Holiday in Devon. More to follow.
Another Place.
Russell
Sunday, 26 June 2011
LAMM 2011
11th and 12th June 2011
Another LAMM has come and gone and what a great weekend it was. Probably the best area I have done and a superb mid camp. I am not going into detail about the navigation and control sites as this year all were good and easily located if you were in the correct place. Not always the case in past years. We climbed 3 Munro's each with a control on the summit, a bit unusual for the B course. But that was the problem. I wasn't climbing well and it cost us time. Some good route choices made up for this somewhat but a bit of dithering also cost us a couple of places. I think 5 or 6 minutes covered 5 places in the end. Lesson learned, make good choices and keep going. You never know what other teams are doing and they are probably making as many errors as you. So 15th in the end but it could have been better. Thanks to my patient partner. Great weather, good routes and fine company. What more can you ask for?
Russell
Another LAMM has come and gone and what a great weekend it was. Probably the best area I have done and a superb mid camp. I am not going into detail about the navigation and control sites as this year all were good and easily located if you were in the correct place. Not always the case in past years. We climbed 3 Munro's each with a control on the summit, a bit unusual for the B course. But that was the problem. I wasn't climbing well and it cost us time. Some good route choices made up for this somewhat but a bit of dithering also cost us a couple of places. I think 5 or 6 minutes covered 5 places in the end. Lesson learned, make good choices and keep going. You never know what other teams are doing and they are probably making as many errors as you. So 15th in the end but it could have been better. Thanks to my patient partner. Great weather, good routes and fine company. What more can you ask for?
Russell
Thursday, 9 June 2011
5 Of The Best. Part 1
Top 5 days on the Fell.
This is part 1 of my top 5 best days out on the hills and fells so far. I have had many memorable days with many people. Now it is time to record some of them.
Highlander Mountain Marathon 2009 day 2.
Event centre at Cannich. Day 1 was a good day, but with a slightly poor route choice at the start and possibly 10 more points available had we gone for it. It was however one of our first ventures into the world of the Score Class. I felt happy with our performance.
Day 2 did not start well. We missed the first control, 10 points, due to exuberance and poor map reading. When we discovered our errors it was to late to back track (the advantage of the score class) so pushed on to the next control and then up a very steep and long climb. The legs definately feeling the day before. After reaching the next control the hills opened up before us and the sun was shining. The day was warming up. There had been a frost overnight and my socks and shoes, left under the fly sheet, had frozen.
2 more controls and then it was crunch time. Which way to go for the most points? And be sure we were back within the time limit. We opted for a route over several small summits with controls and a possible out and back if enough time before heading to the finish. This was fantastic. We were on our own. No one was following and no one in front, I felt good. I dont think we saw another team for quite some time.
Navigation was straighforward in the perfect visibility. We were all to soon at the crucial point. We could not decide if we could make the out and back .We decide to set of for the control and see if we were any where near in 10 minutes. If not, turn back and hopefully pick up an extra control on the run in.
Soon realising it was not on we turned and plotted out route to the finish. I began to flag a little but knew it would soon be over. Eat. After the next control it was decision time again. Go for one more or head back? On the map it looked OK and not too far so we went for it. It was further than expected and the run back in the heat, yes heat, of April in the highlands was tough. Time got tight and there was nothing for it but to run. Even if it was road for the last half mile.
We made it with two minutes to spare. In the end the missed control and 10 points cost us 3rd place and a prize but it didn't matter. Most teams had taken a different route and got a few more points. I was glad we took the route we did. This was everything a day competing should be. Mistakes, good running. perfect weather, decisions to be made, going for it, emotional highs and lows, doing your own thing and above all great company.
Russell
This is part 1 of my top 5 best days out on the hills and fells so far. I have had many memorable days with many people. Now it is time to record some of them.
Highlander Mountain Marathon 2009 day 2.
Event centre at Cannich. Day 1 was a good day, but with a slightly poor route choice at the start and possibly 10 more points available had we gone for it. It was however one of our first ventures into the world of the Score Class. I felt happy with our performance.
Day 2 did not start well. We missed the first control, 10 points, due to exuberance and poor map reading. When we discovered our errors it was to late to back track (the advantage of the score class) so pushed on to the next control and then up a very steep and long climb. The legs definately feeling the day before. After reaching the next control the hills opened up before us and the sun was shining. The day was warming up. There had been a frost overnight and my socks and shoes, left under the fly sheet, had frozen.
2 more controls and then it was crunch time. Which way to go for the most points? And be sure we were back within the time limit. We opted for a route over several small summits with controls and a possible out and back if enough time before heading to the finish. This was fantastic. We were on our own. No one was following and no one in front, I felt good. I dont think we saw another team for quite some time.
Navigation was straighforward in the perfect visibility. We were all to soon at the crucial point. We could not decide if we could make the out and back .We decide to set of for the control and see if we were any where near in 10 minutes. If not, turn back and hopefully pick up an extra control on the run in.
