One debate that I've had going on for awhile is whether to wear boots or shoes.
I'm getting different opinions on this depending on the background where people come from.
Boots - suggest by MRT member that they reduce the risk of injury and if I did do over on my ankle, more likely that I would have less problems continuing.
Shoes - because of my background in fellrunning and relative lack of ankle injuries over the years (in 25 years, two sustained whilst running and one while not), I should have natural strength in my ankles which boots would reduce, therefore causing more problems than they solve.
I currently walk in either Columbia Pinas which I bought in the States a few years ago as an emergency purchase (ok for the odd walk) or Karrimoor Pyramid Wethertite shoes which I bought for winter walking when I didn't want to wear boots. I'm not convinced that they are suitable for 50 days walking of up to 10 hours a day. I also have a pair of cheapish (£40) Hi-Tec Knysna Mid boots which were fine for my 20 mile fast walk over Helvellyn and Thornthwaite Crag at Easter.
I'd obviously welcome any comments gained from experience. I'll also post in relevant forums. Some people have even suggested that I wear trail running shoes such as some of the Inov8 range (I usually wear mudclaw 330s for fellracing).
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Week 24 - Finally bought a tent
After returning from the Lakes I fancied testing my pace out in a race. I was a bit too busy on Saturday, so on Sunday found the Gin Pit 5 over at Tyldesley. Although the the twice-yearly race has been going a few years and is only a 25 minute drive away, this was the first time I'd entered this 5 mile park trail race. On an undulating course, I'd set my usual targets as mssrs Bland and Murray from the club and at 3 miles was getting quite close to catching Paul but the final two miles revealed the lack of speed in my legs. Nevertheless, very happy with a time of 36:10 which I would have got nowhere near 12 months ago.
A couple of runs over Winter Hill on Tuesday sandwiched a solo walk from Abbey Village through Tockholes Woods and up to to Darwen Tower on Wednesday. This was after I'd finally purchased a suitable tent and cooking equipment.
I'd just about decided that I'd go with the Vango Ultralite 100
after reading various reviews and comments (some favourable some not too happy), decided that at £70/£90, I would take the risk rather than spending £250-£300 on a Terra Nova which also has issues because of their lightness. I realised that Outdoor Action was the outdoor shop in Blackburn that I've used quite frequently over the years, so I contacted them, initially to find out if there were any significant differences between the 2008 and 2009 models. The guy at the shop who responded was extemely helpful and as it was midweek arranged to get one from the warehouse for me so it could be erected in the shop as there wasn't one currently on display. When I got there, not only had he got the Ultralite but also a couple of alternatives they'd acquired as exhibition models from the manufacturer. He was very happy with the Ultralite which he owned and used regularly and described how to ensure the airflow was effective (the main source of negative comments on the web) but he reckoned that the Force Ten Vitesse would be be even better for the trip provided I was happy with its design that uses two vertical poles in a ridge tent. The main reason was that the slight increase in weight offered considerable extra durability, especially on the groundshee. At 1·3Kg, I felt it is sufficiently light. I've had a few goes and setting it up on the lawn and packing it away and both can be done (even by me) in less than 5 minutes. 
I also took the opportunity to sort out cooking equipment and chose a Gelert PZ micro - at 88g this nicely fits along with a 220g gas canister into the Optimus Terra Weekend Cookset. I had been considering the Jetboil or Pocket Rocket stoves but decided their limitations outweighed their strong points.
The week was completed by a four mile road run on Saturday followed by the Radcliffe 10k Trail Race on Sunday. Again I tired after about 3 miles but if the course is accurately measured, my time is better than I've done for many years, taking into account the pot-holes and generally rough tracks of the route.
Totals for the week was slightly short on mileage and slightly up on ascent but well ahead for the month so far.
A couple of runs over Winter Hill on Tuesday sandwiched a solo walk from Abbey Village through Tockholes Woods and up to to Darwen Tower on Wednesday. This was after I'd finally purchased a suitable tent and cooking equipment.
