Crag: Pot Hole Quarry
Routes: The Dog (HVS 5b:sec), Right Wall (E1 5c:sec), The Watzmann (VS 4b:sec), Tre-Ffynnon (VS 4b:sec)
A very brief workout on these old, polished routes: all done dozens of times before. Rather warm, and my finger remains problematic. We then did a shortened version of the Collie run up Findeg in beautiful evening sunshine with clear views to Arenig.
Friday, August 31, 2018
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Tal y Fan run
Peaks: Tal y Fan
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
A gentle recovery jog after yesterday's race and a night out in Conwy. I parked at Sychnant and jogged along the paths to take the curving track up the front of the hill, exploring a few hidden corners as I did so, including the old quarry and some excellent potential campsites. A relaxing 10 minute break at the top, watching the mist roll over Carnedd Llewellyn: but on Tal y Fan, all was clear and calm.
Area: Carneddau, Eryri
A gentle recovery jog after yesterday's race and a night out in Conwy. I parked at Sychnant and jogged along the paths to take the curving track up the front of the hill, exploring a few hidden corners as I did so, including the old quarry and some excellent potential campsites. A relaxing 10 minute break at the top, watching the mist roll over Carnedd Llewellyn: but on Tal y Fan, all was clear and calm.
Monday, August 27, 2018
Cilcain mountain race
Race: Cilcain Mountain Race (Moel Famau)
Time/Position: 38.17 (14th from 159)
This is probably the race I've done most often - maybe 12 or 13 times since my debut in 2003. As such, this wasn't too bad in the circumstances albeit considerably slower than I used to be capable of. Conditions were good - cool, cloudy but still dry underfoot. I climbed badly, losing places, but had a reasonably quick descent (helps when you know every inch of it) and picked up a few places.
Time/Position: 38.17 (14th from 159)
This is probably the race I've done most often - maybe 12 or 13 times since my debut in 2003. As such, this wasn't too bad in the circumstances albeit considerably slower than I used to be capable of. Conditions were good - cool, cloudy but still dry underfoot. I climbed badly, losing places, but had a reasonably quick descent (helps when you know every inch of it) and picked up a few places.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Criffel
Peak: Criffel (570)
Area: Dumfries, Southern Uplands
A well-known Dumfries landmark, Criffel towers above the Solway Firth and famously looks much bigger than its modest height would imply. It is somewhat reminiscent of Slieve Donard or Yr Eifl in the way it rises from sea level, and it offered an ideal leg stretcher on the way home - involving an interesting detour through unfamiliar terrain around Dalbettie and Beeswing. The route up Criffel leaves from near Loch Kindar, south of the lovely village of New Abbey. It is very direct, but also very boggy. The first section was eminently runnable, even for Peter and myself (both rather tired), as it takes a good track alongside the attractive Craigrockall burn. Above, the open hill, which was very wet indeed, comparable to the worst parts of the Pennines. Usually, I'm told the views over the Solway Firth and Lake District compensate. Today, just more thick mist all the way up (although it had finally stopped raining, at least). We were on the summit in 35 minutes or so, and took another 20 to get down.
