George Critchley (M60) - 29 July 2017

My Joss Naylor Challenge started last November when Carole asked what I wanted to do for my 60th birthday and I had no idea. After looking on the calendar and seeing that the 29th July was on a Saturday I just came out with it and said I fancy doing the Joss.

I had this vision on the Friday night driving up to Pooley Bridge for the 4am departure that I would see the sunrise in the east as we were going to reach Arthur's Pike at about 4:50. Haha some chance.

I set off bang on time with 3 Holcombe Harrier club mates. Matt Driver navigating along with Tim Boland and John Appleby doing the food and water duties.

Pooley Bridge

It was when we were on our way up to the first trig that Tim and John told me how they had been stopped on the M6 for 30 minutes. The police had shut the motorway to catch someone driving the wrong way down the carriageway. They must have put Lewis Hamilton to shame after the police removed the cordon to get to the bridge on time.

We reached Arthurs Pike 4 minutes up on schedule but there was not going to be a sunrise to see today. We had set off in light drizzle but you could see ahead that it was going to deteriorate very rapidly. We reached Loadpot hill still ahead of schedule then the weather started to turn nasty. We kept knocking off the tops and when we got to Kidsty Pike we were 10 minutes up. I had a quick glance over Haweswater then turned around to see High Street to my left shrouded in clag and thought this is going to be an interesting day.

High Street was the first of the big hills ticked off.  We set off to Thornthwaite Beacon and I took it very gingerly. It was on that path I had my fall in May and ended up at the hospital having 7 stitches in my Knee. We got to the beacon and the rain and visibility was getting very bad now. Matt took us to the grass trod to the side of the main pathway for our descent.  On the way down Tim and John decided that rather than do separate falls they would do a synchronised one painfully planting their derrières solidly on to the rocks.

I missed the chance to recce this end section of leg 1 due to my fall in May and lack of time. I had forgot about the steepness of the climb up through the rocks to Stoney Cove Pike. My long legs certainly came in handy clambering up the rocks. We stayed on the main path from there down to the Kirkstone Inn and across to the car park as the visibility was now down to about 15 metres.  Here amongst the support JNC greeter Rainer Burchett said hello and commented on the poor conditions.

Kirkstone Pass

My Wife Carole was waiting there with hot drinks and bacon butties for everyone and they were needed as the weather was still pretty nasty. I decided it was wise to change my shorts and get my waterproof bottoms on and they stayed on for the rest of the day.

For leg 2 Steve White from Holcombe navigated along with 4 friends from Rochdale Harriers, Mark Walker, Jenny Brown, John Armstrong and Gareth Hunt who took on the food and water duties. As we were heading up to Red Screes Mark asked how many miles and climb I had done this year. When I told him it was 900 miles and 135,000 ft. he said you've no problem today as long as you can stay upright. I felt I was breathing a bit heavily on the climb then when I got to the trig I found out why.  I had made up 6 minutes on the schedule. As we left the trig the weather got even worse. I am not sure if my mind was playing tricks on me but I don't remember being out of the clouds till we were  running down to Dunmail Raise about  2 hours later. We had done an out and back recce of this leg 3 weeks prior to the day in our shorts and tee shirts. No chance of that today. We found a trod on the recce that we had planned on using from Red Screes to cut the corner but with visibility being so poor we stayed on the path and followed the wall line. We made our way up towards Hart Crag then on to Fairfield. The rain was now almost horizontal and I kept thinking that it must start to improve soon as it surely couldn't get any worse.

When we got to the top of Seat Sandal and I touched the trig point the support started singing happy birthday to me. I had promised myself I wasn't going to cry today but it was close. The run in through the bracken path was hilarious. I think everyone of us slipped on our backsides at least once and me at least twice. It was that wet I could have used skis to get down. We got in to the check point 20 minutes up so I was still making time despite the atrocious weather.

When I climbed over the steps and saw how many people had turned out to greet me it gave me a massive lift.

Approaching Dunmail Raise

Carole was there again with more hot drinks for everyone. I decided to have rice pudding and a big tub of sliced peaches this time as they slide down easily. I changed my jacket and shirt and tried to dry off as much as I could and get warm for the big boy mountains waiting ahead of me.

Peter McNulty from Radcliffe AC took over the navigation duties for the last two legs  and Matt Dunn my club mate from Holcombe took over the food and water side of it.

I waved goodbye to the marvellous and very wet wet wet Leg 2 support and climbed over the ladders to head off up Steel Fell.

I found it tough going up there and took plenty of water in. It turned out to be a repeat of the climb up Red Screes as I made up 7 minutes on my schedule. We left Steel Fell and started the tough wet trudge over to High Raise then on to Rossett Pike. We could see David Ward a great friend who had made his way up from Wasdale to the top of Rossett Pike to meet us. He was going to be with me the rest of the way to Wasdale.

Approaching Rossett Pike (photo: P McNulty)

The rain had thankfully stopped by now and the strong wind was quickly drying the rocks on the tough mountains that were coming in to play for the next few hours. We ticked off Bowfell and Esk Pike then the fun really started trying to get down off Great End. I just stood at the top looking down the gulley and thinking to myself again that this will be interesting. I had complete faith in Peter finding the right line down so just followed him like a puppy dog. It was a very hard descent in the wet conditions and I lost all the 10 minutes I had previously made up on the leg but we all got down safely and still 20 minutes up on schedule.

As I ran up to the stretcher box at Styhead I could see a big crowd waiting to cheer me in and another rendition of happy birthday rang out from them. Steve White had driven over  with his wife Carol to join the advance party that was already at Wasdale.

