Fleetwood's Long Mountain Challenges

Mid-winter Lakes 3000s Jan 2012

2012-01-08T00:08:00.000-08:00

A windy day on the Lakes 3000s, 45 miles, 11,000 feet, 13 hours 30 mins

The forecast was not terribly inspiring but I was looking for a full day out, so plumped for the Lakes 3000s on the basis that there isn't a lot of high level ridge traversing and I could therefore manage the wind. I'd seen two forecasts - one predicting winds gusting to 60mph and the other to 100mph. For the most part, the former was correct, but on Scafell it was closer to the latter.

The top of Deep Gill on a rather better day

I set off from Keswick just before 7am on a dark breezy morning. It didn't take long for the first rain to arrive and it stayed like that, off and on, for the whole day. I don't like road running but in the dark, it seemed the easiest thing to do, so I jogged along the 8 or 9 miles of road to Seathwaite. By England's wettest settlement the wind was gusting to the extent thatI struggled to run at all when facing in to it. If it was like this here, what was it going to be like on the top? I was soon to find out. After taking the Corridor route up to Lingmell col I picked up the trod under Pikes crag to Hollowstones and thence Lords Rake. The chasm was looking particularly dank but mercifully free of snow as I'd no brought my spikes. Encouraged by this I took the West Wall traverse in to Deep Gill. Therer were a few patches of hard snow on the way but nothing that a bit of judicous kicking couldn't circumvent. I could see the mist rushing into Deep Gill and could now feel the full force of the wind funnelling up the gill. On top of that there was no avoiding the hard snow in the gill which I ascended by jamming afoot in the crack between the rock and the snow and kicking a step with the other foot. More alarming was thew wind which threatened to prise me off the mountain. I held on very firmly! All in all it was quite exhilirating as the wind rushed up, blowing my coat toward my chest and exposing me to the icy particles which were similarly being blown up the gully. It was nothing however, compared to the wind at the col between Scafell Pinnacle and Scafell. Here I was pinned to the ground for a while unable to move anywhere - at least voluntarily. I crawled forward and eventually managed to stagger to the summit.

From there on things got better. Although it was gusty and the gully was more of a stream, I was in the shelter down by Foxes Tarn. I missed the best line traversing to Mickledore and end up on some fairly precarious ground. Glad to be off this, I slogged up to the Pike which was surprisingly calm by comparison. Here I met my first person and we had a chat as we rested in the lee of the cairn. There was a bit of fresh snow on the Pike but nothing much in reality. I ran off in the murk to Esk Hause where a band of walkers were struggling into the wind and rain. Fortunately (or actually as I'd planned), the wind was with me and I made good progress to Stake Pass and round the back of High Raise on the Old County Tops route. The Bog was predictably oozing water as I sloshed with cold feet down to Wythburn.

I had my sandwiches in the shelter of the woods, feeling pretty soggy but warm enough to make the ascent of Helvellyn. I elected to take the track as I was starting to feel a bit weary. At the top I had to face into the wind for the first time and such was its strength that I couldn't run even downhill. My cagoule was pressed hard against my throat and my balaclava obscured my eyes somewhat, so I was glad to drop off Brown Cove Crags. I filled up with water at a stream, having only had less than a litre and then jogged in to the wind all the way along the road into Keswick. There was quite a lot of traffic and the 7 miles were quite unpleasant, but with ensuing dark and my fatigue I really didn't want to add in High Rigg.

At the car I had some juice and a bite to eat, then set off up Skiddaw. By Jenkin Hill I'd entered the mist and discovered that my torch batteries needed charging. Too late now. I fumbled along in the dark and rising wind. It was a hard gruelling ascent at this time of day, having to face in to the wind and exert more energy. Somehow I managed to miss the gate before the traverse beneath Low Man, but quickly realised what was happening and dropped off back to the track. Fearful of the wind, on the ridge, I skirted beneath the South top of Skiddaw, but soon discovered that the wind wasn't that bad after all. With my rather puny light it was difficult to see however, and it was a very slow walk over to the main top.

On the descent, I once more lost the huge path and was headed toward Low Man. Someone must have wanted me to go there! Again I dropped down to the main track and ambled down with wooden legs. It was good to drop out of the mist and see lights on Latrigg. In the woods I passed two parties heading off for BG attempts. Their impressive torch beams put my own to shame but I didn't envy them their night out. At 8:30 I arrived back at the car and all that remained was a visit to the chippie in Keswick.

Munro Completion

2011-08-29T03:48:00.000-07:00

Completion of the 283 Munros with 10 year old Ben, 29 August 2011

Probably my proudest achievement has been to celebrate the success of my son, Ben in climbing all 283 Munros at the age of 10. This is quite some achievement for a ten year old as it involves over 1400 miles and 500,000 feet of ascent in total, with a lot of rough and challenging terrain. We finished on a poor day on Ben More, Mull, marking the occasion by taking a stone from the ocean and swapping it with a stone from the summit cairn which we returned to the sea. Its been a great journey together over a 4 and a half year period. I've catalogued our Munro bagging here.

