The full round

23/5/8
I got away from work in good time. Catching the 1800 ferry from Fishbourne to Portsmouth and I had a remarkably smooth journey up to Keswick. It seemed as if most of the half term/ bank holiday traffic had got away before me and the reported delays on the roads did not materialise. I arrived in Keswick at about midnight and fell asleep in the B and B almost immediately.

24/5/8

I was up at about 0830 and enjoyed a full English cooked breakfast. I had sorted out my fell kit before I left but I still had to get some provisions - food and water for the road crossings. Once I had done this I drove to the necessary road crossings to put supplies in place. I ended up at Newlands Church mid afternoon where I enjoyed a picnic in the sun. It was a beautiful day and the fells looked magnificent in the sunshine with the odd white cloud. It was fine in the valley but it was obviously windy on top. As I looked at Dale Head, Hindsgarth and Robinson I imagined crossing these fells and descending to Little Town at the end of my round and how satisfying it would be.
I drove back to Keswick and the B and B and rechecked my kit, ate some more and finally went to bed for a sleep at about 1900.

25/5/8

The alarm woke me at midnight and I had a text from Roger offering me support and ending "stay focussed and enjoy it". This came at just the right time and his words stayed with me throughout the day. When I have done hard things before I have been aware of how quickly things can go wrong if you lose focus. It is very easy to do as fatigue, hunger and cold set in. As importantly though – I have sometimes been so caught up in a task that I have forgotten to enjoy it. In retrospect I have regretted that I had not relaxed and enjoyed myself more at the time. I determined then that no matter what the outcome I would savour each moment of the round – I really had a very special opportunity. I dressed in my fell clothes and donned my pack. I was ready for the off.
The weather forecast was much as it had been for the previous few days - clear skies, coolish but with a strong easterly wind.
On arrival at the Moot Hall I was pleasantly surprised to see 3 others - Patrick from Gloucestershire on a 23 and a half hour schedule and his 2 pacers – both called Dave. We introduced ourselves and I asked if he wanted me to keep out of his way. He was very friendly and suggested we keep together if possible.
Suddenly it was one oclock and we were off. I cut straight through the first gennel and arrived in the car park just before them. I was checking my watch and –bang-I was down having tripped over a kerbstone. One minute into the round and I had drawn blood with a graze on my hand –brilliant! I had to laugh at the stupidity of it and at least the rest of me was intact. We jogged together across Fitz Park and along the road but when we got to the track and path up to Latrigg, Pat and team just kept jogging. This surprised me as I was used to walking all this (gentle) uphill section and had always found that to be plenty for a 23 1/2 hour schedule. I was in a quandary because although I wanted to start slowly I also wanted to stay with the others-at least for the night section. I still had a hope that if I could stay with them then my attempt would be witnessed –making me eligible for the BGR 24 hour club. I decided to keep them in sight as I am at my strongest up hill and I thought I might close up on them as things got steeper. By the time we were at Latrigg car park I was only about 50m behind and I caught it all up because Pat had to stop twice to vomit. Not a great start for him I thought but he explained that he was fine but had just eaten too much before the start. We jogged to the foot of Jenkin Hill and I was chatting to Patrick as we climbed at a fast but not uncomfortable pace. About halfway up we looked round to see that we were leaving his pacers behind - not good. As we continued the wind was increasing in strength and we started to get into the clag. Dave 1 caught up and reported that Dave 2 was struggling with the pace. I felt fine but I knew we were way under 23 ½ hour schedule so perhaps it was a bit tough on Dave 2 who would have been expecting a gentler start. Patrick asked Dave 1 to hang back and tell Dave 2 to head back to Keswick as he didn’t know the route and the weather was getting pretty bad. He did this and with a big effort caught us up again just before the first false summit cairn. As we got up there the wind really started howling and visibility all but vanished. When I was behind the others I could only see the light from their head torches for about 5m before they vanished. We found the summit which was a relief and I noticed only 72 minutes on the clock. This was about quarter of an hour quicker than I had planned but at that point I was just glad not to be on my own.
We set off over the other side of the summit heading down to the col but it didn’t seem right. It was very hard to communicate in the wind but the other 2 had GPS and shortly confirmed that we were too far left. We started contouring right with Pat leading and me just clinging onto the light of his head torch. After a couple of minutes I looked round and Dave had vanished. I followed Pat on until we got to the fence overlooking Hare Crag. We crossed the fence with Pat noticing the absent Dave ‘Great now I’ve lost both my pacers’. As we started descending it still felt wrong-too steep and shaly and I thought we were too far right. Sure enough the GPS confirmed this and so we worked our way left again through deep heather. Pat was still running but I felt I was using too much energy for so early in the round so I walked and let him go. As we got down, the clag cleared and we soon found the line on Hare Crag. Pat was visible about 400m ahead of me. Out of the gloom I saw a second torch and guessed (correctly as it turned out) that Dave had found his way down on a better and faster line.


