Bob Graham Leg 1 - Saturday 23rd January 2016

So the Helm ladies are again planning to take on the Billy Bland Challenge.....I have a feeling they might do well, actually very well :-)

So the first of the recces has been planned, leg 1. Nine of us out, myself, Craig and 7 ladies to keep us company. We leave Cali at Threlkeld and head into Keswick and the start of the BG. We head off up the lane towards Latrigg and then into the steep climb up Skiddaw; this is not one of my favourite climbs, I find this really tough; but the pace is comfortably and soon we are in the mist and then the snow. The summit is not a place to stop today so we head due North, then North East to cross the fence and pick up the trod to Hare Crag. 

Then it's up Great Calva, this climb goes well but again it's chilly on the top. Steep descent, and then a boggy trod to the Caldew, not too difficult to cross today but a wee bit chilly. Tough going from here, a steep tiring climb into the mist, compass in use, and then the weather turns grim, wet and windy, which makes it feel very cold. 

Eventually across Mungrisedale Common and pick up the larger path to Foule Crag, I think this the much better route. It's even more grim up here and, again on a bearing, we head to the summit. Decision quickly made, Halls Fell Ridge is not the place for this group today, so we head to Doddick Ridge. That's not quite so easy as it sounds, it is not due East as one might suspect, but NNE for a short distance before then heading East, I over shoot this a little and soon realise my mistake; frustratingly back track and then get it right; this makes me uber cautious to pick up the ridge first time, which I do. 

This is a much better descent route in this weather, only a short distance on rock and then on much easier grass. Once down its amazing how quickly hands and feet warm up, then some easy running back to Threlkeld, and Cali.

Tea tastes good and KA's cake delicious......she's defo Star Baker :-) A good day out and, for some, important lessons learnt.