Photos
Ben's Munro Blog
Statistics

Fisherfield Round 24-25 July 2011

2011-07-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

Another go at my round of June, 70 miles, 29,000 feet, 31 hours

Having been disappointed to have had such dreich weather on my previous round and having seen what a good circuit it made, I wanted to repeat the experience in better conditions and hopefully in a time much closer to 24 hours. So just over a month later, I set off from Loch a Bhraoin Bothy at the early hour of 4:30 am. with the promise of fine weather and being suitably psyched for the adventure.

Loch a Bhraoin - start and end point

The rationale for the change of starting point was simple - I wanted to get the tricky ground done first when fresh and the bothy also made a decent place to stop over since the bunkhouse was full. To begin with my plan seemed good. I made good time despite the depressingly familiar sight of low mist over the tops. I was no longer afflicted by knee pain and had cut back on food and clothing so the sack was as light as I could make it. This time I saw no-one on the Fisherfield peaks, but did see a golden eagle soaring next to the cliffs on Beinn Tarsuinn. I was much quicker to the bothy at Shenavall but this time didn't stop inside. The slog up Sail Liath was soon dispatched despite upsetting a huge boulder which crashed down the slopes. Fortunately no-one in the right mind would be climbing this slope - just me - and the sheep seemed to keep out of the way. An Teallach flew by and again, I moved much more efficiently than I had previously, seeing no-one but a herd of wild goats. By lunchtime I was down at Dundonell and like last time I emerged into the sun from the grey pall that obscured the peaks. This time I found a way of avoiding the gorse and ditches and was soon at Inverlael. I managed to sort of run up the track alongside a lady who was out for a very sedate jog. I could see how slow I was going by her gait, but eventually I overtook her and made good progress up Eilidh na Clach Geala where once again I re-entered the mist and rain.

Video 2 days later

By Cona Mheall the rain had really set in and on Beinn Dearg the wind rose to about 40mph making me cold, wet and a bit miserable. The prospect of a night in this was not appealing. However, food and a change of clothing awaited at Loch Droma, which I anticipated would take me through the night. By now I'd be on the go for over 18 and a half hours, but I reckoned I was on target for a 26-27 hour completion.

Unfortunately things didn't work out that way despite a good start up Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich. I soon entered the mist and dark and could see very little. the rocks were hideously slippy, I was having to watch the compass all the time and all I wanted to do was go to sleep. The previous night I had slept very little in the bothy and it was finally catching up with me. With no support, there's little you can do. I tried everything - soldiering on, stopping for a quick nap, eating, drinking, slapping my face - nothing seemed to work. All I wanted to do was to lie down and go to sleep. So in the wind, rain and dark I did just that. I slumped to the cold ground, made a cocoon and for a precious time allowed myslef to enter the land of nod. I must have been tired as I actually fell asleep three times on that windy, damp plateau, buffeted by the wind. In between I was reduced to a slow walk over the glassy rocks, peering into the gloom.Zombie-like I plodded on, seeing nothing, just feeling the wind and dampness.

The dawn brought no real relief. I was still exhausted and could only plod slowly on in my little dream-world. The peaks seemed to take an age, the slopes got longer and longer. Nothing was short. Nothing was easy. But eventually the tops were bagged and the day brightened. By A Chailleach the sun had come out and it was a nice day. The irony was not lost on me, as I dozed on the summit. And then it was over. Not the trip I had really wanted, but I am in no doubt that this is a classic round, worthy of a third visit? I think that the route could be improved and probably shortened a little. Let's see.

Photos (from the following few days)

Fisherfield Round, 19-20 June 2011

2011-06-20T05:37:00.000-07:00

Round of Fannaichs, Fisherfield and Beinn Dearg Munros, 70 miles, 29,000 feet, 37 hours

An Teallach - fulcrum of the round

This round is a magnificent tour of four rugged groups of mountains in what is probably my favourite bit of the Highlands. The day started well as I rose above the valley mist and I eagerly anticipated a sunny day in the hills as I ascended Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich.

However it was not to be. Before the summit I entered the mist and from there on every summit was in the cloud and I saw very little indeed. After losing the way slightly on the descent of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich I was careful in my route finding and had no more alarms. The Fannaichs are predominantly grassy hills, but with some magnificent cliffs and some bouldery ground. there's a bit of this on the long ridge to An Coilleachean, but for the most part its eminently runnable, especially without the rucksack which I'd dumped near Sgurr Mhor. A quick sandwich and on over the highest peak of the Fannaichs. I maintained a good pace but was having to work hard and felt a bit sick. This didn't change until I was forced to slow down once off the Fannaichs, but there's a satisfaction in moving efficiently in wild scenery and I saw no-one. The descent from the last peak of the Fannaichs is a bit of a green wall where confidence is needed to trot down in the cloying mist. At the bottom its a tedious tussocky morass, but after 21 miles I reckoned a stop was in order. I'd done the first section at a fair rate but at a cost. I was already feeling a bit weary and had now picked up a painful knee.