Sty Head (photo: M Fuller)

Matt Dunn dropped off at this junction and ran back down to Langdale to meet his family to start their holidays

I knew I needed to get some proper food in me for the final leg so I had some  noodles,  rice pudding and other bits washed down with a cup of strong  tea. The weather was improving by the minute but I decided I was keeping my waterproof gear on as the last thing I wanted was to start feeling the cold.

Bez Jones took over from Matt for the final section ahead. We set off up towards Great Gable and passed my mate John Kirkham and his wife Brenda on the way up. They had set off ahead of us at Styhead to give us support on the hill. It was a tough climb up to the top but I again took 8 minutes of my scheduled pace. Peter then found us the right line down off Gable. We then climbed up to Kirkfell. It was about this point I felt a twinge of cramp. Bez came in to his own then by giving me salt tablets to sort myself out. They definitely did something for me as it kept the cramp at bay. The descent off Kirkfell was just like Great End I put my complete faith in Peter to find the right line which he duly delivered.

We started the long climb up towards Pillar and you could see the clag hiding the top. I believe with it being hidden it worked in my favour as I just kept moving and didn't know how far I had to go. This was the one I needed in the bag as I knew I had cracked it as long as I could keep upright to the finish. It was about this time when my stomach started grumbling to me. I have never been good at refuelling during long events. I used gels and caramel peanut bars on the legs and was lucky to get so far without any trouble. We finally got to the summit of Pillar and a smile broke out. Just 5 more hills to go. We made our way to Scoat Fell still in the clag.  David cracked me up when he turned round to me as I was dragging myself up the path and said what are you doing on your 61st birthday. Is it the Paddy Buckley and my polite reply was no I am taking up golf and cribbage after today.

As we left Scoat fell and headed out to Steeple Peter stayed behind to see if he could get the picture of us at the top. Amazingly the clag cleared on cue and he got a great picture.

Steeple (photo: P McNulty)

I found the run down to Haycock really tough as my stomach was in turmoil and it was to stay that way till the end. I looked at my watch and knew I could walk the rest of the way but getting under 17 hours was the target.

I stayed at the rear with Bez taking it easy on the way to Seatallon and let David and Peter shoot off in front.  I did the Seatallon climb in May while I was fresh and it was tough enough then. I think Peter sussed out I was really struggling  so he sent Bez out in front and he dropped behind me to give me support. When we got to the top Sheila McNulty and Alan Sumner had walked up to greet us to give me moral support. Just Middlefell left now. As I approached the summit  Michelle Fuller was there to steer me in as well.

The run down to the bridge from the fell with quite a posse in tow was a magical experience and running over the bridge to actually meet Joss and shake the shepherd's hand was an amazing experience. I completed the challenge in 16 hours 56 minutes.

Greendale Bridge (photo: S McNulty)

Bill Williamson (M50) - 23 July 2017

I was under no illusion the Joss Naylor Lakeland Challenge time allowance of 12 hours for a V50 would be easy. I had used the 10 Peaks race a month earlier as a test, it has similar ascent to the JNLC but is around three miles longer, it took over 14 hours so there was no doubt this was race pace for me. I thought running with support would make up some of the difference and I did lose time on the 10 Peaks because I ran out of water?

The JNLC time for V50 is the equivalent of running a sub 6 hour Wasdale fell race twice and last year I did Wasdale in 6:05. Think positive!

Pooley Bridge

Leg 1 – Pooley Bridge to Kirkstone Pass

At 7:00am on a glorious sunny morning I set off from Pooley Bridge with Paul Johnson providing support. The low cloud forecast had not materialised so I could relax and enjoy the run up to Arthur’s Pike. I had told Paul I thought the schedule was too fast and would be walking a lot of the climb so I was very surprised to hit the summit bang on time!

Stuart Stoddart was waiting on the top and joined us providing some local knowledge and entertainment when he tried to nose dive into one of the many bogs. It was heavy going until High Raise due to the amount of rain the previous week but we kept pretty much to the schedule.

We said goodbye to Stuart at Rampsgill Head and within 30 seconds I took a nose dive myself, no damage done but a warning I needed to concentrate.

By now the day was heating up and on the climb up to Stoney Cove Pike I was starting to feel it. I don’t appreciate running in hot weather especially as at the pace we were moving is was getting difficult to drink enough water. Paul had been doing a fantastic job providing food and drink when I needed it but my body was having difficulty taking it in. On the final descent Paul still had the energy to race off and warn my road support I was on my way.

Arriving at Kirkstone Pass

Leg 2 – Kirkstone Pass to Dunmail Raise

More Liquid!

A big grin for my daughter Rebecca taking photos at Kirkstone a quick guzzle of juice and water then I pour half of it over my wife handing the bottle back.

“Sorry!”

Great to see one of the official JNLC helpers turn out to see me at Kirkstone, it is a lovely tradition that I was not expecting. Only five minutes down on schedule here but I don’t stop and get the time back.

Paul Jennings is supporting this leg and I immediately tell him I am taking the climb easy as I need to eat and hydrate before pushing again.The descent off Red Screes becomes very wet approaching Scandale Pass and some of the shortcuts I take don’t seem worth it as I sink deep into bogs forcing me to walk.

It feels very hot on the climb around Dove Crag and I’m constantly drinking, I thought I had given Paul too much water to carry at the start of the leg but on Hart Crag I finish the last of my water. The views are spectacular running towards Fairfield, the bright greens of the Eastern Fells especially looked magnificent, what a day to be on the fells! We run straight past the summit to a cairn further north, I blame the fact that I’m normally here in the dark or in clag or both! This resulted in a great descent line on grass to join the main path so may have been worth it.

