Tuesday 24 December 2013

A Nocturnal Christmas Eve Outing





Chief Lampost Chaser Howard H holding official mascot Ollie
With Christmas Day looming, and following a month of exciting and successful Christmas themed runs - The annual Santa Run and the Christmas Handicap - followed by Howard's Christmas Eve morning, Ho Bloody Ho Run, the Owls held their own nocturnal Christmas Eve Dash.

With most SRC members busy making last minute Christmas preparations, myself and fellow owl Jo C, met at the Cross Keys, where we were joined by chief Lamp Post Chaser Howard C.

The planned route of running Hill Pits, Sykes Pillar, Alderman and Pots & Pans was shortened due to myself feeling under the weather and also as a result of having to get back home for my son. It was a cold night when we left the 'Keys' and made our way onto the hill via Pobgreen. Ascending the outgoing route of the Cross Keys Fell Rac...e, we were met with a strong icy wind as we made our way to Shaw Rocks. Heading south, the gale force winds threatened to stop us dead in our tracks as Howards head-torch dimmed to nothing more than the wattage of a candles flicker. However, with a clear sky above and a scattering of fresh snow on the ground, visibility was clear throughout the whole route. Passing the Oven Stones, our words were lost on the racing wind as we huddled close in conversation, on route to Alderman Hill.

Attaining the summit, we huddled behind rocks on Alderman to protect ourselves from the freezing wind as we enjoyed the view across the Chew Valley, which was covered under a blanket of stars.

Breaking cover, we made the short crossing of Board Hill Brow to reach the Saddleworth War Memorial at Pots & Pans. Taking shelter on the leeward side of the cenotaph, we enjoyed a wee dram and took a few photo's. Whilst others were busy preparing for Christmas amongst the twinkling lights of Sadleworth's Villages, we hardy few continued our nocturnal foray on the quiet windswept hills and made our descent of Primrose Hill to return to the Cross Keys, via Pobgreen.

Whilst the outing had been short, we had enjoyed a bracing run on the tops and what better way to see in Christmas than with good friends, enjoying a few laughs and doing what we love. We finished the evening off with a quick a pint in the Cross Keys, where we were met by Tim L.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Night Running Around the Chew Valley - 12.11.13

This week, eight Owl's set out from Bin Green for a night run above the Chew Valley. Arriving at our start point we watched the police (and possibly some Mountain Rescue?) searching the slopes of Alderman in the dark. Their torches scanning the rocky hillside as they ascended, with a search-dog out in front.

Dropping down through the woods we came across another empty Police vehicle parked on the track by the reservoir. Whilst the night sky was clear and a frosty chill hung in the air, we had to remove our cags and some warm layers of clothing, as we made way along the shores of Yeoman Hey Reservoir. Hand-railing Greenfield Brook, the cathedral-like ebony black walls of Ravenstones Brow towered high above our heads, with a bright moon seemingly perched on the rim of Raven Stones Rocks.

Heading up Birchen Clough, we enjoyed a nocturnal scramble on the rocks that have to be traversed when following this narrow path above the stream. Caught in the beams of our head-torches the fast flowing river and dramatic waterfalls were a spectacular sight.



Upon reaching calmer waters, we crossed the stream and turned north-west to make our way to the three-pinnacled tower of rock, known as the Trinacle. Now on the open moor we became exposed to a bitter cold wind and made the sensible decision to don cags. Earlier in the run I had swapped head-torches with Bruce, to try out his new Petzl Nao. Flitting along the precipitous edges, the beam clearly illuminated the route far better than my other torch. When glancing down into the vast open space of the valley below, the 'Intelligent Reactive Lighting Technology' instantly switched to full beam and I could clearly identify objects in the far distance. So far I was impressed but the real test would come when we made the rough steep descent of Ashway Gap.



With the banter free-flowing, throughout the whole group, we continued to Ashway Rocks, from where we could still see the blue lights of emergency vehicles flashing on the Holmfirth Road. The night-time search was clearly still underway upon Alderman Hill, and in the valley bottom below.

Dropping off from the rocks, we descended Ashway Gap. Finding a narrow trod, we made good progress over the rough ground and soon picked up the main path. Being a natural down-hiller I'm always looking for the thrill of a rapid descent. However, in recent years I've noticed that my eyesight no longer seems to be at its optimum operating level and, on night runs, I have become more cautious when in descent. However, with the new Nao strapped to my head my foot placement had become more precise again and I once again had the confidence to let go and move up through the gear ratio. Halfway down I again swapped torches with Bruce. Going back to my old trusty companion would be the real test. Within only a few metres, I had discovered the answer to my quest. Running with my old head-torch again was like having tunnel vision, and the ground wasn't illuminated as clearly as with the Nao. Try descending Ashway Gap at speed with one eye shut and the other looking through a Smarty tube and you will get the idea. I made my mind up there and then that I was having one of the Petzl Nao's. They're not cheap but if you're really into your night running these seem a great piece of kit. Anyway, I've already ordered one from Mountainfeet, in Marsden. Si, the shop's owner, has promised to bring it over for me next week, to the Janapar film night.



After reaching the valley floor we made our way back along Dove Stone Reservoir to return to Bin Green. Returning to the club, we enjoyed a few beers and plenty more banter and laughs, with the rest of the club.

