Can't be bothered today - Tuesday 28th May 2013

No run or ride today.

Natland Run - Monday 27th May 2013

Bank Holiday Monday, I have Barnus with me for the day :-)

I head to training in the evening but it's not happening so drive to Natland and head along canal to Levens Bridge and back along river; the earlier rain has cleared and so I decide to head round again, this time along the river and back along the canal. Out longer than expected but worth it. 

Grasmere: Fells, Tarns & Gingerbread Run - Sunday 26th May 2013

Another glorious day, decided to give racing a miss for a while, but still want to run. Head out on the LDWA route from Grasmere; up to Allcock Tarn and then Heron Pike and Great Rigg. Double back, ridge to Stone Arthur and then sharp, and not that accurate, descend to the valley. 

Across main road then up Green Burn valley before looping back along the ridge to Helm Crag. Then across to Easedale Tarn and steady climb towards Blea Rigg, ridge line to Silver Howe and decide to miss Loughrigg and head straight down to Grasmere.

Tea and cake in the village, sat outside in the glorious sun - a pleasant way to finish a good run.

Langdale Ride - Saturday 25th May 2013

Head to Elterwater and ride from there down the Langdale Valley and steeply up to Blea Tarn; down into Little Langdale and along to Colwith Force. From here, back lanes, past the Drunken Duck to Hawkshead Hill and loop back to Drunken Duck for coffee.....but don't start serving until 11:30, so quick change of plan and we head to Chester's instead - very good cakes ! Then a gentle ride back to Elterwater - a glorious day to be out, constantly peeling off layers after a chilly start. 

Nothing to report - Friday 24th May 2013

........no run or ride.

River / Canal Run - Thursday 23rd May 2013

Head out after work, along the river to the footbridge beyond Force Bridge, back to Levens Bridge, canal path to Hawes Bridge and river, again, to Levens Bridge......there is some logic there...somewhere.

Manage to avoid the heavy showers but a cool evening and no sign of summer.

Work - Wednesday 22nd May 2013

Heading to Oundle and then to Liverpool so no time for play today :-(

Lyth Valley Ride - Tuesday 21st May 2013

A warm and clear evening, park in Natland Road and head out on bike, through Natland and then the old route around the Lyth Valley, put in an extra loop; out a little longer than expected but why rush.

Training - Monday 20th May 2013

Still jaded from my big adventure I take it steady at training. A warm and pleasant evening to be out.

Scottish Islands Peaks Race (SIPR) - Thursday 16th - Sunday 19th May 2013

.....

Training - Wednesday 15th May 2013

I make it back from London in time for training; on Helm, two of the v.long reps and then some downhill work; I'm sensible, don't overdo it as a big weekend looming !

Physio - Tuesday 14th May 2013

Another Physio session with Marcus and then straight to station to catch a train to London; no time or energy to train today.  

Training - Monday 13th May 2013

So back to training after a few weeks absence; train ok but wouldn't go as far as saying an enjoyable session ! 

Staveley Run - Sunday 12th May 2013

A cold, wet and miserable afternoon but need to get out for a run. Head over to Staveley, out along river and up to Potter Tarn and up towards Gurnal Dubs; cut off left to Potter Fell and across to Brunt Knott.

Back down to Staveley, wet and cold; glad of camper to get changed in and then into Wilf's for hot chocolate and scone.

Staveley Ride - Saturday 11th May 2013

A busy day but manage to get out for a quick ride; my new usual route, Burneside, Potter Fell Road, Staveley and back through Bowston, Burneside and up Hollins Lane. Cold and a but wet, no sign of summer !

Scotland Trip - Monday 6th - Friday 10th May 2013

Monday 6th

My original plan had been to head off on an overnight expedition, loop round the North of Mullardoch on the first day, camp at the far end, and then head back over the South loop on the second day; this would have taken in the 4 unclimbed munros on day 1 and picked up 2 more on the South; however, a far from perfect forecast and swollen rivers to to ongoing thawing of large snow fields ruled this out.

