NEWS February March ...err October 2010

l Bourne supremacy – how Simon conquered the 15 trigs l Joss loss – Yates goes AWOL on the Naylor challenge l Trouserless Tim – Tett bares nearly all for your caption comp l Out, then in – top tips on breathing from barman Dave In this edition»

est. 1976 www.dpfr.org.uk  CRANKING IT UP FOR THE CHAMPS President: Eric Mitchell As another club champs approaches, Matt Speake tells how he found an extra gear to leave Rob Little Chairman Secretary and Neil Northrop trailing as he stormed to victory in Paul Sanderson, Rob Moore last year’s race. Gavin Williams also chips in with his 27 Milden Road, 2 Kerwen Close, perspective as race organiser. Dore, Sheffield Features, page 13 S6 4AT S17 3DF 0114 2206353 07766 520741  IS THAT MONT BLANC? [email protected] [email protected] Or could it possibly be Grindsbrook? We devote the centre spread to Richard Hakes’s stunning picture of Treasurer Membership club members contouring round a cornice as the Peak Lynn Bland, Gavin Williams District emulated the Alps during last winter’s cold 51 Hurlfield Ave 41 Frickley Road, , Sheffield spell. Sheffield, S11 7EX The piccy in the middle, centre spread S12 2TL 0114 2309227 0114 2646409 [email protected]  RAILWAY RELICS [email protected] In the second part of his occasional series, Mike Arundale explores the fascinating history of the old Clothing and Eqpt. Men’s Captain incline above Grindleford and Padley Gorge. Did you Richard Hakes Rob Little, 454A Loxley Road Flat F, know it was all to do with building the Derwent dams? Loxley 91 School Road Page 20 Sheffield Sheffield S6 6RS S10 1GJ  LOOK, NO TROUSERS! 0114 2339912 07791 283861 [email protected] [email protected] Tim Tett reveals intimate details of his underwear as he stars in this edition’s caption competition. Can you find Women’s Captain Website creative inspiration in the cereal Kirsty Bryan-Jones John Dalton 2, Sunnybank Cottages, 1, Cannon Fields, packet that he’s clenching between Jaggers Lane, Hathersage, his teeth? Hathersage, Caption competition, Page 10 S32 1AZ S32 1AG 01433 650213 01433 659523 [email protected] [email protected]  CUTTING EDGE TRAINING TIPS Dark Peak News David Holmes Leading bar worker Dave Gilchrist begins an exclusive 615, Loxley Road, new series for Dark Peak News in which he passes on Loxley, tips gleaned from years of philosophical pint pulling. In Sheffield, part one, he deconstructs a skill that goes to the very S6 6RR heart of good : how to breathe properly. 0114 2344186 Page 30 [email protected] Dark Peak News March 2010 page 3

The bit at the front

can still remember the A&E doctor’s exact words as he observed my trouserless bottom: “Do you know your bum crack has moved an inch to the left?” He was staring at a huge I festering abscess that had me on the verge of passing out, just days after another medic had dismissed it as an inconsequential side effect of flu. A few hours later I was under general anaesthetic, having 200ml of pus cut from my buttock. The saga had begun when I decided to do one last sledge run down Great Close Hill during Tim Tett’s “unofficial” birthday weekend. A few of us had got through the snow to Malham for an informal gathering, after Tim abandoned the usual family weekend because of the extreme weather. The sledging session had been exhilarating, with speeds getting faster and faster as the start line crept higher and the run got more polished. But that last run was such a mistake; the sledge went one way, I went the other, and next thing I was crashing arse-first into a rock at something like 30mph. The next I knew I was lying on the common room floor in a state of shock while friends piled carrier bags of snow onto a grapefruit-sized swelling. To cut a long story short, I was black and blue for weeks, then it went away, then I was bedbound for over a week with what I thought was flu until I finally walked into the Northern General in a state of worry and exasperation. None of the doctors could explain why a bout of severe bruising should throw up such a serious infection weeks later, but it meant long weeks of disruption that played havoc with my work life, and put me on the backfoot to such an extent that Dark Peak News fell by the wayside. I can only apologise for the magazines’s extended disappearance, and hope that perhaps its absence will make the heart grow fonder now that we are finally back in production. The hiatus has highlighted what a superb job John does with the website, which now meets our daily communication needs so well. But people have said they’ve really missed the more extended digest that the mag provides. That is certainly the (somewhat accidental) flavour of this edition. With so many interesting pieces and photos “in stock”, I had to decide whether to bin them, or to publish them as an ad hoc resume of the year. I opted for the latter. So please think of this in part as a special “annual” edition, and in part as a foretaste of the splendid things that we hope lie in store at the club champs and through the winter. Apologies to those whose fresher pieces have been held over, but they will be along very soon in the next edition that will appear shortly after the club champs. If I could be excused one final thought on my bottom, it is that my cleft-like scar now reminds me how lucky I was to emerge fit and more or less intact. I know that there are many friends and colleagues in Dark Peak who are going through far worse at the moment: Dave Markham, Ken Jones, Trevor Milner, Chas Hird and Joan Waller to name but a few. When you suddenly find yourself on your back in a hospital bed, it makes you realise how precious and ephemeral are the times that we share on the hills. If that thought chimes with you, please accept an open invitation to write about your special times and share them with friends in the next edition. Dave Dark Peak News March 2010 page 4

News

Tim triumphs on world stage DARK PEAK now has a world champion among its members. Tim Tett won the M50 race final at the World Masters Championships in Switzerland in August, finishing 12 seconds clear of his nearest rival on the two kilometre around the streets and parks of Neuchatel. Tim also picked up a bronze medal in the long distance finals at the same event. Pete Gorvett took part in the event too, and Dark Peakers Matt Speake, Rachael Elder and Oli Johnson have also been performing at international level in the recent orienteering world championships at Trondheim in Norway. It seems the traditional fusion between South fell running and orienteering remains as strong as ever. ...but it could have been so different TIM’S success was all the more welcome given the injury he suffered just before the championships when he put his foot in a snare while out on a club training run. It happened on the banks of Oaking Clough on the Hallam Moors, as a large group of runners was making its way between the Headstone and the conduit. Tim gashed his leg badly after failing to notice a string of wire snares that had been laid out by the gamekeeper. This was in daylight, on open access land. The club has since raised the issue formally with the Peak Park, but has received a disappointing response in which national park officers essentially wash their hands of it and point out that the landowner was doing nothing illegal. Club officers are now considering an appropriate response to the whole matter. We’ll have a full report on the saga in the next edition of Dark Peak News. Lloyd pipped at the post MEANWHILE, spare a thought for Lloyd Taggart, who missed out on the FRA English Championship by just four seconds in the deciding race at Shelf Moor earlier this month. Lloyd lost a sprint finish to Rob Hope from Pudsey and Bramley, leaving him joint second in the series, but comfortable winner of the V40 series by nine points from . The club have also taken the women’s team championship, and finished runner-up in the men’s team series. The victories reflect an exceptionally strong performance across the board, with Lloyd, Stuart Bond, Jon Morgan and John Hunt all finishing in the men’s top 20, and Nicky Spinks, Liz Batt and Pippa Wilkie all achieving equivalent success in the women’s. Also achieving top ten placings were Neill Barton (MU23), Steve Bell (MV45), Keith Holmes (MV55), John Armistead (MV65), Judith Jepson (WV40) and Julie Gardner (WV50). Next up, at the time of writing, was the British Championships, with the final Black Mountains race due to take place in Snowdonia on September 25th. Lloyd Taggart and Judith Jepson were both holding the lead in the V40 categories, so let’s hope they managed to clinch it. STOP PRESS: THEY DID! Full report in next edition. Full details of all the championship placings can be found on the FRA website at: http://www.fellrunner.org.uk/ championships.php?year=2010 Dark Peak News March 2010 page 5