Thursday 24 October 2013

Castleshaw Skyline - 23.10.2013

Nine Owls took flight tonight on what was a very pleasant and warm evening. Setting out from the Castleshaw Outdoor Education Centre we made our way along a narrow, sunken track which, after the recent d...eluge of rain, was more like a stream than a footpath. This ancient highway is aptly called, Waters Lane.

Upon reaching Huddersfield Road, we turned left and passed the Saddleworth Hotel on route to Bleak Hey Nook, where we had to stop and remove some layers as we began to feel the effects of such a warm, still night. Following the Standedge Trail we climbed onto Millstone Edge, via Rock Farm B & B. As we attained the trig point a wonderful vista unfolded, and to the East a large orange moon hung high in the clear sky above the twinkling lights of Huddersfield.




Moving on, we skipped from rock to rock as we traversed the gritstone edge. Our head-torches penetrating the darkness and illuminating the way, as a welcome breeze drifted up from the Castleshaw Valley, below.

Following the Oldham Way we crossed Castleshaw Moor, Hind Hill and then the upper slopes of Dowry Castle Hill. With our feet now truly wet and with legs caked in ivory black peat we found firmer ground as we headed along Moor Lane to the four lane ends junction, beyond Broadhead Noddle. Turning south-east we made for lower ground along Low Gate Lane and once again soon felt the effects of the balmy night as we left the cooling breeze upon the higher slopes of the valley rim.

Crossing the dam wall, between the upper and lower reservoirs, the Harvest Moon sat proudly just above the dark skyline of Millstone Edge, casting its bright lunar rays across the still waters of the upper reservoir. Content with the evenings run we skirted below the ancient Roman Fort, along Dirty Lane, to return to our cars for the short drive back to the nest, for a couple of pints with the rest of the club.

Wednesday 16 October 2013

Sykes Pillar and Pot's & Pan's


Setting out from the Cross Keys, a smaller group than usual headed up past Running Hill Pits to the old ruin at... the end of the Cotton Famine Road, where a strong wind was blowing. As we turned south a shooting star shot across a black clear sky, disappearing above the summit of Pule Hill.

Reaching Sykes Pillar we paused for a while to marvel at the thin wisps of cloud that cruised past a bright and almost full moon. Continuing south our little parliament headed past Shaw Rocks before descending the obvious track to the Pot's & Pan's War Memorial, where we paused once again to admire the beautiful patterns of street lighting in the villages below.

With only a short distance remaining we headed down to Pobgreen on return to the Cross Keys.

The conditions for tonight's Owl Run had been perfect and it was a joy to be out in the hills on such a clear moonlit night.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Chew Valley Edges - 01.10.13

We band of few set out tonight from Dove Stone Sailing Club on what was a mild but very windy evening. Initially making our way thorough the Piece Plantation we then headed along the old tramway before ascending the reservoir access road. Climbing up to Chew Reservoir the wind howled down the valley making forward progress a chore. With the wind channelled between the towering cathedral-like walls of the gorge it was like running through a wind tunnel.

Upon reaching the reservoir we broke tracks and headed across the moor above Robs Rocks and round to Fox Stone Cairn. Even though the clouds overhead were dark and moody, the sky was clear enough to allow us to see the whole valley rim clearly, which stood jet black against the night sky.

After grabbing a quick photo we set off once again heading along the lip of Dean Rocks and round onto the upper reaches of Ashway Gap. Just before Ashway Cross we took the steep and well trodden path down to the shores Of Dove Stone Resevoir, along which we returned to the sailing club.

Thanks Andy for posting tonight's Owl Run photo's.

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Buckton Castle & Alphin Pike - 16.09.2013




Ghostly figures in the night
The past week has seen a definite climatic shift into Autumnal conditions which has coincided with the Owls, along with the rest of SRC, moving to their winter nesting grounds. Stretching their wings for the first flight of the winter season a fine parliament of 11 owls took to the hills on what was a drizzly misty night.

Climbing up Shadworth Lane we headed along Moor Edge Road before making the short heather clad ascent to Buckton Castle. Reaching this former medieval fort, in a rapidly fading light, we had hoped to enjoy what are normally fantastic views across Slatepit Moor to Harridge Pike. However, tonight the ancient look-out post was in low cloud and we could see no further than a few metres.

After taking the obligatory photo it was time to turn the head-torches on as we contoured around the northern rim of Buckton Quarry, following a narrow, but well worn, trod through the deep heather. Upon reaching the north-eastern corner of the quarry we were still engulfed in mist so I made a quick map check and took a bearing just in case we lost the faint trod which would lead us across the moor.
Happy Owls

The climb up the back of Alphin was without hindrance and we soon attained Slack Head Brow, were we turned west and headed for the summit shelter and trig point upon Alphin Pike. With Anita needing to get back to feed the baby we stopped just long enough to do another head count. With a light breeze rising up the heathery slopes we spread our wings and soared down the hill past Mount Pleasant Farm and below Noonsun Hill before returning to the cricket club, via Shadworth Lane, once again.

It was fantastic to have such a large group out for the first winter Owl’s Run of the season. We even had a new owlet (James) join us tonight and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Unfortunately my fellow Grand Wise Owl, Andy G, was unable to make tonight’s foray due to feeling unwell after being given a cocktail of jabs in preparation for his departure to Africa.

Owl runs are held every Tuesday night departing at 7.30pm. Everyone welcome. Remember to bring a good, fully charged head-torch, full waterproof body cover and extra warm clothing suitable for the weather conditions.

