Helvellyn and the Dodds

Plenty of life left

The OCT claims another victim.

OCT

Saturday 18th May 2013

After approx 7 hours and 20 minutes we arrive at Cocklay Beck. We decide to retire. 

Well, in reality the decision was made much earlier in the day. 

Our start was steady and just as planned. We were right on the schedule. But the going got tough after Helvellyn. Wythburn was much boggier than normal and my running and climbing only got slower. 

At Angle Tarn I was still feeling confident that I could keep going at the same pace but it went rapidly downhill from there. 

Seeing familiar faces returning from Scafell Pike summit en route to Little Narrowcove gave me a boost and our line off went OK. Emerging from the mist to see we had caught up with four teams all looking at maps and knowing exactly where we were going was a nice moment. But when we start to run down Mosedale I have nothing. Wobbly, feeling ill and unable to run I knew it was time to call it a day.

There is always going to be a few moments of doubt after making the decision but it was certainly the right one. To put me, my partner and potentially the race organiser and Mountain Rescue in a difficult situation would be foolish.

What this does do is make me question my chances of doing the JNLC. Will be out of any distance training for a while. Re think needed. 

Biggest disappointment is letting CB down. Hope he goes on to make a successful completion. Maybe with me next year!! Optimism is good.

Russell

Not running

Silver How

Monday 6th May 2013

So I find myself with reason to be at Elterwater on a perfect Bank Holiday Monday evening. I take a unconventional route to Silver How where the views are superb. Photos do not do it justice. What an evening after the long winter. With lots of paths and trods to choose I follow my nose to get back to the car. A wonderful hour.

Photos from the summit.

Russell

Scafell Pike

Saturday 4th May 2013

CB and I head off from Langdale towards Scafell Pike to have a look at a few route choices for the up coming OCT. The weather is cool and cloudy but forecast to improve. Steady progress to the summit. Is is quite calm but poor visibility. We take a bearing and get a reasonable line. I am happy with this way down but it is not the most direct. Unfortunately it does not clear and we cannot see the alternatives that I would like to investigate. On the day I would be OK with this route or if clear we may be able to find the line I have used previously.

Across Great Moss then at Lingcove Beck we pick up the Great Lakes route as far as Red Tarn. Then descend back into Oxendale. A good steady run.

Russell

Dockray Hartside

Wednesday 1st May 2013

Race 2 of the Helm Hill Runners club championships.

This is a tough 6 mile race with a mile of uphill road before taking to the fell. This does not suit me and I set off slowly with heavy legs. After the first checkpoint on High Brow I have picked up a few places. The descent and the first part of the ascent to Hartside are tussocky and boggy. I find the lack of spring in the legs continues but I am able to maintain my pace all the way to the summit, gaining on a couple of runners ahead.

Here it is decision time. Most runners descend to Little Aira Beck. But I prefer to take an high line around to Swineside Knott. Further but better running. I do not see any runners ahead of me, just the odd footprint. Later I hear some others also chose this way. I gain another couple of places and another two on the final descent from Common Fell.

A great evening race. The first of a series of 4 races. Blencathra, Dockray Great Dodd and Askham being the others. Hope to do these if possible.

Russell