Eric recovers from heart op OUR CLUB president, Eric Mitchell, is on the mend after undergoing major heart surgery earlier this year. He’s laughing about it now, but says he felt quite low after picking up a string of infections in the months after the operation in January. “At times I wondered whether it had been worth it, but I am now getting out about four or five miles and I have started to go out on the bike again on the local trail,” he said. Eric received a new heart valve and underwent double bypass surgery, an operation that the consultants said they would not normally perform on a man in his 87th year. They were persuaded to so by Eric’s exceptional fitness for his age. Long may it last. Club Champs returns to Glossop THE CLUB championships and dinner will take place on Saturday, November 6th this year. The race returns to the west side of the Dark Peak, starting and finishing from the factory car park at Old Glossop where we’ve had some classic races in the past, (SK 046948). Andy Harmer has volunteered to plan the course, so the bookies are offering short odds on some challenging terrain. As ever, marshals and timekeepers will be needed, so if you’re injured or choose not to run on the day your help “behind the scenes” would be very welcome. Please contact Andy if you are available. Chris Barber has offered to organise the dinner, which will again be at Bradfield Village Hall following the well-received event last year. The format will be similar: a formal sit-down meal followed by speeches and prizegivings, and then a ceilidh with the Rhythm Chaps. The bar will again be provided by the Bradfield Brewery, who this year have been warned to get in extra supplies of Farmers Blonde to prevent us drinking the bar dry too early! As it’s Bonfire Night weekend, Chris is also encouraging people to turn up with fireworks which we can let off on the adjacent cricket pitch. Club hut gets a spruce-up BELIEVE it or not, it’s now ten years since we did the big restoration job on the club hut, (see Adventures in Time, page 32), and it’s beginning to show. Hence Dark Peak members Jim Fulton and Tom Westgate and Roy Gibson have joined forces with our footballing friends from Hallam Rangers to give the old place a modest make-over. The footballers’ efforts in themselves have now caused a few problems and mean we have do some more additional work to make the place fit for purpose. So far Jim has replaced the lighting and Tom and Roy have blitzed the shrubs and border that had reached jungle proportions – it’s amazing what you can do with a chain saw. Below are some tasks that they still need help with: • The women’s area needs tidying so there is room to change; • The collection of DPFR race and Bob Graham equipment needs sorting and storing more neatly, perhaps with some shelving - maybe we could pay one of our tradesmen members to do a professional job; • The bottom of the front door needs reinforcing with marine ply or maybe rat-proof aluminium sheeting; • The external door at the field end needs a lick of paint or three; • The rear car parking area needs the moss cleaning off & the edging tidying up; • The floor at the women’s end of the hut needs woodworm treatment to the floor surface and if possible the underside. Spread between plenty of people, these tasks should not take too long and could be done at individuals’ leisure. Spread between just two or three, they begin to look like quite a burden. If you can spare a bit of time and labour to help, please get in touch with Tom or Jim. Dark Peak News March 2010 page 6

Club to fund first aid courses THE CLUB is funding places on a “Wilderness First Aid Course”, as detailed in the recent FRA magazine. The idea is to help club officials and race organisers to plan runs with a better grasp of how to handle potential emergencies. They will not be expected to provide any official first aid for club activities, but will know how to handle a crisis should it ever arise. The courses are being run by High Peak First Aid and were due to take place towards the end of this month. The cost of the initial places is about £1,200, which will be paid for from recent race profits. At the time of writing, all our places have been filled, but please contact Tom Westgate if you are interested and would like to go on a reserve list. You can either ring Tom on 07734 066386 (mob) or 263 0632 (home) or get in touch by e-mail at [email protected] “Over the decades accidents have been few and far between so we are pretty good at what we do, although there have been a few ‘hiccups’ in the last few years. There is always more to be learned,” said Tom.. Hakes takes fashion world by storm FORGET everything you’ve read about Victoria Beckham setting the pace for fashion this year. The true innovator is DPFR equipment officer Richard Hakes, with his groundbreaking “long sleeved vest”. This magnificent oxymoron is being manufactured exclusively for Dark Peak by Ron Hill clothing, in the same ventilated material as our more traditional vests. Richard reckons the new version will provide just a bit more warmth and protection on colder days, or when carrying a rucsac in mountain and other long distance events. The first limited run will be available in all leading fashion stores soon, or exclusively to you now through the DPFR website at the knock-down price of £15, or £17 if you would like a rack of cycle jersey-style pockets across the back. Boundary Run date The 2010 Bradfield Boundary Run will take place on Tuesday, December 28th, starting as ever at 6am outside Loxley Primary School on Rodney Hill at Loxley. We have had to switch it from its usual Saturday morning start because Christmas Day falls on a Saturday this year. If you plan to run, or can help with the support and logistics, please get in touch with Dave Holmes in good time so that the team have an idea of how many people are coming along, (you’ll find his contact details at the front of this mag). In case you don’t know the first thing about it, the Boundary Run is a 48-mile non-competitive run around ’s longest and wildest parish boundary, completed on a 12-hour schedule. There’ll be more details in the next edition of Dark Peak News. Roll out the barrow, Bruce From Australia comes news of a three-day event with a difference. Competitors have to push a wheelbarrow 93 miles through the bush, in temperatures of up to 33C, (that’s a whacking 92F in old money). The Great Wheelbarrow Race follows the appropriately- named Wheelbarrow Way from Mareeba to Chillagoe in North Queensland. It honours the legions of twentieth century gold prospectors who – unable to get hold of a KIMM sac – took off with their possessions in a barrow in search of untold riches. Entries for the race cost 330 Australian dollars for teams, or 220 for individuals. The race website reveals that all wheelbarrows are 'a standard Kelso model weighing 22.5 kg' and also advises competitors to move to the side of the road if dust clouds seriously reduce visibility. Full details at http://www. trc.qld.gov.au/whats-on/great-wheelbarrow-race Step forward Mike Browell? Dark Peak News March 2010 page 7

From the Chairman

riting this column the leaves are now falling off the trees and there's a distinct autumnal nip in the air. I have no idea where this year’s gone; it doesn't seem Wfive minutes since we were celebrating yet another successful Skyline, electing the club committee en masse again at the AGM and looking forward to a fine summer of and getting out on the hills. That said, I always find that autumn and into winter is one of the best times for fell running. Gnarly weather and challenging underfoot conditions are always likely, and running over the wilds of Kinder or the often involves conditions that can test our mountain craft and knowledge to the limit. This time of year also sees the start of the 'Wart's' season with headtorches being dug out of cupboards and hipflasks filled with some of Scotland's finest. The Wednesday night Warts runs have become increasingly popular and looking at the calendar there are some fine 'away days' pencilled in for the months ahead. This does however bring safety into focus, and the club took the decision at our last AGM to fund a dozen volunteer members to attend a two day mountain first aid course to be held in October. I hope we will never need these skills, but if we do it will be good to know that the club took a lead and made sure we were prepared for an emergency. A full report on the weekend will no doubt appear on the website or in the magazine in due course. The club championships and annual dinner will again soon be upon us. The champs are to be held from the fine venue of Old Glossop and if previous championships from here are anything to go by will be over a no doubt challenging course devised by Andy Harmer. The dinner then follows at the excellent Bradfield Village Hall for the second year running. Judging by last year we are in for a fine day of sport and an evening of entertainment, dancing and possibly fireworks. Let’s just hope for a few more barrels of Bradfield Blonde behind the bar. One of the highlights of the dinner is of course the awarding of the Pertex Trophy for “incompetance (sic) on the fells”. We need to ensure that current holder Tim Hawley is up to speed on all the year’s navigational blunders, incompetences and cock-ups so that he can pass the trophy on to another worthy recipient. History would suggest no shortage of candidates. If you know of any, please drop them in it by tipping Tim off! October is relay season and the club has again entered teams in all the major competitions. We have five teams in the FRA Relays which this year are being held north of the border in the Kingdom of Fife. Over the years we have firmly established ourselves as the club everyone wants to beat - let’s hope we continue to enjoy the success that we have in the past. It doesn't need me to point out that this magazine is the first one we've published for rather longer than we perhaps should have. There are various reasons for this, but the impact here of our excellent website cannot be understated. It does raise the question of what we do about the magazine in future. There have been some discussions recently on Wednesday nights about a more substantial year book or journal rather than the traditional quarterly magazine. This is common practice in clubs like the Rucksack Club. Should Dark Peak adopt a similar approach? Obviously a decision for the AGM but by way of generating discussion, I would be interested in hearing people’s views. Paul Dark Peak News March 2010 page 8

Events calendar

Club runs: Every Wednesday from the Sportsman, Lodge Moor, Sheffield at 18:30 or at an “away” venue (usually at 18:45 but check below). People run at different speeds but there are usually two or three stops to re-group. The weather can be bad on the moors, even in the spring and summer. So please be aware of the risk of exposure, and come prepared. Warts runs are in the dark - head torches, whisky and safety gear obligatory.

“Local races” are open events, usually entry-on-the-day with an entry fee and a few prizes. Full details can usually be found in the FRA Calendar.