I made my way down to the path and bridge below Hare Crag and then followed the fence posts up Great Calva. These still had reflective tape on them which made navigation very easy. I caught Pat and Dave up a little on the ascent but was still about 200m behind them at the summit. Pat and I passed as he made his way back to the first (false) summit on Great Calva. I crossed the fence at the summit and cut diagonally across the hill to join the fence as it descended towards the river Caldew. Following the fence down to the gate I went through, followed a slight trod through the heather and then descended to the stream which feeds into the Caldew. I planned on this route because I knew it well and it seemed to be simple to do in the dark. In the past I had found it to be very wet but on this occasion it was easy and dry underfoot. I followed the line of the stream then a small section across heather and through to the river Caldew. I was not looking forward to this but the river was as low as I have seen it. I used stepping stones and a big jump at the end and found myself on the other side with dry feet - a real bonus.

There were 3 groups of lights ahead of me going up Mungrisdale Common and I wasn't sure what was happening. I caught up the first light which was Dave and he said Pat was ahead but that there was another group doing a round as well.

I went ahead of Dave who was feeling it a bit and found an ok route up Blencathra. I went a bit left at one stage and had to contour back but I was fine under the screes and arrived on the summit in good visibility and with early daylight. The descent of Hall's Fell ridge was very straight forward - dry underfoot - but I still took it steadily and carefully. It seemed no time at all and I had crossed the main road at Threlkeld and I was amongst a mass of contenders, pacers and road support. There was a really good atmosphere - everyone was friendly and helpful - I felt adopted.

I knew I was ahead of schedule but I felt fine and had not pushed. I was very happy with the way things were going. I didn't want to hang around though and still thought I might be able to keep with Pat who left for the second leg shortly after I had arrived. I ate a sandwich and a rice pudding, drank 500ml of lucozade sport, changed my socks, topped up my water bladder and got more food for the leg - I was off after 7 minutes. Patrick's Pacers for the leg were driven along the track to the farm to catch him up and he was some distance ahead of me by the time I started up Clough Head. Not so far ahead though were another two and I caught them just before the summit. John was doing a 51 at 51 round after having missed out on 50 at 50 last year. His pacer was Pete and they were from Romsey and Southampton - a real day for the Southerners. He had started at 0015 and was going well. They welcomed me along with them. Visibility was improving by now - superb except on the tops. It was still very windy and extremely so on the tops and other exposed places. I was recording the times for the summits and was aware that we were doing well but the pace was comfortable. I did not specifically look at my route card to check progress as it just didn't seem necessary. We chatted as we went along and this leg was an entirely enjoyable experience in good company and with wonderful views. We had a laugh on Helvellyn as I had always thought the trig point was the official summit but John and Pete had their eye on me as they pointed out the large cairn on the edge by the shelter. The same thing happened later on Dollywaggon as I had never even noticed the large cairn on the edge overlooking the valley.

John took us on the direct descent from Dollywaggon down to the tarn outlet and then straight up Fairfield which was a new route for me and one which I really enjoyed. I dont know if it is any faster than round the back of the tarn and then up and back on Fairfield but it seems more elegant and more of a continuous line.

A pattern was emerging where I was slightly faster up hill but they were faster down - it seemed to balance out well though and I found it fairly easy to keep with them.

On the summit of Fairfield the wind was a real hooligan. I looked round for the other two to see them being physically lifted off their feet and thrown sideways in one viscious gust. The wind was making progress a struggle at times - not only did it throw your body off line but even as you went to place each foot it would blow the foot into a slightly different position which would make it feel like you were landing awkwardly. I could tell that the ligaments supporting my knees were getting a bit too much of a stretching and were a bit sore from these unaccustomed movements.

