DARK PEAK NEWS - Dark Peak Fell Runners

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Dark Peak News October 2007 page 22The only other stipulation that Wimbush suggested was to cross the A57 Sheffield toManchester road in two particular places, (on the outward and return journeys), one overthe Snake summit and the other crossing near the Snake Inn.My own accountHaving been considering this route for a little while now - ever since two Dark Peakfriends managed a winter traverse - I decided to have a go on May 9 th , but for convenienceand transport purposes chose to start and finish at Fairholmes car park.With daylight justdawning and a chill in the air, I left the car at 5am. I was soon cursing the weight of myrucksack, but realised that it was likely that much of the storehouse of energy-givinggels, sarnies, chocolate bars, and litres of drink was likely to be consumed during theday’s journey. And traversing the route solo, I thought it wise to carry enough warm gearto deal with any unforeseen mishaps.I didn’t see another soul on the fells until I arrived at Black Hill after I had beengoing five hours and 20 minutes. The ascent to the first of the tops unfolded reasonably,interspersed with loo stops, (getting the system going!), and putting on and taking offthe Pertex top to get the temperature right. A slight mist enfolded High Stones as Iarrived, underlining a sense of splendid isolation, (one hour and fifteen minutes). Thebreeze was also decidedly fresh.I then followed the high level route of the Derwent Watershed, taking me via MargeryHill, Outer Edge, Howden Edge and Shepherds Meeting Stone, and descended into theWoodhead Pass via Far Black Clough. The traffic on the Woodhead Pass was horrendous,after having been in silence for several hours.I then took an impure fell running line up the A6024, (well, I am a veteran and 40 milesis still a long way!) I branched west across themoors at Holme Moss mast to Black Hill. Ashort break there of ten minutes and a hamand beetroot sandwich revived my spirits,as did meeting up with a fell runner whotops this particular hill three times a weekin his training schedule. I reached the thirdtop, Black Chew Head, at 11. 15.am.Next came the section that I hadn’t reallybeen looking forward to - the long traverseacross Bleaklow followed by crossing theroad at Snake summit and finally, via MillHill and Kinder Gates, to reach the fourthtop, on Kinder Scout. Climbing up Torside from the Woodhead reservoir was not aspainful as I had expected it to be- probably because I wasn’t under the pressure ofattempting to race up it - as in the Marsden to Edale fell race. This climb set the pace forthe rest of the journey. Slow.Over Bleaklow, I met two walkers bravely setting out on the Pennine Way with largerucksacks and bundles of optimism. I hope the rain that came down later in the daydidn’t dampen their ardour.
Dark Peak News October 2007 page 23Finally, I reached Kinder Low at 4pm, having discovered, whilst putting on a heavieranorak with the approaching rain, that mobile telephone reception was possible atKinder Downfall. I rang home to let them know I was OK.My pace had slowed by now and the trek back to Fairholmes via Edale was beginningto feel a long way. I opted again for the low level, (aging veteran’s), route that promiseda beer stop in Edale, I finally hauled back into Fairholmes via Hope Cross and HaggFarm at 7.35pm.I greedily consumed a hot bath and a good meal when I got home, having completedthe circuit in 14 hours, 35 minutes.If you would like to sponsor this run in the Derbyshire hills, despite its retrospectivenature, then please contact me at: email@colinlago.co.uk All contributions made to St.Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield. Many thanks.Colin LagoSDC Cumbrian Traverse, 23-24 July 2006Late last July, a select little group of friends legged it over a lot of Lake District Hillsfor fun on a route known as the SDC Cumbrian Traverse. The run was devised by Dickand Sue Courchee and includes 21 tops, 46k and 3700ft of ascent (ref: The FellrunnerFeb 2006).Dick Pasley, Alison Shepherd, Alan Yates and me, ably supported at road crossingsby Colin Henson and Alison’s Dad, (Roy), had one hell of a time not only on the route,but also during the more restful pre-event supper, victory dinner and morning-afterdeliberations.In the true spirit of adventure the preparations consisted of the best Cumberlandsausage in the Lakes, (including gravy!), at The Newfield Inn, Seathwaite, several pintsof Hawkshead best bitter, a few hours kip in High Moss, the Rucksack Club hut, andthen up at 4.30am to Dick’s finest hand-made porridge.The start from Broughton Mills at 6.15am was incredible. The Lakes at their best –early morning light, warm breeze and scenery to rival anything I’ve seen anywhere.The Broughton Fells are superb, with grand little summits and grassy paths, and nobodyelse around. In fact we didn’t see anyone else until the Old Man of Coniston. Apartfrom a brief rice pudding stop on Caw we maintained a good pace until finally leavingthe Duddon Valley views at Great Carrs, we turned and skipped gleefully down to theThree Shire Stone at Wrynose Pass. Obvious signs of supporter revelry were evident:Colin and Roy each with a ‘post-fry-up’ grin provided us with cups of tea whilstunsuccessfully trying to conceal a rather large frying pan.The next leg is long – no support until Honister and the day was warming upconsiderably. Alan took a better line than the rest of us to Cold Pike; we unintentionallycircumnavigated Red Tarn but joined him rather embarrassedly to much chortling onthe summit some five minutes later. By Crinkle Crags it was stinking hot and water wasgetting low. A brief stop before Bowfell then on through the rocky ground to Esk Hause,
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DARK PEAK NEWS - Dark Peak Fell Runners

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