Jon Morgan accompanied by Steve Watts (Macc Harriers) completed a winter BG today in 23:40 in cold and calm conditions after a 12 noon start yesterday, 1/1/11.
Road crossing support only and a stash in Wasdale made it an alpine-style (to steal a climbing phrase) completion.
Road crossing support only and a stash in Wasdale made it an alpine-style (to steal a climbing phrase) completion.
Jon has sent us a full account which will be published in full in the next Dark Peak News, but here's a little teaser … Once up Bowfell we made good progress as far as Lords Rake (Broad Stand is definitely not an option in winter). 3 weeks previously we encountered challenging conditions in the exit to Lords Rake onto the plateau. This time snow conditions were much worse and it was looking dodgy. Eventually after some exciting moments kicking steps and with some backtracking invoved, we emerged on Scafell, losing 20 mins on that leg and a further 10 on the descent to Wasdale, presumably from the preceding trauma. We were 53 mins off the 23 hour pace on leg 3 alone …