Tonights Owl’s were:

Chris M (Grand wise owl), Ian M, Mark B, Bruce B, Charlie B, Claire W, Anita C, Mark B, Dan B, Jo H & James ?

Tuesday 25 June 2013

The Saddleworth Runners Summer Solstice Coffee Run

 The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and is also the birthday of one of the members of Saddleworth Runners. At 8pm on Friday 21st June over twenty club members met at the Clarence Hotel, Greenfield, for birthday drinks before departing on a night-time round of the 20 mile Saddleworth Trigs route. Inspired by a previous, nocturnal winter round by two fellow SRC members, Nicky Torr wanted to complete the route, with friends to celebrate her 40th Birthday.

Arriving at the half-way point
Starting out at 9pm, on what was a perfectly mild summers evening, the group was full of laughter and joy, as the 20 strong group made their way up Alphin Pike to the first trig point of the night. With a bright moon peaking from behind dark clouds the contingent made their way along the edges past Wimberry Rocks to Chew Reservoir and onto the 2nd   , and most remote trig point of the round, upon Featherbed Moss.  With the conditions ideal the miles were quickly ticked off as the going underfoot, along the Pennine Way, was ideal and Black Hill trig point was soon attained.


Get the coffee on love they're coming
Happy birthday Nicky
At Snoopy’s lay-by, on the Saddleworth to Holmfirth Road, another group of SRC members were waiting to join the first group for the second leg of their overnight journey. Husband and wife duo, Ruth and Stuart Hutchinson, had offered to set up their outside catering van to provide everyone with copious amounts of their finest coffee. Recently married, the SRC couple, who’s relationship was cemented by a love of the outdoors and a passion for fell running, own a newly established business called ‘Coffee Run’. Their specially kitted-out van can be seen every day, outside Greenfield Railway Station, serving Tea and Coffee to Saddleworth’s early morning commuters. At lunch times they provide hungry workers, at several business premises, with quality sustenance to see them through the remainder of the working day. Having a passion for fell racing they are now looking to set up stall at local fell races, to share their wonderful range of coffee’s and light snacks with fellow hill loving folk. Indeed they recently quenched the thirst of runner’s at two of SRC’s popular races, the Cake Race and the Saddleworth Fell Race.


Thanks for the wonderful coffee!
No sooner had their stall been set out, with lanterns glowing and birthday balloons floating in the wind, and the runners arrived so Ruth and Stuart set to work serving cup after cup of freshly brewed coffee to the parched runners. Within the space of a few minutes they had served around thirty nocturnal runners with freshly brewed coffee’s and home-baked cakes.

 
 
West Nab trig point - one to go
With everyone suitably refreshed, the ever growing group set off on the final leg of their Summer Solstice run. Under an angry looking sky we reached the trig point upon the rocky summit of West Nab in good time. A heavy rain now moved in, on an ever increasing wind, and it was time to don cags for the remainder of the outing. Making good progress down Wessenden Valley we once again followed the Pennine Way past Swellands and Black Moss reservoirs before traversing Broadhead Brow to reach South Clough.

 
 
With the weather now turning to near winter conditions and the driving rain reducing visibility to only a few metres everyone was still in high spirits as we marched on a bearing across the bleak and featureless Wicken Clough Moss. Crossing the Cotton Famine Road we drifted a little too far south and had to readjust our sights in order to reach the elusive final trig point of the night.



Wessenden Valley
Upon reaching Sykes Pillar (Broadstone trig point), named on OS Maps after the late Frank Sykes, one of Saddleworth Runner’s founding members, we didn’t linger long as some of the group were now beginning to feel the effects of this unusually chilling weather. Dropping off the hill, to escape the worst of the driving rain and bone chilling wind, we headed down Broadstone Clough and past Slades Barn to reach Pobgreen. With dawn now breaking we followed a much more sheltered course along the lower flanks of Primrose Hill, below the Pot’s and Pan’s War Memorial, and into Greenfield were yet another strong contingent of club members had turned out to toast Nicky’s birthday and mark the passing of the solstice.

Nicky had thoroughly enjoyed her birthday run with her husband, Matt – a member of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team – her sister-in-law, who had travelled up from Sheffield to take part in the fun, and all her friends from Saddleworth Runners Club, for making her birthday so special. Nicky would like to pass on her thanks to everyone who turned out to support the run and a special thanks to Ruth and Stuart for providing the freshly brewed, energy giving, coffee’s. If you would like to book the ‘Coffee Run’ to support a race or club event, you can contact them via their facebook page at :
https://www.facebook.com/coffee.run.uk?fref=ts

Sunday 3 March 2013

High Peak Marathon 2013

Below is my storey of Team SRC's outing at the High Peak Marathon. With most of the route being completed in darkness it has to qualify as an Owls Run.

It was over two years ago since my last encounter with the High Peak Marathon. On that occasion, probably due to the lack of training, after we got a last minute entry as a reserve team, I had struggled over the last section of the route from Snake Top. So with a guaranteed entry this year, surely I would arrive at the start line race fit?

Whilst I hadn’t been able to do any regular long distance training, due to work commitments and a busy schedule with my son’s swimming training, I had got some decent runs in with fellow club mates. Andy Gartside and I had completed a night-time round of the Saddleworth 5 Trigs and Howard Chambers joined us for a night round of the new 5 Trigs a couple of weeks later. In addition, fellow HPM team member Gaynor Keane and I had a good run around the 26 mile Anglezark Amble at the beginning of February. With three weeks to go to the HPM I had planned a couple of other long runs on the hills that would stand me in good stead. Like all best laid plans it wasn’t to be. Work etc. got in the way and I had to fly out to the Middle East where I wouldn’t run another step until returning home. Spending all my time cooped on board aircraft, sat in vehicles and hanging around in hotels I could feel my legs wasting away.