By chance, I got chatting with two other Munro climbers the night before, they had arranged with Angus, the boat man, to get the boat from the dam to the outflow of Allt Choire a'Mhaim and loop back over the summits to the dam, anther guy was also due to be on the boat. This sounded a a good B plan so after a call to Angus I was booked aboard and would meet at the dam for 9:30 departure.

The cloud was down, it was wet and cold, so this B plan was making a lot of sense......£20 well spent ! To be honest, the walks over the 4 munros (An Socach, An Riabhachan, Sgurr Na Lapaich and Carn Nan Gobhar) was fairly uneventful. I never got to see much and the path, higher up, was still covered in thawing snow. Route finding was a bit tricky in places and map and compass were often in use. The descent from the third summit was a bit hairy in places but best keep that to myself.

Will definitely head back this way in better weather and do the overnighter that I had originally planned.

Tuesday 7th

Unfinished business to be done in Glen Affric; I had tackled this route a few years ago and after a very long walk in and the first summit climbed I turned back; conditions were not great, steep descent covered in snow and ice and no crampons or ice axe with me; I had one of those rare uneasy feelings and listened to this; the walker back was not much quicker than I had I carried on, but at least safe !

The cloud was down to start but forecast to lift and this soon happened. It was a long, boggy a trudge in along the Abhain Gleann nam Fiadh and I was glad to reach the stalkers path to climb higher and on to dryer ground. Still snow patches to cross but joining the ridge the views were fantastic, the cloud had lifted and the sun was strong. A great ridge leads from here to Carn Eighe (1183m), interesting in places with plenty of exposure and steep snow. The summit is a very isolated place and I had yet to see any others walkers so far this week, and nor was I too all week !

Being Fhionnlaidh is even more remote and lies about a mile along a ridge, what a great place to be on a day like this; I could see down to where I would have camped, this looked good for another time but the river looked serious and I doubt it would have been safely crossable. There was little choice but to head back the same way, unfortunately the boggy trudge couldn't be avoided but what a day.

 

It was good to get back to camper, pot of tea and cake and still glorious sunshine.

Wednesday 8th

So I head further North, to Glen Carron; again I had planned an overnighter here but despite a reasonably looking day the wind was horrific. From Craig, I had a 4 mile walk in in a good forest track, so wish I had brought my mountain bike ! I followed the Allt a'Chonais as far as the Allt Leathad an Tobair and having crossed the wire bridge I headed up to the Bealach. The wind, in places, was seriously strong and I was concerned how it would be on the summits and the intervening ridge ! 

I was right to be, the climb to Sgurr Choinnich went ok but the ridge to Sgurr A'Chaorachain was hairy, actually just flippin dangerous - at one point I was clinging to a rock and then had to lurch to another in order to make any progress; at other times I just flat and even resorted to crawling, a real relief to reach the summit and safety if the shelter cairn.

The cloud was still high so it was easy to navigate, if only as easy to move ! I headed due North, windy but not as much and soon dropped steeply down to the relative shelter and safety of the glen. It was a long walk out back down the glen (and past the location of my first LAMM overnight camp - the day there was a blizzard !).

Tea back at the camper again tasted good, I felt like I had been in a tumble dryer for the last 4 hours !!

Thursday 9th May

The wind has dropped, thank goodness. I head back to Craig and tackle another big day out on some very remote munros. Bidean a'Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor. I have the same 4 mile walk in and the same climb to the bealach. But then head south towards the Corbett, Beinn Tharusinn and contour this on the west side to another bealach and then a steep drop to yet anotehr bealach. From here the first munro is imposing, steep cliffs but an intricate path winds its way through these, up sloping shelves and clefts to beautiful tiny tarns and then a narrow ridge to the summit. What a wild and isolated place to be. The route from here to Lurg Mhor is easy going but even further into the wildness. I have a choice from here, return the way I came or drop due North from the bealach between the two summits towards Loch Monar and a climb back up to the the first bealach. My legs are tired, I decide the latter is marginally less climbing and slightly shorter. The descent is quick and easy but the trudge to the bealach is hard work and takes time. From there the long walk out again back to the camper, another two munros climbed....mission accomplished.

