How(gills) Wet Was That!

The rolling assembly for Sunday's outing worked to schedule and the four of us (TF [instigator and driver], SN, YJ and self) left Bamber Bridge for the Howgills bob on time at 08:00 hours. A brief comfort break part way had been programmed in and we reached our launch point near Fairmile Bridge, betwixt the M6 and the Howgill massif, well before our target 'feet on fell' time of 10:00 hours and we actually set off 15 minutes early at 09:45.

The forecast had been for heavy  rain from the outset, but initially we were only faced with fine drizzle. The first stiff climb affected a number of calves but we persevered and were soon rewarded with a fine view of Black Force, a feature not typical of the main rolling contours of most of the Howgills:-

We skirted the top of the Force and swung south to Breaks Head. By then both the wind and the rain had become more severe and despite us all being well clothed we opted for discretion and veered south west back to our starting point, passing over Fell Head, the highest point on our route at a little over 2,000ft:-

We were out for just about two and a half hours and covered a little over 5 miles, so not a mega outing, but a challenging and exhilarating one nevertheless.

Many thanks to all my companions, especially TF for playing the part of mover and shaker (is that what they say?). I think our appetites have been whetted and we will be back as soon as we can expect some better weather.

For those that haven't already guessed, the above photos were not taken on this outing!

Saturday 7th January

A few pics from this morning's outing - atmospheric conditions, good craic, coffee and chocs at the end - what's not to like :)

 

Howgills - Sunday 15th January

For our delectation, TF is mustering an assault on the west flank of the Howgills massif, on Sunday 15th January.

This is just an early warning, I'm hoping TF will provide further information.

Essentially, troops are to muster at SD 630 980, just north of Fairmile Gate, in time to hit the fell at 10:00 a.m sharp. The route is 11.5  km, which can be shortened to 8 km, so not an overlong day. We climb to over 2,000 ft (nice mix of metric and imperial here), so if we get a clear day expect some good views.

 We already have one car nearly full, are we to expect one from Settle? 

For further details, comment on this post.

Stan Bradshaw recce

The Stan Bradshaw round is on Saturday March 4th. Does anyone fancy a recce before then?

Giant's Tooth Fell Race Sun 1st Jan 2017

It's been a while since I've done a race report, so I'd thought I would set the ball rolling with the first one of the year.

This race had been recommended to me a number of years ago, but have only just now got round to giving it a go. A 3m race sort of suited my current level of fitness. I'm not sure my fitness will improve much if I keep managing to get the car parked virtually on the start line like I did for this race though!

The route is essentially one lap through the woods that surrounds the Ogden Reservoir (between Halifax and Keighley)

The Giant's Tooth is reach at the top right corner and looks like this

The least 'tooth-like' structure that I've ever seen and I've seen a few!!

It's a pretty runnable route except for the bits I walked (told you I was unfit), but managed in under 40mins, didn't fall over and wasn't last. 

Results are here http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/results.php?id=3834

Not much else to say other than I enjoyed it and would do it again.

TF

New Year Celebrations

Happy 2017 to you all.
A few of us will be repeating the Christmas festivities this Saturday - 7th January 2017- by welcoming the New Year and celebrating a few birthdays at the Bowling Green cafe, Rivington at 11am. Everyone welcome and those wishing to walk, jog, run, skip or hop beforehand should meet either at 9am in the car park opposite the cafe, or at 8.30am at the bottom barn.
Hope to see you there.

Two 'Lads' on Two Lads

Just the Iceman and  I UTUPped on Christmas Eve, but we had an enjoyable, if slightly wind battered, run over  the Pike, Two Lads and the Trig Point, before returning to the barn for light refreshments.

No caption competition for this one, as the photographer has already provided one, unless you can do better:-

Christmas Running

Saturday 24th - I'll be UTUPing, anything up to three hours, or less,with time for coffee at the Barn.

Wednesday 28th - LTUP = later time, usual place., 9:00 at the Bottom Barn, perhaps one and a half hours, followed by coffee.

Season's Greetings

The Lord of Brentford and SWINW would like to wish all our friends in wfdbwgua a very happy and holy Christmas. As is our wont, we will be be giving a donation to charity rather than send cards; this year's charity is the Yorkshire Cancer Centre.

Christmas Run

A few pics given the fabulous conditions as EtU, YJ and I climbed through the inversion and into the sunny uplands of Winter Hill summit.  An enjoyable morning finished off with refreshments in the Bowling Green cafe :)

 

Add caption

Christmas bonus

SWINW wanted to visit her sister before Christmas, so I contacted EtU to see if he fancied a short run this morning whilst the ladies went shopping.
A trot up the Pike was followed by a descent to George's Lane, then down accross a field, over a gate into the woods above the Devil's Steps. There followed some fairly desperate manoeuvres in the bushes ( for further details apply to EtU) before we reached the concrete path and a pleasant jog back to the barn.
An enjoyable morning out made Ben better by discovering that SWINW had not spent a fortune!

