Following a fantastic Easter weekend of snow, wind, drifts and sun, the day time temperatures started to rise above freezing for more than just the lunch time slot for a few days last week, however evenings came (each day) and provided sub zero temperatures of -4 & -5C every night followed by a covering of snow on three out of the four mornings
Right from the beginning of last week the forecast was as accurate as I have seen for a 5 day leading up to Saturday, showing: sun, light winds and temps of 4-7 C Intrepid explorers took to the countryside looking for trails that were agreeable with the locals including some very fearful farmers and shepherds, mostly resembling the makings of Beatrix Potter and Hannah Hauxwell.
It is a tribute to these people that the countryside remains accessible and open for our uninterrupted use and occasional enjoyment, however the lambing season is their crop and livelihood for the year, which did mean that we agreed not to use a selection of rights of way across farmland that was currently being used for lambing.
The Drag was rechecked on Friday morning by the Lincoln Hill rapid support ski section, which confirmed that it was still unavailable as a vehicular access to our Ladlewell checkpoint. Consequently the Sipton, Sinderhope diversion was declared with route cards, maps and route markers being deployed.
So a huge thank you to all those diehards that worked tirelessly in the week leading upto the Challenge to ensure that we had an event that was going to showcase the scenery of the North Pennines, whilst maintaining a good day out in the countryside and still taking in the rightful joys of Killhope.
Our team members and supporters peaked at 93 in the weeks before the event so thanks to everyone that replied, however they dropped to 87 during Easter week; however between 07.30 Friday and 07.30 Saturday they went down to 78.
Still a good number especially with the lower route accessibility. So again please pass on our sincere gratitude to friends and family that were left behind to cope or that were enticed to help. (Jan Briggs makes a lovely cup of Tea - thank you again).
The event saw 695 competitors out on the course (18% dropout ) with only 13 retirements throughout the day. (of which 3 were right at the end)
It remains a true tribute to the team when the last call is to our last competitor on the course to be recovered from Stobbs Cross back to the road.
Thanks again to everyone for the response and support put into place (including those demobbed into trainers) including the transport infrastructure that followed (always tell the bus driver/taxi man where you want to go ! otherwise and I know from international experience that they can take you miles out of your way !) Although we did not use the stretcher it was too close a call to go without it, because if Karen's chatter had dried up I am sure it would have been our only exit.
(Kev & John - I did ask Karen to take you a cuppa down but she thought you had scored with the cottage and were being slipped some WI samples ? !!)
Thanks again to everyone for making a good day great for our Challengers.
Assessing the Drag
Drifts on the way back into Scotch Halls from Stobbs X
The road up to Blacklaw Cross (below Hard Rigg) from Fourshieldgrain
Looking back towards Stobbs Cross
The view into Ladlewell from Lilswood Law
The Dodd to Black Hill
The Drag blown in
The route onto Hard Rigg across Mohope
Killhope
Killhope summit
Mohope moor onto Hard Rigg
Killhope track down to Smelt Mill
Crossing the Haggs onto Killhope from Black Hill
Ladlewell onto the Drag
The Stile going onto Mohope Moor and onto Hard Rigg
Stobbs Cross
Stobbs Cross to Allendale
Stobbs Cross
Ladlewell snow
Killhope hut
Ladlewell shooting cabin
Ladlewell from the Shire
Nearing Blackhill from the Dodd and Hard Rigg
Ski Team arrives at Ladlewell
Track at Ladlewell off to Stobbs Cross
Killhope hut
On way up to Killhope
Path to Killhope
Kite boarding on Killhope
Killhope
Killhope
The Dodd to Hard Rigg
Off the Fell to Scotch Halls
Track upto Black Hill from Nenthead
Blacklaw Cross below Hard Rigg
Black Hill
Route to Killhope from Black Hill
Black Hill parking
Black Hill
Black Hill turning area
Black Hill
Black Hill
No Parking
Route to Hunters Break from Road
Drifts between Ladlewell and Stobbs Cross
So the day came with a good frost, clear skis and sun!
The Checkpoints were deployed and the vehicles hit the road in front of the competitors heading for the Chimneys.
The Chimneys is the first port of call for team members and competitors
And on they went to Bates Hill and Ninebanks, where the route was diverted up to Farney Shield to miss the snowbound ridge of Hard Rigg to The Dodd and Blackhill
Onward over to Killhope
Up past Sinderhope and onto Stobbs Cross
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