John asked me how I was and I said fine but I felt a bit 'wobbly' trying to explain this instability which was worse for me on the rocky descents. He said he just felt battered by the wind and there is no doubt it was battle.

Despite this we were doing well as we went down Fairfield but we were amazed to see Pat coming up with one pacer. He was agitated as he had lost his dog and spent 20 minutes looking for it before giving up and carrying on. Dogs are fantastic support on the fells but you really have to be able to trust them as they can become a liability.

We got up and down Seat Sandal in good order and found the classic line down to Dunmail Raise. Again there was a fantastic reception and more good news - Pat's dog had been found and was standing wagging its tail (looking maybe a little contrite) on a very short lead.

I only took an 11 minute break because I wanted to leave with John and I was feeling good. I had a sandwich, rice pudding, pint of milk, 500ml lucozade sport and a change of socks. I knew we were up on schedule by about an hour but I wasnt really worrying about time. I was already focussed on the next crucial leg.

We got up Steel Fell and Calf Crag easily enough with John's new pacers Christine and ..... There was a good atmosphere and lots of chat. It had really warmed up by now and the wind had relented a little as well - a great day to be on the fells. I thought of my recce 3 weeks before when I had been with the Macclesfield Harriers guys and I had gone all the way to Keswick. I managed to convince myself that I didnt feel that much different to how I had done then. I was certainly very positive about getting to the finish.

Going up Sergeant Man we were caught up by Pat and his new team Helen, Brown Dog and one other. They were moving really well. I stayed with them for a while as I still had hope of all my peaks being witnessed but I was just starting a bit of a tough patch. It became clear fairly soon that I was working quite hard to keep with them and as uphill is my strong suit I knew that I would be dropped on the descent. A shame but I needed to conserve energy for later in the round. I let them go again but I was still ahead of John and team so I just kept going on my own in sight of and between both groups. High Raise and Thunacar Knott came and went without incident but I was definitely having a rough patch. No big deal - I just slowed a bit, ate and drank some more and waited for the energy levels to be restored. I slowed just at the summit of Thunacar Knott so that John caught me and we wished each other luck as he set off for Pavey Ark whilst I set off for Harrison Stickle. It was a lovely day for the Langdales and I really enjoyed Harrison and Pike O Stickle on my own now really for the first time. I had enjoyed being with the others but there is something wonderful too about the solitude of the mountains. Going to Pike O Stickle I did not follow the paved path across the head of Dungeon Gill but instead cut the corner across the grassy ground to the right. This was a short cut shown to me by the Macc Harriers guys from 3 weeks before and at the time it seemed to shave 30 seconds or so off the time. I used it because the ground was so dry and it joined the path again further up the hill. I dont know if it would be worth it in the wet.

From Pike O Stickle I followed the path to Martcrag Moor and then cut across straight down the hill over the stream and up the other side using Billy Blands traverse under the crags to reach the high ground before Rossett Pike. I then went round the back of the ridge before finally climbing the summit. By now I was feeling better again and I exchanged pleasantries on the top with some walkers who were taking advantage of the stunning views. My knees were feeling sore and I thought this was due to the buffeting by the wind.

I was slightly apprehensive about Bowfell as I still didnt really know the correct line. I had done it enough to know that as long as I was careful I could probably climb my way out of trouble. From Rossett Gill I started the climbing traverse and followed the cairns diagonally up. Whenever the line became unclear I always took the higher option and I sort of improvised my way up. As visibility was so good I had a fairly good idea of where I was aiming and before too long I emerged on the summit ridge in the correct place. I am sure I still didnt take exactly the right line but it worked out ok in the end and I was triumphant and relieved when I got to the summit in very strong winds again.

Coming off the summit I kept leftish and soon picked up a track (again shown to me by Macc Harriers) used in one of the fell races down to Esk Hause.

Esk Pike and Great End were a bit of a slog especially in the fierce winds but I met and hailed plenty of other walkers who were also enjoying the spectacular views so I had plenty of company.