I'd just about decided that I'd go with the Vango Ultralite 100
after reading various reviews and comments (some favourable some not too happy), decided that at £70/£90, I would take the risk rather than spending £250-£300 on a Terra Nova which also has issues because of their lightness. I realised that Outdoor Action was the outdoor shop in Blackburn that I've used quite frequently over the years, so I contacted them, initially to find out if there were any significant differences between the 2008 and 2009 models. The guy at the shop who responded was extemely helpful and as it was midweek arranged to get one from the warehouse for me so it could be erected in the shop as there wasn't one currently on display. When I got there, not only had he got the Ultralite but also a couple of alternatives they'd acquired as exhibition models from the manufacturer. He was very happy with the Ultralite which he owned and used regularly and described how to ensure the airflow was effective (the main source of negative comments on the web) but he reckoned that the Force Ten Vitesse would be be even better for the trip provided I was happy with its design that uses two vertical poles in a ridge tent. The main reason was that the slight increase in weight offered considerable extra durability, especially on the groundshee. At 1·3Kg, I felt it is sufficiently light. I've had a few goes and setting it up on the lawn and packing it away and both can be done (even by me) in less than 5 minutes. 
I also took the opportunity to sort out cooking equipment and chose a Gelert PZ micro - at 88g this nicely fits along with a 220g gas canister into the Optimus Terra Weekend Cookset. I had been considering the Jetboil or Pocket Rocket stoves but decided their limitations outweighed their strong points.
The week was completed by a four mile road run on Saturday followed by the Radcliffe 10k Trail Race on Sunday. Again I tired after about 3 miles but if the course is accurately measured, my time is better than I've done for many years, taking into account the pot-holes and generally rough tracks of the route.
Totals for the week was slightly short on mileage and slightly up on ascent but well ahead for the month so far.
Sunday 11 April 2010
A Solid Week in the Lakes
A week based in a cottage a mile north of Staveley gave me opportunity for some good walking and running on the Lake District mountains. It also gave opportunity for some good drinking and eating as Staveley is the home to Hawkshead Brewery.
After crawling through the traffic to pick up the keys from the offices in Windermere (not very eco-friendly to expect you to drive into Windermere on a Bank Holiday when you've specifically picked a cottage that avoids the most crowded areas), Julie and I reached our meeting point with our eldest daughter and her fiancé at the Eagle and Child where we had an excellent value lunch.
Once we'd settled into the cottage, Diane, Neal and I went for a run up the road to Kentmere of just over six miles.
A nice walk with Julie and Josh (the dog) on Saturday morning was followed by lunchtime at the Brewery Beer Hall and a late afternoon 6 mile fell run.
The weather was fine on Sunday for a long run up to Kentmere and then the Horseshoe route although I did shorten it by coming back along the valley route from the shelter at the col - still that brought in 17 miles and 2900ft of climb.
Monday was a bit of a rest day and Tuesday just a short road run up the other side of the valley which did offer a good climb. A fair bit of rain had come down as can be seen by the state of the River Kent.
On Wednesday I had planned a long run over to Longsleddale, up to the corner of Haweswater then back via the col at the top of the Kentmere Valley. However, a last minute change of plan was to take up the offer of a lift from Diane and Neal who were driving over to Derwentwater to recce the cycle leg of the Keswick Triathlon on their bikes. So I looked at the maps and decided to get dropped off at Wythburn and then walk back via Helvellyn, down to Glenridding, make my way down the valley to Hartsop and then head home via the High Street Ridge. I knew it would be a good long walk. I also intended doing it with a fullish pack - no exact weight but I estimate about 11kg.
The ascent to Helvellyn was straightforward. I set off about 11am and the pack initially felt heavy but as soon as it was on, posed no problems whatsoever and in no time I was overtaking everyone on the ascent. Tried out my yaktrax on the snow and they were great and only took a couple of minutes to fit (being on the cusp between sizes makes them a tight fit!) Lunch at the top at 12.30 in glorious sunshine with stunning views in every direction - Windermere, Lagdales/Scafell Pike, Thirlmere, Skiddaw/Blencathra, Ullswater - as you can see below.
