Martin Rands - Bob Graham Round 20/21 June 2003
Before the off
The fine weather forecast of
earlier in the week had not quite lived up to expectations, Skiddaw was looking
misty as we arrived in Keswick and rain was expected. After a last short rest
in the B&B it was off to the Moot Hall, leaving a rather perplexed landlady
unsure she had heard us right when we told her of our return time. There was a
big crowd waiting, not only Kath and her supporters but several contenders from
Dark Peak too. After a minutes silence in memory of Mike Rose (late FRA
secretary), it was time for a deep breath and at last we’re off.
Leg 1: Keswick – Threlkeld (3 hr 27 min)
Navigator: Trevor Longman
Supporters: Mandy Calvert,
Barry Blyth
Kath and her team were also
starting at 6:30, and luckily John had checked the first ½ mile earlier. Having
found that the footbridge into Fitz Park was closed, he led us out of town on
an alternative route. The excited chatter helped as we tackled the biggest
climb of the route. The tops were clearing as we climbed Skiddaw and looking
behind I could see across Derwent Water to Great Gable and what awaited me
much, much later. We reached the first top a few minutes ahead of schedule and
put on windproofs in the stiff breeze.
Great Calver was knocked off
efficiently and the descent began. There had been much debate on Wednesday
nights on the advantages of left-of-the fence or right-of-the-fence options,
but in the end Trev went for a direct nowhere-near-the-fence line down to the
River Caldew. Mandy got separated from us here but finished the leg with Kath.
As we climbed over Mungrisdale Common the sun was starting to set behind
Skiddaw giving a beautiful orange light.
The rock on Halls Fell Ridge
was dry, which was a big relief; it wasn’t a descent I was looking forward to.
“This is where Brian fell off the other week” Trev pointed out helpfully,
followed a while later by “This is where he stopped”. Thanks to Barry and
Trev’s efforts I arrived at the first checkpoint comfortably ahead of schedule.
Raph, who was supporting
Kath, had a major collapsing Walsh scenario and an epic descent off Blencathra
– all of which I was blissfully unaware.
Leg 2: Threlkeld – Dunmail Raise (4 hr 46 min)
Navigator: Chris Rhodes
Supporters: Richard Calder,
Julie Gardner, Roger Teagle
Entertainment on this leg was
provided by the Rhodes and Calder show, while Julie and Roger were most
diligent providers of food and drink. I had forgotten to pick up my headtorch
during my brief stop at Threlkeld but it didn’t matter as it turned out to be a
fine night. Clear and breezy we could see all the way. As we climbed Clough
Head the lights of Keswick started to appear, and the sky turned a spectacular
colour above Blencathra.
As night fell we could see
the lights of others teams along the route as we picked off the summits
steadily. Towards the end of the leg I began to suffer from excess Lucozade
consumption – the effect on my stomach leading to serious gas emissions and
probable damage to the ozone layer over Cumbria.
Kath was going well, we
passed near the top of Fairfield just as I started down. As we descended off
Seat Sandal the road at Dunmail was a blaze of lights from all the support cars
for the various attempts out. I was guided into where Bob Lock had set up shop
and had a mug of tea thrust into my hand. Thanks to Chris and Richard’s
faultless navigation I had picked up a few more minutes on the schedule. I was
encouraged not to stay too long as the midges were out in force and biting
hard!
Leg 3: Dunmail Raise – Wasdale (6 hr 42 min)
Navigator: Mark Hartell
Supporters: Mandy Calvert,
Craig Harwood
With Steel Fell there’s no
easy route, but the banter eased the way – Craig was most concerned at the lack
of dancing girls, this was the recurring theme to Wasdale (we did spot some
later in Keswick, but he’d gone home by then). As the sky began to lighten
again my stomach calmed down too, and the discussion turned to food. After a
long debate on the amazing restorative powers of rice pudding, it was
discovered that there was none to be had which was a trifle disappointing.
However Mark had an endless supply of fruit pastilles – a ‘reward’ for each top
– and surplus crumpled food packages from his efforts at the LAMM the week
before.
