A winter Bob Graham round is a serious undertaking by anyones standards. If you are a purist, as John Brockbank of Windermere has told me, then it should be completed on the 21st of December, the Winter Solstice. I forget now whether Martin Stone of John Brockbank was the first to complete a winter round, but both put out amazing efforts, Martin soloing the whole thing through knee deep snow in places. That must have been a dark and lonely place at times.

On Friday night I got a little taste of what it must be like to have to endure the conditions, terrain and servere cold that comes with a Winter BG.

JP asked me last week was I helping out Mhairi Cameron on her Winter BG attempt? I knew nothing about it. But I had supported Mhairi on 2 subsequent attempts. The first had bailed at Bowfell. The second, which was a sucessful round, although outside of the time limit, I had joined her at Whiteside and ran the final part of the Helvellyn ridge to Clough Head and then we walked the final leg of Blencathra, Great Calva and finally Skiddaw. It was a beautiful morning and I was happy to be walking into Keswick as the sun rose... although not so happy for the lack of sleep and the fact I had to go to run the shop after breakfast. So this was number 3 and I wanted to be part of it. So I texted Mhairi. She put me on leg 1 with JP. So it was set. But then the weather set in for the weekend, heavy winds, lots of snow and a full moon. Great for skiing or possible climbing when it settles down, but not great for a BG attempt.

Mhaihi is a hard woman and was not detered. She was watching the weather carefully and saw a window in the high winds later on Friday and most of Saturday, so it was on. We were to meet at Moot Hall in Keswick at 6:30pm for a 7pm start. Excitment and trepidation ran through my body and I got all my stuff ready on Thursday evening in-between other commitments I already had.

Friday arrived and heavy snow had fallen in the morning and proceeded to, throughout the day (in the mountains that is). JP and I met in Windermere at 5pm, got to Keswick for 6pm and I was early for once.. shock and horror!! Mhairi and John arrived at 6:30pm and we all got ready. 7pm and Moot Hall was touched for the last time until 24hrs or so later... or so we hoped.

JP locks the van

As we ran out of Keswick the clouds were clearing showing us Lower Man and a full moon, it was already beautiful and we hadn't left the town. I probably shouldn't have been going, as my body was fulll of pains and sweats, a bug I had picked up on Thursday from my niece and nephew, but its hard to say no to a great event, and this was deffinately one of those. As we headed up Lower Man, my legs were on fire and I couldn't tell if we were moving too fast of whether it was the bug causing me the trouble. Mhairi was pushing hard, a little too hard, but then we had difficult conditions ahead. Or so we imagined anyway, and how right were we!!

JP and Mhairi heading up Skiddaw

JP helping zip Mhairi's waterproof pants in the cold (look at the fence!)

As we moved up the path the snow became deeper and drifts were growing. We climbed the style at the path division to head up Skiddaw and the otherside of the fence was full on winter. That was the start of it. The cloud descended slightly and we were following a faint path and on a bearing to the next gate.. which we found well enough, but it was a sign for sure, it was half covered in a snow drift. The summit of Skiddaw wasn't much of a problem, and neither the descent until the leftward turn is made to find the fence to cross. On crossing the fence it all changed. The weather was good, we came out of the cloud, but the ground was 12" deep in snow, some powder, some styrofoam and some or lots was a breakable crust, possibley the worst type you can imagine to run down. We made the bottom of the valley and the crossing through the bog was cold, ice cold.

We found the path to head up Great Calva straight away and Mhairi marched on, super determined to make good time. With my body the way it was, she left me behind and I worried that I wasn't getting food inside her, but there was little I could do. As we made the top, she was off and ahead again, with me panting, sweating and cursing myself for not calling it a day before I had started. I didn't want to let her down, but then it may have been better, as I felt I was slowing her up. The descent from Great Calva was hard, knee high heather and snow... you can imagine. Then the bog again at the bottom and to top it off, a lovely icey foot bath called Glender Amackin was crossed. I don't know about Mhairi or JP, but my feet were absolutley frozen. To the point of hurting. We then slogged it up and across Mungrizedale and onto the back of Blencathra, which again was to hard. Breakable crust, bogs and then a biting North Easterly breeze to top it all off. I finally managed to pull both JP and Mhairi back into range and got Mhairi into a warmer top for the summit. JP was suffering due to not enough layers, but then he doesn't moan, just gets on with it.