The final descent to the road through the bracken from Seat Sandal was one mudslide, not sure how I kept on my feet. We arrived thirsty but confident 10 minutes behind schedule at Dunmail.

Arriving at Dunmail Pass

Leg 3 – Dunmail to Styhead Pass

Wynn and Steve Cliff were at Dunmail supporting and it was a real boost to see them both, this was why I was doing this challenge. I drank as much liquid as my stomach could hold then set off up Steel Fell eating a bacon sarnie with Carwyn Phillips and Andy Beaty on support duty.

The climb seemed to take ages and once on the top I struggled to run some of the flatter sections then managed to find the deepest of the bogs going in up to my thigh as Andy floated across like Legolas. All this was very heavy going and I could feel time draining away.

On the tussocky climb up to High Raise it was getting increasingly hard to eat as my mouth was dry no matter how much water I was drinking, luckily Carwyn had some jelly babies which I managed to get down or the time deficit may have become too much.

Every time we passed a stream I would have a hat of water poured over me and soaked my bandana to try and cool down. I was feeling queasy and lightheaded on the climb to Bowfell, at the summit, after finding that I’d lost over 30 mins since leaving Dunmail I new things would have to change.

On the climb to Esk Pike I started taking a small bite from a bar then wash it down with water as if taking tablets, doing this I managed to eat a full bar before the summit! I used the same tactic on the climb to Great End. I was still losing time but I was now getting calories in before the final leg.

More importantly I could see cloud creeping in from the west, soon that sun would be hidden. I now started to perk up as I was also approaching home ground and descended Great End in the scheduled time.

Leg 4 – Styhead to Greendale Bridge

It was lovely to see Kate Beaty here who had come out to Styhead to see how I was getting on, again it’s a little boost to know people are cheering you on when attempting challenges like this.

A quick look at the watch confirmed I was 42 minutes behind the schedule so it would require a 3:35 last leg, 20 minutes faster than 12 hour pace to finish in time. The temperature had dropped by about 10 degrees, the wind had picked up, thick cloud was shrouding the tops and all I could think of was yes let's do it!

Phil Archer and Peter Mcavoy were my support for the final leg. No mention was made of the time but the atmosphere was serious and I could tell they were keen to be off. I had told them I was going to run straight through but I knew I needed to get more food and water in so took four minutes to wash down another bar before setting off.

A steady ascent of Gable followed taking in plenty of water and a gel halfway up, we quickly gained on a walker but could never quite catch him. At the summit he gleefully explained he was not going to let us overtake!

“Gained 4 minutes”

I could see Phil stopping to take a bearing off the misty summit but these are the fells I’ve spent most of my life running over so I ran straight him past down my prefered route, the rocks were extremely slippy but I was starting to feel in my element now and made it down to Beck Head in 10 minutes.

Another gel on the ascent of Kirk Fell then the rain gets heavier so my waterproof top goes on and I shelter behind Peter due to the strong gusts of wind.

“Gained another 9 minutes”

Food and drink appear within seconds of requesting it all I’ve got to do is run, this is great fun! I shout follow me after the summit and snake through the scree and crags to the top of Red Gully. This is a section I was worried about as my legs are starting to cramp and any big stretch down could set it off, I take it slowly and manage to make it down without incident.

It’s a long drag up to Pillar and I still need to gain time so run a lot of the uphills and power walk the steep sections.

“5 minutes gained”

I run off Pillar into the clag navigating from feature to feature to drop quickly down to wind gap and skip along the Black Crag traverse. The oil slick rocks of Scoat are slowly crossed and likewise the out and back to Steeple before striding out into the wind and rain on the grassy descent before Haycock.

Sheltered slightly from the weather I take it easy on the climb and take in more food and water, at the summit I start running towards the descent gully then...

“ARGH!”

I caught a rock with my foot and now I’m sprawled on the ground near the summit of Haycock with blood pouring from my hand and my left calf going into painful spasms of cramp.

A quick stretch and the cramp eases but it’s a very tentative descent down the steep slopes before confidence comes back and I pick up the pace again.

Just before the climb to Seatallan Phil goes by at a sprint, no way can I move at that pace, he’s got the last gel so is this some sort of ploy where I have to catch him if I want it!

He stops after the climb starts but I run straight by and keep going until the slope gets too steep and I have to walk, he soon catches up with me.

“What time is it”

I have not looked at my watch as I’m going as fast as I can, I’m not sure I want to know.

“It’s six o’clock”

“The schedule is 45 mins from Seatallan”

I’m not sure how long until the summit so keep pushing, at 18:15 we reach it but the clag is down and this can be a tricky top to find the way off. Phil has his compass out and runs off on a bearing, for the first time I follow glad of the help as this is a summit I rarely visit. I soon see tracks that look familiar further north and follow these keeping Phil in sight to judge my direction. I drop down steeply beside a scree run within 30 seconds the clag parts to reveal Middle Fell ahead and for the first time on this leg I relax.

I run a lot of the climb up Middle Fell for fun and then slowly jog down from the summit remembering the times I have ran this descent with friends on their challenges to finish at Greendale Bridge in 11:54.

A handshake and good crack with Joss on the bridge then a wash in the beck before reminiscing with Steve and Wynn for a few hours on present and past adventures.

Final Yards!

Shaking The Shepherd's Hand

Happy Days!