Still, I was determined to carry on and the slog up the next hill was relieved by the some of the most amazing slabs in the British Isles. These drop down for about one kilometre in a smooth drop at an angle of about 30 degrees and extend for about a mile across the hillside. Above is a chaotic pile of boulders that litter the hillside. Its truly one of the wonders of Scotland that I had not anticipated - one of the joys of an unreccied route. However the weather was not playing ball. The drizzle settled in and from then on the day was a soggy affair with no views whatsoever. Having looked forward to a day in the sun, this was an immense disappointment and coupled with my painful knee, put something of a dampener on proceedings. I could no longer run downhill and in any case, the wet quartz didn't lend itself to fast progress. Still, in the wilderness 10 miles from the nearest road there is little to do but press on, and my guesstimate of timings was proving woefully inadequate for the prevailing conditions and my creaking joints. By the time I emerged from the mists and sloshed through the bog and river to Shenavall Bothy it was 10pm and I was not in the mood for a dark night in the rain on An Teallach. I therefore readied myself for a cold, fairly unpleasant night in the bothy, given that I was out of food and drink and had no warm clothing.

Yet unbeknown to me an angel in the form of a lad with a full bottle of whisky, spare food, stove and duvet jacket was waiting for me. A night of abject misery was transformed to a sociable dram or two before settling down for a decent rest. At 4am I'd had enough, had some breakfast courtesy of my new found friend and the leftover food in the bothy, and set off for one of the steepest ascents anywhere - 850m up in a mile. Unsurprisingly its an unrelenting slog up heather, boulders and scree to the summit of Sail Liath, the Eastern end of the An Teallach ridge. This is my favourite mountain in Scotland, with its out-of-this-world sandstone pinnacles, huge cliffs and pointed summits. I took in all the pinnacles and even in the continuing dreich conditions, counted myself lucky to be there.

At 9am I picked up my food dump, which served as a good second breakfast rather than the evening meal I had intended it to be and set forth along the hill path to Inverlael. This is the relatively low level part of the route and I had envisaged a fairly dreary interlude between the major hill groups. How wrong I was. the path affords wonderful views of the wall of An Teallach which was now revealed, at least in part. As you proceed, you pass waterfalls and idyllic lochans and traverse above the sea loch, with Beinn Dearg beckoning beyond. In the dark I'd have seen none of this so I was a happy man again. That is until the path shown on the map disappeared into the undergrowth and necessitated weaving in and out of the gorse bushes, reeds and drainage ditches. Still, I could sniff lunch at the next food dump and duly fortified, strode up the forestry track up Glen Squaib. It was warm in the glen, but it didn't last long as I re-entered the mist and stayed there until the last descent. These hills are wild, rock strewn and cleaved by great cliffs. In my minds eye I could see Penguin Gully that I'd climbed in a previous winter, but the scene was rather more of a grey affair on this occasion. On reaching Beinn Dearg, I took a direct line for the car at Loch Droma and finally followed the stalkers path to end what had been a truly magnificent outing.

PS. The videos were taken subsequently!

Schedule

Rigby Round, 13-15 December 2010

2010-12-15T02:38:00.000-08:00

74 miles, 18,000 feet challenge. 54 hours, solo unsupported

The first winter completion of the classic Cairngorms round which visits the tops of the 18 Northern Cairngorm Munros in a circuit from Loch Morlich. I saw no sign of civilisation or people until the ski slopes at the end and had no tracks to follow for the most part, so it was a true solo experience. After a brilliant first day of sun on frozen snow, the night degenerated to freezing rain driven by a 40 mile per hour wind. I was then soaked, cold and enveloped in a white out for the next 40 hours. It was a most testing experience, especially during the second night when I became hopelessly lost and spent 9 hours trudging through the snow without knowing where I was. Having tested my compass subsequently, I think the large bubble in my compass caused it to read incorrectly. In any event, what promised to be a 36 hour challenge turned into a 54 hour epic.

Account
Photos

Lakes 24

2009-05-17T02:43:00.000-07:00

An attempt to repeat Chris Upson's 24 Marilyn Challenge, 75 miles, 28,000 feet, 25 hours

Helvellyn - one of the 24 tops

Chris Upson set this challenge in 2003, since when it hasn't been repeated. I decided to change the route and to add a further top to extend the challenge if I had time. The weather was really poor to begin with, but I ran well through the wind and rain, solo to begin with and then with support from High Street onwards. However, the wind began to take it out of me, and I struggled in to the face of a head wind up St. Sunday Crag and Fairfield. The wind didn't let up in the night and the mist came down, which made for a slow traverse of Grasmoor, whilst the thrash up and down Swinside in the dark was as I expected - pretty awful. By Newlands I had lost a lot of time and more importantly energy. The break of day didn't bring about renewed vigour and it began to slip away. Food at Honister did revive me a bit, and for ten minutes I thought I might still make it, but it was not to be. My body said 'no' and I experienced a severe bout of painful hiccups all the way up Gable. By the top it was causing me considerable pain and I'd had enough, since I didn't think I could make it in time to Pillar. So my attempt ended on Gable with just two summit to go.