Mhairi ahead bathed in moon light trudging up the back of Mungrizedale Common. (yes, its a torch shining on the ground... )

Looking back from Mungrizedale Common to Skiddaw in the moonlight.

Atkinson Pike was made and we headed across the little dip to summit the Devil's Fingers (Blencathra). At the summit we go the invalueble Kahtoola Microspikes out to descend Halls Fell. This would have been lunacy without, but with the spikes on, it was only half lunacy. We trod carefully and soon we were out of the snow and heading down the final path to the waiting support van and John. There we were greeted by Paul Vousden, Helen Jackson and Dan & Dave. They were Mhairi support for the next section over the Helvellyn ridge.

Mhairi, in pink (what other colour would she be in!!?), and Helen Jackson sitting in the van. Paul Vousden dressed for the Helvelly Ridge of Leg 2. Mhairi ready to set off for Leg 2.

JP and I were wasted. It had taken everything out of me, I had sweated ridiculously for the temperature, but hopefully the bug was being cooked. Mhairi and supporters were leaving to get the next section underway and John was getting the van ready to give us a lift back to Keswick to JP's van.

We had taken 4:20 to do leg one. The next morning I texted Helen to find out how she had done and had she managed to complete the Helvellyn ridge, as Fairfield must have been a mission in that snow. The reply was, she arrived at Dunmail Raise at 5am, so it had taken her 5:30 for Leg 2 and she had set off on Leg 3. At 10:30am I got a text to say it was all over and Mhairi had called it a day somewhere on Leg 3 and was descending into Langdale. An amazing effort.

So Mhairi Cameron, against all odds and lots of disuasion from her friends and supporters gave a Winter Bob Graham attempt her best shot in what can only be called serious ground conditions and to top it off, although the weather had been fine, the wind chill during the night was well below zero. I would hazzard a guess of minus 15 or more when we were on Skiddaw & Blencathra, she had to cope with that all along the Dodd's and the Helvellyn ridge.

Well done Mhairi, what a tough woman you are!! ;-)

Honza and I made the long walk into Pillar, a little further than it had to be!! But its all training. After working far too many days in a row we headed out to Ennerdale Water, parked in the wrong car park, bedded down in the van, had a few ciders with burner going & got some shut eye for the following day. I woke early for morning needs & headed outside, to catch a glimpse of the Lunar Eclipse, then back to bed for more sleep for the on coming day. We woke around 9am, got the burner going, had coffee & breakfast, got the dogs sorted for a cold day in the van & then headed up the east side of Ennerdale water for our long walk in. The day was amazing, beautiful light & sky all the way. We cursed ourselves for parking in the wrong carpark, but you can't get everything right. I guess we got to Pillar around lunchtime, neither of us having a watch meant we were just there, no pressure, no problems. We had hoped to see the crag holding snow, but it was a bit hopefull & when we saw Pillar Rock in all her glory, we were slightly repelled by the dry rock we saw. Thankfully our back-up plan for climbing Waterfall Gully was a good option.

We geared up at the bottom and soloed up to the main icefall pitch. It looked in good conditions, but a little thin, so Honza tied on the sharp end & set off up the ice column of ice on the left of the gully. A few hollow sounding placements brought moans from Honza, but he sailed up it like all was ok.... I should learn.

As Honza made a belay at the top, I put my pack on containing a rope, all our rock gear (which had been brought in hope of a harder line on Pillar itself) & other stuff, weighing in at above 10kg. Of course I didn't think what effect this would have on my forearms as I started climbing, but with-in taking out the first 2 bits of gear, I was majorly pumped & srcabbling aorund too far left in the corner, back footing, not properly on the column itself. Now I understood the groans from Honza before. As I buried my right axe in the hollowest section & my left close by, I cut looose slightly to swing across. Of course the ice gave way & sheared into the waterfall behind, spitting me off & testing out honza's belay above. All was well, bar my over pumped hands from gripping my axes too hard. I pulled back on & shakely climbed the now thinner, hollow ice above, pulling out into the scoop at the top, breathing hard. The rest was following neve above in strips to the top out to an amzing backdrop over Fleetwith Pike, Dalehead & in the background was Blencathra with the moon rising to the right.

