southcheshireharriers

Well, it just wasn't meant to be. Started off OK-Arrived at Skiddaw (1st peak) about bang on time. We then went too far in the clag off Skiddaw, arriving at Great Calva about 10 mins down, still ok. Half way up Blencathra in the dark, we came back into cloud and couldn't see more than about 2m in front. It took ages to find the summit cairn after a few trips a bit close to the edge! We came off Blencathra down Blease Fell, not a way I'd been before, but much safer in the conditions than the planned Halls Fell Ridge. I was following John Booth, and at times couldn't see the path he was following. A couple of times John stopped dead just before a sheer drop, just realising the path zig zagged, only for me to plough into him! We arrived at Threlkeld around an hour or so down-still OK. Thanks entirley to John and my mate Matt Sheehan.

After a quick feed and some dry clothes at Threlkeld, we began leg 2. A quick ascent of the hard climb up Clough Head, and the conditions worsened from thern on. My good friend Dave Sykes (Tattenhall Runners) was navigating this section. He had a GPS, without which we would have had more struggle than we did. The wind was pretty fierce, blowing us sideways at times, horizontal rain, and the clag as well made this leg a matter of survival at best. It took us ages to find summit cairns because the cloud was just reflecting our torchlight. Because of the conditions, I was hardly able to eat and drink, which is not conducive to success. We arrived at Dunmail Raise at the end of this leg still further down on time. Thanks also to Charlie's friend, Ben Blain over from Hong Kong for assistance on this leg.

Whilst getting changed and fed ready for leg 3, my navigator for leg 3, Dale Colclough (Staffs Moorlands/Trentham) tried to talk me out of carrying on-we were over 2 hours down on time, and the conditions being no better than on the previos leg, with the exception of daylight. Being perhaps a bit pig headed, I was detemined to carry on. ''OK, but we'll have to make a decision half way round'' was Dale's patient reply. Off we went up Steel Feel, 6 mins up on schedule. Calf Crag, still OK on schedule. I then had a real low point, feeling unable to carry on, this was liffted a bit by jelly babies. I didn't feel like eating much as I felt sick. Eventually I was sick, and I immediately felt fighting fit again. We kept going well enough in the wind, clag and rain, but decision time was upon us-Rossett Pike. We were over 21/2 hours down on time, with at least 3 hours to go on leg 3 in worsening conditions. With 2 legs to go after that we decided it was foolish to carry on. A phone call to the rest of the team confirmed this, so we arranged to be met at Seathwaite, where we arrive after 161/2 hours on the fells. But, as my mate Dave Sykes always says, ''there's no such thing as a bad day in the hills''.

Sounds a bit long winded, I know but that's it in a nutshell. Discussion will surely follow on Tuesday's off road run as to the timing of another attempt

Thanks to everyone involved-Mal, Arthur, Charlie and WInky for fantastic road support, and John Booth, Matt Sheehan, Ben Blain, Dave Sykes, Dale Colclough and Rob Carter for support on the fells, and Alan Williams, Andy Painter and Steve Dawson for being there, ready to support legs 4 and 5-apologies if I've missed anyone off.

Dave H

Glad you had a good sleep on it and thinking of having another attempt. It was great to just be part of it and a pity the weather beat us. Count me on for the next attempt.

lSleep-I went to bed for a quick nap about 6pm, and didn't surface 'til 7 this morning-I haven't slept that long in years

Well done Dave and team - to do what you did in those conditions is a great achievement, sounds like the weather was pretty grim in the hills on Friday.

Good effort Dave. The weather was pretty unpleasant from the comfort of the car

The last few months have really reignited my love of the Lakes so count me in on future attempts / training

I take my hat off to you all for even attempting it in such conditions. Glad you all got back safely.

Not to be deterred, I'm planning another attempt of this round. I've provisionally planned for Friday night 30th April 2010, subject to all my support team being OK with this date, oh and the weather being more agreeable! THis gives me more fun days training in the hills! Anyone caring to join in is very wellcome.