I had planned to descend via Swirral Edge but when I got there the group in front of me had decided not to risk it and as I saw the difficulty that those ascending were having, made the same decision. two choices head bak and come back via Grisedale Tarn or north over Lower Man and White Side following the old pony route. I chose the latter but instead of diligently calculating my route, followed them and we all overshot the path, heading down past Brownstone Crags. I reckon I lost an hour so it was soon heading for half past two descending from Lower Man. The route back to Glenridding is easy but long so it was four o'clock by the time I reached the village. People must have wondered why I was descending at such a pace rather than enjoying the views more. A quick stock up with bananas and kitkat from the village store and then down the road to head for Hartsop.
Luckily you can come off the main road just to the south of the White Lion and head over to Rooking and a footpath that takes you down to Hartsop. It was still over an hour's walk including a break for coffee and kit-kat. Walked through the almost deserted car-park at 5.20 to head up along Pasture Beck with a target to reach Thornthwaite Crag by 6.30. This I achieved but it is fair old climb over the later sections, especially when there is no-one in sight.
It was still worth a minute or so to use my phone camera for the view over towards Windermere.
Of course when you get to the top of Thornthwaite Crag it is still a fair few miles along the ridge before you can head down to Kentmere. Luckily my improving fitness meant that I was able to jog along much of the ridge and remembered the route down through Buck Crag from Sunday.
I just made it to the latter end of Garburn Pass with dusk drawing in as I hit the tarmac road. Luckily I was fortunate enough to chat to a couple of walkers heading back to the car after a short walk up the valley who were kind enough to offer me a lift down the road and home for family awaiting me for tea,
After mapping the route, I find I'd walked 20 miles with 6400ft of ascent (and 6600ft descent) in nine and a half hours. As this is considerable longer than my planned longest day in the Pyrenees, I feel very satisfied with it. I know I shall have the altitude to contend with, but hope my pack is no heavier, and although the occasional wrong turnings are bound to happen (I know from experience that GR10 signposts are not always as clear as you would like), did find I coped with the length and pace of the walk. The walk experienced both snow and heat and had a much later starting time than my long days in the Pyrenees.
Thursday saw a short morning walk before Diane and Neal had to return followed by a good three hour run over to Longsleddale and back via Kentmere in late afternoon. More pics to follow.
Altogether the week provided a total of 79 miles walking/running with 13550 feet of ascent and a platform to further build on.
After crawling through the traffic to pick up the keys from the offices in Windermere (not very eco-friendly to expect you to drive into Windermere on a Bank Holiday when you've specifically picked a cottage that avoids the most crowded areas), Julie and I reached our meeting point with our eldest daughter and her fiancé at the Eagle and Child where we had an excellent value lunch.
Once we'd settled into the cottage, Diane, Neal and I went for a run up the road to Kentmere of just over six miles.
A nice walk with Julie and Josh (the dog) on Saturday morning was followed by lunchtime at the Brewery Beer Hall and a late afternoon 6 mile fell run.
The weather was fine on Sunday for a long run up to Kentmere and then the Horseshoe route although I did shorten it by coming back along the valley route from the shelter at the col - still that brought in 17 miles and 2900ft of climb.
Monday was a bit of a rest day and Tuesday just a short road run up the other side of the valley which did offer a good climb. A fair bit of rain had come down as can be seen by the state of the River Kent.
On Wednesday I had planned a long run over to Longsleddale, up to the corner of Haweswater then back via the col at the top of the Kentmere Valley. However, a last minute change of plan was to take up the offer of a lift from Diane and Neal who were driving over to Derwentwater to recce the cycle leg of the Keswick Triathlon on their bikes. So I looked at the maps and decided to get dropped off at Wythburn and then walk back via Helvellyn, down to Glenridding, make my way down the valley to Hartsop and then head home via the High Street Ridge. I knew it would be a good long walk. I also intended doing it with a fullish pack - no exact weight but I estimate about 11kg.