Area: Dumfries, Southern Uplands
A well-known Dumfries landmark, Criffel towers above the Solway Firth and famously looks much bigger than its modest height would imply. It is somewhat reminiscent of Slieve Donard or Yr Eifl in the way it rises from sea level, and it offered an ideal leg stretcher on the way home - involving an interesting detour through unfamiliar terrain around Dalbettie and Beeswing. The route up Criffel leaves from near Loch Kindar, south of the lovely village of New Abbey. It is very direct, but also very boggy. The first section was eminently runnable, even for Peter and myself (both rather tired), as it takes a good track alongside the attractive Craigrockall burn. Above, the open hill, which was very wet indeed, comparable to the worst parts of the Pennines. Usually, I'm told the views over the Solway Firth and Lake District compensate. Today, just more thick mist all the way up (although it had finally stopped raining, at least). We were on the summit in 35 minutes or so, and took another 20 to get down.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
Galloway hills
Peaks: Benyellary (719), The Merrick (843)
Area: Galloway, Southern Uplands
It seems strange that circumstances have never brought me to Galloway. It ticks lots of my boxes: a quirky and unusual area, a distinctive genius loci, interesting cultural snippets, wild mountain landscapes. There's nothing bland about Galloway, and today we left Creetown fairly early to drive into a deserted Glen Trool. If anything, the weather was worse than yesterday evening: steady, driving rain, and a cloudbase virtually down to the car park. Our initial plan had been the hugely ambitious Ring of Fire, which takes a giant loop round the range. In the conditions, that seemed unlikely, but the start - up Merrick from Glen Trool - seemed a sensible use of time, as it's the highest peak (in the whole Southern Uplands, actually) and by far the most popular objective with a well-trodden path. This skirts the Buchan Burn initially, an atmospheric tumbling river in these conditions. Good running through the mist and rain - very wet underfoot - to the Culsharg bothy. Then up steeply through a plantation to gain the open moor above. A steady haul gains the top of Benyellary, rather bleak in these circumstances with a distinct chill in the wet and windy air. We were now in the Range of the Awful Hand, running along the well-defined ridge ('the Neive of the Spit') which eventually heads up broad moorland to the Merrick. It was very grim up here, which was a real shame as it meant that a massive downgrading of plans was necessary. We ran back to Glen Trool via a food break in the recently re-roofed bothy, and then extended the day the way the conditions dictated: along the clearly defined and relatively sheltered Southern Uplands way. This did at least allow us to penetrate the Galloway interior, albeit in a sanitised way. Atmospheric native woodland with rushing torrents gives way to open moorland (and a goshawk sighting) with views up to the Rig of the Jarkness and other superbly named features (Galloway has perhaps the most evocative names in the UK with its historic blend of languages presumably a contributory factor). The route climbs gradually to a pass, after which Loch Dee is revealed, powerfully gloomy in these conditions, with the cloudbase just above and tree-covered islands just emerging from the mist. We ran all the way to the White Laggan bothy after which I began to feel the pace (perhaps still recovering from last week's ultra) so we went our separate ways back to Glen Trool. Peter went over the hills, I contented myself with a jog back along the lower route: still a good 17-18 mile day.
Area: Galloway, Southern Uplands
It seems strange that circumstances have never brought me to Galloway. It ticks lots of my boxes: a quirky and unusual area, a distinctive genius loci, interesting cultural snippets, wild mountain landscapes. There's nothing bland about Galloway, and today we left Creetown fairly early to drive into a deserted Glen Trool. If anything, the weather was worse than yesterday evening: steady, driving rain, and a cloudbase virtually down to the car park. Our initial plan had been the hugely ambitious Ring of Fire, which takes a giant loop round the range. In the conditions, that seemed unlikely, but the start - up Merrick from Glen Trool - seemed a sensible use of time, as it's the highest peak (in the whole Southern Uplands, actually) and by far the most popular objective with a well-trodden path. This skirts the Buchan Burn initially, an atmospheric tumbling river in these conditions. Good running through the mist and rain - very wet underfoot - to the Culsharg bothy. Then up steeply through a plantation to gain the open moor above. A steady haul gains the top of Benyellary, rather bleak in these circumstances with a distinct chill in the wet and windy air. We were now in the Range of the Awful Hand, running along the well-defined ridge ('the Neive of the Spit') which eventually heads up broad moorland to the Merrick. It was very grim up here, which was a real shame as it meant that a massive downgrading of plans was necessary. We ran back to Glen Trool via a food break in the recently re-roofed bothy, and then extended the day the way the conditions dictated: along the clearly defined and relatively sheltered Southern Uplands way. This did at least allow us to penetrate the Galloway interior, albeit in a sanitised way. Atmospheric native woodland with rushing torrents gives way to open moorland (and a goshawk sighting) with views up to the Rig of the Jarkness and other superbly named features (Galloway has perhaps the most evocative names in the UK with its historic blend of languages presumably a contributory factor). The route climbs gradually to a pass, after which Loch Dee is revealed, powerfully gloomy in these conditions, with the cloudbase just above and tree-covered islands just emerging from the mist. We ran all the way to the White Laggan bothy after which I began to feel the pace (perhaps still recovering from last week's ultra) so we went our separate ways back to Glen Trool. Peter went over the hills, I contented myself with a jog back along the lower route: still a good 17-18 mile day.
