loop (30k/800m)
Area: Esterel
I've wanted to do some proper mountain biking in the Esterel for years. This wasn't really that, but it was at least a brief taster. The campsite has purchased decent bikes for hire, with good suspension, so we all hired them and left the site around 9.30. We did a version of my favourite 'Perthus' running route (done as a fartlek loop on Sunday) but tagged on a few extra sections to expand on the route we did last time we hired bikes four years ago when the children were far smaller! They still found it hard going in the heat though. I had an embarrassing crash almost immediately, testing the breaks on an off road section! Lost some motor function in my thumb for a week as a result. Steady climbing past Roussiveau, then a break at the shady Gorge du Perthus. From the Col de Mistral, we headed off-road for a bit, towards the Pic de l'Ours, but Kate didn't enjoy it much. So we headed back down via the viewpoint above the Col de Belle Barbe: this looks out over the Ecureille valley and involved another off-road section. Back via the cycle path, after which I went on a long extension down to the Carrefour Castelli, all off road, then along the Castelli piste back to Roussiveau and then back to the campsite. There is a very long marked MTB circuit of the Esterel: one for the next visit.

Friday, July 22, 2016

Pic de Bena

Peaks: Pic de Bena (1794m)
Area: Eastern Pyrenees, France
My luck ran out this morning, with bad weather sweeping in to the Pyrenees. My window for action was even shorter than usual, as we were planning to leave for the long drive to Montpellier at 9.30am! But, I hoped to take in some of the 'Scottish-style' peaks above Puymorens first and got up at first light to do just that. Driving up the valley, however, it was immediately apparent that the weather had turned: black clouds with a low base, and a strong wind. I decided that the only option was a much lower peak, and consulted the map to find an ideal option just above our 'home' border village of Enveitg. A tiny lane led up to a beautiful high plateau above the Cerdagne, dotted with orange granite boulders, part of the same terrain we had enjoyed on our family outing yesterday. Pic de Bena is quite distinctive from the plateau: like a volcanic cone. On closer inspection, however, it is more of a long spur thrown down from the higher peaks further north like Pic Pedra. I just went for the main Tour de Carlit path which curves to the east around Pic de Bena from Mas Franca. I was a bit tired after recent exertions, but it was a delightful gentle run and an excellent choice in the prevailing weather. Dark clouds remained on the horizon, but here all was calm with a spectacular dawn sunburst emerging from the clouds. Puigmal and the border peaks beyond the wide Cerdagne valley were still clear. I emerged at a meadow with more of those wonderful boulders (this area has a lifetime of options for the keen boulderer, with rock of the highest quality). I ploughed up to the highpoint, where I was immediately attacked by red flying ants: hundreds of them. This sent me scurrying back to the main path, where I ran up to the Devesa de Bena before the return trip back to the plateau. Back at the gite by 9am, after which we drove to Montpellier via a rainy Conflent, followed by a sunny picnic as we left the mountains at Prades and the weather improved dramatically.