Chris Upson's Challenge
Schedule

Lakes 3000s, April 2007

2009-04-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

45 miles, 13,000 feet, 11 hours 55 mins

Scafell from the Pike on another day

The Lakes 3000s is a classic circuit done every year as a challenge walk in June. I'd never done it so looking for a decent day out in April, I drove up to Keswick and ran up and down Skiddaw with a bum bag before retireving food and sack from the car and setting off once more. Its a pleasant run along tracks in Borrowdale, and I do like the highway up to Scafell Pike and over to Scafell. I returned via Lords Rake and despite the mist made good time over to Rosset Pass and thence Wythburn. Its a long way back from Helvellyn, but the prospect of chips in Keswick spurred me on and before I knew it I was back at the car. A good day out.

Wainwright Seven, 12 July 2008

2009-02-22T12:22:00.001-08:00

Wainwright Seven, 17 hours 34 mins, 63.8 miles, 18,000 feet

The Wainwright Seven is a circular tour of each of the highest peaks in Wainwright's seven guides to the fells of the Lake District.

Summary
Schedule

Cruachan Classic 6-7 February 2009

2009-02-22T09:54:00.000-08:00

Ben Cruachan to Kingshouse 28 hours 21,500 feet, 44 miles

I'd wanted to try this route in winter for a while and it didn't disappoint. Its a clean line with no roads or civilisation. I completed it solo unsupported from Stob Diamh and just about managed to make it after losing my map in the middle of the night in the middle of a snowstorm, with over 20 miles to go. I would have completed the route within 24 hours if it had not been for this, but the adventure would have been lessened without it!

Full Account
Schedule
Pictures
Bill's Pictures

Castle to Castle January 2009

2009-01-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

A run along the Roman road, 34 miles, 5200 feet, 7 hours 30 mins

For some years I’d contemplated a run along the Roman road,but a perusal of the map one Tuesday provided the inspiration that I’d beensearching for. How about running from Penrith Castle to Kendal castle and take inLowther on the way? I could get thetrain from Oxenholme and make a day of it. The dye was cast and Wednesday morning saw me jogging up from Kendal toOxenholme to catch the 8.30 train.

Kendal Castle - end of the road

The train is a far superior form of transport to the car andI arrived in Penrith in a relaxed frame of mind – that is until I discoveredthat I’d left my map behind. No matter,I took a good look at a map in the bookstore, remembered what I could and setforth. The crisp frost made for abracing start but I was soon in to my stride and the miles passed easily up onto the long ridge that is the Roman road. A keen wind lent a rawness to the morning and I was glad not to be alegionnaire in a friendless landscape. The summits pass quickly in this part of the Lakes such is the relativeflatness of the terrain, but the lack of contours can also make for a rathermonotonous plod. The enveloping mist,strong headwind and lack of company emphasized the drabness of winter on a daysuch as this. Even the snow was wet,melting and grey. The walkers that I meton the way didn’t appear to be enjoying it very much and there was littlereason to linger on High Street. Yetonce out of the clinging mist, the rollercoaster ridge of Ill Bell lifted mymood and the ensuing jog in familiar hills was lent a special quality by beingpart of something bigger. There is apeculiar satisfaction in identifying a pleasing line of the map and followingit to its conclusion. The Roman Road is avery obvious and pure line, with a good pre-amble by the Eden and finishing with a delightful crossingof Kentmere and Potter Fell. This is myhome territory and two miles would have seen me home, but instead I was boundfor Bowston, the Dales Wayand the River Kent leading in to Kendal. As darkness fell, I made the last ascent of the day up to the castle,gloriously lit against the night sky, with the myriad of lights dottedbelow. It had been a good day.

The Route

Penrith Castle – Lowther Castle – Askham – Arthurs Pike –Loadpot Hill – High Raise – Rampsgill Head – High Street – Thornythwaite Beacon– Froswick – Ill Bell – Yoke – Sour Howes – Ullthwaite bridge – Staveley Head –Potter Tarn – Bowston – Burneside – Kendal Castle.

Cumbrian Traverse

2008-10-18T03:29:00.000-07:00

33 miles, 11,500 feet, 9 hours 19 mins, solo unsupported

On the way up to Crinkle Crags on a much nicer day

As its name suggests, this route traverses the Cumbrian mountains from Broughton Mills to Keswick. Its a very pleasant, varied route, whose main difficulty lies in arranging transport. I elected to leave my car at Broughton Mills and to get the bus back from Keswick, picking up the car the following day. I say the route is pleasant, but the day which I had chosen was not. On a dark morning in October with rain lashing the car windows, it wasn't a pleasant prospect at all. The weather didn't improve until coming off Green gable, which meant several hours of gale force winds, driving rain and an absence of views. I struggled to keep on my feet on Swirl How and was quickly wet. Nevertheless, it made an enjoyable outing (in a perverse sort of a way) and the view over Derwentwater was all that more special as I ran off Maiden Moor.

