After chatting a while ago about up and coming events and feeling a bit fitter I decided I quite fancied doing the OCT for the third (and final) time. My usual partner for this had an injury, so after asking around I entered with Tim, I though we would be a good team. We could set a steady pace and look to get around in 10 hours or so on a good day. In the process improving Tim's PB by about 2 hours. Of course on a run of 37 miles and 10,000 ft of climbing a lot can go wrong.
Things started well. Good time to Helvellyn and a good line off in the mist. Wythburn, Angle Tarn, Esk Hause no problems. Then as we headed to Scafell Pike and it went a bit wrong. I have to take full responsibility, call it a moment of ??. The team in front left the main path and I just kept following. Realising the error straight away I turn to look back but somehow it doesn't seem right so we carry on. Passing across a small trod I immediately think this must be the BG route to Ill Crag, then I see the rocks and am sure. We turn back but again it doesn't look right. So after checking it really was Ill Crag and taking a bearing we head back and are soon on the main path. 20 minutes lost for nothing. Fustrated and angry with myself we press on. I must now get the descent off Scafell Pike right. There is no way I am not going home without a Tee Shirt.
Coming off the summit I am blown over by a gust of wind and feel real urgency to get down. I pick up the trod that DW and I reccied and feel happier. But I follow it further than before so end up taking a steeper, rougher line down. Still we are safe and I think good, now lets get moving. Tim reminds me of the cut off time at Cockley Beck and I am thrown into panic again. How will we make it. I urge Tim on and in fact we get there with plenty of time to spare. Phew! As we leave the weather comes in. Rain and high winds now until we descend Wetside Edge. But not without my usual mini bonk on Coniston Old Mad. I stuff down Jelly Babies and sultanas and am soon revived.
We get another good line across Great Carrs and down Wetside to the 3 Shires Stone and discover that we still have 2 hours to get back. What a great moment of relief. We are completely on our own for this section after our good route choice and jog in chatting, a great way to finish.
Soup, sandwich and a quick change. Head home for hot bath and glass of wine. I mean ice bath and isotonic, honest!
Thanks Tim
Russell
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