Limited time available today but I do have time to recce a race that I won't be able to enter.....but that's not the point.
Head out early to Askham, the last two occasions I was here it was dark, very cold, snowy and icy......and a 37 mile race to run (Tour de Helvllyn); fortunately just 11 miles and a much more pleasant Spring day. The forecast is not great for later be we enjoy the best of the weather.
Good running out of the pretty village and up on to Askham Common, familiars ground, same as the TdeH and touch upon the UTLD50. To Arthur's Pike, we split, trying different lines, it is a recce after all. Mine was the better line ( :-D ), great views from the summit, across Ullswater and think I can spot Nic and Charle's house.
On to the next checkpoint at Bonscale Tower, we get a great line, cross some big snow patches and are on there. I had done some homework, read my Wainwright pictorial guides and was keen to try a direct descent from the summit. It's not great, we split again but neither line is particularly good. Looking back we see other lines, not enough time today so will need to head back here again.
So down to Mellguards, the 3rd checkpoint and then long the track to Swarthbeck Ghyll. The grid ref for checkpoint 3 is just up from the track; we take a diagonal line to the Ghyll but soon regret this......a loud crack, someone's knee against a rock.....the knee came off worse :-( Into the cold beck to ease the pain and reduce swelling, it's not great :-( But we have a hill to climb, we head up close to the beck but see a better line just out to the right. As the climb eases we cut off left and limb directly to the summit of Arthur's Pike, checkpoint 5 (as well as the 1st).
We take the better line back and good fast running leads us back across the common to the village. A great route, good weather and good company.
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