Details (Go Far web site)

Ultra Trail Mont Blanc 2008

2008-08-30T12:54:00.000-07:00

A second go at the UTMB, 103 miles, 29,000 feet, 28 hours 30 mins

After the painful experience of 2007, I was determined to get more out of the UTMB, this time not injured before I'd even started. I warmed up in good style by walking the Walkers Haute Route with my (then) 7 year old son, Ben. We added half a dozen little peaks and with me carrying all the gear for 13 days and ascending to 3600m, it proved to be very good preparation. After a day hanging around in Chamonix I was ready.


A future contender?

This time I was careful not to get jammed in right at the back but didn't get caught up in the rush either. Running felt strange after two weeks walking and I was undoubtedly a bit slower than in 2007. However, once I'd made it to Les Contamines I'd settled in to a nice pace and enjoyed the warm evening. I felt much better than before ascending the Bonhomme Pass and was surprised to bump into Jez Bragg at the rest staion. He was having stomach problems so was happy to jog alongside me through the night. It was good to be able to chat on the long climb up to the next pass and beyond. I left Jez descending into Courmayeur, but he turned up not long after and left well before me. I had a massage and plenty to eat, but in retrospect spent far too long here (about 25 minutes) as I don't think it really benefited me. Still, I made good time up to the hut and from there on kept overtaking runners. A guy passed me going up to the Grand Col Ferret and from there on I really struggled to run, feeling pretty wretched and having a sore knee. I was therefore amazed to pass a few people and to catch up with the Spaniard who'd zoomed ahead of me. This gave me hope and for the next 20 miles or so I more or less kept with the Spaniard.

I'd anticipated meeting my wife and son before Champex, but they struggled to get there in time on the bus, so I just carried on and met them at Champex. They told me that I wasn't far behind Jez and the place was pretty empty which was a good sign. I made good time over Bovine, passing more runners and was 43rd coming into Trient. I managed okay on the next ascent but then really struggled with my knee again descending and fell behind. I left Vallorcine with a guy from Hong Kong, but just couldn't keep it going on the long ascent up the Aiguilles Rouges. I felt terrible and had to keep stopping. It was so disappointing as I'd kept up the pace so well up until that point. Some runners caught up with me that I'd thought I'd left way behind and hadn't seen for a long, long time, but once up I shuffled along as best I could. I just about managed to keep in touch with the third woman, and although she got away from em, I passed her right at the end. Gary came out to run with me as I reached the fringes of Chamonix and before I knew it I was running up the finish line, Alison in one hand, Ben in the other. It was an emotional moment as the crowds cheered and the lights flashed. I'd lost about an hour and perhaps 18 places at the end, but overall I was pleased. The finish was a real spectacle at 11pm - nothing like the anticlimax of crawling to the line at 7am with no-one around. This time the crowds were in full voice and at last I could stop.

Photos

Cairngorm Tops July 2008

2008-07-28T14:08:00.000-07:00

A failed attempt on all 51 Cairngorm tops, 74 miles and 23,800 feet completed, 34 hours 40 minutes

Prior to the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, I reckoned I had time for one more long run. As far as I was aware, no-one had completed all the tops of the Northern Cairngorms and I could see why. Its a pretty long day out at almost 90 miles and with around 28,000 feet of ascent so I reckoned that it would probably take me more than 24 hours without support and having to carry everything.

Me on Cairngorm - the last major peak

The previous evening I trekked up to Ryvoan Bothy and had a pleasant evening until some lads turned up and lit a blazing fire that was quite unnecessary in the middle of July and caused me to overheat in my bag. As a result I didn't sleep too well and was a bit groggy in the morning. I set off at 7:45 on a sultry overcast day. Bynack More passed easily enough, then I crossed over Creag Mhor to Faindouran before trotting down the track to pick up the Eastern outliers of Ben Avon. I took a short-cut over the river which proved to be a mistake as my feet naturally became sopping wet and subsequently burnt up in the heat of the following day.

The slopes up from the River Avon are pretty tiresome in the height of summer - deep heather and no trods to speak of. I therefore laboured a bit until it became fresher on the summit plateau. Soon it was to become too fresh. In fact it lashed it down with cold rain whilst the mist rolled in and it was pretty miserable all in all. I became cold and wet and couldn't see anything. It was also quite difficult to find the little tops of Ben Avon and Beinn a Bhuird and the route began to lose appeal. I felt that I was peak bagging for the sake of it, but the challenge had been set so I carried on. After zig-zagging across the plateau for a considerable while, the sun came out and all was well again. Even the heather bashing up Beinn Bhreac failed to dampen my spirits too much and onc over the Moine Mor, the great boggy plateau, I could look forward to the best of the Gorms - the wild corries of Beinn Mheadhoin and ben Macdhui.