Friday, August 17, 2018
Cairnsmore of Fleet
Peak: Cairnsmore of Fleet (711m)
Area: Galloway, Southern Uplands
Evening arrival in Creetown. Abysmal weather of low cloud and driving rain, glowering skies, empty farmhouses, daylight limited, the full foreboding Galloway atmosphere and a memorable run. Cairnsmore of Fleet is a huge whaleback of a hill, the most southerly 2000ft mountain in Scotland. This was right at the start of an impromptu trip with Peter, and my first ever visit to Galloway (although I'd been to the nearby Lowther Hills in the 2007 OMM). From the start, north of Creetown, we set a good pace (necessarily given the lateness and the conditions) through dank woods and open fields to gain the extensive Bardrochwood. The path is excellent throughout, even when the open moor is gained, although torrents of water cascaded down it along its entire length. The wind picked up and the temperatures dropped as we ran across the exposed summit, which is enormous, more like a plateau. An exhilarating descent into the teeth of the gale, which we both thoroughly enjoyed and therefore kept the decent pace ticking over: we got back to the car around 90 minutes after leaving it. An evening spent in the time-warped Ellangowan hotel, eating steak pie in the deserted dining room with fizzy lager (the only option), was an appropriate coda.
Area: Galloway, Southern Uplands
Evening arrival in Creetown. Abysmal weather of low cloud and driving rain, glowering skies, empty farmhouses, daylight limited, the full foreboding Galloway atmosphere and a memorable run. Cairnsmore of Fleet is a huge whaleback of a hill, the most southerly 2000ft mountain in Scotland. This was right at the start of an impromptu trip with Peter, and my first ever visit to Galloway (although I'd been to the nearby Lowther Hills in the 2007 OMM). From the start, north of Creetown, we set a good pace (necessarily given the lateness and the conditions) through dank woods and open fields to gain the extensive Bardrochwood. The path is excellent throughout, even when the open moor is gained, although torrents of water cascaded down it along its entire length. The wind picked up and the temperatures dropped as we ran across the exposed summit, which is enormous, more like a plateau. An exhilarating descent into the teeth of the gale, which we both thoroughly enjoyed and therefore kept the decent pace ticking over: we got back to the car around 90 minutes after leaving it. An evening spent in the time-warped Ellangowan hotel, eating steak pie in the deserted dining room with fizzy lager (the only option), was an appropriate coda.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Letterbarrow run
A micro-break in the Lakes to introduce the children to the concept of budget hosteling (family camping trips expired in Pembrokeshire in 2011 - Kate said she would never camp again and she was true to her word). It had rained all day, so after soggy trips to Sizergh and Hill Top we settled in to the Hawkshead YHA on the shores of Esthwaite Water (the 7th English YHA I've visited in the last few years). I stretched my legs with a brisk run up the miniature local fell, Letterbarrow, which was an excellent 37 minute up-and-down blast through the village and out on the High Wray road. The last few hundred metres joins the open fell with minimal visibility, thick mist and constant light rain. At the summit, famed for its views over Windermere, thick clag. Next day, a lovely morning walk round an uncharacteristically empty Tarn Hows with a tiny glimpse of sunshine towards the end: the cloud base just failed to clear Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam.