“DPFR races” are informal events for Dark Peak club members, usually with no entry fee and no prizes. People running in “DPFR events” accept total responsibility for their own safety.

Oct Passing Clouds. £5 on day. Tittesworth Reservoir Visitors Sun 24 10.30 Local race 9.75m/1850ft Centre. GR SJ995602 Strines Inn. Tom's choice of route/race rules, drawing on Wed 27 11.30 Warts run fully 50 years of youthful experience. Further details in due course. GR SK222907

Wed 27 6.30 Club run Sportsman.

Nov Winter Series (4). From Church. Reflective Mon 1 6:30 DPFR race vest and head torch recommended. Self-timed. See link for further details. GR SK271968

Wed 3 6.30 Club run Sportsman. Club champs briefing.

Club Championships. Advance warning of date - route currently in prep, courtesy of a certain A. Harmer. Starting, Sat 6 10.00 DPFR race it is understood, from somewhere in Old Glossop. Further details as soon as these are available. Club dinner. Chris Barber has the Bradfield Village Hall booked again - "a similar format to last year perhaps with a Sat 6 6.45 Other few fireworks". 6.45pm for 7.15. Further details to follow in September. Cop Hill. £4 pre-entry or on day. Meltham Community Sun 7 10.30 Local race 7m/900ft Centre, nr. Holmfirth.

Wed 10 6:30 Club run Sportsman

Wed 10 6:45 Warts run Rowlee Bridge. GR SK149891 Dark Peak News March 2010 page 9

Leg It Round Lathkil. £4 on day. Lathkil Hotel, Over Sun 14 11:30 Local race 7.1m/950ft Haddon. GR SK207665 Roaches. £4 on day. Village Hall, Meerbrook. GR Sun 14 10:30 Local race 15m/3700ft SJ987608 RAB/Dark & White Mini-MM. £10 pre-entry (£20 pairs). Sun 14 9:00 Local race Dark Peak venue (tbc). 3 hour mini-MM score event. Winter Series (5). From Bridge. Reflective Mon 15 6:30 DPFR race vest and head torch recommended. Self-timed. See link for further details. GR SK263918

Wed 17 6:30 Club run Sportsman

Fairholmes 'Long Cakes' Night Race. A second running of this night race following last year's successful inaugural (see link for results and tortuous tracks). Solo/pairs. Early Wed 17 7:00 DPFR race 6.7m/1900ft starters at 6.45pm. CP1 Cogman Cabin (SK18559218), CP2 Cakes of Bread (SK19889010), CP3 Millbrook Copse wall corner (SK18189033). GR SK173893

Wed 24 6:30 Club run Sportsman. Possible WARTS outing to Hathersage Stream.

Winter Series (6). From Bolsterstone Church. Reflective Mon 29 6:30 DPFR race vest and head torch recommended. Self-timed. See link for further details. GR SK271968 Dec

Wed 1 6:30 Club run Sportsman

Upper Midhope. For northern Warts. Grouse Inn otherwise. Wed 1 6:45 Warts run GR SK214995 Grouse Inn. For southern Warts. Upper Midhope otherwise. Wed 1 6:45 Warts run GR SK258779 Gravy Pud. £4 pre-entry or on day. Bull's Head, Tintwistle. Sun 5 11:00 Local race 5m/1000ft GR SK024973 Tanky's Trog. Entry form as Word document - pdf Sun 5 9:00 Local race 21.5m/3750ft document GR SE050114 Wed 8 6:30 Club run Sportsman Burbage North Bridge. Sportsman afterwards. GR Wed 8 6.45 Warts run SK260830 Sun 12 8:00 Other Calderdale Way relay. See club captains 50m/12000ft

Winter Series (7). From Bolsterstone Church. Reflective Mon 13 6.30 DPFR race vest and head torch recommended. Self-timed. See link for further details. GR SK271968 Please remember that the published calendar takes a great deal of time and effort to compile and is designed to give members advanced notice of events. If you intend to stage events, it is helpful to let us know as soon as you can. Please e-mail Dark Peak News with details: [email protected] Unavoidable late additions or changes will be publicised on the website news pages. Dark Peak News March 2010 page 10

Caption competition

A strong response to our last picture of John Gunnee at rest, most of them playing on the theme of the inhaler, (although one person, who shall remain nameless, couldn’t resist pretending it was a vibrator – you’ll find the culprit on the website). Hats off to Dave Sugden, who in the opinion of the judges deserved both first and second place. “As per the instructions, John waited before his next puff,” gets the whisky, by a nose from Dave’s more esoteric “I’m sure I can still see that worm I left down there last week”.

The task this time is to come up with an appropriate caption for the antics of world orienteering champion Tim Tett, caught playing drinking games as he celebrated his fiftieth birthday at Malham Field Studies Centre. The game involved picking up a torn-off cereal box with your teeth, while only your feet touched the floor. Tim, (and one or two others who shall remain nameless), worked out that you could bend your legs much further if you took your trousers off, thus creating a wonderful opportunity for witty captionists... Dark Peak News March 2010 page 11

Jim Paxman on Moz's birthday run Dark Peak News March 2010 page 12

The questionnaire

Chris Edwards How old are you? Thirty nine. Not a veteran till March 2011, although that is too close for comfort now!

How did you start fell running? Did the Dash in 1996, with a mate from work. I was fitter, and faster then. Enjoyed the race a lot, and then got landed with a keen fell running boss when I worked for Lloyds TSB. He introduced me to the FRA, that little calendar landed three weeks later, and the rest is history.

When did you join Dark Peak? 1998/9ish, (I think). The old brown vest is showing its age now, and it must have shrunk at least two sizes!

Why did you join Dark Peak? Chatted with an old member, Roy Marlow, at many evening races in 1997/8/9. He suggested that I join DPFR. I was very dubious, as most brown vests seemed to finish way in front of me. Stangely enough, they still do.

How many miles a week do you run? Nowhere near enough. Depends how many races there are, as I get little time to train, having gone self employed two years ago. I run maybe 10 miles a week in winter, and 20 in summer, (providing I do at least three good races a week).

Admit it, what’s your current weight? Too heavy. 12st 13lb. My ideal racing weight is 12st 3lb.

What’s your top training tip? Do some! I don’t get the chance really, and boy does it show. When I trained for the BGR in 2004, I ran every evening, only four miles a time, but fairly quickly - as fast as I could possibly go for the distance. It almost worked!

What’s your favourite race? Of the longs, Borrowdale and Roaches, although I have not been fit enough to run these for five years. The Skyline is also a good classic. Of the mediums, Passing Clouds and Anniversary Waltz. Of the shorts, Mount Famine and Pen Y Ghent. There are some great races in the Shropshire hills. The Long Mynd Valleys is brill, and Breidden Hills and the Cardington Cracker are two other classics.

What’s been your best moment in fell running so far? Completing the BGR in 2004, BUT....

And the worst? ...was 17 mins over time, so we need to have another crack sometime. Oh dear!

What shoes do you use? The good old Walsh. I have several pairs, that I mix and match. Top tip for everyone. When mixing and matching, take a left and a right to your race. Life gets hard otherwise.

How do you get your socks clean? Ask my better half, Jill. Caustic soda seems to work a treat!!