However, time had rolled on and I could see that I would not make Corrour by nightfall which would mean a tricky descent in the dark. For now though, the quality of the evening light was superb as I tracked up and down, picking up the little tops. By Derry Cairngorm it was properly dark and difficult to keep up a good pace over the boulders, especially as the mist had descended and route-finding was slow and painstaking. Ben Macdhui seemed to take an age and my feet were beginning to become very painful. I shuffled along to Carn a Mhaim contemplating the descent. In the dark and not knowing the gully down to Corrour, I elected to go down the ridge a little and then strike off down the heathery slopes. This didn't proove to be the best of plans as the slopes were both heathery and littered with boulders - a poor combination in the dark and with problematic feet.

By Corrour, it was getting light rather than dark, as I'd taken so long in the misty night with my stinging feet. I felt sick and de-motivated so rested awhile outside the bothy. The Devils Point passed okay, but the long slope up to Cairn Toul was very testing. On the top I decided to stop and look at those feet. What I saw appalled me (and I am used to nasty feet and toes). The soles of my feet were a rubbery mass and the toes were oozing yellow pus. No wonder I could hardly walk! I did the best I could to patch up my feet, had a couple of painkillers for breakfast and hobbled on. By Angels Peak I knew the game was up. I couldn't contemplate the long loop out to Monadh Mor and Sgoran Dubh. I could barely walk and at that pace I might take a week.

But it was a lovely hot day and once I'd got used to the idea of just shuffling over Braeriach and back to the bothy, I began to enjoy it. I developed a technique of keeping some of my weight off the painful areas of my feet, and shuffled a little more effectively. By the Lairg Ghru I'd improved to the extent that I thought I could even manage the ascent up Lurchers and on to Cairngorm. So thats what I did, meeting the first people for a day near Cairngorm, from where I made the long slow descent to Ryvoan.

So in one sense it was a failure - I hadn't even got round, let alone completed in anything like 24 hours. But in another, I'd won the day. I'd kept going, I'd completed a long round in wild country and had bagged a few new tops, and above all, I'd managed to enjoy it even with my trashed feet. But I won't be back for a repeat. Its not a good line and there are better challenges to be had in the British Isles. I'll look forward to those.

Schedule

Welsh 3000s Aged Six, 3 May 2008

2008-05-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Ben completes Welsh 3000s in an 18 hour day, 12,000 feet, 28 miles

My son Ben showed admirable endurance for a six year old to complete the Welsh 3000s in a day. After an exceptionally tiresome 5 hour journey on Friday night we walked in to Llyn Llydaw and camped on a mudflat. Ben's normal bedtime is 7pm, so the 10.30 pm arrival time wasn't what I had been planning, but at least we didn't have to worry about light keeping us awake! Six hours later Ben was a little reluctant to get up, but was chirpy enough by the time we set off up steep grass slopes to Bwlch y Moch. He seemed a little less sure than the last time we traversed the knife edge, but nevertheless enjoyed the scramble and the this set the tone for the day - a steady pace uphill and slow on the rocky descents. This was entirely understandable on the final drop off to Nant Peris, as I mistakenly chose a precipitous gully which looks horrendous on the map and is every bit as bad as it looks: 45 degree heather reaching up to Ben's chest with steeper ground to the side and underlain by slates. I don't think that it will get a mention in any books on walking with children, but it did provide much entertainment as Ben followed my instruction to let himself slide down grasping the heather as he went. The grass beneath allowed him to slide on his bottom so may be it should feature in fun walks with kids,but then again ... Down by the river an idyllic sward of grass made for a delightful picnic spot, before the real toil of the steep grassy slopes of Elidir. Diversionary chatter dealt with that and more dialogue about dinosaurs, parties and computer games eased us over Y Garn and Glyder Fawr. The climbing gene must be deeply entrenched in my son because he wasn't to be fobbed off with going round the Castle of The Winds but insisted on mounting the spiky pile, before scrabbling up the enormous boulders of Glyder Fach. Boulders are particularly awkward for young children and the scree beside Bristly Ridge isn't much easier, so this and the initial descent from Tryfan seemed somewhat painstaking. Still we arrived at Idwal in good spirits courtesy of more mind games (I bet no-ones played virtual computer games around the Welsh 3s before). The steep slopes of Pen yr Ole Wen did provide welcome relief for me from the continual chatter, as even Ben seemed to fall quiet. Once up, though, he resumed the banter and stalwart marching over the broad back of the Carneddau without so much as a hint of 'are we nearly there yet'. Only on Foel Fras, the last top, did he lose interest and that seemed to have as much to do with the time of day as anything. Two hours after bed time and still up on the tops. There's only so much a boy can take, and when he's had enough he wants his Mum. In the encroaching dark, Ben had reached that point so it was with some relief that we eventually arrived at the waiting car, 18 hours after starting, a proud Dad and a minute later, a sleeping son.