Returning home to the UK, I went out for a six mile run on the Tuesday previous to the HPM. Whilst the run went well I woke the following morning with my legs aching. With only 3 days to go it wasn’t a positive sign. With the exception of breaking a leg, or something similar, I knew I would complete the route but I didn’t want a repeat of the last outing.

The High Peak Marathon has a reputation as a tuff and daunting challenge that traverses some of the most severe upland terrain in the Peak District. Combined with the distance and severe weather conditions that can be encountered, along with the fact that the majority of the route will be completed in darkness, it is not for the faint-hearted. Lack of sleep is another contributing factor to the events toughness. With most competitors arriving at the start-line after finishing a full day at work they will be setting out into the night for what, for most, will be over 12 hours of arduous, sleep deprived, running.

Race day arrived and I spent all day at work looking forward to getting down to Edale and getting the challenge underway. My kit was sat at home packed and ready to go and I was eager for the off. After finishing work there would be no time for going home and putting my feet up for a rest. As always I was running about doing one thing another. With the team meeting at my house for 8.30pm I called at the chippy for a late tea. Chips, Pie and Peas. The food of Athlete’s!

Chris Webb and Roy Gardner arrived at my house bang on time. We loaded the kit and collected Gaynor Keane on route to Edale. Chris, Roy and myself know each other well and the drive down was full of chatter and banter. Chris, in his usual joyful manner was going on about us setting, and maintaining, a 7 minute mile pace across Bleaklow and on into Edale. I glanced across to see the look on Gaynors face, who was doing the HPM for the first time, which read, “What the hell have I let myself in for here”.

I ran the HPM with Chris on my last outing. Chris was unsuccessful at getting his team into this year’s event but joined our team after Colin Bishop had to pull out due to work commitments. Chris is a very experienced ultra-distance runner. Extremely fit and highly motivated, with an infectious enthusiasm, he completed the 145 mile Grand Union Canal race, a couple of years ago, in a very good time. There are a handful of people who are a pleasure to run with on long-distance outings and Chris is definitely one of them. Whilst he is capable of quick times over long distances he is a great team player and never looks down on people just because they don’t move at the same pace as himself.
Not long to go now
Arriving at the event centre in Edale we conducted the mandatory kit inspection and then set about devouring the mountains of pre-race food and drinks that are laid on for the competitors. The atmosphere in the village hall is always buzzing and it’s an opportunity to catch up with people you haven’t seen for a while. This event attracts some of the biggest names in ultra-distance fell running but there is no sense of elitism from anyone. The whole room is filled with a vibrant, friendly atmosphere and the students of Sheffield University, who organise the event, can’t do enough for you.

Our start time of 11:29pm soon arrived and we were off out of the door to a round of applause and shouts of ‘good luck’ from organisors and competitors alike. The route to the first check point is straight forward enough and involves a direct ascent up to Hollins Cross. Full of enthusiasm and spring in their steps many teams set out too fast, in these early stages, only to burn out later on. With it always taking me at least an hour to warm up and settle down, on any run, I took the ascent nice and steady. With a couple of teams passing by and the rest of Team SRC waiting at the check point my legs felt good.

The route to the second check point, on Lose Hill, is only a couple of kilometres away but teams chose a variety of lines. The decent towards hope is good going underfoot and on normal occasions is a down-hillers paradise. However, tonight, in a bid to save leg strength, the descent is conducted in a controlled manner.

Passing the Cheshire Cheese public house Roy had the sudden urge to need to find a secluded spot in the woods. Earlier in the evening, at his daughter’s birthday party, she had given him a bottle of Coconut Water. Telling him it was the latest energy giving drink, he had consumed the whole bottle just before we crossed the start-line. Obviously she was getting her revenge on her father who had had to leave her party early to go off and do some mad-capped run. When she gave him the witches brew she could not have envisaged just how many times her Dad would pay for his crimes, throughout the night.

Roy was a last minute addition to the team after Howard Chambers had been forced to pull out due to injury. Standing at over 6 feet tall he is a strong, talented runner and a great team asset. With his relaxed, friendly attitude and supportive nature he is the ideal person to be out on the hills with for any extended period of time.

With Chris setting a quick pace we soon reached Win Hill and made our decent to Yorkshire Bridge. Chris continued the quick walk/jog pace up the long road section that is New Road. Deciding that this was too quick a pace, at this still early stage, I deliberately dropped off the back a little and chatted with an all-female team who were moving at my preferred pace. Always with a spring in her step, and still experiencing the early stage highs of the event, Gaynor was happy to go at Chris’s pace. However, we still had many more miles to go and we still hadn’t stepped foot on any real rough ground yet. Being her first event I wanted to ensure that we moved at the right pace to ensure success and save energy for later on. Besides, I didn’t want to burn myself out either.

It was whilst on this road section that I began to feel a sharp pulling under the arch of my left foot. Whilst not causing any real pain, the nagging worry that it may develop into something worse would plague me for some time to come.

