Red Screes

Saturday 31st August 2013

A quick trip to Kirkstone for some last minute Ben training. First up the path. OK. Descend via the scree. Not good. Back up old Ian Hodgson route. Oh dear. Descend tired. Enough. 

Outlook?

Russell

Orienteering.

Wednesday 27th August 2013

Training tonight has been taken over by Ben's orienteering event. A great turnout and very well organised. We have fun but work hard. Not the best route choices but end up with a prize and cut legs. Brambles!!

Could this be an annual event. Winner organises next year?

Russell

Helvellyn

Sunday 25th August 2013

Heading off I know it will be a busy day in the Lakes because it is Grasmere Sports. I am right, traffic is queued back to Ings. My plan to is to go to Patterdale. If only I could find somewhere to park. Some people don't seem to care much as cars are abandoned everywhere. I find a place just past Glenridding and start my run up Seldom Seen.

Not many people about here, this would change. At Nick Head I climb above the old quarries to White Stones then contour on a nice trade to Sticks Pass. It changes. People and mountain bikes. Along the main path to Helvellyn and then down Swirral Edge. Lots of people here so I bypass them safely. Can't understand why they all just follow each other. There is plenty of room. On to Catstye Cam, I strangely have never been to this summit before. 

Down now and across the outflow of Red Tarn and on to Hole-in-the-Wall and Birkhouse Moor. I gets hot now and I struggle of the descent to Glenridding. The stream is nice and cooling. But the jog back to the car is purgatory.

Russell

An ascent and descent of Sgurr Mhairi (Glamaig)

Thursday 15th August 2013.

On our holiday to Skye I am privileged at last to have the opportunity to climb Glamaig. Just the very top is in cloud as I quite nervously set out across the initial boggy section. The trod peters out at the start of the main climb and is intermittent at best. I basically head straight up. Evidence of people passing this way is clear but it does not make any difference. It is basically pick you way up steep ground, intermittent scree and rock. I am really enjoying it and feeling good. This is really what being out on the hill is all about. In some ways I am glad to reach the top but it comes too soon. I think of the Ben race in a few weeks. Only another 2000 feet more than this. I do not dwell on the summit as I cannot see more than 30-40 meters and it is now raining. As I turn to descend it is very unclear which way to go, it all looks the same. After a short run and then some scree I see a line of fence posts that I know from the map will take me too far south. I cut across right and follow trods and more scree. The mist has dropped lower now. I quickly check the map and take a bearing. Then head down.  Not the perfect line but am where I want to be. No where near Thornthwaite Crag!! I soon pick up the trod back to the road. Perhaps not the best racing line but hopefully I will find that out some day. After concentrating hard for the entire run I now feel a great sense of relief and achievement. I smile to myself for the rest of the day. Happy to eat, have a drink and just be.

Where to eat in Edinburgh

The Caley Sample Rooms.

Excellent food and service. Lots of beers. Midweek fixed price menu great value.

On bus route 34. 10 mins from Princes Street.

Go.

Kentmere

Sunday 11th August

Time to start to think about the up coming Ben Nevis race. A text from CB prompts me into action and we head up Kentmere for one of my favourite variations on the horseshoe. Along the road to Hartrigg and then the track to the reservoir. From the top of the reservoir it is straight up the ridge to Ill Bell. A great climb. After a passing shower the weather clears and we are pretty much cloud and rain free for the rest of the run.

Contouring Froswick we take in Thornthwaite Crag and High Street. Excellent views from here. On to Nan Bield and I am impressed by two mountain bikers descending into Kentmere. We continue to Kentmere Pike and Shipman Knotts (race next week). All finished off with a pint at Hawkshead Brewery.

I did take a picture from High Street but phone seems to be playing tricks. So here is a picture of CB on Garburn in the Lakeland 50.

Russell

Fairfield

Sunday 4th August 2013

Good to be out on one of the lakes classic horseshoes. A steady run in good company is just what I needed. Cool and breezy on the tops but we don't hang around so no need for anything but a short sleeve top. The weather just held for us. Tea and cakes after courtesy of DW. Thanks.

Russell