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Pic Carlit

Peaks: Pic Carlit (2921m)
Area: Eastern Pyrenees, France
Back in the Pyrenees for the first time since 1997, so it was nice to be able to get up this famous peak, probably the most notable summit in the gentler eastern part of the range. I still have fond memories of trips to the central part of the Pyrenees in 1997 and 1993, when we climbed lots of the big summits like Posets, Balaitous, Vignemale, Pic du Midi, Pic d'Arriel. The landscape further east is less dramatic but still typically Pyrenean with the usual exquisite blend of water, wood and mountain. We had driven over the Col de Puymorens to Andorra yesterday, and it was only 20 minutes or so from our gite in Enveitg so it seemed the obvious place to start. I didn't realise that Carlit is a considerably tougher undertaking from this side (compared to the east). It made for a long, but mainly runnable outing. The forecast was for rain later, so my usual early start seemed even more prudent than normal. The route is not easy to follow from this side, clearly much less popular, and requires the linkage of a few different paths. I started from Font Viva in the Lanos Valley, following a steep path along a stream to the beautiful Estany (lake) de Font Viva. I missed the tiny path up the hill that should have gained the main GR7 route to the Lanos lake, however. This was understandable, as it was tiny and unmarked, an illustration of how unconventional this route up Carlit is. Instead, I had to undertake an initially desperate slog up steep, wet slopes of rock and deep grass due north from Font Viva. A tiring start, although once I emerged on the GR7 all was forgiven. The path forms part of the Tour du Carlit traverse and gave a memorable level run all the way to the Estany de Lanos, poised hundreds of metres above the valley with views across to Coll Roig. The sun appeared behind Carlit and onward prospects looked good: magnificent running in a superb environment. The onward route was complex, but I got it right, north-east up an initially confusing series of beautiful miniature valleys with typical Pyrenean scenery of little pine copses and waterfalls. These led to isolated Estany dels Forats. From here, the final climb up Carlit is bleakly obvious: it takes a steep and shattered broad couloir to the summit. In fact, although it was predictably hard it gave a break from running and I found a more solid spiky rib left of the gully which gave good scrambling at around II+. Eventually I was forced back into the gully, and took its shifting screes towards a short final scramble round the top of a gully to the summit ridge. More short-lived scrambling led to the top and great views east over the lakes that make up the more usual ascent route. It took two hours to get up from Font Viva despite running most of it, an illustration of the length of the route, plus my mistake (and fatigue!). A strong wind blew, and some cloud passed over but the summit remained clear. It was far from the perfect clarity earlier in the week, but still not bad at all. In fact, contrary to the forecast, the weather improved as I descended to give some superbly photogenic conditions. The little valleys formed an idyllic foreground to views of Pic Pedros and Puig de Coma d'Or. I made good time on the descent and thoroughly enjoyed it. I was hungry by the time we had lunch in the weird enclave of Llivia, then a second picnic above Targassone, in a superb wild flower meadow looking down on the Cerdagne. A family walk up the Val d'Angoustrina finished me off.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Gallina Pelada

Peaks: Cap de Gallina Pelada (2327m)
Area: Serra d'Ensija, Catalonia
This is the highpoint of the range of rounded green hills that forms the western wall of the valley enclosing Saldes and our campsite. It gave a perfect quick outing before we left the Cadi-Moixero park (with some regret in my case!). A small road winds up the lower slopes of the Serra d'Ensija from the Col de Trappa above Saldes, and I set off running from the road just below Font Freda. Scented pine forests lead to a dry riverbed or storm channel. Then steep scree eventually gains beautiful green meadows with scattered dwarf pine trees (Les Planelles). This landscape characterises the Serra d'Ensija: and Pedraforca is an ever-present object across the valley. The meadows were runnable, although I went much too far left initially. This was no problem though, as it was all delightful, and I eventually gained a giant limestone plateau with sinkholes and rolling low hills. Superb running led to the Refugi Delgado Ubeda, with Gallina Pelada above. In some ways the terrain was reminiscent of the Clwydians, certainly just as runnable and I made good progress to gain the broad ridge up to the summit. The light was very different to yesterday. Gone was the crystal clear clarity, to be replaced by a beautiful soft orange glow: sunny but with a very thin layer of cloud. Distant views were hazy, but the Cadi range and Pedraforca were clear, and the Serra d'Ensija close at hand was bathed in that soft sunshine. It was still very early, so I had a bit of cheese and chorizo on the summit before pelting down in a superb 35 minute downhill blast.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Pedraforca

