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| Mickleden with Broad Stand behind |
This was a step back week that culminated in walking Scafell Pike with my five-year-old daughter. As any father would be, I was ridiculously proud. And as any prospective BGR candidate would be, I was intensely curious about Broad Stand and whether I should directly descend it or take the Foxes Tarn route.
After a fractious internal dialogue that could be measured in nanoseconds I concluded that a) for an inexperienced climber a rigging is required; b) I don't know anyone who would be prepared to install and remove ropes for me; c) it would be unfair to submit a pacer to that kind of ordeal; d) I'd hate to attempt it in foul/wet weather and finally e) I'm a blouse. Foxes Tarn it is then. Better do more climbing.
On our way up to the Lakes I dropped by the Malham Show for my first BOFRA race. It cost a pound to enter, but I can't find the results anywhere on t'interweb. Probably not a bad thing as my heart wasn't really in this one.
Total climb this week: 5,345ft
Total hours training: 10.25 (most of which spent walking with Tulip)!
Onwards and upwards!
I have exactly the same dilemman and a similar scenario - only I'm older!! I think I would be OK with Broad Stand, however what about the pacers? The only people I know who I would trust to prepare the belays etc I need to pace me ... so Foxes it will be, I recently supported a BG that did exactly this - using the so-called Foxes Traverse where you attempt to keep a bit of altitude. Have you considered Lords Rake/West Wall Traverse? I was going to recce that this week, but the weather may be against me ...
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't assume that you won't be able to get someone to rig Braod Stand for you, Simon - lots of people do. I assume you know our local BGR Guru Bob (http://bobwightman.blogspot.com/ and http://bobwightman.co.uk/run/bob_graham.php) - he certainly had someone who went up and rigged it on all his attempts, and I'll bet he'll know someone who would take the opportunity for a day on Scafell.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that advice.
ReplyDeleteNT - I looked down on ehat I think is the WWT from the top (I'll be descending if anti-clockwise) and crapped myself. If you're on for a recce in October then please count me onboard. The Foxes Tarn traverse is now so well trodden that it's visible on google earth! Essentially you skirt the buttress as tightly as possible to cut out any unnecessary altitude loss? Still haven't run it yet though...
Andy - thanks for that tip. I'll get in touch. The only problem is that I'll need to get some practice in with my pacer beforehand...
Check Bob's website for info on Lord's Rake - there's a lot of loose rock following a big rockfall a couple of years ago - risky.
ReplyDeleteGive me a shout if you need B.S. rigged next year, no problem at all. However, if it is wet go via Foxes unless you are a very confident climber. 2 out of my 3 BGR attempts B.S. was wet as hell, the other it was icy, in a perverse way I enjoyed it. The upper ramp which you would do unroped still needs a steady nerve if wet. When dry, it is a walk in the park, but a careful walk still.
ReplyDelete