What’s your big outstanding ambition as a runner? To complete the BGR again, in time. Eighteen short minutes required. May be a good 40th present to myself next year! Dark Peak News March 2010 page 13

Features

How I won the club champs

On Friday I thought “Can I really be arsed I lost a bit of time coming off Grinah in to go?” On Saturday morning I decided the boulder field and headed on a bearing “Yes, let’s do it”. between Deep Grain and the unnamed After driving down from York I felt, well, stream following the line of runners ahead, not exactly fresh but thought I’d try to go hitting the fence at the stile and hammering for it. it down the hill to the river in the bottom. When warming up the legs were turning I then headed straight uphill. This was a OK and I was thinking about tactics of how tough section having been hammering it. I to lose Rob and Neil. I decided to hammer it kept the fence to the left then, after the at the start to try to break them, and then try fence ended or turned, ran on a bearing to get into some rhythm after I had lost between Miry Clough and Gethering them. Clough to hit the trod across the summits. I Before the start I asked a few people saw Tim Tett struggling along the trod with about different routes, realised they weren’t Karen Davison in tow! Then I headed going to give away any secrets and thought diagonally to Gethering Clough, hitting the “Sod it. Straight is great”. slope down to River Alport and found a trod Standing on the old rickety bridge with contouring half way up this and ran along Rob and Neil just about to start, chatting this for a while. I descended down to the away, then we are told to go. So I put the river, crossed this and headed diagonally up throttle on straight away and all I heard was to the forest corner. “Boys, what are you doing?” from Neil! Then headed for the forest ride! Throwing And Rob was on my shoulder. We both myself off the hill and just going for it on laughed!!! Cranking up the speed even this nice descent. Hitting the forest at the more, I could tell at the first stile Rob was bottom I stayed on the west side of the river struggling a little bit so I put another gear in for a bit then eventually crossed to hit the and went hard again. Then I caught my one forest on the other side, following it around minute guy Al Ward and passed him just until it hit a path. I just carried on the path before we headed off the road bend. to the checkpoint passing some of the old I stayed left side of the valley at Grinah boys. (Hey! Show some respect! Ed) Grain on a sheep trod, crossing the fence at Then I just stayed on the path to the top of the stile. The valley narrowed towards the the quarry area. Up on to the top, I ran top. I kept looking for a break in the heather diagonally to the path above the heather and I saw a place to cross the fence – a line. Then just absolutely trying to go for it wooden beam – where there seemed to be to the finish. bracken instead of heather. This took me out All in all a good day out! Then back home on to the plateau where there was a burnt to the pub to watch the Rugby League!! area leading up to the shooting butts and Matt Speake then I followed the path, passing a few guys, all the way up to Grinah Stones. Dark Peak News March 2010 page 14

The organisor's view

Well the weather turned out OK, despite the for the straight line route encountered the grim forecast. We had 80 starters, so it's just upper reaches of the Westend valley, the as well we had off-road parking for the forty rough heather of Ravens Clough, the soggy nine vehicles that I counted at the start. tussocks of the Alport ridge and finally the Hmm. Leslie did a sterling job at long slog in and out of the Alport valley. registration with the indelible The valley crossings could be avoided marker pen, so good in fact completely by making a long detour to that numbers were still Westend Head and Grains in the Water. visible on folks’ hands that Mick Poulter went this way, but judging evening. Ann, Tony and by his finishing position I don't think he'd Pete set folk away from do it again. In between these two halfway up the Westend extremes were many variations, with some valley, with not too many folk making a long contour in to the complaints on Roy's checkpoint after passing by handicapping. the Scout memorial plaque After a fast mile below Grindlesgrain along the track the Tor. first route choice ‘Berzins' is appeared. Most Latvian for 'one folk fought who lives through the amongst birch bracken beside trees' and Bob the hairpin to was living up to follow an old his name on the trod into banks of the Alport. Grinah Grain. At my request he Once at the had rigged a stream a short tyrollean across the scramble up the river, with the rope heather led to stretching from a sturdy shooting butts before a final birch on one bank to steep climb, with John and himself on the other. He did Bess waiting atop Grinah not have a busy time. Shaun Stones to greet people. Some and Ian however, did have a folk eschewed the trod and busy few minutes as the main instead followed the track knot of runners went through further towards Lower Small the checkpoint. They were two Clough before sweeping short with respect to the start list, round below Round Hill. but were able to see two runners From Grinah Stones the real on the ridge opposite heading direct fun started. There was for the top of . They deliberately no obvious racing assumed that these were the two line to the second checkpoint at missing runners, so packed up and the forestry corner. Those opting walked out with Bob. Dark Peak News March 2010 page 15

From CP2 everyone took the greasy trod to see him have a crack at the Kinder triple down through the felled swathe, though crossing. Karen had confided in me before quite a bit of recceing of alternative routes the race that she thought all the hills through the trees had been undertaken in runnable. I guess she was right, given her previous days. A meander through the fabulous 8th place overall. Lynn became the meanders then led to a rising line to Sue and first person to win the handicap trophy for Marilyn at the final check point. I had the second time, though she did get a sore briefly considered using the lovely pond neck looking over her shoulder as Paul below the crags as a checkpoint, but seeing chased her down the final descent. that it didn't appear on either the OS or My personal highlight of the day Harveys I decided that might be a bit was witnessing Roger Baumeister unfair. From CP3 it was designed to be and Dave Aucott racing each other an eyeballs-out plummet back down along the top of Alport Castles. the footpath to the finish. Despite this, Surely this epitomises the unique a couple of runners (Ian W and Andy nature of the club champs. Long M) found an alternative direct route may it continue! that seemed to work well Gavin Williams Kev Saville and son Tom caused some confusion to the marshals by running together with just one Ashley Kay (left) number. Thankfully all makes no was quickly rectified at concessions the finish. Seven folk to the weather, got inside my while a more estimated winning appropriately time, with Matt attired Phillipa turning in a Leach makes her phenomenal way up to Alport performance. Can't wait Castles Dark Peak News March 2010 page 16

...and from the man who started last Having been a member of Dark Peak for off the two other early starters. My one and over ten years, I was always in awe of the only bearing then came into full force. I had club champs. This year was different. I remembered which way to point it and went decided to cancel my membership of the for it. I soon picked off the early leader so I Championship Virgins and actually do it. was well and truly on my own AND I had a bad start to the year, missing most of WORRYINGLY NOBODY BEHIND ME! the first six months due to illness. But I It wasn’t until I had descended into the started running at the Edale Country Fair abyss, which was Alport Valley, and started and found to my surprise that I could still going up the other side that I actually saw maintain my old, albeit plodding, pace. I anybody else. They were ahead but still had could even keep up with and occasionally the descent and climb to do and I managed beat my target for the season, my OLDER to head them off to be first at checkpoint brother, who had maintained his running two. For those stragglers, the fig rolls were regime throughout my temporary demise. very nice! Head to head we seemed to be about even The descent went to plan. I remembered it and times were similar to last year’s. So I from Google and I followed the river along made the decision, although I didn’t really to the farm. First mistake! The runner know where Alport was and I was filled behind knew where he was going and I with apprehension about the amazing thought he had got it wrong! I actually steep-sided river valleys. I took the plunge crossed the river at the footbridge and kept and applied for my place, describing myself right. Should have gone left and quickly as a bit quicker than Mike Browell to give realised it. Imagine my horror when I got the handicapper a clue as to my ability. My back on track again following the familiar brother then followed this up with his rear end of Jim Fulton, (at my pace you get application saying he was CRAP and that I to know everybody by the shape of their was too, if by any chance I had applied. arse not their faces – I rarely see those). He The handicaps were published and I was explained I had not taken the best option off very much an early starter. This filled me the slope and a few had got past. At with further apprehension as I suddenly checkpoint three I was eighth. The slog up realised I could quite easily be blazing the to the Castles was painful and slow but I trail over a course I had no idea about other had Jim’s company which was particularly than following it on Google Earth – on full amusing when we met one of his customers zoom. – he seemed to want to complain about By the day itself I had picked up a few something but Jim seemed to want to keep navigational tips from fellow runners who on running. had recced parts of the course, a quick The top of the climb appeared but my legs lesson on the walk to the start from the car didn’t seem to want to go any quicker than park on which way to point my to the upward climb, same going down to the maximise my newly found bearings, and I finish, being overtaken by some of the later was set. starters on pace not by my lack of Because Mike Browell did not show, there navigational skills. were only three in front of me. By the time I The finish came and I was sixteenth. Not got to the first checkpoint there was only bad, I thought. A few minutes later another one – my early navigational skills picking of our car-load passengers, Tim Mackey, Dark Peak News March 2010 page 17 came in, and a bit later, my brother. Had the Like other virgin experiences, the handicap worked we should of course have anticipation is great, the event itself finished at the same time but I had beaten interesting but the end usually a bit of an him. Imagine my disappointment when the anticlimax! times came out and he actually beat me by I’ll do it again though! three seconds. Dave Arundale

Hakes and Harmer scaring the locals while sledging in the Yorkshire Dales Dark Peak News March 2010 page 18 The piccy in the middle

Skirting the top of Grindsbrook on Moz's birthday run The piccy in the middle Dark Peak News March 2010 page 19 Dark Peak News March 2010 page 20