Simon Rippon (M50) - 08 July 2017

I spent most of the week leading up to the ‘Joss’ looking and relooking at the weather forecasts on various websites trying to convince myself that all would be well on the one variable that is impossible to manage. By the Tuesday it was a 50/50 call as to whether the high or low pressure front would move over Cumbria – I’d decided that I wouldn’t ask my support to travel if the conditions were going to be very unsettled as this would impede my chances of completion. Late Wednesday all was good on the forecasts and I got an email out to my supporters to say I was good to go.

Jude Stansfield (my partner and Glossopdale runner) and I drove up from Holmfirth on Friday and we met my brother Tim (Dark Peak) and Lins Palmer (Glossopdale) at Pooley Bridge and we camped on a very busy site (not to be repeated!) on what was a lovely sunny evening. I sorted my hill kit and went through the list of things to do at road stops and gave this to Jude. We then had a walk into the village and called at the pub – for a pre-dinner ginger beer and chips!

Up early on Saturday morning to blue skies, sunshine and a cool breeze, this gave me confidence, as I knew we’d be in for a good hill day. After cups of tea, muesli and fruit, Tim, Jude and I walked down the lane and across the fields to the bridge. I had a few minutes by myself to get my thoughts together and give myself a pep’ talk and off we went at 7.00am.

Leg 1: Support – Tim Rippon (Dark Peak)

I’d been told many times that the pace on leg 1 was ‘relentless’, ‘bloody fast’ and ‘you needed to hold on’ but undeterred I cracked on through the caravan park and up onto the open fell. I know when fit my pace is strong but wasn't sure what I’d be like at Kirkstone on a 2:42 schedule for this leg with more to follow. Regardless, I ticked off the tops and felt strong, positive and relaxed although Tim told me I wasn’t to be too hasty and needed to come off the pace a little; checking my times I was fine. All well. Time passed quickly as the views unfolded along the Roman ridge and soon to Kidsty Pike and onward to Thornthwaite where I opted to stay well right of the usual path running on grassy slopes to the bottom – there’d be time aplenty for rocky paths! Tim kept me well watered and I nibbled on flapjack. As we climbed up through Stoney Cove I backed off the pace and took in the views out to Leg 2 and beyond and perhaps this was why I missed my line onto Pike How – Tim shouted me back and I had to retrace my line to top the summit, that cost me too much time and saw me slightly off my arrival time into Kirkstone. I wasn’t worried about being ‘down on schedule’ at this point – there was plenty to do yet! I had a quick stop, didn’t feel I needed anything apart from a cup of tea, some water and fruit cake. I was ready for the climb up to Red Screes where I was to meet Ian Charlesworth (Penistone Footpath Runners) who was tasked with support down to Dunmail.

Leg 2 Support Lins Palmer (Glossopdale) Ian Charlesworth (Penistone Footpath Runners)

Lins and I chatted about all sorts as we paced up the well worn path topping out just before the trig where Ian was waiting; a quick hand shake and I thanked him for turning out for me and we were off. We took my preferred trod and began to pick our descent down toward Scandale. The time went well, we admired the open views and commented on the cool breeze as we went. I’d seen a good line when watching the Ian Hodgson Relays last year where Dark Peak men’s team had sliced off the corner of the climb and having recce’d it took that and was pleased that we topped up with ground saved. Heading to Hart Crag we met Steve Sanders (Penistone Footpath Runners) who’d come over via Dunmail, he ran with us a while but said he found the pace a bit too hectic and we met him again later. Good lines made for good running out to Fairfield. I wasn’t watching the clock and for some reason lost a few minutes to Seat Sandal – maybe a bit too much social chit chat going on! I felt relaxed heading off the steep grassy line from Seat Sandal and could see Jude and others waiting at the stile. I was down on schedule by around 15 minutes a culmination of Leg 1 error and too much social on Leg 2 maybe. It was good to chat with Willy Kitchen (Dark Peak) as I gathered fresh gear, sun cream and food to go.

Leg 3 Support Mike Bourne and Sarah Broadhurst (Dark Peak)

As with the BG, looking up the climb to Steel Fell is always daunting and I knew that this leg was to be the big challenge – heading into Borrowdale where the climbs come more often, the terrain is a challenge and physically tiring. I was ready for this.

We top out on Steel Fell, Mike was joking and making banter and it felt a good distraction. I reminded myself of the lines out to High Raise opting to run out toward Greenup Edge and not taking the usual BG lines. It made for better running although the rain earlier in the week made the ground very boggy in places, which was strength sapping. Hitting the top edge path we ran an angle to the trig and we were greeted by “well done” “good running” from walkers basking in the sun. The line down was great toward Rossett, I really opened my stride and felt confident in my running and energy level – then I hit a wet grassy shoot and ended up on my back flying down hill, in snowy conditions it would’ve warranted an ice axe arrest technique! I was wet through and Mike was laughing, Sarah was more supportive asking if I was OK!

As we reached Langdale Coombe I said I wanted to take a lower line off the Rossett Edge area then do a short climb up to the Pike. As we made our way I was sure I’d made a wrong choice as it seemed convoluted; as we contoured Rossett Pike came into view and we went to the cairn, job done and now for Bow Fell.

Sarah did a great job leading the lines round and up the rake, which is heavily cairned these days. There wasn’t much chat just the occasional joke about the hell that is climbing fells when tired, Sarah offered Mike and I a lemon sherbet (if we were good!!) and joked that we had to keep it whole in our mouth for as long as possible - a good fell running game.

Bow Fell was busy, Sarah and I didn’t hang about and made our way out to Esk Pike chatting about France, sunshine, living simply and outdoor swimming – passing the time and perhaps distracting me from the miles to go. We met Mike at Esk Pike, he decided he’d see us at Sty Head and trotted off as Sarah and I jogged up toward the climb to Great End. We cheered on the Wasdale race folk as they came by.