As we passed the Langdales
the sun began to rise, casting a spectacular pink light onto the rocks of
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell. At Angle Tarn was the more spectacular sight of
itinerant orange supplier Phil Cheek. Despite breaking his wrist and with his
arm in a sling he was determined to turn out and support – thanks also to
Annette who had to drive him to Wasdale at some ridiculous hour so he could
walk up.
With the sun fully up and
clear views it was brilliant to be up on the high fells. I had lost all track
of time, just enjoying the day. There were several groups of walkers around Esk
Hause and Scafell Pike – could it
really be 6 a.m? We had intended to try Broad Stand up to Scafell but there was
a group ahead of us who appeared to be struggling. Craig went ahead to try to
sort them out, but Mark decided not to wait. Instead we whizzed up Lord’s Rake
– not looking too hard at the dodgy boulder above us. From the top it was a
steady descent to the campsite and a welcome bowl of Weetabix for breakfast.
Leg 4: Wasdale – Honister Pass (5 hr 11 min)
Navigator: Mark Hartell
Supporters: Geoff Pettingell,
Graeme McCallum
The weather was now looking
good, with plenty of sunshine around. Climbing up Yewbarrow Mark and Geoff had
plenty of breath as they caught up with their news, leaving me trailing in
their wake. At the top we had the only rain shower of the entire round, a 5
minute cool-down before we tackled Red Pike.
The food finds of this leg
were the Tang Fantastic’s that Geoff brought along. However, my tastebuds were
blunted by too many pastilles and so I didn’t get the same buzz from them as
the others. Going up Pillar I was starting to flag, but this was where the rice
pudding was finally put into play.
There were plenty of people
around, supporters of the other attempts. There was one supporter in search of
a contender - “Are you Dark Peak?” she asked. “No, we know where we’re going”.
Another typical exchange: Geoff - “I know that girl, I’m sure she’s x from club
y” Mark - “Who was the bloke with her then?” Geoff - “What bloke, I didn’t see
any bloke.”
Feeling revitalised I stomped
up Kirk Fell and then onto Great Gable – where there was another big crowd
enjoying the sun, some with a tempting bottle of wine. Then along the new fence
right along the ridge and down to Honister, where I finally escaped Mark and
his sweets. The car park was packed, but Bob was there again, with a mug of tea
at the ready.
Leg 5: Honister Pass – Keswick (3 hrs)
Navigator: Trevor Longman
Supporters: Mandy Calvert,
Barry Blyth, Roger Teagle, Julie Gardner with Dolly & Flash
With success in sight, there
was a real party atmosphere on the last leg. Even Julie’s dogs joined in,
charging around the fellside with more energy than I could dream of. From the
top of Dale Head the view extended over Keswick and back to Skiddaw, which
seemed a long time ago. All too soon we arrived at Robinson, the final top and
photo opportunity.
Arriving at Snab Farm, I had
the luxury of two foot washers to cool my toes before changing to road shoes.
Whatever else had happened to my feet over the previous 22 hours, it hadn’t
stopped them feeling ticklish under Barry and Roger’s attentions.
The road section was
enlivened by more photo opportunities, as I was encouraged not to exceed the 20
mph speed limit imposed after the road had been resurfaced. This did not prove
to be too much of a problem, even without Barry waving one of the signs over
his head. Over the bridge and the Moot Hall was in sight. Also in sight was
another contender bearing down on us along the track, so I somehow upped the
pace a bit to ensure getting prime position at the finish. Barry and Roger did
a fine job stopping the traffic and clearing a way through the crowds in the
town centre.
Finally, after 23 hours and 6
minutes, I touched the Moot Hall again – I had done it!
Thanks to everyone who advised, encouraged and supported me, in particular on the day itself but also over the preceding months and years it took for the idea of me doing the Bob Graham Round to go from ‘an utterly inconceivable concept’ to ‘I think I can do this’.
Special thanks to our neighbour, Bob Lock, for his excellent road support throughout the day, to Dave Tucker for his efficient organisation of the support teams, and of course to Mandy – chief coach and best supporter.
One final thought to all those who told me ‘you’re looking as fresh as a daisy’ – I wouldn’t give up the day job for one on the Gardeners Question Time panel – appearances can be deceptive!
Martin Rands