John Booth (M65) - 22nd June 2018

Approaching my 65^th birthday late 2017, I thought how should I celebrate? Throw a party and invite loads of family and friends, take my family out for a meal, invite relations, possibly get loads of gifts that you don’t really need at my ripe old age? My wife Sandra said why don’t you just do something with your running pals.

So, I said yes you might be onto a good idea there! So, I got to thinking what could we do? and on browsing through the Fellrunner mag, came across Martin Stone’s Long Distance Running section, which I always found interesting.

Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge…. Hmmmm, Could I? Should I?..................

So after a lot of mental interrogation, I decided I was indeed mental enough to have a go.

One night in the pub after one of our weekly off road Tuesday nights out I confided in Alan Williams, a fellow clubmate, on the idea of a 65^th retirement do, by attempting the JNLC. Do you think I could do it Al?

Brilliant idea, he enthused and us lot needed a project to keep us occupied over winter and into 2018.

So, the plot was made, confidentially initially, just get through winter with more stamina training and then start recceing in Spring 2018 with a view to a June attempt. Then in February 2018 made my declaration to my fellow off roader clubmates, to rally round supporters for each leg and plan several visits up to the lakes. There was a splendid reaction from everyone and everyone had a real buzz out of the thought of another load of excuses to get up into the lakes and on the fells. So, after a holiday in late March the training began, a solid two months through end of April, May and into June up to the lakes whenever we could. I cannot thank my fellow clubmates enough for their selfless support each and every week to recce the route. Particular thanks to Andy and Mal who eventually, as I will explain later could not make it on the actual attempt.

Planned dates either 15/16^th June or 22/23^rd June weekends, which would quite coincidently be exactly 18 years after my Bob Graham Round.

Apart from the first week when we recced Leg 1 when the weather was extremely wet, we had possibly the best of the summer weekends one could have wished for. Especially good for visibility and exploring any shortcuts or easy descents.

Everything was looking great for the first scheduled date 15/16^th until the forecast suggested a poor weekend, can you believe it after the preceding 8-10 weeks of glorious sunshine.

So decided to scrap the first weekend and looked anxiously at the weather for the following week. The only draw back being that Mal Fletcher couldn’t do second weekend due to work commitments, both of us gutted as she had committed so much time to recceing. Simon was also unavailable due to holidays. Leg 2 support now in question.

But fortunately Winky (Steve Whincup) and Amy Grace immediately stepped forward to do Leg 2 support. If this wasn’t enough Andy Painter injured his calf that same weekend so sadly had to pull out of the support for Leg 3! Problems!

Dave Hindley suggested we contacted an old friend, Dave Sykes to see if he was available and willing to pick up Leg 3 support. After a few phone conversations Dave Sykes said he was up to it and volunteered his valuable services.

So, sorted………just got to get on with it. 22^nd June arrived and it was all good to go.

Steve Carter and Arthur Summers were the road crew, ferrying everyone about and forgoing much sleep to be on hand at all the desired change overs and provide the food and water for everyone.

POOLEY BRIDGE 11:00pm Friday 22^nd June 2018.

DAVE HINDLEY & STEVE CROWE SUPPORT

Myself, Dave Hindley (Navigaton) and Steve Crowe (support) lined up on the bridge on a wonderfully clear night, a few last minute photos and farewells, good luck wishes and we were off on Leg 1. There was a half moon, no need for a head torch initially and we arrived at Arthurs Pike in 60 minutes. First one ticked off, felt so good to be off and running at long last.

Steadily ticked off the peaks, slight cool breeze most of the night, but very clear. Could see Mars for most of the night as we headed south.

Wild campers on High Street, hopefully didn’t disturb their slumbers as we quietly drifted past on towards Thornthwaite Beacon, where the moon looked amazing.

Found the nice grassy decent down to the coll before climbing up to Stoney Cove Pike arriving at peak eleven 19 minutes up on schedule.

The sun was just beginning to rise as we headed for Pike Howe and then on descent down to Kirkstone could see many head torch lights on Red Screes across the pass.

Arrived at Kirkstone car park 19 minutes up on schedule to awaiting rice pudding and hot tea, gratefully prepared by Arthur and Steve C.

Many thanks to Steve Crowe and Dave Hindley for successfully and uneventfully getting me through Leg 1.

KIRKSTONE PASS LEG 2 SATURDAY 23^rd June 2018.

AMY GRACE & STEVE WHINCUP SUPPORT

Change of top, fed & watered off we set just 8 minutes up on schedule, with the early morning sun light just breaking through. Amy led off with a sensible pace up Red Screes reaching the top in just 30 minutes. Discovered what the array of torchlights were, 7 or 8 wild camping pitches up there to photograph the sunrise.

Easy to find the trod off down to Scandale Pass and up to the tarn and off up to contour around Little Hart Crag, up to a line to contour around western edge of Dove Crag.

Climb up to Hart Crag and bag number 14. Quite a coolish breeze still in the early morning. Continued on main path with gentle jog up to Fairfield plateau. Had to move sheep out of shelter to have a little snack break before heading off down the zig zag descent, decided that way down to Grisedale Hause as we were still up on schedule. Steady plod up Seat Sandal and found the BGR trod off the top down to Dunmail. Amy ran on ahead to the road crew to check that the food was ready, as we were still up on schedule by 18 minutes.