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Highland Crossing, 19 - 22 December 2007

2007-12-28T06:59:00.000-08:00

A 3 day, 108 mile, 34,500 ascent, midwinter crossing of the Highlands

A solo unsupported traverse of the high peaks from Fort William to Aviemore, alone and unsupported in midwinter.

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> Pictures
> Route and Timings

Completion of Wainwrights, 26 October 2007

2007-11-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

214 Wainwright Tops With Ben, My 6 Year Old Son

On 26 October I finished all 214 Wainwright tops of the Lake District, but more remarkably so did my 6 year old son. In doing so he became the youngest person to achieve this particular challenge , but perhaps more remarkable, is the fact that we only really started bagging the peaks this year and this led to some quite long walks for a 5 or 6 year old - up to 23 miles in fact! Its been a privilege to share this adventure with Ben who has definitely caught the bagging bug. Ben climbed his first Wainwright aged 2 (Lingmoor) and ended on Tarn Crag at the age of 6 years 4 months 27 days. On the way we've climbed Scafell Pike and Great End in conditions of hard neve, backpacked over Scafell, High Street and the Langdales and scrambled up some of the classic ridges. Ben is enthusiastic for more, so I can see another challenge coming next year.

Logbook with links to pictures
Press release
Article

Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, 24-26 August 2007

2007-10-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

100 miles around the Tour Du Mont Blanc with 2200 runners, 29,300 feet, 36 hours 20 mins

All I can say is that I got round! Five 24 hour + outings in four months caught up with me and also the shin splints kicked in to make it a rather painful and slow 'zimmer' in to the finishing line. Great atmosphere, fntastic organisation, classic race

Account
Pictures
Video

Race Web Site

Clachaig Challenge, 23-24 July 2007

2007-08-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Another solo, unsupported round of the Coe/Etive hills - 56 miles, 30,150 feet, 30 hours 11 mins

A rather impromptu attempt to put a better line together around the Glencoe hills, starting and finishing at that fine hostelry, the Clachaig Inn. The ground defies usual calculation of times - I'll be back with slightly moderated ambitions for a 24 hour round. Still made last orders at the Clachaig though as the pictures show.

Article
Schedule
Pictures

Lakes 2500s, 16-18 June 2007

2007-08-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

111 miles, 45,300 feet, 53 hours

This was an attempt on the Nuttall tops above 2500 feet in the Lake District. Something similar was compled by Steve Parr in the 1980s, but surprisingly no-one had repeated the route since. Its actually a very good circuit of over 111 miles and 45000 feet. My first attempt was made solo in glorious, but ultimately too sunny, weather, and ended after 85 miles. The second was successful but very slow due to a repetitive strain injury which kicked in after only 20 miles and steadily got worse. The last few miles was almost a battle between completing and being hospitalised!

> Full Account
> Schedule for May Attempt
> Schedule for June Attempt
> Pictures

Bob Graham, 26 May 2007

2007-05-31T13:59:00.000-07:00

My third BG (four if you count the one 3 minutes over 24 hours), this time in support of Mike Vogler, 65 miles, 26,700 feet, 23 hours 30 mins

How supporting Mike's BG turned in to a hobble round

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> Pictures

Mullardoch Round, 2-3 February 2007

2007-02-07T13:20:00.000-08:00

A classic, remote solo unsupported, on-sight winter's round, 48 miles 6130m, 26 hours 8 mins

This is a serious winter round on which I saw no people, no habited buildings, no roads and apart from a brief distant vista, no lights. I set out alone and carried everything. Highlights were a shooting star, a brocken spectre, the Alpenglow, rock hard neve in the moonlight and shimmering ice. Only the final descent marred a magnificent day.

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Winter Paddy Buckley, 8-9 Dec 2006

2006-12-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

The third in the winter trilogy, 63 miles 29000 feet, 28 hours 15 mins

This round proved to be a bit of a grind with mixed weather and running out of energy after only 9 hours due to an inability to eat. Nevertheless it completed all three classic rounds in the winter and within the space of 12 calendar months.

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Kingshouse, 13 May 2006

2006-05-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Classic round of Glencoe and Etive, 52 miles, 27,700 feet, 28 hours 55 minutes

A superb combination of scramblng and walking/running over very rough and steep ground. Don't be fooled by the relatively short distance. This one's hard!

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> Schedule
> Pictures

Winter Ramsay, 5-7 March 2006

2006-03-22T13:00:00.000-08:00

23 Munro round of Glen Nevis, 60 miles, 28,000 feet, 47 hours 55 minutes

The hardest round I have ever undertaken due to the prevailing conditions which took everything out of me, leaving me halucinating at the end

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> Schedule
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Winter Shiel, February 2006

2006-03-22T12:52:00.000-08:00

A 19 Munro round of Glen Shiel, 40 miles, 23,000 feet, 30 hours, solo unsupported

A very wintery walk round Glen Shiel's hills in fabulous conditions.