But its not over just yet, I have my usual cups of tea and cake and then decide to head to Loch Carron for the night. I have heard of the Wee Campsite in the village and it's just 10 miles as opposed to 20 miles back to Kinlochewe. The plan fails, as I come into the village a sign for the campsite has anotehr sign over it saying "Closed"....this is not good, it's then a 30 mile drive to Kinclochewe, I make there just before 8pm (when the campsite closes) and to the Whistle Stop Cafe soon after 8pm (it also closes at 8pm) but manage to order food and enjoy and very good and much need dinner.


Friday 10th May

I head home; it's been a successful but tiring and lonely trip.

Heading North - Sunday 5th May 2013

Some time away in Scotland, drive to a great wee campsite in Cannich; ideally located at the head of Glen Affric; this was also the location for the first Highlander Mountain Marathon that Russ and I entered.

http://www.highlandcamping.co.uk/

Coniston Fell Race - Saturday 4th May 2013

The pain, both mental and physical, continues; another poor race, conditions good but hard going from the start. Don't get a great descent line from the Old Man, that doesn't help but still just not running well at the moment; need to lay off racing for a while I think.

Great run by Paul A and Garry. 

Staveley Ride - Friday 3rd May 2013

A blowy and cloudy evening but stays dry. A quick ride out to Burneside and then back roads to Staveley; home via Bowston, Burneside and Hollins Lane.

Askham Fell Run - Thursday 2nd May 2013

A glorious day and I'm quite happy to be out recce'ing a race that I can't enter. Fast running across Askham Common leads to Arthur's Pike, we are happy with the route choice and trods.

Last time we were here there was still snow on the ground, today it has just about gone and the ground looks different. We again get a good line town the tower on Bonscale Fell and here we try a different descent to Mellguards. We contour and then drop steeply, it's not great; so we head back up, via a path to check this out, it is much further and although a good decent I fear that it could be a tricky traverse below the summit to find the top. I actually think the route we first took, a few weeks back was best.

Then along the track to Swarthbeck and a steep climb a little further right of the ghyll; I think this works well, then a direct line back to Arthur's Pike and again good running back to Askham. A great way to spend a sunny afternoon, legs not up to it really but took it steady.

Dockray / Hartside Fell Race - Wednesday 1st May 2013

So I make it back from Cardiff in good time but over 5 hours driving, for a second day running, is not ideal race preparation. Travel up to Dockray with Garry & Russ, have not run this race before but have the longer one which goes up onto the Dodds. 

It's a struggle, again. Rick passes me near the summit of Hart Side and Garry's breathing down my neck. But I take the longer route, fast running around the ridge rather than the shorted drop and then limb through the tussocks.

When we regroup Rick still slightly ahead but he gets greedy and his shortcuts don't all pay off; I get in front and from the summit of Common Fell keep my lead; I'm glad to make the finish, not a good race but worse to come.

Good craic in the pub after, plenty of Helm runners as it's a Club Champ race.

The photos say it all :

https://plus.google.com/app/basic/photos/112660024446587293959/album/5873124220798955041/5873125926306305362?cbp=1imssm8q1g9sn&sview=20

https://plus.google.com/app/basic/photos/112660024446587293959/album/5873124220798955041/5873125937165622162?cbp=lx1pj18xy4va&sview=20

Work...and very little play - Tuesday 30th April 2013

So meetings in Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye and then to a hotel in Cardiff; too much time driving but manage to have an hour in the gym, hate it !

Physio - Monday 29th April 2013

Back to see Marcus, this again leaves me feeling drained and a full-on headache. The rest will do me good. 

Highlander Mountain Marathon - Saturday & Sunday, 27th & 28th April 2013

The coaches leave from the shinty pitch, we opted for a 9am departure, couldn't see the point in an early one, prefer a leisurely Scottish breakfast (porridge and then a cooked......Russ, listen and learn, this is how it should be done :-) ).