Peaks: Pedraforca Cima Nord (2438m), Pedraforca Pollego Superior (2507m)
Routes: Verdet (uII)
Area: Cadi-Moixero, Catalonia
Symbol of the Catalan people, Pedraforca is a superb mountain, truly distinctive with its twin-pronged summit and notable isolation. Arriving in the Cadi-Moixero national park, deep in the Catalan interior, is a magical experience. The area is beautiful and remarkably peaceful, particularly after a day in Barcelona (after flying in late on Sunday). Our campsite, the Mirador del Pedraforca, paid homage to the peak: a stupendous view towards it from our chalet and the swimming pool (while cooling off in the pool with the kids I realised that its double summit did remind me of something else: Pic du Midi d'Ossau in the central Pyrenees, although I did that in 1993 so memory is fading!). The mountain was, in short, essential - so I left the chalet before dawn next day with a plan to run the classic circuit and get back in time for breakfast and a family tour of the area. Although it took a while to find the right road above Saldes, once I did I made rapid progress up to the Lluis Estephan refuge, then up good but steep paths which wind through the trees and skirt some big limestone walls until the open terrain below the Col de Verdet is reached. The weather was stunning: deep blue cloudless skies and perfect clarity of light. Views over the Cadi range and across to the Serra d'Ensija were fabulous. I overtook a trio of Catalan lads from Tarragona at the start of the scrambling. This is easy (no more than grade II) but very enjoyable, up a slabby and very broad couloir/gully to a steepening with a couple of fixed ropes. This gains a mini col below the north peak. From here, a short descent over the northern slopes of the peak (above Gosol) allows for more excellent scrambling up slabs and short chimneys (II) with good views of the more dramatic rock walls above Saldes. The actual summit (Pollego Superior) is surprisingly large, with spectacular views due to the clarity of light - Montserrat above Barcelona was clearly visible above Gallina Pellada on the horizon. Close at hand, the soft green ranges of the Bergueda contrasted with the towering limestone walls around Pedraforca. I walked along the narrow ridge towards the Caldera for a bit before dropping down easily to L'Enforcadura. This is the enormous deep col between the two peaks, and allows for a great traverse. You really wouldn't want to come up via this scree covered couloir, known as the Tartera del Pedraforca: it's bad enough in descent, with loose scree, arduous going with little grip left on my old trail shoes and numerous slips, cutting my hand in two places. Once the treeline is reached, the going is far easier, with good running contouring the slopes back to the refuge surprisingly quickly. I nibbled a bit of manchego and chorizo for an appropriate breakfast, then scurried back down to the car and main breakfast back at the campsite. Less than 2:30 for the full traverse.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

The Druid fell race

Race: Druid fell race (5m/1100ft)
Time/Position: 38.01 (13th from 107)
Regretted my decision to do this almost immediately - even the first small climb from Llanferres was a bit of a nightmare. Despite the slowness of my journey round Wasdale on Saturday, I was still pretty drained after such a long outing, with significant quad damage. The first half of the race to the top of Foel Fenlli was pretty awful, after which I perked up very slightly but still suffered throughout. I recorded by far my worse ever result on this race, which I must have done 7 or 8 times and is usually one of my favourites.

