I intended making a second, sub 61hour, Parr61 attempt as I wasn't happy with the first. I also wanted to do it before the end of March, as a nod to Steve Parr's Winter running exploits, but like many, I've suffered from Mojo, or lack of it. Plus, of course, lockdown restrictions prevent such expeditions.
Sanity has come in the form of Sainsbury's delivery driving: a type of motorised orienteering, competing against the SatNav for optimum route choice. Around twenty-five hours a week on the road, driving the wonderful countryside of Cumbria, (and occasionally Northumberland!) balances out the hours of tedious and demoralising 'event admin'. There's too flavours to that: a treadmill of postponement and stress, of trying to pacify companies and third parties of their demands for clarity and permissions, and the hollowness of social media promotion.
The Pause Button Comes Off Soon
This weekend would have been our Spring flagship event - Lakes Mountain 42. It's no surprise that this isn't going to happen on that date, and it is postponed until April 9th 2022. However, as a one-off extra special event I'm hosting a 'Lakes Mountain Limited Edition' on Saturday 12th June. The objective is to fill the void of big chunky events that have all been up lifted to next year or shoehorned into the latter half of 2021. Think, Cape Wrath Ultra, Fellsman, Three Peaks, Great Lakeland 3 Day, etc
'LM40 Limited Edition' is just that. Maximum 60 people, 40 'lumpy runnable' mountain miles, starts from 6-7am, finish by last orders. Top-notch event support, a top day out. If you haven't done a NAV4 event before you will be "amazed at the simple beauty of our delivery and quality production", as stated by one first timer last year.
Based on the LM42 route, the LM40 route misses out the descent into Thirlmere and goes direct from Grisedale Tarn to Helvellyn summit. It is the same as last year's August event. And Yes, I mean just 60 people.
Pennine 39
Zooming Ahead?
It's been a saviour but tiresome. Some teaching has been delivered over Zoom, but it simply isn't the same as face-face, wind in the ears, real life learning. Years ago most of us were 'instructors.' Then we became 'tutors' and now the world is populated by 'coaches'. Learning styles differ from person to person and have always fascinated me: we all learning differently and a skill-full teacher is crucial.
2021 dates have been scheduled for 'NAV4: Navigation for Runners' one day courses, every two or three weeks from April 18th onwards. Top draw tuition, fun and very informative, on a 4:1 ratio.
One-to-One and Small Groups
Whilst I've done a few One-to-One's over the past year, and only within strict travel restrictions and guidelines, bookings are increasing for several more in April, May and June. I cover a range of skills, from intro through to advanced navigation, hill-skills, scrambling and event route recces. Often the focus is on Northern Traverse, Lakes in a Day, or Dragon's Back. And with the ITERA Expedition Race in August, I'm helping teams prep with paddle and bike skills, as well as 'trekking' and general expedition knowledge.
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| XL 'Wet Bag' to order for ITERA |
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| Exped AR Bike Boxes under construction |
Now is the time to book your date for the coming few months, and it's never to early to prepare. Take a look at the Personal Coaching page on the website for ideas of how it works. Most things are possible, either via myself or one of the NAV4 team.
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| One-to-One tuition - #ContoursCrucial |
Back to Normal?
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| Pop-Up roadside checkpoint |
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| Remote Event Safety Checkpoint |
#LakesLitterInitiative
The Great Outdoors will be soon be open - Cumbria Police are currently targeting campers - and many worry that it is going to get hammered, again.
My #LakesLitterInitiative has continued over the Winter, unspoken and without a great social media presence. Often it is better to do, than say. Not just me, but many of us just do it. Yep, stop, bend down and pick it up. I find it fascinating how 'Wombles' are hitting the news in many ways, and it pleases me greatly to see more ordinary people just picking stuff up.
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| 'Trash Camping' - cleared, reused, recycled |
Comic Relief raised 'x' million pounds. What if we, the conscientious majority, went out and picked up 'x' million bags of litter? Better than a virtual race, in my opinion.
The LDNP are leading on the multiagency Visitor Management Plans; lots of good intent and impressive words of engagement and education. What is certain is it will also need many of us to just carry on doing what we always have done and clear up after others.
It's not the dropping of litter which is the problem. It's the walking past fresh litter and not doing anything about it. Whilst I've stopped short of doing so in my Sainsburys van (food and hygiene issues) I frequently go back and clear laybys and verges that I have seen from my van. I had a very interesting conversation with a policeman recently!