All in all a pretty good way to spend the winter solstice, with a Lunar Eclipse in the morning, a battle of a walk in with winter boots on, beautiful ice to climb to the top of Pillar & then walk back out by the light of the Full Moon. You can't really ask for more. Conditions on the fells right now are great for water ice climbing. Where-ever a water course runs down the fell, over rock,  or down a gully, then its a pretty certain bet that it is frozen & ready to climb. Reports of all ice in condition around Thirlmere, Blea Tarn is in excellent condition, Grasmoor & surrounding area's must have good condition & I have friends heading out to Cautley Spout tonight. Myself & Mike Elliot are heading to somewhere tonight, maybe Lower Gantry as we had a brief look when we drove over Honister on Monday night showing the ice there was also in great conditions & the drive down into Buttermere was interesting, snow tires were certainly a help, a little ice on the road adds to the adrenaline. If your into Ice Skating, then pretty much any small tarn you can think of will be good for skating. Ratherheath is always a certain, but I think it is take your pick until after boxing day.  For skiing there maybe area's which are holding old snow from a few weeks ago, but it will be a walk. The Helvellyn Ridge is maybe ski-able with care, but I haven't had reports back as of yet. Really, more snow is needed for good skiing conditions, but if you head east towards Cross Fell, then I am sure you will find something to mess around on. For runners, well the conditions are great, especially if you own a pair of Kahtoola Microspikes, which give great traction on icey/hardpack snowy conditions. I have heard of 2 attempts a a winter Bob Graham, but unfortunately both were unsucsessful. Steve Ashworth set of with a friend, un-supported, on Monday night, to get to the Dunmail Road cross & call it a day due to being behind schedule, his mate carried on, calling for a pickup in Langdale. The other I heard about was Jim Evans (?),  being supported by Ambleside AC, but this was cancelled before the set off. Hopefully someone out there managed it in the excellent weather condtions we have been blessed with. If your out winter walking then enjoy safely. Make sure you have full winter equipment, including axe & crampons (Kahtoola KTS Steels are a great option), capabilty to make hot food, have shelter, a sleeping bag & of course a map & compass. better safe than sorry!! ;-)

Have a Happy Snow Christmas,

The Outdoor Warehouse Team

Went for a quick blast with JP & dogs up and down Helvellyn from Swirls Car Park. Its been a cold weekend & snow had been forecast for the highest summits, falling above 600m. I wasn't sure if things had been stipped abit since Tuesday last. As we left the carpark it was raining, but we could clearly see the snow line for today as we drove over Dunmail Raise, so we new it wouldn't be long before we were treading on the white stuff. Before we came to the level where you would turn off for Brown Cove Crags we entered the snow line, as we moved up onto the back of Lower Man we trudged up hard pack drifted snow, perfect for skiing on, and with only just watching Glen Plake at the Mountain Film Festival in Kendal I was disapointed I didn't have a set of ski's. It was snowing hard as we summited above Brown Cove Crags & very windy, whipping spindrift into the side of our faces. The gullies on Brown Cove Crags were collecting quite alot of snow & cornices are building. The turf was not frozen at all here, but it won't take long if the freezing level drops over the next few day's. Coming up the back of Lower Man & onto the summit plateau we crossed wind blown,hard pack snow & rimed-up rock that was exposed to the elements. There is quite an even covering & it maybe possible to make a traverse of the ridge on skinny ski's, but inpection in daylight would confirm this.

The edge over-looking Red Tarn is building a cornice, quite big by the look of it, but difficult to tell in the conditions we were in. It was strangely calm at the summit beacon, the wind swirling around creating an erie effect.  The turf near the edge, just underneath Lower Man was not frozen either, but a couple of day's of cold conditions, mixed with North Easterly winds should freeze everything down, although it is doubtful that climbing is ready just yet on Helvellyn, hopefully by mid-week & deffinately at night time, it should be coming into good condition. I didn't get to view the face, as it was dark, snowing & in cloud... so not sure of the snow cover there, but if the fell tops are anything to go by, it should have a good covering. Check out the weather report for the Lakes on MWIS, but here's the Planning Outllook for the next week & slightly beyond!! It looks fantasitc!! Planning Outlook: All mountain areas of Britain from Tuesday, 23rd November, 2010 Slowly becoming colder and clearer through Tuesday from the north with a widespread frost overnight. As the air becomes even colder on Wednesday and Thursday there will be an increasing threat of clusters of heavy snow showers forming over the sea and being brought inland across eastern and far northern ranges on strong northeast or northerly winds. Severe wind chill conditions then likely widely with significant drifting and whiteout conditions at times. Continuing extremely cold for late November right through into next week. Winds probably lighter with directions determining coastal ranges most at risk of snow. Persistent frost. Anyone venturing in to the fells for the next week, should expect it to be very cold & be carrying full winter equipment including an axe & crampons, although they may stay in your bag, its better to be with, than without. The wind chill is very high. MicroSpikes would work well on the conditions & terrain we covered, I have just dusted mine off from my winter kit cupboard for my next outing.

