South Lakes 3 Peaks

30th December 2009

9 Dallam runners 1 COLT and 2 Dogs

After a tricky walk up Loughrigg the day before and Inglebrough still covered in snow we opted to do the SL3 Peaks route.

We gathered in front of the Church gates, in Warton, I was donning my newly purchased running pants which I got in the sales as we stood the wind was bitterly cold and I began to think I may as well be in shorts than these. We left the village to start our first ascent of the day, Warton Crag, a nice easy climb which we have all done a number of times so the summit came very quickly and we dropped past Leighton Hall and onto the duck boards of Leighton Moss, I think the ducks would have crossed the path quicker than us that day, it was covered in ice almost impossible to walk on never mind run, so we all slid our way over. We skirted the Golf course towards Haweswater taking to the footpath through the woods so Helen, Julie and the 2 Dogs could take the short route taking them to Yealand before returning to Warton, these marathon runners not up to BG mileage yet, we progressed at a nice steady pace crossing the railway through Eaves wood and onto Holgates Caravan Park and time to fill any water bottles and pop the odd blister plaster on.



The weather was holding and we hoped it would stay that way as we started our second ascent of the day, Arnside Knott, as we tramped up some remains of snow and ice still littering the path slowing our progress again summit done and we stared our descent towards the level crossing at Arnside, we would cross the flat fields toward Hazelslack Tower but we decided to take the road thinking the fields would be wet, not sure which would be easier wet fields or ice covered roads. Our next ascent was to be The Fairy Steps but lunch was to be our next task as we settled, the banter was good as we all found a large rock to sit on and a quick break for food most welcome, Turkey Soup, Chocolate Orange and an Energy drink was my choice, trying to get the right sort of food down then start running again is a must for any BG contender. The soup and choc seemed to work just fine.



The next section was the long road part of the route. We passed Beetham Post office a couple of runners needed more supplies damm the shop is closed, luckily for them she lives next door and spotted them look very down at the closed sign so she opened up and sorted them with Mars bars. Again the roads were covered with ice once again slowing our progress. Whasset village came up and we were back to nice tracks and soft fields, we were heading for a double footbridge which crosses Stainton Beck and Peasey Beck but the bridge still closed, so we need to crossed lower down the stream these these two small becks become The Bela River, we headed towards the farm some following the footpath through the bulls, others me one of them taking the long route around them. Last time we did this route we missed the footpath to Farleton not this time a nice new sign pointing us in the right direction, as we crossed the field we were unable to find any gates or stiles, should have checked the map, so we slipped through the hedge towards the tunnel under the M6 and our 3rd big climb of the day and a very good steep ascent up the front of the Knott. From the summit we traversed towards Burton Fell this proving very difficult as Limestone pavement covered in snow, you were never sure placing your foot was to be a sound one and so slowing us yet again. Final summit done we left the snow of Burton Fell heading towards Priest Hutton and the distance was beginning to tell on our group. The last couple of miles was road we became stretched out at times so regrouping was a must the banter was good making the last few strides pass much quicker.



An awesome day out and right on our door step nobody having to travel any more than 15mins well done to everyone but an extra pat on the back to Mark and Martin stepping up to the extra mileage



Totals 25miles 5200ft Ascent 4.5mph ave speed