At this stage I knew I was heading for my rubicon, Styhead and then Great Gable. I’d said to myself many times leading up to the run ‘if I can get to the stretcher box in good nick there’s all to play for’. I was in good nick, focused, had energy and enjoying the hills and the company.

Leg 4

Willy Kitchen (Dark Peak) was at Sty Head where I grabbed some food and said thanks and good bye to Mike. Sarah and I strode on to the flagged path of Gable. Willy followed but said he couldn’t manage the pace (fair play given he’d just supported a BG long night leg) and soon left us to make his way back to Wasdale.

Gable done and now I was really fired up as Sarah had mentioned that Tim was to be at Blacksail Pass for me. Right, let’s crack on. Eat, drink and trot was my mantra. Sarah was easy company, chatting, offering me bits to eat and encouraging me on. Kirkfell came and we made the red gully line perfectly and looking ahead I could see the remaining hills to come. We hit Blacksail and there was Tim with Jude and our Bedlington Terrior - Milo - terrific. After a brief greeting we were off, Sarah dropped down with Jude and I thanked them both. Job well done Sarah.

The trot out to Pillar felt a bloody age. Tim was pushing me, “come on Bro’ I don’t want any backing off now….I need a bit more from you”. Schedule wise I had clawed back most of my lost time and as we hit the next few tops I was correcting my losses. Tim was thankfully giving me no choices food wise – “get this gel down you”, “eat this sandwich…” as we marched up toward Scoat Fell and Steeple. I knew I could finish this job but had lost sight of where I was schedule wise, all I could see was the real time on my watch; I said to Tim “Bro, I need to know the total times for topping out the last 3 hills…” he told me, I checked my watch, right it’s looking good.

The line out to Haycock looked to go on forever, more gels and a fast run down the grassy reaches then fast paced walk to the summit. I’d run with Nicky Spinks here on her Joss and knew the grass ramp line to the far left away from the boulders. We hit it well and were then heading across some wet ground to climb the last big top – the nemesis that is Seatallon. Late afternoon sun, tired legs, a determined mind and we hit the trig and switched back to the trod to descend to the valley bottom and the gentle slopes of Middle Fell. Almost home. Tim was running ahead and shouting me to “give him some more…..” running along the top of Middle Fell to the far cairn I did slow to savour the day for a moment. I knew apart from a bad mishap I’d be at Greendale in no time. Tim and I stopped at the cairn, he recorded the time, I put my arm over his shoulder to thank him for all he’d done and for sharing the day. “Right, lets get off…” he said and away we went on the twisting descent. I could see the bracken had become waist high so any quick lines were limited but I did manage to find a cut through and passed Tim. We headed to the flat grassy ramps along the beck and Tim was out in front. I could hear clapping and cheering and words of encouragement and saw my support on the bridge. It suddenly dawned on me that Tim would be there first so I thought hang on! I accelerated and was past him and turned onto the lane to touch the stone of the bridge warmed by the day's sun. I completed in 11:40 bang on schedule.

Joss was there smiling and my days support too, it was a terrific moment which I savoured. I thanked Joss for putting the route and challenge down, we both agreed it was a bloody good day on the hill and tougher as it went on.

I need to thank all those that turned out to help me, a big thanks to Jude for her support during the months of training and recce’ing and being at the road side too. My hill support was sparse but it was the right people on the day – people I trust on the hill, who respect these kind of endeavours and are bloody good company!

Simon Rippon.

(Dark Peak Fell Runners).

Kevin Bray (M55) - 17 June 2017

I guess that if you are reading this you already know about the JNC in terms of its history, ethos, route and schedules.

I had helped a good friend, Susan Davis on her successful journey back in 2015 I had really enjoyed completing three legs of the route on that day.

After a 2016 where I lost some people from my life whom I had loved and valued it gave me the spur to raise some money for three charities, Cancer Research UK, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team.

The JNC seemed the perfect challenge to take on.

I am a long way from being any kind of ‘elite’ fell runner but I never turn down an opportunity to get out on the hills and part of this whole experience has been the enjoyment of doing the training and the reccy’s over this absolutely brilliant route! Some memorable days in all sorts of weather with great company learning the way, exploring options, finding new lines and just taking it all in!

I have been truly humbled by the support I’ve had for my attempt both in terms of sponsorship (I’ve raised over £3,000, more than I ever imagined) and on the hill and at the roadside on the big day.

There is quite a group of North East based fell runners interested in this type of challenge and I had was fortunate to have some ‘old’ (literally!) hands with me as well as some youngster’s!

The weather on the day was beautiful when I set off at 07.00, though it was going to get very hot later in the day especially when I got to Dunmail where it was absolutely baking at 12.24! Until then I had trundled along Leg 1 & 2 gaining time on my 14.40 schedule but I started to feel the heat on the ‘1,000’’ staircase to Steel Fell. The journey across to High Raise turned into a slog because I really was dehydrated and my two pacers Paul Appleby and Nick Spencer kept me going. At one point I said to Nick ‘it’s not going to happen today’ but you know what – it did. I thought about the sponsorship and all the people who had turned out for me and that was the motivator that kept me going.

When Paul told me we had only lost 9 minutes getting to High Raise it was such a boost! I was expecting him to say 20 – reverse psychology I guess!

Anyway that was the bad patch over. The heat was tempered by a good breeze and I picked up and started to pull back time on that fantastic section of the route between Rossett Pike and Styhead. We got the descent from Great End to Styhead absolutely spot on and at Styhead my team had brought up plenty of food and drink for refuelling.