Saturday, July 09, 2016

Wasdale Horseshoe

Race: Wasdale Horseshoe fell race (36k/9022ft/AL)
Peaks: Illgill Head (609m), Whin Rigg (635m), Seatallan (692m), Scoat Fell (841m), Pillar (892m), Great Gable (899m), Scafell Pike (978m)
Time/Position: 6.08 (65th from 130)
This is often considered to be the hardest fell race in the UK. Having done most of the other contenders I am inclined to agree, although it is all relative, particularly as I am abjectly unsuited to long fell races and have rarely tried to properly race them: preferring instead to jog round and enjoy them in 'tourist' mode. Today was no exception. I have very little climbing mileage in my legs, and not much distance, so it was something of a relief to get a poor forecast which made it acceptable to go into survival plod mode. Perfect conditions would have been very frustrating! After an evening meal at the Inn, heavy rain during the night continued to hammer our tents through the morning and was obviously set in for the day. In these circumstances, I pack a lot of kit, and I had a fairly heavy sac as the race set off for Illgill Head along the path Vic and I took last year for our long Lingmell Dash warm-up. This is a relatively short climb, although quite steep, and our small team of Buckley Runners stuck together for it: felt like Tattenhall Tough Team for a bit! A nice relaxed run along the ridge, wind not too bad, to Whin Rigg in around 45 minutes. Took the steep descent very easily, and we even had a brief view of Wastwater as we descended to Woodhow at the far end of the lake. Running along the bottom of the valley through woods and fields to Greendale was delightful: it even stopped raining for a bit. Then the great Joss Naylor handed me a drink before the next climb up Greendale Gill. The rain began in earnest again on the steep sides of the gill: the river in semi-spate as we crossed to gain the unpleasant slog up featureless terrain to the top of Seatallan. One of the toughest climbs of the day: wet and cold with the knowledge that the race had hardly even started. From Seatallan, the trickiest navigation of the route starts. Initially a well defined spur leads to the Pots of Ashness. Then we took a contouring line towards Haycock. I kept Nether Beck as a handrail, map and compass out throughout, and we emerged eventually on the main ridge over to Scoat Fell. We were now much higher, and the weather got correspondingly worse. Indeed, the section over Wind Gap to Pillar, exposed (as its name suggests) to the prevailing south-westerlies was probably the worst part of the race weather-wise. I was getting cold, and glad of my cautious tactics: took five minutes at the Pillar summit cairn to put my extra coat and trousers on as the wind howled overhead. Felt much better afterwards, but was now well behind the group I had been running with and on my own for the next section along the ridge to Looking Stead and the Black Sail Pass. Fortunately, I knew the rest of the route slightly (although I always lack the local knowledge I have for North Wales). Below Kirkfell, I took the smaller contouring path above Ennerdale and was joined by several other runners. This was mercifully sheltered out of the wind, but boggy. From the col at Beck Head, a steep climb leads to the top of Great Gable: tough. I fell on the descent, bashing my knee. This was painful and took a while to run off. Ferocious gusts as we got close to Sty Head, then bonking slightly as the intricate and lengthy route to distant Esk Hause took longer than anticipated. I was running out of food, but promised myself a snack to start the final climb up the Pike. Completely alone again for this: wild weather. From the summit of Scafell Pike (only the third time I've ever been up here!) I had some concerns about finding the Lingmell col as the terrain here is very confusing with paths in all directions. I took a direct bearing but ended up following another runner down the main Brown Tongue path. This cuts back towards the Lingmell Col but we went too far north, ending up above Piers Gill. An old wall meant it was easy to work out where we were, but it all meant an extra climb back over the col to pick up the path down to Lingmell nose: I lost 10-20 places and 15-20 minutes as a result of this small error. I knew the final descent from last year's Lingmell Dash British Championship race. It is very steep in places, and things weren't helped by another violent squall which blew in at this point: very windy and wet, but the end at Brackenclose was in sight as we got below the cloud base (200m?) for the first time since Greendale! An embarrassingly slow plod, but it is always satisfying and enjoyable to complete a long race in these conditions (around 40 dropped out or missed the cut-offs). It reminded me of many similar outings in the past: Welsh 1000s and Foel Fras in 2009, OMM in 2008, Mynydd Troed 2012 and many, many more. On balance, it was less extreme than all these: just standard bad summer conditions.

Sunday, July 03, 2016

Fairy Freckled Cow trail race

Race: Fairy Freckled Cow, Alwen trail race (North Wales trail running championships 11k)
Time/Position: 42.33 (2nd from 134)
It was a surprise to still be leading this race at the far end of the lake, where the bridge crosses the outflow and the main climb up onto Hiraethog begins. There was a decent-sized field, but compared to my two previous outings on the course a relative lack of runners at the sharper end. This was odd, as it was the first North Wales Trail Running Championships this year. A much younger runner was with me, going ahead occasionally then dropping behind. I thought he might blow up, but on the contrary he was quicker up the hill and I couldn't quite catch him on the undulating return leg. Conditions were pretty good, in contrast to last year's rain and 2014's heat. Sunny intervals, reasonably cool. As we approached the finish at the dam, I conceded defeat. I was just over half a minute behind the winner but well over two minutes ahead of third. The winner didn't qualify for the North Wales Championships so I was fortunate to get the overall win. Great race again, and weirdly similar (in terms of finishing position and general race dynamic) to the Two Lakes half marathon in the same area earlier this summer.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Robbie Webster's Wobbler