Catching the others up at the track which leads up to Stanege Edge I joked with them about the merits of adopting the ‘Maylor Shuffle’ and jogged by, on route to High Nebb. Another check point down we moved at a good pace over Moscar Moor to the food station on the A57. As with all the check points we were greeted by a group of joyous students in fancy dress.

 
Grabbing a cup of tea and a sandwich we headed off down the A57 to the checkpoint at Cuthroat Bridge, before striking out across the moor to Derwent Edge. The edge is runnable virtually the whole way and we made good progress to Lost Lad where Roy, yet again, had to pay the price for crimes against his daughter.

Dropping down to Sheepfold Clough we climbed up onto Howden Edge and made way to the Trig Point at Outer Edge, via Cut Gate. From here on the ground is extremely rough and notoriously boggy. However, with temperatures down to around minus six degrees and, in parts, covered in snow we were able to make good progress. The firm snow was a delight to run on and, using it to our advantage, we passed teams who were travelling on rough frozen ground and had not yet recognised the advantages of our new found friend.

Check Point on Outer Edge
With a cold wind now blowing head-on the temperature dropped again and rucksacks and cags became encrusted in a layer of frost. My water bottle had frozen and I couldn’t open the valve to access the solidifying solution within. The traverse across Harden Moss to Swains Head passed by with relative ease, although both Roy and I did break through a frozen bog together and ended up knee deep in its freezing cold contents.

The next section onto Bleaklow is one of the most difficult sections as far as navigation is concerned. Whilst visibility was perfect we wanted a good line across this rough ground which is bisected with countless deep peat groughs. This is where Chris’s intimate route knowledge is an advantage. We decided to continue to use the snow to our benefit and, whilst many other teams seemed to be going across country on a direct bearing, we followed the meandering, snow filled, peat groughs. It was definitely a good choice as we made good progress, whilst saving valuable energy, and emerged just a couple of hundred metres short of the checkpoint at Bleaklow Stones.

The long awaited sunrise
Whilst grabbing a quick bite to eat we enjoyed watching a much awaited sun rise over to the East. It was a beautiful sight and one that we would have missed had we opted to stay at home tucked up in warm beds.

Once again using the tried and tested method of following the meandering, snow filled, groughs we headed for Bleaklow Wainstones. With a warming sun now emerging on our backs we could, at last, turn off the head torches as we picked up the Pennine Way and made our way to the second feed station at Snake Road Top.

After a quick cup of tea we crossed the Snake Road and followed the paved, runnable, path up onto Mill Hill. The temperature was warming up now and Roy and I opted to take off our cags. I only wish that I had had my shorts with me because I was desperate to lose my longs too and get some air to my legs.

Friendly students at Snake Road Top
After Mill Hill we made the short but steep climb onto Kinder Scout and followed the edges past Kinder Downfall over towards Kinder Low. Normally, when running along this edge you would be skipping and flitting from rock to rock with the grace of a ballet dancer. However, with tiring legs and aching joints every rock and boulder now becomes an annoying and unwanted obstacle in the way of forward progress. Many people mistakenly think that if you can make it to the Snake Road Top you are almost home. In fact, this last section, back to Edale, is much further than appreciated and it is now that the dividends of adopting a sensible pace throughout will pay off. Unlike my last HPM I was feeling good. Whilst not running fast I was feeling comfortable and enjoying the whole experience.

Dropping down off the Kinder Plateau Gaynor was starting to suffer badly from a pain in her knee. She had had a great run, so far, but was now beginning to feel the effects of moving into untested distance. Gaynor has a natural running talent. Full of energy and light on her feet, she is fast over the shorter distances and has proven that she also has a talent for long distances too. She is a great person to run with and an ideal team member for an event like this. Knowing how Gaynor likes a challenge she will deffinately be looking to enter the HPM again. Now that she has experienced it, and with the right training and the right team she will probably look to go for a faster time in future.

Reaching the checkpoint  to the East of Edale Cross, and whilst waiting for Gaynor, the marshal’s produced a packet of chocolate chip cookies from within the depths of their tent. Offering some to us they tasted fantastic. The taste gave us an instant lift and we set off with new found energy and enthusiasm. Passing Brown knoll we enjoyed running on the last of the snow, and like my water bottle, it was beginning to Thaw. My foot broke through a small snow bridge, over a stream, causing a tumble.

Although Gaynor was now clearly suffering from the pain in her knee, and lagging behind a little, she maintained the effort and we soon reached Rushop Edge before skirting around the bottom of Mam Tor for the final traverse of high ground.

With the last checkpoint in the bag, at Hollins Cross, all that was left was the final decent into the valley below, from whence we came many hours before. The last time I completed the HPM, it took me as long to make this descent has it had done to climb it on the way out. This time I flitted down with relative ease to the road at the bottom.

Joined by the rest of the team we made the short return trip along the road to the event centre and, applauded by organisors and competitors, we clocked in with a very credible time of 11 hours 39 minutes.

Job done
We had had a fantastic event and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience together. The make-up of the characters within the team was ideal and we all worked well together, throughout. I am already looking forward to next year’s event and would gladly run it again with Roy, Chris and Gaynor. Thanks to you all for your wonderful company.

The final words have to go to all the High Peak Marathon organisors. Without the relentless energy and enthusiasm that these students show this successful event would not be what it is. The organisation is second to none and faultless. In addition to all the pre-event organisation, they arrive at the event centre at 07.30 on the Friday morning to get everything prepared. They make all the sandwiches, cakes, pre and post-race meals themselves and transport food out to the two feed stations. Marshalls go out to the remote checkpoints as early as 5:00pm and are there to greet you, in the dead of night, with big smiles and boundless energy and support. Then when it’s all over, and the competitors are heading home to have hot baths and put their feet up, these enthusiastic students still have to pack up and come in off the hills.