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Long Tour of Bradwell
Race: Long Tour of Bradwell (54k/7000ft)
Time/Position: 6.43.12 (14th from 87)
This race feels like a 17 mile fell race followed by a 17 mile trail race: it gave a brilliant day out, my fourth ultra of the year, possibly the hardest and probably the best. It helped that the day dawned superbly clear, yet fairly cool, after a pleasant night at Hardhurst Farm and the Traveller's Rest near Hope. The route is supremely varied, taking a giant loop around the Hope Valley including most of the highest points in every corner (hence the large amount of climbing). It is a bit like a giant extension of the classic Edale Skyline fell race, which I did in 2009. Tracks lead south-west from Bradwell past the quarry and a long, steady climb gains the Limestone Way quite high up, from the first checkpoint brilliant grassy running leads down to the very pretty limestone valley of Cave Dale - awkward rocky descent - to Castleton. The lengthy 'softening up' process continues with another long haul over the next ridge, to Hollins Cross near Mam Tor, then down to Edale before another long climb up Grindsbrook. This temporarily echoes the Edale Skyline race, heading round the Nab and steeply up trackless ground towards the Druid Stone on the edge of the Kinder plateau. A steep and direct descent back to the valley at Woodhouse Farm then up towards Backtor. At this point, I followed a confident looking runner up the wrong bridleway - an annoying mistake, after which I got the detailed directions out and followed them religiously for the rest of the day, along with the map which remained in my hands throughout. Some complex but satisfying route-finding, which continued for almost the entire route with very little marked. Then it was a scenic highlight, over Lose Hill in perfect clear conditions, then south-west to Hope and along lanes above our campsite to Aston and a long climb along the slopes of Win Hill to the forest above the reservoir. After checkpoint six, this joins the Thornhill Trail, which gave very quick running south to branch off for Bamford village. I felt good here, half way through the race. Little lanes then climb up to reveal a great view of the whole of Stanage - somewhere I first visited to climb almost 30 years ago. It was a real highlight to take the gradually climbing track to the top of the escarpment, then run along it all the way to Burbage Bridge. I've climbed here as well, and also did the Burbage Skyline fell race a few years ago, so I knew the wonderful sweeping descent down a track to the edge of Sheffield where a road leads to a delightful stream and, eventually, the deciduous woodland of Padley Gorge. This was all entirely new to me, and was very pretty. Upper Padley is the next village, before more delightful riverside running leads upstream to the edge of Hathersage, and through Leadmill to Hazelford. More woods eventually gain the tiny village of Abney, before a final long climb back onto the moors and a steep descent to Bradwell. A memorable day out, taking in some unfamiliar (to me) terrain, and wonderfully varied throughout - with White Peak and Dark Peak equally represented.
Time/Position: 6.43.12 (14th from 87)
This race feels like a 17 mile fell race followed by a 17 mile trail race: it gave a brilliant day out, my fourth ultra of the year, possibly the hardest and probably the best. It helped that the day dawned superbly clear, yet fairly cool, after a pleasant night at Hardhurst Farm and the Traveller's Rest near Hope. The route is supremely varied, taking a giant loop around the Hope Valley including most of the highest points in every corner (hence the large amount of climbing). It is a bit like a giant extension of the classic Edale Skyline fell race, which I did in 2009. Tracks lead south-west from Bradwell past the quarry and a long, steady climb gains the Limestone Way quite high up, from the first checkpoint brilliant grassy running leads down to the very pretty limestone valley of Cave Dale - awkward rocky descent - to Castleton. The lengthy 'softening up' process continues with another long haul over the next ridge, to Hollins Cross near Mam Tor, then down to Edale before another long climb up Grindsbrook. This temporarily echoes the Edale Skyline race, heading round the Nab and steeply up trackless ground towards the Druid Stone on the edge of the Kinder plateau. A steep and direct descent back to the valley at Woodhouse Farm then up towards Backtor. At this point, I followed a confident looking runner up the wrong bridleway - an annoying mistake, after which I got the detailed directions out and followed them religiously for the rest of the day, along with the map which remained in my hands throughout. Some complex but satisfying route-finding, which continued for almost the entire route with very little marked. Then it was a scenic highlight, over Lose Hill in perfect clear conditions, then south-west to Hope and along lanes above our campsite to Aston and a long climb along the slopes of Win Hill to the forest above the reservoir. After checkpoint six, this joins the Thornhill Trail, which gave very quick running south to branch off for Bamford village. I felt good here, half way through the race. Little lanes then climb up to reveal a great view of the whole of Stanage - somewhere I first visited to climb almost 30 years ago. It was a real highlight to take the gradually climbing track to the top of the escarpment, then run along it all the way to Burbage Bridge. I've climbed here as well, and also did the Burbage Skyline fell race a few years ago, so I knew the wonderful sweeping descent down a track to the edge of Sheffield where a road leads to a delightful stream and, eventually, the deciduous woodland of Padley Gorge. This was all entirely new to me, and was very pretty. Upper Padley is the next village, before more delightful riverside running leads upstream to the edge of Hathersage, and through Leadmill to Hazelford. More woods eventually gain the tiny village of Abney, before a final long climb back onto the moors and a steep descent to Bradwell. A memorable day out, taking in some unfamiliar (to me) terrain, and wonderfully varied throughout - with White Peak and Dark Peak equally represented.
