Solo, Un-supported, Mid-winter Bob Graham Round
With the combination of time off over Christmas and a big stable high pressure system, I knew a big winter adventure was on the cards. Having moved to the Lakes last summer I hadn’t expected such a perfect opportunity so soon.
A fun day out supporting James Gibson on his epic double round on Sunday gave me confidence in the conditions. The hills were white but it was mostly just an incredibly thick frost, rather than ice or snow, so running conditions weren’t too tricky.
I drove up to Keswick for a 5am start and set off Anti-clockwise towards the Newlands Valley. My first round in 2012 had been clockwise, but mostly I just didn’t want wet feet with river crossings so early in the round!
There wasn’t a breath of wind and I made good time up onto Robinson, once I’d figured a way up the frosty slabs. My expectations of a clear day didn’t arrive until Great Gable where I popped out above the thick cloud for the first time and was treated to a perfect frosty winter sunrise, whatever happened later on, it had been worth the effort.
The clouds cleared as I dropped into Wasdale and started the climb up Scafell, crossing paths briefly with Carol Morgan on her own successful adventure.
The icy conditions on Sca fell slowed me down for the first time, with a careful descent of Lord’s Rake, but then I had a very enjoyable few hours in the sunshine around the Langdale fells.
I was never pushing for any particular time, so I was pleased to get to Dunmail on a 21hr schedule. That wasn’t to last long though. As darkness fell, a switch was flicked and by Seat Sandal the day had taken on a very different feel. A strong damp wind tested my commitment and turned the ground into a verglassed ice rink. Who knew gravel could be so slippy!? Poor visibility and slow descents lost me some time. Halls Fell would have been too risky, so I diverted via Doddick.
Skiddaw as the final top was the wildest of the lot with some full on winter conditions a stark contrast to my earlier pleasantries. An endless descent to a deserted high street and some contented sleep in the carpark are all the rewards required for the solo runner!
Total time 22h50m