Long after the race was done, and just as I was going to bed at gone 11pm, I was reflecting on how I’d been awake since 6am on Friday morning. Forty one hours in total. As I contemplated enjoying a nice Sunday morning lie-in I thought about a conversation I’d had with one of the students after the race. She had told me that she had been at the event centre since 7.30am on Friday morning. Saying that she must be looking forward to putting her feet up on Sunday, she told me that she was studying Neurology and that she had a dissertation to get done. Whilst I was thinking that she probably had a few weeks to get it completed she duly informed me that it had to be written and handed in by Monday morning!

Hats off and a big THANK YOU to them all!!!

Monday 4 February 2013

The Northern 5 Trigs (Tame Scout)

On Tuesday 29th January Andy G, Howard and myself completed an Owls run around the Northern 5 Trigs, also known as the Tame Scout.


Setting out from the Black Lad
We decided to start from the Black Lad, on Buckstones Road, instead of leaving the cars at Grains Bar. Just as we were getting ready for the off a lady came out of the pub and enquired about what we were doing. When we explained the plan for our evening's activities she declared us insane and, after taking our photo, left with a look of bewilderment on her face.

Striking out at 20:00 hrs, we followed public footpaths for the short section across the fields which would lead us to the edge of Crompton Moor. Another reason for not setting out from the traditional start point was to avoid a notoriously boggy section of footpath early on in the run. However, after the recent heavy rain and subsequent thawing of the snow the fields weren't in much better state.

We reached the first trig point of the night, on Crompton Moor, within 18 minutes. Pausing only briefly, for the obligatory trig photo, we were soon under way and heading through Ogden and Peithorn valleys on route to Blackstone Edge.

Following much of the Blackstone Boundary route now (Pennine Plod) we again made good time and soon reached the drain which makes its course past the Roman Road. Part-way along the drain we broke tracks and made a direct assault on the trig point. The last few metres of ascent being an easy scramble up the Gritstone rocks to attain the summit.


Blackstone Edge
With the second trig now in the bag we stopped a while to eat and drink, whilst admiring the display of illuminated patterns from streetlights in the towns far below and to the West. Before we set out it had been a wild wet night. However, the wind and rain had stopped just before the off and now we were feeling the effects of what had turned out to be a warm and balmy night. Gulping fluids down we realised that between us we hadn't brought enough to drink.

Still running at a good pace we soon covered the ground to Windy Hill and crossed Ripponden Road for the ascent up onto White Hill. In total contrast to Sunday mornings outing the path was free of the deep snow which had concealed freezing cold melt-water, running off the moors, and we were able to run the whole way to the trig point. The decent to the Nont-Sarahs Road was again completely runnable with only patches of snow managing to cling onto the last remnants of life in ditches and on North facing slopes.

Andy's last drops of fluids, consumed upon White Hill, must have contained some special energy giving powers for he now moved up in front and set an even quicker pace along Millstone Edge to the fourth trig point of the night.

After delving into the Liquorice Allsorts & Jelly Babies and sharing out the last drops of my drink we took a direct decent to escape the ever present wind which sweeps up from the Castleshaw Valley and batters the entire length of Millstone Edge. Passing the Roman Fort, which once guarded the Manchester to York Road, we soon reached the valley floor and followed the course of the river and the early section of the Castleshaw Canter route into Delph.

With the pubs now kicking out we had just missed the opportunity for a quick pint so pressed on through the village before taking a right up Grains Road in search of a suitable footpath which would lead us to Bishops Park. With this long thin strip of moor seeing little footfall our chosen path proved over-grown and the pace slowed as we clambered through energy sapping heather. However, Andy soon found a narrow gully, which offered an easier course, and our progress once more continued progressively forward instead of one step forward and three back, has had been the case only moments earlier.


5th and final trig point - Bishops park
With the clock ticking shy of midnight we reached our fifth and final trig point of the night at Bishops Park. Time for the final summit photo. Before we had set off we had made a bet - the wager being a round of drinks - how long it would take us to complete the round. With that in mind we didn't linger and set out across the golf course and down Buckstones Road to return from whence we came.

We arrived back at the Black Lad in 4 hours 4 minutes 30 seconds. Not a bad time for a what was a steady night-time training run.

The Northern 5 Trigs (Tame Scout) is a great route with a whole album of pleasing views on offer if run during the day. Unlike the Saddleworth 5 trigs which is a little longer with more ascent and rougher underfoot, it is easily runnable all the way.




























Wednesday 9 January 2013

Another flight over Alphin and Buckden Castle

Led by the big bellied Owl, Bruce B, a small parliament ventured out onto the summit of Alphin Pike for what was to be a short outing due to having to return to the nest for a club meeting. However, once upon the summit, and after some gentle but stern persuasion from Tawny Owl Claire W, the group decided that they would manage an extended run over to Buckden castle and still make it home in time for the essential meeting.

Putting a bit of a spurt on now the owls flew across the moor to the ancient site of the castle before dropping off the moor and returning home, along the Pennine Bridleway, to enjoy a few pints in the bar and in so doing getting full points for tonight's outing.