Soon realising it was not on we turned and plotted out route to the finish. I began to flag a little but knew it would soon be over. Eat. After the next control it was decision time again. Go for one more or head back? On the map it looked OK and not too far so we went for it. It was further than expected and the run back in the heat, yes heat, of April in the highlands was tough. Time got tight and there was nothing for it but to run. Even if it was road for the last half mile.
We made it with two minutes to spare. In the end the missed control and 10 points cost us 3rd place and a prize but it didn't matter. Most teams had taken a different route and got a few more points. I was glad we took the route we did. This was everything a day competing should be. Mistakes, good running. perfect weather, decisions to be made, going for it, emotional highs and lows, doing your own thing and above all great company.
Russell
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Coniston Gullies
5th June 2011
With many runners from the club heading of to Duddon or Ennerdale I go for the opposote end of the spectrum. Coniston Gullies. It may be short but packs a big punch. A must do. One for the bucket list.
Once out of the field you are straight into the 900' gully climb. It's steep and unrelanting. Hard to pass anyone as going off the line is awkward. A short running section accross the top and it's back down another gully. This is very steep. Scree, rocks and some grass. A descent that ensures the concentration. Not for the feint harted. Commitment gets it's reward. Mine was to pass several Helm vests.
The race is usually won in around 15 mins. Me about 20. Am too old to care about times and cannot be bothered to start the stopwatch. I will of course be eager to see the results and analise them for a while.
A scenic drive took us to Yew Tree Barn. Tea and Rarebit with bacon ar The Hat Trick Cafe. Excellent.
Russell
With many runners from the club heading of to Duddon or Ennerdale I go for the opposote end of the spectrum. Coniston Gullies. It may be short but packs a big punch. A must do. One for the bucket list.
Once out of the field you are straight into the 900' gully climb. It's steep and unrelanting. Hard to pass anyone as going off the line is awkward. A short running section accross the top and it's back down another gully. This is very steep. Scree, rocks and some grass. A descent that ensures the concentration. Not for the feint harted. Commitment gets it's reward. Mine was to pass several Helm vests.
The race is usually won in around 15 mins. Me about 20. Am too old to care about times and cannot be bothered to start the stopwatch. I will of course be eager to see the results and analise them for a while.
A scenic drive took us to Yew Tree Barn. Tea and Rarebit with bacon ar The Hat Trick Cafe. Excellent.
Russell
Friday, 3 June 2011
Bowfell
Sunday 29th May 2011
Needed a good but not too long a run this weekend to help recover from the OCT. A few friends were doing part of leg 3 of the BG so I tagged along. We started in Langdale and headed for Rossett Gill. A familiar climb. My plan was to turn back at some point as I had to be home and ready to go out by noon.
We were soon up to the col and onto the BG route proper. Acsending into the mist it got colder and wetter. But the company was good and the chatting aided the climb. At the summit on Bowfell I decided that continuing to Esk Pike and returning back down the gill was not my best option and left the group to descend via 3 Tarns and The Band. Rocky at first but then grassy I dropped out of the mist and headed down.
I thought of the others and their route to Scafell. Easy to go astray up there. Hope they found Ill Crag OK.
Down quicker than I thought and I pass a lot of folk on their way up. Met a guy who had set of at 5am to do the Crinkles. He said it rained the whole way. At the car I realise I have enough time to call in on a friend at Chapel Stile. Been meaning to do this for some time.
Make it home in time and after a quick change Cheryl and I head back to Ambleside. Park at Pelter Bridge. A leisurely walk around Rydal Water. Now warm and sunny. Cream Tea at Rydal Hall.
A good day.
Russell
Needed a good but not too long a run this weekend to help recover from the OCT. A few friends were doing part of leg 3 of the BG so I tagged along. We started in Langdale and headed for Rossett Gill. A familiar climb. My plan was to turn back at some point as I had to be home and ready to go out by noon.
We were soon up to the col and onto the BG route proper. Acsending into the mist it got colder and wetter. But the company was good and the chatting aided the climb. At the summit on Bowfell I decided that continuing to Esk Pike and returning back down the gill was not my best option and left the group to descend via 3 Tarns and The Band. Rocky at first but then grassy I dropped out of the mist and headed down.
I thought of the others and their route to Scafell. Easy to go astray up there. Hope they found Ill Crag OK.
Down quicker than I thought and I pass a lot of folk on their way up. Met a guy who had set of at 5am to do the Crinkles. He said it rained the whole way. At the car I realise I have enough time to call in on a friend at Chapel Stile. Been meaning to do this for some time.
Make it home in time and after a quick change Cheryl and I head back to Ambleside. Park at Pelter Bridge. A leisurely walk around Rydal Water. Now warm and sunny. Cream Tea at Rydal Hall.
A good day.
Russell
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