13 Dallam runners 1 COLT 2 Dogs
The web site said meeting at 6:45pm which made getting to the old quarry car on time almost impossible for some of us including me. Just after 7pm we had our head count and added the two early starters to the total and off we went into the cold dark night. This is always a difficult climb but tonight with a little snow and ice around extra care was needed. We had hardly done a mile when I may as well had ice skates on instead of my Mudroc’s, it slowed me down some what.
We all made it to the fell gate in one piece for our first head count of the evening. With everyone accounted for we pressed on taking the race route, this follows the wall instead of the stony beck bottom, 'my lights packed up' came a cry from Leechy, as luck would have it I had my bike light with me so I passed my head light over. As the climb increased in height the temperature was dropping and we were gaining on the advanced party I tucked in behind Jarvo he was trying to run all the way to the steps, he was just a little short.
The steps were covered in snow and ice but passable with care. We hit the summit and regrouped quickly not wanting to hang around as the wind chill was pretty low we pushed on to Little Inglebrough leaving Steve and Ella to return down the path we had just come up, we had to search around a little to find the snow covered path we needed. I was hanging towards the back of the field chatting to Stuart and Jarvo when they both had a tumble, nothing to shout about but still not so good, you know the one’s “oh my god is my jacket ok” with Little Inglebrough done we had the easy fell to cross which is nice even in the dark.
The main group made it back down to the fell gate, after a little detour, we just had the stony walled path to run down, time to put on the Ice skates on again ha ha!!! I think most of us would have had a feel of the snow on ice under foot down this section, everyone was down safe we changed and waited for Steve and Ella to return. Around 15minutes had passed and no sign of the Jeffs where were they? Most people had gone home but Mick and I were going no where until we saw them in. Adam, Leechy Mick and I walked back towards the walled path still no sign, Adam and Leechy returned to the cars to sit tight with mobile in hand whilst Mick and I went back up the Hill. At this point I wished Steve had taken his mobile with him, still no sign and no lights in the distance. We reached the fell gates again and rang Adam still no sign. We were becoming very concerned but we knew Steve would be prepared for almost anything, we reached and passed the farm house when the phone rang they were back at the cars, they had drifted off the snow covered path and then they couldn't find it again and ended up on the road near White Scar Caves. We got back to the car at 10pm everyone was down safe so we could go home.
Overall a great night out a bit longer then normal for a few of us but we all enjoyed our darkness run, next week was a return to the Howgills but we have misplaced 3 runners in the last 2 weeks. With this in mind and Cathy’s broken leg sustained there I will be taking a run over Arnside Knott instead.
Totals: 7.3m 1900ft Ascent 4.2mph ave speed
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