Langdale Pikes

Tuesday 29th September 2015

Couldn't let this spell of great weather pass without getting out. My only problem was deciding where to go. Eventually pick Langdale and a climb out of the valley that I have not done since my rock climbing days over 25 years ago. 

I park near the New DG and take the path south of Dungeon Gill up Mark Gate. Memories of toiling up here in the afternoon sun with a sack of climbing gear and then running back down as darkness was coming to catch last orders in the pub.

As the path levels out below Loft Crag I take a faint trod and contour below Gimmer Crag, around the toe of the buttress and scramble up the west side of the crag. It is a brilliant piece of rock and I pick out the lines of past glories. Kipling Groove, Springbank, F Route, Equus. 

Can you spot the climbers?

I scramble up the rest of the gully and head for Pike 'O' Stickle. Then back to Loft Crag because I have never actually been to the summit before. The views are fantastic.

Then it is on to Harrison Stickle. Thunacar Knott and Pavey Ark. I descend the gully east of the crag and then cut back to the shore of Stickle Tarn. I am tempted by Jacks Rake but decide to leave it for another day. Instead I run around the tarn and then cross the shoulder of Harrison Stickle and descend to Pike Howe then back to the car. 

Ben Nevis 2015

My 15th Ben race and I know it is going to be the toughest. I am totally unprepared. No good racing or training leading up to it. It is just a matter of getting through this one. The weather is great for tourists but not for me. Loveley and sunny but I know it will be too hot and I will suffer. 

The start is steady but as we take the lower cut offs through the zig zags I begin to feel it. From then on I seem to be going backwards. Lots of runners pass me, one is concerned for my welfare. Then after we leave the main path and turn towards the Red Burn and half way I hit rock bottom. I stop for a drink in the burn and eat some sweets. The thought of giving up there and then is seriously considered.

A few others around me appear to be struggling equally but decide to push on to half way as we are in danger of missing the cut off. I don't know if it was this or the refreshments but I do recover slightly and  decide to push on. I know I can keep moving, it is just not so quick. The group I am in do make the cut off and start the long grind to the summit. I find a rhythm an hold my place in the line. This is a relief and I begin to think I might just finish. I have often found the second half of the ascent easier than the first.

The breeze when it comes is cool and refreshing. The leaders pass us on their way down. It seems that every year I am a little lower on the mountain when they come. Familiarity does not make the climb easier. It is a long way to the top. Nor will it lessen the pain of the descent. It is however a great relief to turn and head down. I go well to half way but then the grassy bank really does the damage and from then on I feel like I am hobbling along, quads screaming at every step. I try to avoid any big steps down.

Dropping down the steeper cut offs is real agony, I concentrate on not tripping up. Something I have done several times at this stage. I make it to the road in one piece and sort of jog hobble to the finish. I vow to be fitter and better prepared for next year should I get an entry.

I look a lot better than I feel.

Russell

Kilnsey Crag

Tuesday 1st September 2015

The famous Kilnsey Crag Race. I have never been able to get the time off work to do this before so I am first timer this year. MC has come with me and we are both a little nervous. We have heard about the 'chimney' descent so walk the course to check it out. It is indeed a steep scramble down with ropes positioned to assist if needed. 

Before the start several runners, previous winners etc are announced and made to parade up and down in front of the crowd. Then it is go and the mad sprint out of the field. As I can no longer sprint I am much nearer the back than the front. The race is so short it has to be flat out from start to finish. I hold my place in the field with MC a little way ahead. Once on the summit plateau I pass a few runners then a few more on the descent.

Annoyingly I am held up in the chimney and the scree below by a runner in the wrong sort of shoes. I easily pass him on the grassy descent but then more annoyingly he sprints past me 10 yards from the finish. MC finishes 30 seconds ahead of me, as I was sure he would. I would like to go back next year an do a bit better.

Russell