Charlie

Just been for a morning run with Myles Uren of Spinlock UK around Garbun Pass & Kentmere Common. I had to be up at 3am to drop Nicola & kids off at Manchester Airport for their holiday to Madera, so when Myles texted me last night asking if I wanted to go for a morning run (he is up from the Isle of White for a few days) I thought, well why not. I'll be tired, but maybe it will energise me for the day.

Knowing it was going to be a clear night, which meant frosty morning & hopefully blue skys, it seemed the perfect way to get a 3 hour drive to Manchester & back out of my system. I picked Myles up around 7.45 in Kendal & we drove to the start of Dubs Lane. This is the metaled road that runs up the east side of Troutbeck & then heads over Garbun Pass. It was a hard slog up the hill, on not so fresh legs & a tired head. We both bared up quite well, Myles only runs the flatlands of the Isle of White at the moment & my 3am start was taking its toll.... I need my sleep!!

The sun was just rising as we set off & as we headed up over Garbun Pass we were bathed in golden sunlight. Amazing. From here you head down to Kentmere Hall & then back over Kentmere Common, heading right at Green Lane, bringing you round to High Borrans. The air was beautifully fresh, the ground frosty on the grass & puddles frozen over with 0.5cm of ice. I wore my new, but now out of production Lowe Alpine Ninga hoody, underneath a Montane Windshirt, my trusty Inov-8 212's on my feet & a new pair of Smartwool running socks I have been testing out, which are by the way, very nice. Could do with a shower now, but it will have to wait until tonights climbing wall session is out of the way. Ah, the joy's of living in the mountainous region of the North West of England. Accessability into the fells counts for more than money is worth. These days are priceless & should always be squeesed in when you can.

Charlie

OMM Primaloft top verses the Montane Fireball. Ok, so lucky me, I have been supplied, a few months ago, with a Montane Fireball Primaloft Top and an OMM ­­­­­Rotor Primaloft Smock to test. I thought, cheeky as I am, that I would test them both & write an article which discusses both tops, their uses & then put them head to head against each other…. So, bets are on, the Fireball or the OMM, who’s going to win?? If it were Itchy Scratchy & Bruno Hochalugie (From Cheech & Chong – Still Smoking, not the Itchy & Scratchy show) or The Invisible Man, which would you go for then? Yep, you’ve got the idea, it’s the old super-hero versus super-hero fight routine!! Lets have a look at each independently, then throw them in the ring together.

 

The OMM Rotor Smock

So the weight of the primaloft is 40g per square meter in the body & in the arms. This makes for a pretty cosy top. There is a single zip that extends to lower chest, which on the model I have is water-resistant. The there are Velcro securing tapes at the end of the sleeves, to offer venting or a wind-tight fit. The arms are long, allowing good reach & around the waist hem there is a drawcord. To finish it off, although OMM haven’t furnished them with a Primaloft front, there is a stitch through hand/map pocket. Not the best for warm hands, as detailed before, but great to keep snacks, compass, map etc close at hand. Soft fabric around the neck adds a good warm closure for cold weather & events. The outer fabric is a super-light weight Quantum Pertex. All in all, the OMM Rotor Smock is a very nice, lightweight primaloft top, that is similar in design to the , now discontinued Haglof LIM Barrier Top. It’s a great piece for climbing – whilst hanging out on belays etc, running – as a stop top or when your finished, walking, backpacking, skiing and generally any outdoor pursuit you can think of, and in Black with Orange Trim, it is in classic OMM colours for a sleek, but catchy, finished look. You can check out the tech specs underneath:

Weight	280 grams
Inner & Outer fabric	Quantum Pertex
Insulation	Primaloft One 40g
Colour	Black with Orange trim
Size spread available	XS, S, M, L, XL

The Montane Fireball

So, if you liked the OMM, you’re definitely going to like this one, but maybe, depending on your intended use & idea of whether you like frills of not, you’re going to love it!!