Wednesday, August 08, 2018
Craig y Forwyn
Crag: Craig y Forwyn, Llanddulas
Routes: Route 66 (VS 4c:sec), Sunset Strip (HVS 5a:sec)
We are gradually ticking a few more routes here, despite the fact that the central and best section remains banned after all these years despite the change of ownership. Today was sadly rain affected and was particularly unlucky - a deluge in the middle of a dry day. My finger injury persists, so I was happy to remain a passenger as we did the trade VS Route 66 for the third time, with its steep wall, delicate traverse and easy corner. Vic then led Sunset Strip, which is in the mould of the neighbouring Duchess which we did early this summer, but is more sustained. It starts up Route 66 before a delicate traverse left gains a steep wall before an excellent positive crack. This leads to a steep slab, with a fairly hard crux which requires a precise combination of moves using two perfect pockets. It began to rain just before I reached the crux and got gradually heavier as I grabbed the edge of the flake - not much for the feet and quite powerful for a short time. The rain began in earnest for the easier finish: a great, varied pitch. Sheltered for a while under the roof below the groove, then bailed out to do the Nick Beer 10k route round the Orme, inevitably drenched in glorious sunshine.
Routes: Route 66 (VS 4c:sec), Sunset Strip (HVS 5a:sec)
We are gradually ticking a few more routes here, despite the fact that the central and best section remains banned after all these years despite the change of ownership. Today was sadly rain affected and was particularly unlucky - a deluge in the middle of a dry day. My finger injury persists, so I was happy to remain a passenger as we did the trade VS Route 66 for the third time, with its steep wall, delicate traverse and easy corner. Vic then led Sunset Strip, which is in the mould of the neighbouring Duchess which we did early this summer, but is more sustained. It starts up Route 66 before a delicate traverse left gains a steep wall before an excellent positive crack. This leads to a steep slab, with a fairly hard crux which requires a precise combination of moves using two perfect pockets. It began to rain just before I reached the crux and got gradually heavier as I grabbed the edge of the flake - not much for the feet and quite powerful for a short time. The rain began in earnest for the easier finish: a great, varied pitch. Sheltered for a while under the roof below the groove, then bailed out to do the Nick Beer 10k route round the Orme, inevitably drenched in glorious sunshine.
Saturday, August 04, 2018
Tegg's Nose fell race
Race: Tegg's Nose (8m/1600ft/BM)
Time/Position: 1.06.18 (21st from 129)
An enjoyable fell race attached to a sheepdog trial on the edge of the Peak, at the point that the Macclesfield suburbs meet the open countryside. It is quite runnable, and a pleasantly accessible 'away day' for Simon and myself, but with little speedwork recently I suffered on the return leg. The race heads out along roads and fields towards Tegg's Nose itself, a little country park with the feel of a small gritstone edge further east, and good views over Macclesfield and the Cheshire plain. A loop round the nose, then a surprisingly steep descent down the valley and a hot climb back through woodland to regain the hill. Eventually, the route joins the outward leg which is where I began to struggle with some climbing remaining. A good few runners went past as I plodded along the fields leading back to the road.
Time/Position: 1.06.18 (21st from 129)
An enjoyable fell race attached to a sheepdog trial on the edge of the Peak, at the point that the Macclesfield suburbs meet the open countryside. It is quite runnable, and a pleasantly accessible 'away day' for Simon and myself, but with little speedwork recently I suffered on the return leg. The race heads out along roads and fields towards Tegg's Nose itself, a little country park with the feel of a small gritstone edge further east, and good views over Macclesfield and the Cheshire plain. A loop round the nose, then a surprisingly steep descent down the valley and a hot climb back through woodland to regain the hill. Eventually, the route joins the outward leg which is where I began to struggle with some climbing remaining. A good few runners went past as I plodded along the fields leading back to the road.
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