On top of Ill Crag I met a potential BGer who was out reccying and when I told him I was doing mine he was very supportive. I picked my way carefully up and down Broad Crag - staying focussed because I didnt want a mishap on the rocks. It was all very dry though so no real problem. I struggled a bit on the stony descent to the Col before Scafell Pike and from then on that was to be the pattern of the day. My knees just felt unhappy on the stony descents and so I felt I had to be ultra cautious (and slow).

Scafell Pike was seething with people as befitted a pleasant bank holiday weekend but I just logged the summit and moved on down to Mickledore.

At Broad Stand I had been offered the use of a rope by the other teams but I have not done it before and did not think that was the right time for my first go. Besides which I could see a team ascending as I got there so there would have been time lost while they moved through and then I roped up. I do not know which team it was as Pat must have been miles ahead of me by then and I had not seen John pass me. I suppose he must have done maybe coming down from Scafell Pike. I went up Lord's Rake and West Wall traverse on my own and it was very straightforward. Partly because it was drier and also simply because I didnt have anyone kicking stuff down on to me or blocking the route. I was still feeling very good on the ascents and so I made up most of the time I had lost by being a bit feeble coming down to Mickledore. It was a good feeling being on top of Scafell as I had been concerned about the 3rd leg because I was least familiar with it. I now felt I was moving back into known territory.

The descent to Wasdale took me ages. I had run out of water so stopped at the spring halfway down the grass slopes and I kept on the grass and avoided the screes. I was just not moving downhill very well and I lost 12 minutes on this one descent. I wasn't worried though as overall I felt quite strong and I still had 53 minutes in hand on the schedule after a decent 17 minute stop at Wasdale. John had appeared behind me on the descent to Wasdale. He caught me towards the bottom (had my Lords Rake really beaten his Broad Stand?) and was a minute ahead of me by the carpark. He looked to be going well. He started up Yewbarrow a bit ahead of me but I hoped to link up with him again on the ascent. We followed the line of the stream and I caught them just before the square boulder at the foot of the screes. We had a discussion about the line which they thought I would know well from my recce 3 weeks before. Unfortunately I was not that confident but I thought it was right of the lower screes and left of the upper ones.

When I got to the upper screes I was seduced by a diagonal path which took me nicely to the top of the steep stuff but then I realised was too far to the right of the summit. I have taken this line before and wasnt that bothered myself but I felt bad that I might have led the others on an imperfect route. Anyway after Yewbarrow I went down to the col between the two summits and started on the classic line diagonally down and across the scree to Dore Head. Halfway along though I dropped directly down to the valley floor on a grassy rake because I was still struggling with stony descents. I saw John and team moving well on the scree above me but once I got on the grass at the bottom I was outpacing them. I then cut the corner a bit at Dore Head so I was about 400m ahead of them as I started up Red Pike. I thought I heard a shout and when I turned round I saw John's pacers running back towards where he was sitting or lying down just before Dore Head. There was nothing I could do so I carried on climbing and eventually I saw them continuing to climb behind me. I made reasonable time on the climb and ended up on schedule. It seemd now that I was losing time on the downhill but just about pulling it back on the uphill. I kept hoping to see John come past me on one of the descents but it never happened and I did not see him again. I hoped he had been able to pass me without me seeing him but I fear he may not have completed the round.

I loved the little dash out to Steeple and back and I felt good on the climb up to Pillar even though I had been slow descending. I had kept on the more grassy bit off to the right of the ridge. It was hard work getting down to Blacksail with sore knees but I really enjoyed the ascent of Kirk Fell - climbing up to the left of the red gully (another Macc Harriers contribution - thank you). I caught two walkers with huge packs at the top of the gully and we walked together for a while as we went up the shallow ascent towards the summit. We exchanged pleasantries about routes etc and especially about the wind which was howling again on top of Kirk Fell. I told them I was heading over Great Gable and down into Honister but I didnt tell them where I had come from that day - I don't now why not but it just didn't seem appropriate. They were planning to camp on top and finish the horseshoe the next day. I am sure they had a very adventurous if not battered night with that wind.