A brief history of some things we run past - part 2

The incline in the woods were the wheelhouse, from where full trucks above Grindleford were lowered and empty ones raised by a brakeman operating a giant cable-winding If you head North West from the stone drum. The stone was taken along the main pumping station at the bottom of Padley rail line to “Waterworks Sidings” at Gorge along the narrow path through the Thornhill from where it was transported to woods which runs just above the houses, the reservoirs up what is now the trail at the you should come across the incline to the start and finish of the Sheepdog right and the cutting to the left after about race. 200m (247791). Seb Coe would have found There were about 450 workers in 1905 it perfect for training purposes, indeed there involved in the various quarrying processes. may be some Dark Peakers who might. (I Some lived in huts on the levelled areas used to see the Coes on Roslyn Road in between the incline and Padley Chapel and which has a similar gradient, Dad other workers came on trains from with stopwatch in hand while junior Sheffield. They shifted 1.25 million tons of sprinted and sweated.) stone in 7.5 years. Returning to the incline… at the top Work ceased in 1910 but some equipment where the ground levels out, are the stone was left as future similar projects were remains of a building which my son and planned. Ladybower however, built some daughter liked to climb on in their younger years later, was to be an earth dam requiring days. Beyond to the left runs a level path in much less stone, so in 1914 Bole Hill between a high overgrown dry-stone Quarry was closed. retaining wall and an embankment, which Source: Bole Hill Quarry, by Alan were obviously constructed with some Jacques @http://www.wishful-thinking.org.uk/ purpose in mind. genuki/DBY/Grindleford/BoleHillAJ.html In 1901 Bole Hill Quarry was bought by Mike Arundale the Derwent Valley Water Board (now ) because the stone was needed for building the dams at Derwent and Howden. Objectors had prevented them from using stone from the nearer Ladybower Clough, and they found that newly quarried stone from Bole Hill was perfect for the job as it hardened on contact with the atmosphere. Equipment was brought in by steam traction engines via Surprise Corner above, to build a railway from the quarry to the incline that linked to the main Midland Railway Hope Valley line 400 feet below. The stone remains mentioned above Dark Peak News March 2010 page 21

Access update

Trying to keep our club runs, club races and open races going has involved ongoing since the last mag appeared. As a member of the Local Access Forum, I represent all fell runners in the area, not just Dark Peak, and the chairperson of Saddleworth Runners recently contacted me to talk about some of the difficulties they had faced. Natural England have made several objections to the races in the Chew Valley, including the once in 10 years running of the classic Chew Valley Skyline, (in the intervening years the O style event is run). The objections seemed to be a bit thin, to say the least, and left the word of an “expert” on this. I need to some people with the impression that see the evidence. It turns out there is no obstacles were just being put in the way of direct evidence of damage caused by people the organisers. The long standing and we are left with ways in which breeding Ravenstones Brow race has been moved to success may be compromised. My October, to try to overcome the objections. I experience of these meetings was that hope Saddleworth are successful in keeping common sense seemed to go out of the these races going. window and conservationists seemed to be Nearer to home, it’s still not clear if we fixated on the worst possible scenario that can exercise our right to access Moscar might happen, leading to an unbalanced and Moors without being on the receiving end biased viewpoint. All in all, a difficult of harsh words from the gamekeepers. I’ve situation to work with and one which hasn’t had several meetings involving the Peak been resolved. Park access officer and Natural England, I have written to Natural England and where I’ve discovered that there is gone through their concerns point by point apparently a widespread perception that and offered an alternative and realistic people accessing open moorland during the assessment based on the actual way we use nesting season will compromise the these moors. This is a bit “anoraky” but it is breeding success of ground nesting birds available on our website, (see members/ and this is enough to propose restrictions on access), if you’d like to read some more. access. Naturally I wanted something more I know there is a range of views in our definite than this and I received a list of club about access issues. I want to see ways that people can damage nesting birds. wildlife succeed as much as anyone and I really am puzzled by this because my taking a balanced view of all the experience of my own running and runs information available I think we can with the club is that I hardly ever see other continue to enjoy our running and see all people on the moors and there is a great aspects of the environment thriving. deal of space and not many birds. So Bob Berzins common sense tells me I’m very unlikely to be doing any damage. I won’t just accept Dark Peak News March 2010 page 22

Been there, done that...

Dark Peak Fifteen Trigs

I'd been tempted by the Dark Peak Fifteen failed Paddy Buckley attempts, it was nice Trigs for several years, but there was always of the weather gods to smile on me for once. a reason that stopped me from giving it a Fate paid me back as I went down with a go. However 2009 was the year when I stinking head cold on the Wednesday finally committed myself and decided to before, but I had no other free weekends so focus on it as my main objective for the I just crossed my fingers that four days was autumn. This is a classic 55 mile route enough to be over the worst of it, (which around the fifteen trig points that appear on just turned out to be the case). the 1984 KIMM map of the Dark Peak. It After the usual restless night I left home was invented by DPFR members back in the in Hebden Bridge at five o’clock, and was mid 1980s, when certificates were presented ready to start from The Sportsman on the to anybody who completed the round in 15 western fringe of Sheffield at seven. The hours. Andy Harmer's record of 10 hours 4 rules say you have to be self-sufficient, so mins had stood since 1987 and never been the rucsac was full of bottles, gels, flapjack seriously threatened, (which made the and Clif Shot Bloks (a new product I’d challenge all the more attractive…). discovered whilst supporting a friend’s Bob Lack of time due to family commitments Graham in July – a jelly-like substance with is always my biggest challenge, so I decided added electrolytes). I also had a small to make do with a single recce two weeks container of table salt as an insurance policy before the actual attempt, supplemented by against a repeat of my Paddy Buckley what I could remember from all those Peak attempt - when I came round in Bangor District runs I’d done before moving from Hospital the next morning following a Manchester to Hebden Bridge in 2003. The nearly terminal case of hyponatraemia! recce involved a six hour stint from the start The run out to Rod Moor and then Emlin at The Sportsman to Alport trig, (though was an absolute pleasure – fresh legs, a missing out Back Tor and ), beautiful morning and all the direct lines I’d then back via and High Neb. I'd found on the FRA forum working a treat rather crudely calculated a 10 hour schedule (many thanks to IanDarkpeak!). Being by multiplying the 15 hour schedule I'd three minutes up on schedule at Emlin was a found on the internet by two-thirds. My great feeling, but looking across to the west recce splits seemed pretty much on a par all I could see was a sea of low cloud. The with this, which gave me a good feeling that compass came out and it took a very targeting a sub 10 hour attempt was stressful 28 minutes before the rocks at realistic. Cartledge Bents magically appeared out of I couldn't believe my luck as September the cloud just in front of me. I dumped the turned out to be the driest month of the year, rucsac for the dogleg back along the slabs to with practically no rain for the preceding Back Tor, where a peregrine falcon two weeks. Having been cursed on two appeared out of the cloud to welcome me to Dark Peak News March 2010 page 23 trig number three. Knoll I was back on schedule. I was The ground across to Margery Hill and definitely in racing mode now – pushing then Outer Edge was in pretty much perfect hard on every step and focussing on getting condition after all the dry weather and this the best lines through the rocks to save allowed me to steal a few more minutes every possible second. Breaking ten hours back, even though the visibility still wasn’t was dominating every thought and had great. Dropping down from Margery Hill I become a total obsession! got stuck in some man-eating bracken, The run along the south edge of the which served me right for not recceing this Kinder plateau to Blackden trig took longer bit. Running along the reservoir track/road than I’d allowed, even though I was still was pretty tedious, but it was nice to see the moving pretty well. I was gutted to be five first folk of the day and exchange greetings minutes down on schedule again, with just with all the mountain bikers and joggers over two hours to pull it back. I knew I’d coming in the other direction. I then took a been deliberately generous with my last two direct line through the plantation and splits, (a psychological ploy in case of through the tussocks up to Alport trig which exactly this scenario), so I just kept on was pretty slow going and seemed to take flogging myself and promising that I forever. wouldn’t give up the chase. Running down The rest of the outward leg all went to past Crookstone Barn the phone went with plan despite the continuing low cloud and a Mark Chapman calling to check how I was head wind from the west, with my legs still doing and when he should turn up to give feeling pretty good all the way to Cock Hill. me a cheer. I wasn’t particularly chatty but I was now ten minutes up on schedule, just about managed to make myself feeling relaxed and pretty confident. But understood. crossing the A57 in Glossop, after almost The 3k gradual uphill grind to Win Hill five hours exactly, marked the turning point was painful– not steep enough to walk but in more ways than one. I wasn’t sure which pretty tough to run after eight hours. I got way to approach Harry Hut and made a last to Win Hill after 8 hours 33 mins, now six minute decision to go via the shooting minutes down on schedule, and launched cabin, hoping it would save 30 metres of myself down the hill through the woods, climb compared to the direct route. With calling out to the bemused walkers to clear hindsight this was probably the wrong the path. Mark was at the bottom to give me decision, as I lost the direct trod and ended a cheer and it was nice to see the first up walking up through the heather to the familiar face of the day. I persuaded my cabin. By the time I eventually got to Harry stomach to accept a final couple of gels and Hut I was five minutes down on schedule, grovelled up the road towards Stanage, starting to feel a bit weary and feeling under trying to keep running all the way. I pressure for the first time. eventually got to the cattle grid and climbed Every leg now became a race against time up through the rocks to High Neb, getting to claw a minute or two back from schedule. there after 9 hours 24 mins, having pulled It was good to get onto the Kinder plateau, three minutes back on schedule exactly as bringing back good memories of all those hoped. training runs from years gone by. The I then took a really neat direct line back to weather forecast had predicted that the wind Redmires Road – along the grouse butts, would be from the west all day, but stronger found a trod through most of the tussocks, in the afternoon than the morning. cut the corner of the woods and then picked Amazingly enough this seemed to be the up the track down to the car park. I threw case, and by the time I’d reached Brown my rucsac under a bush and hit the road at 9 Dark Peak News March 2010 page 24