The Montane Fireball is the Ultra Lightweight Dream in Primaloft tops. It’s a no frills, take it as it comes superlight Primaloft top. It has 40 grams per square meter of Eco Primaloft throughout, the outer is a mix of Quantum Core for the main body & the contrast colour is Quantum Ripstop. They either come in Red or Blue with Graphite contrast on both. Both the waist hem & cuffs have been finished with a soft piping & are both self elasticated. This means no messing, when the top is on, your warmth is sealed in. Montane have added some reflective piping across the chest & back of the shoulder blades, so you can be seen, if running/biking at night in it. Next you have Montane’s signature semi-automatic 2 way deep chest zip, allowing easy access whilst the neck is still sealed, and finally you have a couple of reflective dots on the end of the arms. This is an out & out runners/lightweight enthusiast/users piece. No frills, no pockets, just Primaloft Eco, Quantum Pertex & a good close fit. Check out the Tech Specs:

Weight	260 grams
Fabrics	Pertex Quantum Core (main) and Pertex Quantum Ripstop
Insulation	Primaloft Eco 40g
Colours available	Cobalt/Graphite & Alpine Red/Graphite
Sizes available	XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL

Summary

So, which do I prefer, or who’s going to win?? Well, that’s really got nothing to do with it from your point of view, but if asked, I guess it would be both. I like them for different reasons & would find it hard to choose. If pushed, for me it’s the Montane, but that’s because I want it for running, layering in winter & sitting on belays whilst summer climbing. I don’t need the pockets, I don’t want to vent it, I just want a top I can pull over my head & that’s it, if i’m warm & happy. But, if I were looking for something a little more, but still wanted the Ultralight Ethos, then the OMM is a great top. It allows more air flow, so if used on the move, allows better flexability before I have to shed the top. Cold winter walking, competing in the OMM, ski touring in Scotland or the Lakes & I think the OMM Rotor Smock  takes precedence. So it really depends on your intended use & what you think you want out of it. Put them in ‘the ring’ together & watch them battle it out, who’s going to win?? My money is on the Fireball, but then that’s only my opinion & after all, you maybe thought that Itchy Scratchy & Bruno Hockalugie were a favorites in the film ‘Still Smoking’, but then who was to know that The Invisible Man would kick ass when his balls fly around the ring & knock both of them out!! It doesn’t matter really, all that matters for you (the reader), is they are both out in stores & on websites from September/October, the Montane Fireball is priced £100 & the OMM Rotor Smock is priced £110. Both good prices & I suggest you buy sooner rather than later, because it looks like we have more price hikes coming in 2011!!

About the companies

 OMM - Original Mountain Marathon: OMM have a heritage as long as your arm & further. Originally started by the Iconic Mike Parsons with his families brand Karrimor. First was the KIMM or Karrimor International Mountain Marathon, the real first in Adventure Racing. Next came the KIMM Lite products to compliment the event. When Karrimor crashed & the company was bought out by the Sports Direct Group, Mike rescued the event & the KIMM Lite label, soon changing the brand & event to the OMM or Original Mountain Marathon, since there are now 7 in the UK per year. OMM, as KIMMLite did, produce clothing & packs for MM usage & ultralight travel through the mountainous regions of the world. OMM are now concentrating on producing the best OMM event kit possible..... For my money, OMM produce the best & original packs for MM use, they are my prfered running packs whenever I compete.

Montane: Montane are a UK based company who pride themselves in producing innovative clothing systems for use ultimately in the harsher regions of the UK & northern hemisphere. Born from a passion for the mountains, Montane are now back in their poll position & producing some of the best bits of kit I have used, from the Propane Jacket (a primaloft insulated waterproof fabric all-round winter jacket), the Aero Quantum Smock, the excellent original Terra Stretch Shirt made from IBQ Pertex to the Spektr ultralite event running smock weighing in at a very light 210 grams (of which I have only had a look at, but know instinctively, theat this is where running waterproofs are at). They are not afraid to try a different concept, even if at the end of the day, it doesn’t turn out to be commercial. My type of company!!

Charlie