I struggled again during the descent from Kirk Fell but I was now full of confidence about getting in in under 24 hours. I still had plenty of energy for the climbs and the remaining summits were starting to dwindle in number. I had made good time up Great Gable and was pretty much on schedule for the leg. It was about 1930 and a beautiful evening even though the wind was still doing terrible things. I stayed focussed and took stock - I was still over 3/4 of an hour up on schedule with no more difficult ascents. I still had to do 2 or 3 difficult descents and a long road run. I wanted to make as much as I could of the remaining daylight but really it was only injury that would stop me now so I determined to be extra careful.

I took the standard route off Great Gable which is harder than going straight off the top and contouring round to Wind Gap but it is better marked and I knew it better. I climbed up to Green Gable without problem and then ticked off Brandreth and Grey Knotts without much difficulty and roughly on schedule. The descent to Honister was awkward even though I found the right line. I kept going steadily and dropped 9 minutes by the time I arrived at the nearly deserted car park. I had rice pudding, a drink and topped up with supplies for an 8 minute stop. The shortened break meant that I had gained most of the time I had lost on the descent.

It would have been lovely to stop at Honister - I had had a great day out and I was starting to get tired. I knew though that I could and would keep going and I was really looking forward to completing the round. I determined to plod on and make as much of the remaining daylight as I could. It was still a lovely evening and I really did enjoy taking in Dale Head and Hindsgarth both on schedule.

Coming down Hindsgarth saw me going slowly again but I did ok going up to Robinson and I arrived on the last summit triumphant as darkness started to move in. I had just under 3 hours to get back to the Moot Hall and I knew it was in the bag if I was sensible and avoided injury. Headtorch on I started a very gentle descent of Robinson - contouring down from the second cairn aiming for the gap between the 2 sets of rocks. This is where the path for Newlands Church starts. I could still see the valley floor and thought it would be prudent to lose height as my main priority. I got it a bit wrong and descended too much too early. I ended up having to contour round very low down before I found the path and I had forgotten how steep and rocky it was at the beginning. Later on it flattens and smooths out and I made better progress. It still took me the best part of an hour to get to Newlands church though.

I changed socks and into my road shoes, had a big feed and drink, discarded my rucksack and set off on the road run back to Keswick. I had an hour and 50 minutes left for this and was still thinking 'stay focussed and enjoy'. I decided to jog very easily- no heroics were needed. It was very pleasant and mesmeric to be jogging through the cool night air. It seemed an irony that I had come from a mainly road running background, trained hard for the fells but now was in a position where success depended on my road running. Time passed very easily on this final jog. I walked the steeper ups but otherwise just kept a slow even pace. I exchanged pleasantries with some pub goers at Swinside: 'Are you training for the Bob Graham?' 'No I am doing it!' 'GO ON MATE - WELL DONE!' This brought a smile to my face as I had said much the same to a successful contender last year at roughly the same place when I was on my way to retrieve some kit I had left by the roadside during a recce.

A thousand thoughts filled my mind as I made my way to Portinscale - memories of training runs and dreams of this very moment being among them. Soon I was crossing the footbridge and then jogging along the path across the fields to Keswick. I turned right into the main road and across the roundabout (no cars). I was on the final cobbled straight up to the Moot Hall.

I had planned to continue my sedate jog up to the steps - I had plenty of time - but in the excitement I couldnt help opening my stride and finishing at 10k pace. It felt wonderful - probably because I was using muscles I hadnt used all day! Applause rang out from ahead.

I threw one hand in the air and touched the Moot Hall at 0015 - it had taken me 23 hours and 15 minutes to return to my starting point and successfully complete the Bob Graham round. I was congratulated by a crowd of two people (one passing and one from road support earlier in the day) and had photos taken - which I am promised via email. I was very touched to have a reception comittee as I had anticipated during planning the possibility of arriving on my own.

I stood for a few minutes savouring the experience and then made my way back to the B and B for a shower, a glass of milk and a good nights sleep.

I slept surprisingly well and woke at 0830 for breakfast. 'Did you manage your walk?' the landlady asked me 'yes' I replied proudly '23 hours 15 minutes'. 'Oh well done congratulations ' she said.

Oh and the breakfast? - It tasted really great!



Pat finished successfully in 21 hours and 51 minutes - an awesome effort especially as he was plagued by enteral problems throughout and he lost 20 minutes looking for his dog.

I still don't know about John - I hope he made it but if not then better luck next time - he is a very strong guy.