Tonights points:

Bruce B - 4 points, Charlie B - 4 points, Claire W - 4 points & Lee B - 4 points

See Bruce's report below

Four Owls trotted up Alphin on this Tuesdays run, then around the quarry at Buckstones and eventually on to the Roman Road for a good paced run back to the nest. Claire WightmanLee Bowden,Charles Barlow and myself were partly guided by the hooting of a real Owl as we came around Buckstones Castle. The weather was mild and calm, the visibility good apart from the steam from our own breath making a fog in front of the headlamps. The original plan was just to climb Alphin and come back, but Claire proposed the circuit down past the quarry and a very wise choice it was, turned out to be a very enjoyable run!

Saturday 5 January 2013

The Best Coffee in the World - a night time round of the Saddleworth 5 trigs

With the Owls having a well earned rest from nocturnal flying over the Christmas period it was time to get the head torches back out and once again hit the hills for some night time adventure. The chosen route for the first owls run of 2013 was 'The Saddleworth 5 Trigs'.

The Owls about to set off on the Nocturnal 5 Trigs Run

The owls, Chris M, Andy G, Howard H and Bruce B, assisted by Charlie B, who kindly volunteered to be our support crew, assembled in the car park of the Clarence public house, Greenfield, in preparation for a midnight departure.

Leaving the Clarence we headed off towards Mossley ad then turned left up past the old co-op building on route to our first trig point upon Alphin. The night was so mild that we ran this section in just long sleeved running tops and didn't don cag's until reaching Chew Reservoir. Chatting away happily between ourselves we made good time up to the summit of Alphin, in around 30 minutes.

1st trig point of the night - Alphin Pike
One trig point down we headed along the edges, again at a reasonable pace. Due to all the recent rain the vast expanses of peat which are crossed on this section was the consistency of thick porridge. However, we soon reached Indians Head followed by Stable Stones Brow, Chew Hurdles and then Chew Reservoir.

At Chew reservoir we intended to stop briefly for a quick bite to eat so now put on our cag's to keep at bay the chilly wind which was blowing up the valley. After running with us over this first leg it was time for Bruce and Howard to make their return for home via the Dove Stones Valley. It had been great running with them and Andy and I where grateful for their company. Howard, never wanting to miss a little bit of adventure, had come out in the dead of night, even though he wasn't fully recovered from his recent bout of illness. When they left, with the plan of phoning Charlie when they got back to inform him of their safe return, it was time for Andy and myself to continue around the remaining four trigs.

Howard and Bruce about to descend into the Dovestone Valley
As we ran along the shores of Chew Reservoir the clag began to close in and as the light from our head torches bounced back at us off the mist, it became clear that it would not be the easiest of tasks to find the second trig point on Featherbed Moss. After spending some time finding and confirming that we were at the outflow of Green Grain, Andy and I remembered that we were both carrying GPS's. Firing Andy's up we confirmed our position and set off across the moor to locate the elusive white pyramid. The trig point upon Featherbed Moss can be difficult to locate even in good weather. Even when picking a good line you can be almost upon it before it appears out of the peat. With this in mind I kept a constant eye on our bearing whilst Andy would read out the GPS co-ordinates at regular intervals. Each time I would check the map and was always happy where we where. Eventually the trig point appeared out of the mist, caught in Andy's torch light just a little over to our left.
Trig point No: 2 - Featherbed Moss

After a short stop for some liquorice Allsorts and to set a new bearing we set off in search of the next trig point on Black Hill. Moving on a bearing across the wet and sodden moor our feet were by now soaked and we were caked in wet mud up to the knees. After a while we intercepted the foot path leading from Chew Reservoir to Laddow Rocks as planned. Favouring this route instead of heading further across the moor, as often done in daylight, we made good time along the runnable path. Reaching Laddow Rocks we headed generally north, following the Pennine Way, and again made reasonable time in a bid to claw back some of the time spent in the fog on Featherbed Moss.

Black Hill was attained without any problems and we were both still going strong. By now we were thinking of Charlie who was waiting for us at New Snoopy's and we were sure that we could smell the waiting coffee drifting upon the wind. The descent along the flagged section of the Pennine Way was very slippy underfoot and we had to heed caution so has not to slip. With the sky now clearing we enjoyed far reaching views over the illuminated streets of Holmfirth and Huddersfield, where presumably most people were tucked up in warm beds. Suddenly a bright light shot through the sky and illuminated us still high upon the hill. What could be the source of such a powerful beam? Was it the police helicopter or an alien space craft maybe? No it was Charlies million candle watt, super charged, hand lamp guiding us in to New Snoopy's layby. The coffee was waiting! We signalled back to him and continued on, paying less regard now to the slippery slabs underfoot as we hurried to the coffee stop.

3rd trig - Black Hill

Charlie greeted us with that big friendly smile he has and full of the enthusiasm that only fellow fellrunners can muster in the early hours of the morning when involved in some similar mad capped idea. He duly pulled out a flask of steaming coffee and poured it into two large Costa Coffee cups. "Get that down you", he said. "I've got two flasks here for you." It was like drinking nectar! Stood there in a windy lay-by, on the Isle of Sky Road, at around 3.30 am in the morning, that coffee was the best coffee I'd tasted anywhere in the world. If Charlie was to make his coffee and sell it on the high street he would put Costa Coffee out of business in no time. Whilst drinking our welcoming brews Charlie informed us of his own adventures, whilst parked in the lay-by, awaiting our arrival. He'd had cars pull up and flash their lights at him hoping for some sort of coded response, the Police had stopped and ask what he was doing there and soon after he witnessed the same police officers in a high speed car chase from Holmfirth towards Saddleworth.

