I always quite fancied my chances at this event, having a done a bit of running before, that is till I caught a glimpse at the size of the packs that some people were carrying.
I’d reduced my weight to a minimum (with much help from S&W) but was soon to discover its more about how that weight is positioned on your back! Ordinary paragliding packs are not designed for running with!!
We had to cover about 40 miles around Skiddaw, Helvellyn & Scafell Pike and could do these in any order. Like Gordie I’d already decided to get Skiddaw out the way with first, so headed off from the start following Gordie at a sprint, out of Fitz Park, with 2 or 3 others who set off walking. Chatting with Gordie on the way up and getting to the summit ridge before him, all was well, until hitting the Easterly gale force winds cutting across the summit ridge; I had to virtually crawl to the trig point clinging to rocks on the way to avoid being blown away. At this point Gordie got passed me again. I also decided I’d change my route plan and go for Helvellyn before Scafell so the wind was on my back on the way up to Scafell. Ran back down Skiddaw with glider bag jumping about on my shoulders just couldn’t get the waist band tight enough. Met Jan at the car park at the bottom of Skiddaw, refuelled and looked at route options as I watched Gordie cross the path along the front of Latrig heading for St Johns in the Vale. I decided then to head down the A591 main road toward Helvellyn winding my way back around Latrigg to Keswick onto the road for more agonising jogging on the 6 mile stretch to Helvellyn in pouring rain.
I met Jan again at the car park at the bottom of the direct route up past Browncove Crags to be told I was about 10 mins. behind Gordie. I set off at a pace up the steep path where I met 2 or 3 groups of walkers all under instructions to trip me up and slow me down!!
As I got near the summit the cloud came down and I lost all visibility entering the white room (just ashame it was still on the ground instead of in the sky) took a bearing to the trig point for the compulsory photo shot, and left behind the multitude of Mountain Marathon runners all over the side of the steep fell. I descended down toward Nethermost Pike an area I’m familiar with from helping out on Bob Graham Rounds. A quick descent down toward Wythburn where I came across Rob Fowkes and Steve Nash coming up through the woods having been over Scafell but still with 2 summits to do, I thought me & Gordie must be going well and could be in with a shout.
The next bit was a nightmare – what looked a doddle on the map along Wyth Burn up to High Raise was just a bog fest of foot sucking mud and water. Oh joy! Combined with lowering cloud and rain and non-existent paths more compass work and bearings eventually got me upto Greenup Edge and High Raise in a complete white out then descended down toward Angle Tarn where I met a fellow competitor about to ascend High Raise – poor bugger, I think he finished the following day !
Onto toward Scafell in more pissing rain and wind, when suddenly at Esk Hause it all cleared the sun came out and I was feeling a happier chappier. Came across multitudes more people with radios and tents and stuff being escorted around Scafell on the 6 peaks challenge (all the highest peaks in the British Isles & Ireland or something) had a chat with them on the summit admired the views then the thunder and lightening flashes as it proceeded to hail as I headed down to the corridor route balancing along the small ledges and exposed precipices below my feet being careful not to slip. I bumped into a group of walkers along this section who were uncertain of the route so I escorted them along the way much to their horror and my amusement!!
Down to Sty head Tarn then along the valley toward Seathwaite car park– flying was the furthest thing from my mind my only thoughts were of finding Jan with food & drinks and clean dry socks and running shoes for the long 8-10 miles of road back to Keswick and my final chance to break into a run and catch the elusive Gordie.
I found Lucy and Jan waiting in the car park informing me Gordie was now atleast a half hour up on me, it was now hot and blue skys again – beautiful ! Got rid of layers of ringing wet tops and waterproofs and bid farewell to them and set off on my way, 5mins later – guess what, thunder and torrential rain which continued for another half an hour, head down and get on with it! Run, run run, but I couldn’t, the weight of the pack drenched in water pounding down on my shoulders was to much to bear. I conceded it was to be walking with poles from here. I tried to convince myself that I could run the downy bits on the road I tried but it was all to much, for my now dishevelled body.
I finally reached Fitz Park at about 9.45pm just before dark to a round of applause from those already there. Collapsed in a seat then fish & chips, bath and bed. Wow !
What a do!!!
A big thank you to Gordie for organising all this and all fellow competitors who were also stupid enough to take part in such an event!
Also many thanks to Steve Giles at the Sick & Wrong for weight minimalisation techniques (trial loan of some fantastic gear as always) and to Gary for the kind borrow of his stuff which didn’t get used or wet
and to the wife for great support throughout
By Heck it were breezy up there!
Kay x