Great to see Dave Sykes at Dunmail Raise as he had volunteered to step in at the last minute for Andy Painter who got injured just the week preceding. I know that Andy was devastated that he couldn’t be partaking on the day but I was eternally grateful for his help, week in, week out on the recce’s. Decided to use the gained time to eat plenty at Dunmail, as the availability of food at Styhead was going to be limited. Change of socks, and thanks to Winky and Amy for a good Leg 2 crossing.

DUNMAIL RAISE LEG 3 SATURDAY 23^rd JUNE 2018

DAVE SYKES & DAVE HINDLEY SUPPORT.

Off we set up Steel Fell at 7:28 am just on schedule, still coolish but bright which was good, as we didn’t want to be too hot going up Steel fell. Must admit I wasn’t looking forward to this climb with a full belly but it soon came and went listening to the two D’s banter up the climb, just 30 minutes. Found the early BGR trod but split off later to head up to High Raise. Not too boggy due to the immaculate summer that we had had in the early weeks. Dave S found a good line down to Stake Pass and then on up the ridge to Rossett Pike with another couple of Dave’s easy trods on the way. Rossett Pike reached in good time again, so decided on a good chomp on flapjacks and drinks here as we were up on schedule.

Had a couple of salt tabs too, to ward off any chance of cramp later. Headed diagonally up to Bowfell on the slab terraces. Topped Bowfell in good time again, so snacked again before heading off to Esk Pike and onward to Great End. The views were tremendous in all directions, it was a good call choosing this weekend as opposed to the previous weekend. We were conscious that we shouldn’t arrive at Styhead too far ahead of schedule in case we were ahead of the support team, and be hanging around getting cold.

Having bagged Great end, Dave S said he could find a quick route down a gully off the end to Styhead, which we found and made a careful but beneficial short cut down to arrive at Styhead a good 23 minutes up on schedule.

We were greeted at Styhead by Alan, Billy Badfoot, Winky, Steve C, Amy and Philippa the support who had walked up from Wasdale Head. Hot soup and bread followed by cake and tea went down a treat. Thanks to Dave H and Dave S for a successful Leg 3, Philippa, Billy, Winky and Dave S prepared to head back down to Wasdale having hauled everything up to the stretcher box.

Dave H (again, as he was about to support on his third stint), Alan Williams and Amy Grace (second stint) were my support on the for the final leg. Steve Crowe who had a very sore knee, had intended to join us but decided against it, as he and Amy were to be doing the LL100 next month.

STY HEAD LEG 4 SATURDAY 23^rd JUNE 2018

ALAN WILLIAMS, AMY GRACE & DAVE HINDLEY SUPPORT.

Started off up Gable, quite warm now but everything felt good apart from my hands. I had been troubled with oedema since the start of leg 3 and my hands and fingers were quite swollen. So much so that my rings felt like they were cutting my fingers in half.

Gable reached, quite busy at the top, decided to head down to Windy Gap and round Stone Cove and over to Beck Head before heading up Kirk Fell. Almost went off too soon at what we thought was the top of Kirk Fell, but quickly spotted our error and climbed a little more to the top of Kirk Fell. Still making good time, snacking and drinking well set off down to Black Sail Pass and climb up to Pillar. It’s a long haul to Pillar but could sense that the finish was getting nearer with each step. Pillar conquered just after five o’clock, more snacking keeping the engine going and headed up to Steeple. Always think this such a spectacular peak and felt good to get this one under my belt again.

Scoat Fell soon sorted and off to Haycock all the serious stuff done now, Alan remembered a good route down to the normally boggy Pots of Ashness, bone dry today though and had a great run across to the foot of Seatallan.

Nearly there, with gritted teeth (swollen hands) pushed hard up Seatallan for just turned seven o’clock on a glorious Saturday evening. The views out to the coast were amazing it made me recall what Joss had described at his talk at Buxton Opera House a few days earlier.

Fired off the top of Seatallan on a good route down that Alan & Amy found, we spotted Steve C coming out to meet us from Middle Fell, we were now 5 strong and motoring up to the final top.

Some final pics at the top of the last, number 30, Middle Fell peak of my Joss Naylor crossing and we strode off to Greendale, sore feet, swollen hands but otherwise felt brilliant. Philippa ran up to Middle Fell to meet us for the last stretch. Through the bracken on the lower slopes to Greendale and the bridge, could see the support crew and met everyone at the bridge.

SUCCESS, CROSSING COMPLETED JUNE 23^rd.

20 hours 56 minutes, 30 peaks what glorious day out with the best support team on the planet. Many thanks once again to Steve Carter, Arthur Summers road support, an unenviable task. Dave (3 Legs) Hindley, Steve Crowe, Amy (2 Legs) Grace, Steve Whincup, Dave Sykes, Alan Williams, Billy Badfoot, Philippa Tyson. Thanks to absent friends Mal Fletcher, Andy Painter and Simon Daley who gave so much to the cause but couldn’t be there on the final shout.

Also, not forgetting my wife Sandra for putting up with my absence every weekend and the sponsorship that many generous people had given to my chosen charity, The British Heart Foundation, a total of £515.00

(The photographers were Steve Crowe, Amy Grace, Steve Whincup, Bill Fergusson, Dave Hindley.)