The ascent to Helvellyn was straightforward. I set off about 11am and the pack initially felt heavy but as soon as it was on, posed no problems whatsoever and in no time I was overtaking everyone on the ascent. Tried out my yaktrax on the snow and they were great and only took a couple of minutes to fit (being on the cusp between sizes makes them a tight fit!) Lunch at the top at 12.30 in glorious sunshine with stunning views in every direction - Windermere, Lagdales/Scafell Pike, Thirlmere, Skiddaw/Blencathra, Ullswater - as you can see below.
I had planned to descend via Swirral Edge but when I got there the group in front of me had decided not to risk it and as I saw the difficulty that those ascending were having, made the same decision. two choices head bak and come back via Grisedale Tarn or north over Lower Man and White Side following the old pony route. I chose the latter but instead of diligently calculating my route, followed them and we all overshot the path, heading down past Brownstone Crags. I reckon I lost an hour so it was soon heading for half past two descending from Lower Man. The route back to Glenridding is easy but long so it was four o'clock by the time I reached the village. People must have wondered why I was descending at such a pace rather than enjoying the views more. A quick stock up with bananas and kitkat from the village store and then down the road to head for Hartsop.
Luckily you can come off the main road just to the south of the White Lion and head over to Rooking and a footpath that takes you down to Hartsop. It was still over an hour's walk including a break for coffee and kit-kat. Walked through the almost deserted car-park at 5.20 to head up along Pasture Beck with a target to reach Thornthwaite Crag by 6.30. This I achieved but it is fair old climb over the later sections, especially when there is no-one in sight.
It was still worth a minute or so to use my phone camera for the view over towards Windermere.
Of course when you get to the top of Thornthwaite Crag it is still a fair few miles along the ridge before you can head down to Kentmere. Luckily my improving fitness meant that I was able to jog along much of the ridge and remembered the route down through Buck Crag from Sunday.
I just made it to the latter end of Garburn Pass with dusk drawing in as I hit the tarmac road. Luckily I was fortunate enough to chat to a couple of walkers heading back to the car after a short walk up the valley who were kind enough to offer me a lift down the road and home for family awaiting me for tea,
After mapping the route, I find I'd walked 20 miles with 6400ft of ascent (and 6600ft descent) in nine and a half hours. As this is considerable longer than my planned longest day in the Pyrenees, I feel very satisfied with it. I know I shall have the altitude to contend with, but hope my pack is no heavier, and although the occasional wrong turnings are bound to happen (I know from experience that GR10 signposts are not always as clear as you would like), did find I coped with the length and pace of the walk. The walk experienced both snow and heat and had a much later starting time than my long days in the Pyrenees.
Thursday saw a short morning walk before Diane and Neal had to return followed by a good three hour run over to Longsleddale and back via Kentmere in late afternoon. More pics to follow.
Altogether the week provided a total of 79 miles walking/running with 13550 feet of ascent and a platform to further build on.
Thursday 1 April 2010
March complete - on target
With some big walks and runs, I knew that only injury or illness could blight my schedule for March (or lethargy but I'm not going to allow that). Mileage target was completed with 4 days to spare whilst climbing was achieved with the completion of Two Crosses on the 21st.
Other aspects of the planning are now moving forward. I've bought my first train tickets - for the train to London and the TGV from Paris to Hendaye. I had hoped to sort out my Eurostar London to Paris leg and Paris hotel using an airmiles voucher and airmiles but was tharted by the fact that the return train booking is not available yet - will have to wait until the last week in April and will do all the return legs then.
Just bought a pair of yaktrax which arrived today
- these may pull me out of sticky patch if or more likely when I encounter snow and ice. My wife has had a pair all winter for walking the trainee guide dog in the snow and ice and found them brilliant. Yes I know I'm going in June but you can still get significant lying snow on the higher passes such as the Hourquette d'Arre as can be seen by these photos taken on June 22nd.