hours 46 mins. I knew I’d taken 13 minutes but apart from that the day had gone to to get back from here in my recce, so it was perfection. definitely game on! I’m hoping that reading this will inspire a The adrenaline was really flowing now few others to give it a go - you can’t beat and I gave it everything I had along the the 15 Trigs route for a classic day out in the road. Mark came past in the car to give me . another shout. I still wasn’t sure whether I’d Simon Bourne make it in time or not, until the Three Merry Lads came into view with three minutes to ROD MOOR 263884 0h 22 spare and I knew it was only a few hundred EMLIN 240934 1h 04 yards back to The Sportsman. I then floated BACK TOR 198910 1h 44 down to The Sportsman on a huge wave of MARGERY HILL 189957 2h 21 achievement and stopped the watch after OUTER EDGE 177970 2h 33 nine hours, fifty eight minutes and forty two ALPORT 129933 3h 35 seconds – 78 seconds to spare! SHELF MOOR 089948 4h 13 So all in all a fantastic day out in the hills COCK HILL 059962 4h 39 and an amazing sense of satisfaction to HARRY HUT 045908 5h 40 achieve something I’d had in my sights for KINDER WEST 077894 6h 11 several years. I realise I was phenomenally KINDER LOW 079871 6h 33 lucky with the dry conditions, but then I’d 084851 6h 47 deliberately chosen September to maximise BLACKDEN 129878 7h 43 the chances of this. I could maybe have WIN HILL 187851 8h 33 shaved a few minutes off if I’d checked the HIGH NEB 228853 9h 24 lines off Margery Hill and up to Harry Hut, THE SPORTSMAN 283863 9h 58

Warts bite off more than they can chew Dark Peak News March 2010 page 25

Hale from sponsors Accelerate was there to Burbage Skyline record it on video, and later ran a “best fall” competition on the shop’s website. John Roy Gibson, Gunnee won. You can see his glorious the new double flip at http://www.gritstoneseries.co.uk/#/ master of gritstone-series-tv/4533727944 ceremonies, The weather eased for the finish, affording wondering the later runners a magnificent view of the what he's let setting sun as they ran along the top of himself in for Burbage North. At the finish, the marshalling team had the pleasure of recording a succession of Dark Peak winners as the club stormed home as first team and swept the board in most of the individual categories too. Men’s winner was Stuart Bond in 35:45, well ahead of the hard- chasing Rob Little, (37:38), and Neil Somebody seems to have ordered the wrong Northrop (38:51). The first non Dark Peak weather for Dark Peak’s races this year. The finisher was in sixth place, behind Pete Skyline (Edale, that is) took place on a Hodges and Callum Gilhooley. Helen gorgeously sunny day, while the Burbage Elmore had a flyer, winning the women’s was fated with a cold, wet and windy night. race in 46:34 and Jon Morgan was first V40 Not that the runners seemed to mind. More in the very appropriate time of 40:40, eighth of them turned out than ever before, so many overall. that Pete Dyke and Les Outwin ran out of In the finest of fell running traditions, the registration forms and had to register the last runners drank the bar dry at the Fox House few on beer mats and old fag packets. afterwards, the beer intake no doubt helping Roy Gibson seemed to step effortlessly to fuel some inspired Dark Peak cheering as into the role of race organiser, perhaps Roy presented the prizes. testimony to the well-oiled machine handed “This race is remarkable for its inspiring on to him by his predecessor Andy Moore. trophies,” he said afterwards. “Stuart Bond Roy was brandishing the club megaphone was a clear winner and retained the unique confidently as the 324 entrants lined up at male fertility statue first prize whilst the the bottom of the green drive, (less communal whisky trough went to worthy confidently at the finish, having lost it. Its new first lady, Helen Elmore. whereabouts since remain unknown. If you “Some fantastic battles were played out see a sheep addressing a public meeting in right through the field and it was great to the Burbage area with it, please return it to notice how far some runners had travelled to the Sportsman). be with us on the night. Fortunately all Inevitably, given the last minute surge of managed to negotiate this race’s high speed entrants, the race started slightly late, but the mixture of moorland, rock and trail without runners were soon charging down to the any serious incident. stream crossing, guided by a battalion of “Truly though without the continuing Dark Peak marshals. The wet conditions assistance of Edale mountain rescue, St produced fun and games later in the race, John’s, Neil the local farmer, the Fox House where people dropped off the edge back on pub and our loyal gang of helpers the event to the green drive. An ankle-snatching bog wouldn’t continue to yield such fond lay in wait for the unsuspecting, and flipped memories for all.” several of them into the horizontal. Stuart Dave Holmes Dark Peak News March 2010 page 26

OMM ELITE 2009

My name is Tim Martin, I am eighteen graft and slogging through the tussocks, we years old, and when my dad asked me to arrived at the finish with light to spare. partner up with him for the Elite, I literally Sunday was a lazy morning as we didn’t fell to my knees and wept: “WHY ME?!” make the top twenty in the chasing start. This short story entails a young boy in a Starting at about 8:30-ish we ran straight man’s race. into the dreaded tussocks, which was a pain On the Saturday, we had an early start, to jog, (actually mostly walking) After a making sure we would arrive at the mid couple of hours we managed to find short camp in the light. The course had to be cut grass. This should have meant we had redone due to land permission, so the course the choice of running faster, but my legs was shorter, or so it seemed. However weren’t up for it. I was knackered. The looking at the seemingly shorter course, it worst part was my dad was leading the made me question my belief that I could whole way, showing no signs of fatigue. It actually complete the Elite. The first few is embarrassing to know that you can’t keep hours were slow, as we carefully made sure up with a 50-year-old man, (very we were hitting the controls perfectly. The embarrassing). The 30 km seemed to take second half was much faster, following forever, well for me at least. Six hours herds of elite runners into tricky controls, twenty minutes later, I had finished my first but losing them on the tricky uneven Elite, and probably the last, (for now). ground, watching them run ever so quickly I did enjoy the experience, but only over the boggy marshland like gazelles - it afterwards when I relived it from the was an amazing thing to see. Eventually, comfort of my bed. after seven hours forty five minutes of hard Tim Martin

Bob, Maurice and Tom in the wilds of Pond Street bus station for the 57A race Dark Peak News March 2010 page 27