Christmas Outing - Saturday 17th December

All welcome to come along for a festive fun run tomorrow.  Options are UTUP or a slightly later start at 9.00am  from car park adjacent to Rivington primary school.  The two parties will meet for coffee at  Rivington Bowling Green cafe at 11.00am.  Be good to see you :)

Christmas Card

Hi everyone,

Thank you to those of you who have sent me and Duncan a Christmas card.  This year, we will not be sending cards (mainly because I haven't even bought any yet and can't find a spare two minutes to do anything at the minute!) and are instead making a donation to the Bolton Destitute Animal Shelter. 

I have therefore designed an e-card for you all which can be accessed on the below link.  Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to work on smart phones and requires Flash player but hopefully you'll be able to view it on your PC.

http://www.ecards.co.uk/card/receive/2016_3HFGCo47UJyrSnHy2rQZ9kIe

Hope you all have a lovely Christmas and all the best for the New Year!

Here's hoping 2017 brings us all some great running adventures!

Christa and Duncan x

Howgill Heaven

As regular readers will know, one of the many advantages of living in Settle is that I now have two hareems. ( For any new readers, I must explain that this is not due to my being irresistible to women but is due to my being retired and therefore able to run on a weekday).
One of my hareems meets every Thursday morning in term time and last week we drove up to Sedbergh to run on the Howgills. I had done a race from Sedbergh but I was not otherwise familiar with the area. It turned out that I was in for a very pleasant surprise. The initial climb was steep but runnable (think of Foxholes with a non tarmac surface) but once on the tops there were miles of rounded hills with nice tracks

We climbed Arant Haw, Calders, The Calf, Bram Hill Top and Winder, before the steep drop back into Sedbergh for tea and cake ( the Thursday Hareems is very keen on tea and cake). 

So if you don't know the area, I do strongly recommend it. Perhaps one of EtU's tours is needed.

Special offer for Guided Two Crosses Challenge

I have decided to offer my services in guiding you round the Two Crosses Circuit Challenge on March 19th. This is at a bargain one-time offer of only £99.50pp. This of course excludes entry fee of £10 (advance), £12 OTD but I will buy you a drink (usually fine whisky and sherry stocked) at Check-point 7 (the Naughty Corner). PS Don't tell them they are free! 
As suggested earlier, it would be a great idea to develop into guided tours of Coope's Dozen (could add an extra £30 by including a T-shirt).

http://www.mountainrun.co.uk/guided-bob-graham-rounds

had to happen some day!

Winter Solstice/Christmas Do

I'm making arrangements for Friday 9th December, please can you let me  know whether you will be coming and if so, with how many?

Three Peaks run

Weather conditions were perfect for running last Saturday, although a combination of heavy overnight rain and snow melt made for very soft going indeed. I set off from Horton with my friends Rachel and Steve and we summited Pen y Ghent in 50 mins

The long run over to Ribblehead was easy but very muddy. Steve peeled off at High Birkwith as he had to get back to work, and Rachel and I carried on to Ribblehead where we were met by Anne with tea, soup and dry clothes.
Rachel went home and was replaced by Roisin (who some of you have met as she did all three of the Curleys' races earlier in the year). Roisin is a National Trust ranger and we spent much of the ascent of Whernside talking about their plans for Malham Tarn - tree planting, introducing water voles, volunteers, to name but a few. We summited at about 12.45 but struggled a bit on the descent as the flags that have been put down to combat erosion were very slippy indeed.

 We reached the Hill Inn about 15 mins down on schedule to be met by Roisin's husband Jake, and my friends Mark and Sue.
More tea, and a change of shoes, and I was off, this time on my own on the ascent of Ingleborough. I found the last steep bit very hard work and visibility was very poor on the summit plateau. After the obligatory photo, I set off for Horton.

By now I was feeling tired and the descent seemed to go on for ever. However, as soon as I dropped out of the mist I was met by Julia who had run up from Horton, and a bit further down by Claire who had done the same. Now when you are tired I can strongly recommend the company of two young cheerful ladies as after they joined me the time flew by and we were back in Horton, tired but happy.

Just over 6 hours running, 24.5 miles and 5000ft of climbing. A grand day out.

Three Peaks

I am going to run the Three Peaks next Saturday (November 12th). If anyone wants to join me, you are most welcome

November 2016 - My Plans for Saturday Mornings

5th - UTUP

12th - Haigh Hall Park Run

19th - UTUP

26th - UTUP

Grateful for company on any of these.