The two photos have led me to discover what looks to be a good account of a GR10 crossing which I shall read after posting today's entry.
I also had very helpful conversations with one of the Bolton MRT who works at Go Outdoors in Wigan.
This opened up the boots v shoes question again. As a MRT volunteer he sees many ankle injuries which would have been prevented or at least had less effect were a good boot worn. He did make a recommendation - not cheap - but I may go for it as they are very lightweight yet extremely firm. The other advice that he gave was regarding cookers. I've been doing a bit of web research and think I've narrowed it down to either the Jetboil or MSR Pocket Rocket. The Pocket Rocket would also require some cooking pan (MSR Alpine Stowaway seems best - can also store the rocket inside it). The other one we discussed was the MSR Reactor which is extremely fast but at over £100, very expensive.
There's a couple of useful video reviews - comparison and this.
Would still be good to see the odd small donation coming through for either Guide Dogs or British Heart Foundation - click the links for the justgiving sites.
Other aspects of the planning are now moving forward. I've bought my first train tickets - for the train to London and the TGV from Paris to Hendaye. I had hoped to sort out my Eurostar London to Paris leg and Paris hotel using an airmiles voucher and airmiles but was tharted by the fact that the return train booking is not available yet - will have to wait until the last week in April and will do all the return legs then.
Just bought a pair of yaktrax which arrived today
- these may pull me out of sticky patch if or more likely when I encounter snow and ice. My wife has had a pair all winter for walking the trainee guide dog in the snow and ice and found them brilliant. Yes I know I'm going in June but you can still get significant lying snow on the higher passes such as the Hourquette d'Arre as can be seen by these photos taken on June 22nd.
The two photos have led me to discover what looks to be a good account of a GR10 crossing which I shall read after posting today's entry.
I also had very helpful conversations with one of the Bolton MRT who works at Go Outdoors in Wigan.
This opened up the boots v shoes question again. As a MRT volunteer he sees many ankle injuries which would have been prevented or at least had less effect were a good boot worn. He did make a recommendation - not cheap - but I may go for it as they are very lightweight yet extremely firm. The other advice that he gave was regarding cookers. I've been doing a bit of web research and think I've narrowed it down to either the Jetboil or MSR Pocket Rocket. The Pocket Rocket would also require some cooking pan (MSR Alpine Stowaway seems best - can also store the rocket inside it). The other one we discussed was the MSR Reactor which is extremely fast but at over £100, very expensive.
There's a couple of useful video reviews - comparison and this.
Would still be good to see the odd small donation coming through for either Guide Dogs or British Heart Foundation - click the links for the justgiving sites.
Week 21 - a lighter week
I've been a bit busy sorting out my course so no walks, just a couple of runs - my usual circuit over Winter Hill to Belmont and back. I was little bit slower, probably due to strong winds on the top but still happy enough.
On Saturday I enjoyed 13 miles with the wfdbwgua group - a good turnout - seven of us and a flat coat retriever. This folowed the previous evenings Quarterly Dooo where we celebrated JtE's 75th. He's quite amazing - most of you reading this, unless you are seasoned runners, would not be able to outsprint him after a couple of hours on the fells - I can't. Mind you he was Northern V60 400 metres champion 15 years ago. More pics and write-up at wfdbwgua .
So total for the week was only 25 miles and 3200 ft of ascent but as I'd almost reached my monthly target before the week started, happy enough with that.
On Saturday I enjoyed 13 miles with the wfdbwgua group - a good turnout - seven of us and a flat coat retriever. This folowed the previous evenings Quarterly Dooo where we celebrated JtE's 75th. He's quite amazing - most of you reading this, unless you are seasoned runners, would not be able to outsprint him after a couple of hours on the fells - I can't. Mind you he was Northern V60 400 metres champion 15 years ago. More pics and write-up at wfdbwgua .
So total for the week was only 25 miles and 3200 ft of ascent but as I'd almost reached my monthly target before the week started, happy enough with that.
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