57A Sunday 9 May

Fourteen hardy souls gathered to catch the Markham by a street for toughing it out just 57A bus from Sheffield Interchange to weeks before a cancer operation. Gavin Barn with the usual array of came second for good mountain craft as ever fluorescence and bad taste. The bus and a mention for Mick Stenton for getting promptly departed at nine as we filled it with his pointy thing out and making a good job noisy banter. We reached our destination at of navigating himself around. There was ten to ten, and the bus quickly fell silent as also a return to form for John Gunnee. Moz we got off. After making use of the loo and as ever tried in vain to grab victory from the receiving my (very brief) brief, everybody jaws of defeat, (remember his Pertex!!) – set off. The weather was kind to us with the pulling a calf muscle early on the climb to spring cool just about outweighing the Pike Lowe but showing true grit to haul warmth of the sunny spells. We started with himself over to King’s Tree, followed by the a simple climb up Pike Lowe, then along 222 bus to Fairholmes before getting the 242 Candlerush Edge and on to Cut Gate. to Sheffield Interchange with another The route choice started from Bull Stones breathless change onto the 53 and home to to Cold Side Crags below Long Edge Bradway. Not content with that, he then overlooking Slippery Stones. The direct drove back to Edale cafe to rejoin the race in lines seemed to be better. Across the head of good time, and the tea fest, and rightly claim Howden Reservoir and into the sweet but a finish. modest Ridge Clough just beyond Kings Thanks to Moz for squeezing eight in his Tree. There were plenty of options for how car on the way back, (two in the boot, four in to cross the Westend – was it to be Fagney the passenger seats and two up front). I do or Black Clough? There seemed to be little hope the mud flaps survived the trip. Thanks in it, although my lines invariably seemed to also to Jill Gunnee for much the same in her be annoyingly slower. We paid our respects people carrier. at the Scout memorial stone in Alport, where Thanks to all three lads died in 1964, before crossing the Tom Westgate moor and clocking in at Oyster cabin. Across the Snake and to the fourth spring in Fair Time to Brook, (eternal shame on those of us who Oyster Finish failed to sign in at the whisky bottle), with cabin time time to contemplate the long crossing of 1 Gavin Williams 2:44 4:20 Kinder to Moz’s Pimple beyond Crowden 2= Tim Hawley Tower with a long run into the Edale Tom Westgate 3:00 4:43 Railway café. Everybody finished in good 4 Bob Berzins 2:56 4:45 order with plenty of time for gallons of tea 5 Andy Harmer 2:59 4:48 and more mindless chatter about the merits 6 Mick Cochrane ?? 4:49 or otherwise of various route choices. 7 Maurice Musson No visit 4:55 The bird count included a Snipe around 8 Mick Stenton 3:14 5:19 , Golden Plovers a plenty, 9= John Dalton 3:47 5:37 and a Short Eared Owl somewhere in Andy’s John Gunnee 3:47 imagination. Some sort of bird of prey, on Dave Markham 3:29 nest and eggs, was seen on crags close to Chris Barber 3:29 Slippery Stones by Richard and John. Mark Harvey 3:29 The order of merit was won by Dave 14 Richard Hakes 3:47 5:41 Dark Peak News March 2010 page 28

The Hash House Harriers

The HHH organised a big run here through all the difficult bits. Then they yesterday, with runners coming from far and reached the golf course for the last 5 or 6km wide. Surprisingly I’d never run a Hash and she had the bad grace to leave them before but I reasoned it’s never too late to standing. She was first home by 10 minutes start so we both ran it. and the next ex-pat was an Aussie lad 30 We’re 50 Km south of the equator so it minutes later. was a suitably hot and humid mid afternoon. But success comes at a price with the Most of it was following a confetti trail Hash. She was made to sit on a large block through the jungle with some fairly mean of ice while she drank a pint of beer. To hills. I took almost three hours over the run make it a bit more difficult her arm was and there were plenty behind me. The low encased in a tube to stop her bending her point came at a time when I was feeling a elbow. Such penalties are of course usually tad fragile. A Muslim lass passed me reserved for men and the tradition is to do it wearing a hijab. I think I now know what with a bare bottom. Some pressure was it’s like to be passed by the pantomime exerted for her to do likewise but she horse in the London . I half politely declined. Expect to see the evidence expected to see a woman in a burka on YouTube soon. storming past me next. Mercifully I soon As a new runner I could have expected to remembered that I’m British, recovered my be made to drink beer from my running composure, caught her up and roared past shoes, which would have been extremely her. unpleasant considering the jungle ponds But things were even more embarrassing we’d just waded through. I think they at the sharp end of the race. They take it omitted this initiation in deference to my pretty seriously up there. Alison was with position as the local doctor. Sometimes it’s the men in the leading pack and they of benefit being a pillar of society! gradually dwindled until she was just with a Dave Moseley pair of wiry Indonesians who kindly led her 35 Chloe Greenwood Calder Valley girl 0:15:43 36 Charley Godsman Calder Valley girl 0:15:45

Alison outsprints a crocodile Dark Peak News March 2010 page 29

Edale Skyline revisited

Now that I’m contouring into the twilight of the cut-off point at Mam Nick which always my running career, I realised I needed to do looks further away than it is. Got there in one more Skyline before something 2hrs 10mins, feeling a bit knackered but I unpleasant happens to me. According to the knew that once beyond this point I was records, the last time I did this was 21 years entering a whole new world of pain. After ago, in which I earned the name of the giving my regards to Brown Knoll, missing ‘ghost of Brown Knoll’ (thank you very out Edale Cross (why?), I then went a bit much Kev Borman) due to my over doolally between Pym’s Chair and optimistic racing schedule and low blood Crowden, got to the now famous landmark sugar. Rumour has it I was staggering of Pig’s Rock (4 bottles of beer thank you) around Brown Knoll looking for a Mars and up . This is usually a Bar. welcome sight, as in the past you ran back In the old days we started up Grindslow down to Edale thanking God it's nearly all Knoll and cut across Kinder to over but this time the horror of the Madwoman’s Stones, so this was my first horseshoe awaits me. My body was now time on the new course up to Ringing Roger finding new ways to torture me, the descent and along the edge to the Coffin Stone. from Ringing Roger could be described as Everything was then as I remembered it, cruel and unusual punishment. dropping off Kinder with that forbidding I did it in 4 hours 12 mins, compared with sight of the climb up to Win Hill, then the 4 hours and 20 mins 21 years ago, so I can’t drop down into Hope, up (where I complain. A great day out, thanks to saw Maggie Lewis, I hadn't seen her in everyone. years) and remembering not to panic about Tim Mackey Dark Peak News March 2010 page 30

Dave’s Training Tips Number one: Breathing Breathing. Do it. Out, then in. Out, then in. Do it again: out, then in. Smooth, steady, controlled. Try to establish a regular rhythm: out, then in; out, then in; out, then in. Don’t rush things; keep the rhythm slow and calm, with deep full breaths filling the lungs and maintaining a steady flow of oxygen. Getting out of breath and snatching your breathing in short fast gulps will prevent full oxygenation of the blood and will eventually impair your performance. With time, this slow, controlled rhythm of breathing will become an automatic and subconscious aspect of your athletic performance. As a variation, try holding your breath for an hour or so without altering your stride. This will bring novelty and innovation to your running. Remember: variety is the spice of life.

David Gilchrist is a qualified barman.

The Roman road beneath ...err maybe Dark Peak News March 2010 page 31

Tried and tested Little v. Large, part two: the Petzl Ultra RRP: £269.99 Appearance  Value for money  Performance  OVERALL RATING  I read Dave’s review of the Petzl Myo with centre spot, but inevitably have to focus interest, and having tried several headlamps their output onto a relatively small area. It of various descriptions (I also started with a may be old age, but I find that having a light Petzl Zoom with the old 4.5 volt “flat” which allows me to use my peripheral battery, was there anything else around at vision makes an enormous difference to my that time?), I have come to the conclusion confidence. However, I would hope that that yes, bigger is better! figures from the same manufacturer would When I began running with the Warts I allow for a valid comparison. For the used a bodged cheap Silva with a home record, the big Silva lamp, model 478 or made battery pack, but when that became 480, is quoted as having a throw of 120 unreliable I bought a PrincetonTech light metres on its 20 watt setting, and I do think similar in size and output to the Myo. Then that the Ultra is comparable in output to the towards the end of the Warting season I got big Silva lights, in fact it’s probably better hold of a Petzl Ultra, which transformed the when comparing the Ultra’s optimum output runs for me. The Ultra is an LED lamp, to the Silva’s normal 10 watt output. Both considerably larger than the Myo but still the Myo XP and the Silva weigh half as smaller and more convenient than the Silva much as the Ultra on the head, not allowing type of light. It has 6 ultra-bright LEDs, and for the truck needed to carry the Silva a rechargeable Li-ion battery, mounted on NiMH battery pack of course, but I have yet the headband. On its brightest setting the to find that a problem. I also like the idea of battery only provides 90 mins light, but I a Li-ion battery pack which gives me much find that the medium setting, which gives more confidence than I would have with over 4 hours, is adequate for most running, NiMH rechargeables or non-rechargeable and a quick blast on full deals with any cells, and does not require any particular tricky areas. It is available with a belt care with regard to charging or discharging. mounted battery pack with a double For anyone heading down the smaller capacity battery, but I can’t imagine that LED lamp route I would counsel them to try being necessary for any normal use. the light before buying, in case the narrow I have never been keen on manufacturers’ beam proves to be a problem for them. I still figures for light output as I have come to the have my PrincetonTec single LED light, conclusion that what has made the Ultra so complete with rechargeable NiMH batteries, much better, for me at least, is that it gives a good for 2 hours on full, if anyone wants to much wider spread of light than the smaller give it a try. ones, which may provide an equally bright John Dalton Dark Peak News March 2010 page 32