Climbing Great Gable (Allon Welsh)

We departed there at 16.52, 20 minutes up on schedule and ticked off the remaining tops on an absolutely beautiful evening. The views across to the Scafells in the warm evening light were stunning.

I reached Greendale at 21.25, 35 minutes inside my 15 hour target and the icing on the cake was to shake ‘The Shepherds Hand’! Joss was there and what a top man he is – genuinely interested in how the journey had gone. He and Mary chatting away with all of us – we must have been there for half an hour, despite the midgies! Some great pictures and Sandra saying to the man ‘I can’t believe it I’m standing next to a legend’!!

With Joss (Graham Dalgleish)

I had told everybody involved beforehand that I wanted it to be a memorable day for everyone – it certainly was and that to me is what the JNC is all about!

Many thanks to all my sponsors and particularly to my pacer’s and supporters, Gwenda & Les Cavill, John Telfer, Dave Hall, Peter Moralee, Nick Spencer, Paul Appleby, Allon & Sally Welsh, Tina Jackson, Peter Reed, Geoff & Susan Davis, Mick & Sandra Curry, Dave Rickaby, Graham Daglish, Elaine Cowie, and finally to Linda, my wife, no1 supporter, driver, car park attendant, pit stop manager and organiser! It wouldn’t have happened without you!

Greendale Bridge (Mary Naylor)

Peter Crompton (M60) - 10 June 2017

Turning 60! Sixty is old, right? 

But wait, I’m not old. I’m a fellrunner. So prove it then. But what to do in this my sixty first year?

Pooley Bridge: 05:57 a.m. all was quiet apart from a strangely clanking bridge. Three addicts went through the fell runners’ rituals of stretching, warming up, adjusting laces, checking watches, killing the minutes before the self-declared “official” starting time. My two pacers and navigators are both Winter BG graduates, so I knew I was in the best of company.

“Are you ok with this pace” said Paul, “it feels a bit quick”.

“Feels good to me” I replied, and thought privately, that’s a good sign.

However, we were still two minutes down on our “Vet 60 record” schedule at the first of our 30 peaks, Arthur’s Pike. This did not bother me as I knew from previous outings that the later peaks tended to fall below the scheduled times.

As we approached the slightly higher Loadpot Hill the weather was closing in, Mario said “and that’s it, into the cloud, it’s the last you will see for the next 12 hours”. 

How right he was! But it was a great adventure that still lay ahead. We were battered and “car washed” on our way to High Street. Somewhere around there I had a real face planting trip, leaving me flat out in a puddle. Mario scraped me up and, with only a broken watch and a bloody hand as damage, we were off again to Kirkstone Pass. 

After a quick cup of home-made potato soup (millions of calories and previously patented for my BG challenge) we zipped up Red Screes and onto the long misty wander to Hart Crag. Except that Paul and Mario’s brilliant navigation and shepherding kept me from wandering too far. Several times I heard booming through the mist from behind me “Peter, a bit to the left – follow Mario”. Thank goodness for skilful navigators. Fairfield appeared through the clag quite quickly. The summit is confusing, I have previously gone astray up here in mist, so we quickly scanned the dripping, mist-shrouded cairns and turned left for Seat Sandal, the wind doing its best to knock us off our feet. This was the first climb that my legs had noticed and I reminded myself that there was still a very long way to go and that mental strength and a clear focus might be needed later.

A great time saving line down Seat Sandal could be shared with prospective BG and JNC contenders on payment to CFR or my “Just Giving” WaterAid account

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https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/petercrompton

This brought us to within earshot of welcoming car horns and happy, rainswept faces at Dunmail Raise, not to mention the calorie-dense rice pudding slurped straight from the can - looks disgusting but it’s quick. It really was good to see Kate, Rhiannon, Stu and Heather here. Heather quickly dispensing water bottles, flapjack and chocolate. After 4 minutes of taking the “combine harvester” approach to food I shouted into the rain “ready guys? We need to go”.

Hooray, it’s more steep climbing. 

Straight up Steel Fell in 20 minutes and off across the long wet trog to High Raise. Andy Beaty, tough rival of many races and Paul Jennings orienteer, fell runner and possessor of photographic memory for the shapes of trods and hillsides, joined me for this leg to Styhead. There are a myriad of streams and boggy bits up here but streams turn into life threatening torrents on days like this. We stopped and hesitated to judge one such flooded stream. Paul went first, slipped and was soon upended and soaked from head to toe. I honestly thought he was in danger of being swept away. I stood gawping whilst Andy hauled him out and with hardly a blink or a flip of the fins, we were on our way again. We were all soaked to the skin prior to this, so, as Paul said, his brief swim didn’t make that much difference. If you ever contemplate doing an event like this, in this kind of weather, make sure you have a good navigator, preferably one who can swim.

On the top of Bowfell we met some walkers who thought they were on Scafell Pike. I know the visibility was bad, but there are limits! Fortunately, Paul and Andy both managed to make polite offers of help, something I was not capable of by this time.

Eating was becoming more difficult, as is sometimes the case on these longer jaunts. The legs were saying “feed me” but the guts were saying “don’t you dare”. Boiled potatoes went down better than the infamous peanut butter sandwiches. Chocolate bars provided short but fast sugar fixes.

