THE BOB GRAHAM ROUND - Part Three

Leg 3

 

Support crew: Geoff Clarke navigator, Gerry Dewhurst, Nigel Crompton, Pat Peers



Leg three starts at Dunmail Raise, climbing Steel Fell, Calf Crag, Sargeant Man, High Raise, Thunacar Knott, Harrison Stickle, Pike O’ Stickle, Rossett Pike, Bowfell, Esk Pike, Great End, Ill Crag, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, then descending into Wasdale Head.  It’s about 16 miles, 6,000 feet ascent.

The temperature continued to rise as we made our way from peak to peak across my least favourite part of the BG route which is the section from Dunmail Raise to Rossett Pike. 

Pat, Gerry, Nigel and Geoff took full control of my eating and drinking requirements and made sure I had the right combination of food, energy gels and fluids.  This was no easy task as I was finding any kind of food really unpalatable and was having to mince solid food with water in my mouth in order to be able to swallow it at all.  Even gels weren’t going down so easily by this stage.  We must have got through a huge amount of water.  There was never a moment when I needed to ask for anything; my every need was catered for.  Geoff was navigating and took us from peak to peak finding all of the best lines for us.
 

Despite the heat and an uncomfortable urge to be sick (which I ignored) I really enjoyed this leg.  The time passed quickly as I listened to the banter and enjoyed watching Gerry’s Staffordshire Bull Terriers Lilly and Pearl playing on the fell.  On some of the peaks we lost time but on others we were gaining more time so that I was increasingly gaining time on my schedule. 

The section from Rossett Pike to Wasdale is much more interesting and rocky, and I loved rock hopping in the sunshine with such great company.  I began to tire on the big climb to Sca Fell and descended slowly into Wasdale which meant I lost some time, but I still managed to arrive a few minutes ahead of schedule.

Ascending Steel Fell

It’s a breeze; this BG support!  Nigel chilling out at Wasdale!

Splits:

Dunmail Raise                     08:26

Steel Fell                              08:52

Calf Crag                              09:15

Sargeant Man                     09:52

High Raise                           10:02

Thunacar Knott                  10:16

Harrison Stickle                  10:24

Pike O’ Stickle                     10:39

Rossett Pike                        11:26

Bowfell                                11:58

Esk Pike                               12:20

Great End                            12:45

Ill Crag                                 12:59

Broad Crag                          13:10

Scafell Pike                          13:24

Sca Fell                                 14:08

Wasdale Head                     14:51