Race: Robbie Webster's Wobbler, Frodsham (6m)
Time/Position: 43.53 (10th from 146)
Torrential rain earlier in the day had reduced these usually sandy paths to muddy quagmires in places. I did the race two years ago, and train on these paths quite regularly, but the race route is so complex and twisty that it would be very hard to reproduce! Great fun though - with a start in Frodsham and a finish on top of Beacon Hill. It also takes in the steep Woodhouses Hill and several other smaller climbs around the Helsby/Frodsham hills. In terms of overall feel, it is like a long and hard XC race with some longer fell race style climbs thrown in: an intense session which is hard to pace. My time was well down on two years ago, perhaps because of the mud, or the lower start, or general lack of race fitness. This race feels a bit like a rollercoaster at times, quick descents, sharp turns and short climbs: all rather exciting. Buckley won the team prize, with Jez, Simon E and myself counting.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Moel y Gamelin fell race

Race: Moel y Gamelin (10m+/3000ft/AM)
Time/Position: 1.24.34 (8th from 70)
There was a time when I really enjoyed this course, but in recent years I always seem to struggle to pace it. I must have done it 7 or 8 times, and once ran 1.20. But last year I blew quite badly on the long XC section above Carrog where I used to pick up places. This year, I took it steadily across the ridge over Moel y Faen, Gamelin and Morfydd, and did at least enjoy the long flatter section at the far end. I did pick up a few places but then lost them again for the steep climb back over Gamelin where I really suffered, yet again! Ideal conditions, cool and cloudy.

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Carreg Wastad climbing

Crag: Carreg Wastad, Llanberis Pass
Routes: Skylon (HS 4b,4a:led p.2), Crackstone Rib (S 4a:led p.2), Ribstone Crack (VS 4c,4a:sec)
All routes I have done before, but a valuable and enjoyable session none the less. A bit of light drizzle as we sat with a coffee in Nant Peris, but prospects looked quite good as Vic led the first pitch of Skylon. I led this a few years ago, finding it easy. Today, I was initially puzzled by the crux, probably an indication that I haven't done much recently. It goes easily to the small overhang, which I wrongly probed to the right. Going left gives a distinct, but short, crux: much harder than the rest of the route. A few shelves lead to the belay, after which I led the slabby top pitch on sloping holds. It was then time for the classic Crackstone Rib, probably the best Severe in Wales, for the third time (spread over a quarter of a century). Vic led the traverse pitch which leads to the glorious juggy rib, beautifully positioned above the valley. I then led the top pitch, up the chimney to a large flake, then the very brief technical hand traverse - probably the only tricky move on the route - to another flake and the finish. We just had time to nip up the strenuous Ribstone Crack in one giant pitch: another climb I have done before and one that demands a certain amount of technique to climb comfortably. Top of the grade, steep and awkward with two distinct cruxes.

Friday, June 17, 2016

Tattenhall Tough Team race

Race: Tattenhall Tough Team (9m+)
Time/Position: 63.56 (7th from 185 [2nd team from 65: 1st Veteran team])
This event had been chosen as one for Buckley to blitz with as many teams as possible. Our team ('Blue Genes') reprised the line-up of four years ago: me, Jez, Eric. Always a very enjoyable team event, and only the third time I've done it. A full five minutes down on my two previous outings on this race, although the course has changed slightly with a longer run-in back to the social club. We all ran together for the long road section up towards the Peckforton hills, beautiful sunny weather, not too hot. Jez sped off as we reached the off-road section, which is not Eric's favoured terrain. It takes a great route through these hills, weaving round until reaching the infamous railway. I waited for Eric at the top, and he recovered well through the flatter fields which eventually lead back down to the road. We seemed to have a decent gap on the third placed runner from a few other clubs and eventually finished second team overall, and first veteran's team.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Limoges airport-centre runs