The greasy boulder areas of these three peaks, Bowfell, Esk Pike and Great End slowed us down considerably as we did our best not to crack a shin or worse, take a tumble into a bone-breaking hole. I remember down-climbing on all fours over rough ground that I would normally have skipped over. The descent off Great End was both a navigational and an agility challenge, but with mutual support and concentration we made it to the stretcher box at Styhead. Here we said goodbye and thank you to Andy as he descended to Borrowdale as planned. Beside the stretcher box we found a cold wet Bill who was waiting to “take us home” to Greendale. Only 12 miles to go. Bill knows the Wasdale fells like the back of his hand and took us along this section in thick mist and increasing winds without ever looking at a map. How do these people do it?

I had in mind that there were only the 3 big climbs of Gable, Kirk and Pillar to go before getting to the three little ones at the end. At the top of Pillar it hit me like a wet blanket, a heavy wet blanket, that there were five to go not three. The mental strength alluded to before was needed here. “focus, focus, focus” I repeated. Positive images were drawn from the depths, teeth clenched and feelings of fatigue banished. Steeple was short and fun but Seatallan was a bloody long way. 

Bill said, “Middle Fell is easy”. He lied! 

But I knew we were very close now. Having not thought much about the time all day, I now began, with the record in mind, to ask Paul for “clock time” as opposed to split time – and repeated the annoying question every 5 minutes. At the top of Middle Fell we had 25 minutes to reach the end and hit our target.

“Can we do it in 25”? I asked Bill.

“Lets do it in 15” he said.

“Right, Go!” I replied, and we did. 

Tearing down the hillside, soft turf a blessing underfoot. A few rocks, a trod here, a fast grassy bit there, Joss’ house was soon appearing through the mist. We dodged left on the track through the last of the bracken. At last the wall, Joss’ house, the tarmac, the bridge. 

We had done it! Great fun. A hug from my wife Heather. A handshake from Joss. A handshake from David. 

Big grins all round. 

What a day! 

Paul, from the first half, had travelled all the way from Cockermouth to see us finish. I gave him a celebratory punch on the arm and said “we did it, we took over half an hour off the old record”. 

We were grinning like mad dogs. But then …

Joss said, “Aye, a lad last week, he did it in eleven hours”.

What!? 

Is this a windup? I thought. 

I stared into Joss’s blue eyes in vain hope of a mocking smile, but no! Apparently not. Oh what the hell! 

We had had a Grand Day Out. We had smashed our own ambitious target in appalling weather and for a few seconds at least, we believed we were the new record holders. 

Isn’t fell running just wonderful?

Peter Crompton.

David Waide (M60) - 03 June 2017

Andy and I trotted away from Pooley Bridge in the clear morning light. A few campers stirred as we ran quietly through the campsite and up onto the fell. The air was fresh and I felt the warmth of the sun balance the cool breeze as we climbed the ridge leading to Arthurs Pike. Ranks of fells progressively appeared as we climbed the long ridge to High Street. The mountains looked magnificent in the sun with clouds slowly building, creating dappled shades on the surrounding hills. The pace felt good and I stayed within plus or minus a couple of minutes of schedule all the way to Kirkstone.

I had a very brief stop, grabbed a banana, and chomped my way up the start of Red Screes. Andy swapped empty energy drink bottles for full, and climbed rapidly after me. Leg 2 went very smoothly, landing spot on the planned contour round Dove Crag. I lost a couple of minutes on the Leg and arrived at Dunmail 4 hours 37 minutes after setting out, and five minutes behind my challenging schedule.

Another brief stop, banana grab and hello/goodbye to the support team, saw me climbing steadily up the pronounced trod to Steel Fell. Stewart followed a couple of minutes later having collected the spare gear from Andy. Clouds now filled most of the sky but only kissed the highest summits. Clearly little rain had fallen for some weeks and only the wettest areas were still squelchy underfoot. I still felt good but could feel the fatigue starting to build and having caught back a few minutes to High Raise I lost them again on the climb to Bowfell. The weather stayed dry all day, giving the great benefit of dry rock and helping to regain valuable minutes on each rocky descent through to Scoat Fell. The convoluted descent off Great End was exciting as I was using a five year old memory and a Rob Woodall GPX track. The combination worked well and I gained another minute arriving at Sty Head still five minutes behind schedule.

We then had four minutes of panic. Chris was not to be seen and I had almost finished the energy drink. We started down the path to Wasdale, met Rucha who had walked up to meet Stewart, raided her supplies, and set off up Great Gable stopping to collect more water. It transpired that Yvette had had a very slow road journey and had not managed to rendezvous with Chris. Chris eventually managed to get phone signal and agreed to set off with what food he had. He managed to catch us on the climb up Gable, bringing some of his own energy drink and sustenance. To complete a fantastic recovery by the support team, when Andy arrived at Wasdale Head with Yvette, he set off again, carrying more supplies. He went up Black Sail pass and arrived in time to see us ascending Pillar, heroically catching us by Scoat Fell.

My energy dropped a little more on Leg 4, though I largely compensated by pushing harder with Greendale bridge in mental sight. The conditions continued to be near perfect with only moderate wind, good visibility with the cloud drifting off each summit in turn as we arrived. Compared to 5 years earlier, I lost 4 minutes to Haycock and caught 3 back to Greendale arriving in 11 hours 8 minutes, just 10 minutes slower than in 2012.

Yvette and Rucha were waiting with Joss and we had a great chat, then finished a fabulous mountain day with a pub meal with the brilliant support team.

Enormous thanks to Andy, Stewart, Chris, Rucha and Yvette.

