Packing it all in- as it were!

Having helped on John’s 70@70, we had a week of extreme weather ranging from heavy snow on the Ben, albeit we were in the Ben Nevis Inn at the time, to blistering heat at Ennerdale.   We learned later that on Sunday a young French hillwalker perished on the tourist track on Ben Nevis in the appalling conditions.  Although well equipped he was suffering from hypothermia and despite being evacuated off the hill, efforts to revive him on reaching hospital were unsuccessful.

Anyway our week’s adventures started in the Dales at Gargrave at 3.00am on Sunday morning when FSS set off to accompany YJ on the first of his 23 miles of 70 in not great conditions.  I met them at a couple of road crossings, but with the car being blown all over the place, I was glad I wasn’t out on the moor overnight.

Ready for the off

End of second leg just over M61 bridge “So where’s my coffee…     and your trousers are?”

It was great to run the second leg with YJ and TF even ‘though the driving wind and bitterly cold temperatures coupled with squally showers made for heavy going.  I was glad to climb into dry clothes and a warm car for the journey to Scotland.

It’s tough doing support you know

Looking down Loch Leven with the Pap of Glen Coe on the left

As you can see dramatic weather North of the border – and this was the good day.  Plenty of extreme water events.

 

Our plan was to travel back to the Lakes on Friday, but the forecast for Wed and Thurs was appalling and there seemed little point in mooching about and then travelling on the only decent day on the horizon.  So having packed up we spent Wed heading back to Keswick and a little light shopping before heading to High Moss in the Duddon Valley.  Great move as Thurs and Fri were great days.

 

Lank Rigg, above Ennerdale before the cloud cleared to brilliant sunshine.

FSS and new club mate Sarah finishing 4th lady at Ennerdale

Two lady Horwich runners (Rachel and Geraldine) at Ennerdale, no chaps but a heap of Bowland fellrunners and three hardy Lostock Lads made it round the course.   Bit of a do Sat night at High Moss to celebrate two Rucksack friends wedding.  

Fantastic week of hills and wonderful and varied company – what it’s all about.  Leaving High Moss early Sunday morning we followed a rather familiar car sneaking out of the Duddon Valley before taking the road to Wasdale – you’ll be glad the race is back on after all that reccying TF

NLN