Probably more accurate to call these 'jogs' blended with fast walking. Still, three different routes between the city centre of Limoges and the airport in 27 hours must be some kind of record (albeit an utterly pointless one). I remember reading Will Self's Psychogeography account of walking from London to Heathrow and then from JFK to NYC, and thought this would make a provincial French alternative! I landed in the rather less glamorous Limoges airport before 9.30am with a lot of time to kill, so had a relaxing coffee and croissant at the airport, sitting outside, just to acclimatise. No public transport into town, so I planned to get last night's race out of my legs with a specially constructed route taking the country lanes into the city centre. It worked fairly well. I didn't have much baggage, so could move fairly quickly down quiet roads. My route to the centre went on an indirect southerly loop via La Breuil, La Foret and Landouge - where I entered the Limoges suburbs. I arrived in the market near the old Rue de la Boucherie just before midday: perfect timing for a superb lunch of Limousin charcuterie followed by veal breast with a rosemary jus and frites maison. The odd glass of claret too. The next day, I ran back via a different northerly loop along the Rue de St Gence. This was an even more affluent suburban area, so I had to double back to find my favourite kind of local restaurant. Again, I struck gold - this time on the Rue de Bellac. Basse Cote, local goat's cheese, unlimited wine, pain perdu and myriad other culinary delights, before I continued along the even longer northern loop back to the airport to meet Steve and Ceri. A legendary weekend ensued.

Wednesday, June 08, 2016

The Beast race

Race: Up the Beast fell race (7.5k/2000ft)
Time/Position: 40.47 (6th from 91)
Tonight's outing, although badly timed just before my trip to France, at least kept up my record of running in every one of these races since it was launched: this is the ninth year I think. A route change this year, with a harder finish which doubles back into the highpoint of the woods above Maeshafn. I didn't run very well, but didn't expect to. Probably started a bit too quickly, so was blowing on the Beast itself and never really recovered. The extra hill in the woods finished me off, although it didn't make any difference to the final positions as I couldn't catch Simon E ahead and I just held off those behind. After a shower and meal at home, I drove direct to Leeds-Bradford airport for a few hours sleep in the car before my flight to Limoges.

Saturday, June 04, 2016

Sron na Creise scramble

Peaks: Sron na Creise, Stob a' Ghlais Choire (996m)
Area: Black Mount/Glencoe, Scotland
Routes: North Ridge (M/III:sol), North East Ridge (II:sol)
I have driven past Sron na Creise dozens of times and often eyed the obvious north ridge straight up the peak, which is a well-known scramble. The plan was for K to drop me off in Glen Etive, then I would complete this obvious scrambling mini-circuit as quickly as possible, then meet them all in the White Corries ski cafe - from where we would continue our homeward journey. It worked very well as a short and intense outing, with a great deal of rock to enjoy. From Glen Etive, I crossed the river then ran along the fairly gently inclined moor straight towards the ridge that runs down to the left of the obvious stream gully. There was an obvious alternative right of the gully, but the true ridge line left of the gully gets to grips with rock quite quickly and is much steeper. It took around 20 minutes of running to get to the base. The scrambling was excellent: good, clean rock, and a lot of it. An initial section of steep, clean slabs, leads to an easing before a series of shorter walls leads up to a more intimidating tower clearly visible as the steepest section from the valley. The rock runs to superb holds and remains clean and solid throughout. Hugely enjoyable, with good scrambling even as the ridge line begins to fragment higher up: less than an hour from glen to summit. Temperatures were cooler on the summit, with good views across to the Buachaille, and over the Mamores to Ben Nevis. The occasional shaft of sunlight peeking through the high cloud. From the top of Sron na Creise, I ran over to Stob a'Ghlais Choire, then straight down the NE Ridge - with the northern end of the Black Mount beyond. The NE ridge gives an easier and less distinctive route on to the Black Mount than the North, but still gives some scrambling. With no prior knowledge, it is slightly intimidating initially in descent, but a bit of weaving enables the base of the valley (Cam Ghleann) to be gained by a couple of enjoyable rocky gullies. A long run with an unavoidable diversion round the bottom of the side spur of Creag Dhubh eventually gains an indistinct path east to the White Corries, where we continued the journey home with me pouring with sweat. Around 95 minutes for this round.