David Waide

Ray Maynard (M60) - 20 May 2017

It all started about 20 years ago after I had completed the Bob Graham Round, people asking “what next?” I had heard about the Joss Naylor Challenge of course, but… I was 10 years too young so it was pencilled in for when I was fifty, however, due to continuous running related injuries I was unable to do it then. Fast forward to 2017, my 60^th year. Finishing work gave me more flexibility and allowed me to manage my training more effectively. So it looked like it was on.

With the training getting done without too many setbacks I set the date and started to assemble the team. My family were all very keen to be involved as well as my running friends from Sunderland Strollers. A few other generous folk, who were familiar with the route were also drafted in – thanks Ken.

Following the 18 hour schedule the aim was to do the first two legs, at or just ahead of time and if I felt OK to push on a little. And so it was.

After a brief photo shoot on the bridge we set off at exactly 5.00am. Mal, Steve, Sally, Max the spaniel and myself. Mal missing the turning straight after the bridge – well he did say he didn’t want to navigate! The weather was dry and bright, which was better than the forecast indicated, but we could see clouds shrouding the tops beyond Ullswater. I had recced part of this section during the week before in very strong winds and heavy rain, thinking if the weather’s like this it will be nigh on impossible to get round.

Good progress was made and the first few tops as far as Raven Howe were ticked off more or less on schedule. Climbing up to High Raise we encountered cloud, but visibility wasn’t too bad at this point. As we progressed though the weather deteriorated. Between Thornthwaite Beacon and Stoney Cove Pike we got separated and had to shout to keep in touch. Just after the summit heavy rain and hail came in so it was waterproofs on. We made decent time to Pike Howe and Kirkstone after that, being 26 minutes up.

The crew – Maria, Lauren & Karen were there in the rain to meet us along with Carly, Sean and Molly the cockerpoo - the ‘official’ photographers.

They had set up earlier but had to dismantle it all when the wind and rain came in, then one mad dash to set up again as we emerged almost unseen out of the mist and lashing rain. Porridge and coffee were enjoyed, I had been looking forward to that all morning. After some clothing adjustments we were ready for the off when someone tipped the umbrella I was under, pouring water down the back of my neck – thanks Ken.

Mal, Sally and Max were leaving us at this point, being replaced by Matt who had had to do some last minute hill training (not easy in London) for the event and Paddy who is getting the miles in prior to doing the Lakeland 50 in July. The rain was easing off as we went up Red Screes at the start of this short but relatively tough leg. It was misty again higher up and we had to be careful with the navigation. We took some good lines and kept ahead of schedule. In the Fairfield area there was an organised walk in full swing with lots of participants all over the place. Some moving quite well, others struggling and being assisted by their colleagues. Over Seat Sandal and down the steep descent to Dunmail Raise I was able to push on a little, getting to the road 48 minutes up.

 

The crew were there to feed and water us. The layby was really busy – obviously something else going on, it turned out to be a BGR attempt by the USA’s Meghan Hicks. Pork pies and soup were on the menu here, then a quick change of shoes for the rocky ground ahead. Steve, Matt and Paddy had all done their bit and were replaced by Ken, Dale, Chris and Ashleigh.

This is the leg where I was going to push on if I felt up to it and that’s what we did. It was slow going up Steel Fell but with Dale knowing the best lines we made good progress thereafter. Going towards Rossett Pike we were running alongside competitors on the Old Counties Tops Race. A good route up Bowfell followed and the next couple of tops were ticked off comfortably. Ken and myself descended Great End quickly arriving at Sty Head 2hrs 10 minutes up.

A different support crew here, Bob and Malcolm had come up from the valley with supplies of food and drink and they were getting cold waiting about so they were glad to see us and get on their way. Chris returned to Borrowdale with them. Paul and Jenna who were running the last leg, had started up Great Gable before we arrived, again because of the cold. We expected to meet up with them on the summit but there was no sign of them in the mist so we pushed on quickly down the scree to Beck Head, Dale cutting his hand on the descent. Jenna and Paul were on their way up Kirkfell in the distance, then they disappeared into the mist, thankfully we all met up near the summit.

Paul and I had recced this leg previously and had descended by the ‘path’ following the fence line, which was not very pleasant. So we used Red Gully as an alternative, which I had forgotten about and not used since my BGR attempt. Descending Red Gully my knees started to give me bother so the going was a lot slower than I would have liked. Once at the col I got my walking poles out and was fed some pain killers. It was slow going to the top but we got there in the end and then on to Scoat Fell. Jenna came to steeple with me – another Wainwright for her, while the others got a bit of a rest watching us go out and back. Haycock was done, but after that I was really struggling with my knees on the steep descents where I would normally expect to get down quickly (the annoying thing is that the injuries I had been having have been in my calves not my knees). It did not feel like it at the time but we were still chipping away at the scheduled times. Neil was waiting for us with tea and food on the climb up Seatallan, a very welcome sight and an excuse for a short break. Onwards and upwards again to the top. Just one more to go. Down into the col and then the climb up to Middle Fell, the last one; bagged it!

 

Now for the ‘easy’ run down to Greendale Bridge. Ken and Dale ahead, Paul with me, and the others following on we made slow progress due to my knees. A run into the finish to a brilliant welcoming committee of family and friends.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to each and every one of you, without your help and support it wouldn’t have happened. Route completed in 15 hours 14 minutes. No sign of Joss at the finish though - he was attending a presentation in Windermere, not to worry though, hopefully I will get to shake his hand at the presentation and thank him for a great day out.

I would also like to thank those people who encouraged and supported me, but were not present at the weekend (including Jim and Charlotte who were there, but I didn’t see them). And thanks very much to all who donated sponsor money – we raised £450 for the Alzheimers Society.

Gan Canny. Ray.