The coach takes us along Loch Laggan to the car park at the foot of Creag Meagaidh, here we are dropped and just a short walk leads us to the start. As soon as we 'dib' the clock starts ticking and we take our maps and control sheet; we spend a few minutes marking maps, checking each other to ensure no mistakes and then head off to control 1, a  2 metre boulder on the North side of a plantation. This is a little tricky, despite the number of teams around us, but we are careful and soon find the kite.

From here I take a contrarian route, across the river and climb to the path for easier running, which I think would suit us. We follow this to control 2, a steam junction which we (ok, I ) over-shoot very slightly, but we are level with teams that we were with at the first control.

From a here we are heading to the Window, a snowy col and control 3, before a climb to the summit of Stob Poite Coire Ardair, our fourth control and at a height of 1053m.

The weather is great, the views fantastic and we are, at times, in deep snow - fresh on top of old, but this makes for good running. We were given a bearing to take from here so that we avoid some steep and deep snow slopes, probably unstable too !

A long run on good snow leads us to control 5 on a knoll and then an up and over, followed by a contour to control 6 at a lochan. We run with Andy Burton, Inov-8 sales rep, for a while, it's good to catch up. We are running well and working well together but, as is always the case in MM's, we have no idea how we are doing against other teams.

Controls 7, 8 and 9 can be taken in any order but, to me, there seems an obvious choice, the ground is harder going, below the snow line, and tussocks; despite this we continue to run well. It has now clouded over but conditions are still good and we can see the finish. Good fast running and a boggy section right at the end, and in front of the camera, brings us to the day 1 finish.

A cold wind is blowing, so once we have had our free meal in the marque we put up the tent and head to the river for a very cold wash ! It's a very relaxed overnight camp, a ceilidh, beer, catching up with Nic and Winter and, good news, we are 4th and 1st in category, so in the chasing start and get a lie-in.

After a good nights sleep, and not too cold, we wake to hear rain on the tent ! But this often sounds worse than it is, then the usual routine - long wait for the loo, breakfast and then tent down and rucksacks packed. It's good to head into the marque, another coffee and a few minutes before we are called to our chasing start.

We have numbers on our packs, C4, these act like targets! Day 2, From Garva Bridge leads North to our first control on an obvious summit, just below 600m. 1 to 2 is a big leg and the cloud is down, difficult navigation and some big patches of snow, tricky but we concentrate and do well. We head down to control 2 at a stream junction and take great care, skirting the snow bridges.

2 to 3 is straight forward and then another long leg to 4; hard going over tussocks ground, wind picks up and in cloud at times. I change plans, and forget to communicate this to the team !, but this works well, a little more climbing but better terrain.

4 to 5 is down and then steep up, with a tricky river crossing in the middle. The wind picks up as we climb and then it starts to snow, wet snow ! We make it to the summit, at 884m and then it's all downhill to the finish. We are racing with C3 which adds to the fun, controls 6 & 7 pass quickly and then a mad dash to the finish at Laggan.

We have done well again, 4th on day 2 and 4th overall, 1st mixed vets. A great weekend.

After prize giving, coach back to Newtonmore and then drive home, via an enjoyable stop in Pitlochry.

More photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80790068@N03/8693607981/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80790068@N03/8694727386/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80790068@N03/8693605817/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80790068@N03/8694725310/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/80790068@N03/8694724228/

Heading North - Friday 26th April 2013

So it's the Highander this weekend and we are heading North to Newtonmore, via a pushchair pick-up in Watermillock !!

We stop off at the Tiso outdoor store at Perth and then head up the A9, via falling snow on Drumochter Pass. We register, catch-up with Charlie and Nic (and handover the pushchair !) and then head off for some food; it's a wild night in Kingussie, wet and cold and we are glad we are not camping.

We sort kit and pack rucksacks, I was concerned how it would all fit in.....but I wanted to make sure that we would stay warm and dry, and well fed.

I assure Kath that the forecast for Saturday is good.....not sure she believed me ! :-)