After spending about 10 or 15 minutes with Charlie it was time to set off before our legs seized up. Just as we were getting ready for the off we spotted two head-torches descending the the Pennine Way path from Black Hill. Torn between hanging around to see who else could be out on the hill at this hour and needing to get going we left Charlie with the task of solving the mystery.

Now refuelled with Charlies wonderful coffee we headed off, at a good pace, along the Meltham road for what is a short stretch of tarmac leading to the foot of West Nab. Leaving the road and crossing the fence we made the short ascent to the summit of West Nab and the fourth trig point of the night.

Four down, one to go - West Nab

The fifth section of this round is the roughest under foot with barely a trod to be found in daylight let alone at night. Heading west along the flat summit we crossed the fence and then hand-railed Leyzing Clough. Even in winter, when the Turks Heads have died back, this is still a rough and difficult decent where tired legs fail to lift properly and a toe caught on a tussock can cause a fall or at best cursing and swearing as you loose your balance and your stride. Hitting the wide path which runs down Wessenden Valley we turned South East for a short while heading for the Dam Wall of Wessenden Head Reservoir. At this point we met the two individuals who's torches we had seen earlier descending Black Hill. They were male and female members of the Rucksack Club walking Edale to Marsden return, which is a traditional challenge for their club.

After crossing the dam we began our trog up Shiny Brook Clough. In the dark, with the moon occasionally peaking from behind moody clouds, we failed to find the faint trods which can sometimes be located in daylight hours. Even though we were walking we still made good time and we were soon crossing the peat groughs which bisected our route, running into West Grain.

With the fence line attained, we made a quick check of our exact location and planned to follow it south for four hundred meters in order to make the shortest crossing possible to the PW footpath, across what is notoriously a very wet and boggy section of moor. Deviating from our plan a little too early we encountered several tracts of moor which were impassable peat bogs. Like arctic explorers searching for routes around unfrozen leads we wandered back and forth picking our way around the deep bogs, across what little firm ground we could find, loosing time in the process.

Hitting the Pennine Way at a point that should have been a little South of the Cotton Famine Road we made a quick check on the GPS. Bingo! We were 100 meters south. Once again, as done on a couple of occasions tonight, we paced out the distance. " One Hundred meters. Check the GPS Andy." Spot on! we were at the end of the Cotton Famine. Or so we hoped. Setting a bearing we headed off across the moor. Less than a hundred meters west and we were delighted to find that we truly were on the old Cotton Famine Road. Go West young men, go West.

The run along the Cotton Famine was a delight after trudging over sodden tussocky ground where the legs had become caked in heavy wet peat, up to the knees, which saps the energy from already tiring limbs. With the mist once again rolling in, reducing visibility, we encountered a broken section of this early Victorian highway where its course turns North West. Dropping into the sodden gap we made a slight mistake climbing out a little to the South. Looking at the map we where only 400 to 500 meters East of Broadstones Trig Point. "We'll go for it straight on", we decided, instead of retracing our steps back onto the Cotton Famine. Heading across the moor we soon reached Broadstone Clough, close to the rocky outcrop that is Broadstones. In the mist we couldn't accurately recognise a location which we had run past so often in the past. Turning North we soon came upon Sykes Pillar (Broadstones Trig Point) named after the late Frank Sykes, one of the founding members of Saddleworth Runners Club. Now at our fifth and final trig point Andy sent a quick text message home to let Monica know we were ok. Probably more in the hope that she would have bacon butties ready for when he got home! There's Bob Hope and in Andy's case there's NO HOPE!

Fifth and final trig - Sykes Pillar (Broadstones trig point)

Homeward bound now, we set off along the hill passing Slade Rocks, Shaw Rocks and onto the Sugar Loaf before descending the track to the war memorial at Pot's & Pan's. Following the course of the return leg of the Saddleworth Fell Race we descended off the hill, picked up Tunstead Lane and returned to the Clarence to the sound of the birds playing their morning chorus.

Back at the Clarence after 7 hours on the hills

We had been out on the hill for a little over 7 hours in total. I had envisaged it would take us about 6 hours to complete the 18 to 20 miles circuit, if the weather was kind to us. With stops of about 5 minutes at each trig point for, food and map checks, plus 10 to 15 minutes spent with Charlie and then some time delays in the mist and slow going across a really boggy section of moor we had done quite well for a night round of the Saddleworth 5 Trigs.

It was a fantastic outing enjoyed with great friends. Thanks to Howard and Bruce for joining us over the first part of our journey and a special thanks to Charlie for waiting for us at New Snoopy's with 'The Best Coffee in the World'.

Special Owl points are awarded tonight:

Howard and Bruce get 4 points for running in support, Andy and I get 4 for completing the night time round and Charlie gets 4 honorary points for his support and a further 4 points for is Owl Coffee.

Kit carried between Andy and myself:


  • Rucksacks x 2
  • Map & Compass x 2
  • GPS x 2
  • Head-torches x 2 plus spare torch and batteries.
  • Mobile phones x 2
  • Spare warm clothing including hat, gloves, waterproof cag and over trousers.
  • Emergency Bivvi shelter
  • Small first aid kit
  • Mixed sweets, drinks, ham sandwich, cerial bars,  2 pieces of christmas cake & Kendal Mint Cake.