It’s never really been something I have really wanted to do as I figured I’d never do it if I had to sort it out myself (recces/long runs etc etc). I was asked about doing Leg 2 for the Pennine attempt, which mean’t being at Threlkeld at 4am, so being in Keswick now, I figured Leg 1 was worth doing as well and a good excuse to try the my new headlight (Hope Vision 4). With Izzy being a bit sicky and Helen not in great shape, her picking me up at Dunmail at 8am wouldn’t not make me too popular. I thought I could grab/hitch a lift back from Dunmail and if not I’d just make sure I would have food to last if I had to stay with the support crew. The guys doing it and the pacers were a good laugh with some great banter (somebody ran with a light saber torch!!) so I just kept on truckin’.
The weather was kind, if a little warm in parts and stormy on Gable. Somebody dropped out at Wasdale so it mean’t I had a support slave somebody to carry my kit. The pack wasn’t that heavy, but it was nice not to carry it up Yewbarrow. Never having been on any of the hills prior to Gable, I must say I’m pleased I didn’t recce as they were bloody hard (bald patches on my thighs due to lots of hands on thighs ascents).
Legs are pretty screwed now. It was a 23hr schedule, but 2 of us (Julian Minshull, Glossop), managed to claw back 30 mins on leg 4 and 1hr on leg 5. Looking forward to helping on the DP weekend next year. The headlight was ace by the way.
Phil