I set off with a vague plan to do a 3-4 hour run somewhere from Glenridding. Even though I have plenty of time to organise myself I still manage to forget any food and a map. The food issue is solved by stopping at the Glenridding shop. As for the map, I will have to rely on my failing memory.
I start by visiting two summits that I have never been to before. Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike. Halfway up the pike I am in the mist. Then it is decision time. I was going to head towards Helvellyn but that now seems a bit optimistic so the next objective is Sticks Pass. I take a break here to contemplate my options.
I chose to turn left and head for Raise. It is much colder at the top. Back down to the pass and up to Stybarrow Dodd. Decision time again. Hartside springs to mind. Having no map it is memory time. I know it is approx east so out with the compass and off. Soon the ground steepens and I know I am a bit far north. Adjust course and am quickly on the right trod. This is a great piece of running, especially in the Dockray Great Dodd race.
At Hartside I have to navigate my way back around Glencoyne Head to the col below Sheffield Pike. What I had not realised is that the run towards Hartside from Stybarrow turns towards north, therefore my thinking that I need to head south is confusing. So I end up not running far enough back south east before going south. Then following the slope of the land. This leads me to drop down by a beck near Scot Crag. I know there is a trod that contours around Glencoyne somewhere below me. It is just a case of heading down and hoping I don't drop over a crag. I end up on a grassy spur that takes me nicely there.
The run around the head of the valley is great and then it is down to Seldom Seen and back to the car. The Strava packed in just as I hit the Glencoyne trod which was a bit annoying. It seems to happen now and then.
Russell
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