10 years ago... The club hut reopened after a huge restoration effort coordinated by Hugh Cotton and Roy Small. Over 100 club members contributed £2,400, and many others gave time and materials. The Great Urban Fell Race was revived in typically chaotic fashion. Race organiser Alan Yates recorded that Dave Tait was “sort of disqualified”, i.e. relegated to second place despite finishing first. Alan kept his reasoning to himself, but announced second place Bob Berzins as the winner. Both Bob and Dave rejected the race sponsor’s garland of pork sausages on grounds of vegetarianism. These went to a more appreciative Will McLewin as his reward for coming last. A resurgent Rob Davison won the Burbage Nuts race, and the Edale Youth Hostel variant of the Crookstone Crashout. Andy Harmer’s post-race notes acknowledged increasing pressure to run the original route, but said this would only take place “if sufficient young bloods can put up decent times”. Dark Peak women clinched glory by winning their Calderdale Way relay class, outshining the men who finished sixth. Paul Sanderson announced he was standing down after six years as club secretary. The Headstone carols coincided with the brightest full moon of the twentieth century, but nobody saw it because the clag was down. 20 years ago... Dark Peak bagged two top three places in the 1989 Marsden to Edale race. Bob Berzins was second in 3hrs 09mins, and Bob Toogood third in 3hrs 11mins, (also first V40). George Jackson was first V50 in 27th place overall. Winner was Andy Trigg of Glossopdale. The club failed by just ten minutes to win the Sheffield to Macclesfield relay at the first attempt, despite Tim Tett completing the first two legs in record time. Malcolm Patterson also doubled up on the last two legs when a clubmate failed to turn up, but faded fast due to flu. He then applied post-race medication in the form of five pints. Alan Yates substantiated his “pub talk” claim that he could breeze round the White Peak Way inside 24 hours. He returned from the outreach of Dovedale to touch Castleton Youth Hostel wall in 19hrs 15mins. Bob Graham supremo Terry Sayles set tough rules for would-be contenders: a maximum of eight places would be restricted to club members, who would have to declare by April and complete at least one event of over forty miles. Graham Berry won the local race league for the third successive year. Mike Hayes announced “The Prance” as a new Monday night race to complement The Trunce. Can anyone remember what happened to it? Dark Peak News March 2010 page 33

The Dog’s Diary

oute finding on the last stretch of the Challenge is not unduly difficult. You Rgo up Seatallan, turn left at the top, go straight across the valley below to the top of Middle Fell, and then crash down through the bracken to the bridge by Joss’s house. Few people know this better than Alan Yates, who has moved smoothly through the various JN age categories since chalking up one of the first Dark Peak twelve hour completions many years ago. This all goes to make his performance recently so utterly baffling. Alan arrived at the foot of Seatallan with swathes of time in hand, given his stated aim of getting to the finish early, and then mooching around for a while before ambling elegantly across Greendale Bridge at the exact second that his 24-hour limit for the over 65’s was about to expire. Indeed he was moving so comfortably that he dispensed with the services of his supporter, Roy Small, who was allowed to bypass Seatallan summit and wait for Alan towards Middle Fell. It turned out to be a long wait, as Professor Yates managed the astonishing feat of doubling back on himself in good visibility and disappearing down a little explored valley to the north east of both hills. Elegance was not the word when he made the finish some hours later, having blown the whole day. I understand he has yet to offer an explanation. The laws of physics would suggest that a large Coca Cola bottle full of sloe gin would make quite an impact and quite a noise if it were to fall out of a rucsac. It’s the kind of thing you might notice if you were carrying it at the time. Miraculous then that Mark Harvey and Tom Westgate could set off from Strines on a mission to replenish the gin at Ian Winterburn’s Wet Stones stash and arrive there without it, claiming to have lost it on the way without noticing. Methinks an investigation may be called for. It would appear that navigational incompetence in Dark Peak is no longer confined to the hills. Kev Saville managed to take a wrong turn while negotiating the aisles of Macro with a trolley full of Skyline catering provisions. He then lost control of the trolley, lurched into the shelving and demolished a tower of crisp boxes. At least he wasn’t wearing club colours. Roger Baumeister and Jeff Harrison did their habitual early start in the Alport race, expecting the rest of the field to start overtaking them somewhere around Alport Castles. How pleasantly surprised they were to find that they never did, and they arrived back joint winners, albeit in the slightly slow time of two and a half hours. Then it dawned on them and they checked the calendar. Starting half an hour early is one thing. But a whole week early? Well, I ask you... Spotted on Facebook, this touching message from Tim Spencer to his landlord, Simon Bacsich: “Simon when are you back?The door won’t open because the kitchen ceiling has collapsed.”Let’s hope Simon enjoyed himself while he was away. Can’t sign off without mentioning the Lord and Master, who went up to the Lakes intending to do a photojournalism job while supporting on the . Gets to the campsite and starts checking over the contents of his camera bag. Two lenses, a computer lead, a flash , two or three filters, lens hoods, cleaning cloth and – you guessed it – no camera. Pillock. Dark Peak News March 2010 page 34

The kit page

MOST DOCTORS agree that hanging around in the cold with no clothes on is not good for you. It slows the circulation and can make you grimace. My advice would be to buy lots of Dark Peak gear and wrap up warm for winter. For more details, contact Equipment Officer Richard Hakes: 0114 2339912; kit@ dpfr.org.uk Price list

Vests £13 Aluminium sleeping bags £16.00 Sizes small, medium, large, extra large. As recommended by Dark Peak safety officer Mark Harvey. Now you can Shorts £14 get lost in comfort on the hills. Pop in a teddy bear and hot water bottle, Sizes medium and large. switch on your mobile phone, and Metallic green cycling then just curl up and wait for the type. Self assembly mountain rescue. Velcro attachments available to cover knobbly knees. Club badge t-shirts £10 In mustard yellow with club badge on Tracksters £18 chest. Sizes L, M, S. Navy blue. Available in medium, large and extra Black t-shirts £8 large. Doctor Bob With "DARK PEAK FELL recommends these for varicose RUNNERS" in white cartoon veins. lettering across the front. Sizes XL, L, M, S. Polo shirts £15 DPFR long sleeve polo in navy £1 blue with running man logo. Orange. Plastic. Loud. Available in the following sizes: XL L M Fleece pullovers £18 Navy blue or black. With Neoprene socks £13 half-length chest zip and club For keeping your tootsies warm on badge on chest. Sizes XL, L, M. those cold winter nights. As modelled by Chris Barber, (David Beckham wasn't 30-year t-shirts £5 available). In a full range of sizes, from XL to VVVVS. Dark Peak News March 2010 page 35

Made in the Dark Peak

...being the page where we showcase notable Dark Peak artefacts, oddities and curios... No. 5 The club tea pot Like Moses in a basket, this stylish brown teapot simply drifted into the club hut one day from who knows where. No message inside to explain, just two teabags that may or may not have seen hot water at some time in their lives. Equipment Officer Richard Hakes took the chocolate brown colour as an indication that this could be a gift from the fell running gods, destined to play an iconic role in the life of the club. He of course just happened to have rolls of yellow and purple tape lying around at home, and the pot was soon looking almost as good as a Dark Peak vest. It first saw active service on this year’s Bob Graham Round, (we were never told whether the original teabags were pressed into service). Can it be coincidence that the weather was perfect and all the contenders got round? All together now: “I’m a little teapot...”

New members The following people have so far chosen to take the Order of the Brown Vest in 2010: Andrea Halman, Mark Tuckett, Paul Orton, Don Jenkins, Alex Rothman, Paul Inman, Glen Borrell, Ben Gibbison, Paul Elliott, Mark Gray, Simon Green, Iain Ridgway, Sarah Ridgway, Paul Jackson, Alistair McMillan, Tim Spencer, Paul Fauset, Richard Wilkinson, Simon Goldsmith, Stuart Bond, Andrew Addlesee Front cover: Winter Warting wonderland. Ecstatic Warts after staggering to Emlin trig in a white-out

This page: Rhys Findlay-Robinson approaches Bramall’s Bend in the Royal (full report in next edition)