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Winter BG, 17 December 2005

2005-12-22T12:50:00.000-08:00

Bob Graham, 65.75 miles, 27,000 feet, 23 hours 54 mins, supported

I finally achieve a Winter BG after my first attempt failed by 5 minutes, 2 years previously. The full story of my 6 attempts is here.

> Full Account
> Schedule of Successful 17 December Attempt
> Pictures
> Schedule of 19 December 2004 Attempt
> Schedule of 6 December 2003 Attempt

Glen Etive, 25-26 June 2005

2005-06-26T14:04:00.000-07:00

57 miles, 30,400 feet, 30 hours 20 mins, solo unsupported on sight

Hill challenges come in many different forms but there can’t be many more all round trials of character than the round of Glen Etive which I circumnavigated on 25/26 June 2005. The bare statistics fail to tell the tale of a truly brutal but magnificent round of:

16 Munros
3 Corbetts
a Marilyn
and numerous other tops

that surround one of Scotland’s finest glens. The round was completed solo, without support and on sight, with just one road crossing where I had pitched the tent in a fine position next to the river. I have rarely been on a long outing of such continuous steep and difficult ground, so that a journal documenting this seemed appropriate as a record of this wild adventure.

> Diary of the Day
> Schedule

40 Tops at 40, 30-31 May 2005

2005-06-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

66 miles, 24,000 feet, 23 hours 45 mins, solo unsupported

If you live in the Lake District, the Bob Graham route can become a bit familiar, and for those who have done it, what next? Does it have to be harder and is it possible to design a route in the Lakes that even approaches the BG for continuity and purity of line? This is my answer to that question. Its a 66 mile route that only shares 3 miles with the BG, being a logical round with no major out and backs. It is a true horseshoe over some of Lakeland’s big and little hills. Just don't treat your toes like I did mine - see picture from the day after.

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> Schedule

Glen Shiel, 25 February 2005

2005-02-26T12:29:00.000-08:00

38 miles, 16,000 feet, 23 hours, solo unsupported on sight.

An unforgettable winter journey, though not what I had planned. The intention was to do Jon Broxap's record breaking Munro round but over 2 or even 3 days. Deep crusty snow put paid to that along with a troublesome crampon strap, but the resulting one day round of Glen Shiel was a magical solo adventure in the deep of winter.

Full Story

Knoydart, August 2004

2004-08-24T12:44:00.000-07:00

55 miles, 26,500 feet, 27 hours 40 mins, solo unsupported on sight circuit of Knoydart's rough hills.

This route is one of the roughest you'll find anywhere in Britain with big ascents and descents following one after another. I completed the round after driving up to the dam at quoich, sleeping for a few hours and then setting out alone not having reccied the route. 27 hours later I returned, had a cat nap and drove home again.

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> Schedule

Welsh Round, July 2004

2004-07-10T12:46:00.000-07:00

63 miles, 26,700 feet, 23 hours and 20 minutes, solo unsupported. The inclusion of the Northern Carneddau 3000 foot peaks adds a further 7 miles and 1300 feet and about 2 hours.

Wanting to amend the classic Paddy Buckley Round in North wales I set about devising an alternative route but logical route that encompassed Crib Goch. It took me three goes, but in the end I managed such a route, ending in dramatic circumstances.

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> Schedule

Ramsay Round, 12-13 July 2003

2003-07-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

60 miles, 28,000 feet, 23 hours 53 mins

The Ramsay Round is the classic Scottish 24 hour round covering 23 Munros (it was 24 until the demotion of Sgurr an Iubhair. First achieved by Charlie Ramsay in 1978, it had only been repeated 28 times when I set forth. For me it proved to be a protracted affair starting in 2000.

>Full Account
>Schedule

Tranter Round, 18-19 December 2002 and 20 April 2003

2003-04-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

38 miles, 20,300 feet, 26 hours 45 minutes, 16 hours 7 minutes, solo unsupported

The Tranter Round is one of the very finest mountain days in the British Isles, Summer or Winter. I was blessed with two magnificent days that will remain with me always. The immensity of the night sky, the sharp, rocky crests, the rising and setting of the sun, the huge moon, the solitude, the pain, the precious gift of the moment, the flow of continual movement and the self reliance. Truly, these are things that can never be earned or bought: they are life’s diamonds.

Full Account

Bob Graham, 20-21 June 1998

1998-06-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

65 miles, 27,000 feet, 23 hours 57 mins

This is the culprit that enticed in to fell running and long distance challenges in particular. Moving to the Lakes the year before meant that I had become of the challenge and being a fit walker and mountaineer, decided that I stood a chance. 6 weeks of 'training' - mainly very slow runs in the mist - and I was 'ready'. To this day I'm not sure how I got round. I did everything wrong - started off too fast, didn't eat or drink enough, my support ran off in to the distance when I needed them and the weather took a turn for the worse. However I did make it - just.

>Full Account
>Schedule