Spine Race - Part Two - Gear, Skills and Strategy

Skills, Gear and Strategy

PartOne gave an overview of how The Spine Race. Following on from that, and in response to several questions this blog focuses on the Skills, Gear and strategies I employed during my very memorable week with my friend Mark Rawlinson.

Firstly, even my decision to stay with Mark was a conscious one, as whilst we may have been labelled 'The Odd Couple' we had a partnership that worked, so stuck with it. Mark had better local knowledge of the Southern parts of The Pennine Way than I did, so I was happy to cruise along in his wake, especially as I was recovering from a cold and heavy chest and there was no rush, was there?

SKILLS

So, what 'skills' did we have?

1) The ability to navigate simply, and quickly using map and compass. I don't use a GPS although Mark does and it used a huge amount of batteries but did check where I was once or thrice!!!

2) The ability to keep moving at a steady pace without any faff and wasted time. 'Time stood stationary means you are going backwards in real terms'

Good simple Navigation pays dividends.   And keep the Country Code...please.

3) The skill of looking after yourself, clothing and gear. ie, not losing a map, glove or sanity due to wind rain and poor viz.

4) The skill of looking after feet, head and stomach in equal measure. (which is most important I wonder?) and each other.

5) And, after all, the ability to keep walking and jogging, where, appropriate at a steady 3 mph...

6) The ability to layer up and keep warm and keep moving, venting when necessary.

7) The acknowledgement that this event is not about running ability for the majority of us.

Why do I have these Skills – My Background 

• 40! years of multi-day hiking, back-packing, 'long distance walking, 'Ultra running, mountain marathons and adventure races. Yes, I started when I was a teenager and I'm still only Mid-fifties. Honest
• Winter hill-walking experience – gives you the ability to navigate in poor viz, with gloves on, in the dark, and without loosing the ability to eat, and look after yourself.
• Finally, the ability to look after self and gear in checkpoints. I'm often quite amazed at how inefficient people are at the checkpoints. It's as if they arrive through the door and their brains become mush! To be fair some of this is due to the body shutting down and the gaggle of volunteers taking over and at times, simply 'being in your face' ….
• I'm sorry if that sounds rude or selfish, but what I really need from a Checkpoint is just a bit of space, a tap, my drop bag, a toilet and a bit of personal space...
  
  

GEAR

This is a simple gear list.

I itemise this and name items by brand /model so as to illustrate the type and robustness of the gear I was using. 'Other brands are available ….but I have chosen based upon some considerable experience.

Footwear – La Sportiva Raptor trail shoes.

An excellent and very much under valued shoe. It has good mid-sole protection, stability and reasonable grip on all surfaces ) apart from the bottomless mud when nothing grips ...even Mircrospikes!)

It might be worthy noting that I have probably used about seven or eight pairs of these over the past few years, (Lakeland 100's, Dragon's Back Race, Terrex Sting and ITERA) and that in it's self means the shoe works for me, in other words my feet are used to them and vice a versa.

I also used a pair of 'Salomon Ultra GTX Mid' for the last two days – a low cut Gore-tex boot, so as to have happy cosy hot feet. My feet were constantly wet for the first four days, but without being cold and no blisters suffered. By Day Five it was nice to have a change of footwear.

Socks – Inov-8 Mudsoc High – Mid-weight Merino wool / lyrca sock. Brilliant feet. Four pairs used. One pair of Smartwool PHD used on Cheviot's last stage.

Gaiters – an old pair of Lowe alpine full length gaiter used along with the Salomon boots for complete protection. Used for the last two days.

Leg wear – Lowe Alpine Power Stretch tights, with a pair of Smart wool ¾ tights underneath was my preferred option. This gives a very cosy and warm, and wind resistant combination.

I do not like wearing over trousers unless it really is raining. However, given the conditions I had to start off in overtrousers so just had the Powerstretch tights without the Smartwool for the first few days. Plus HH windproof briefs, of course.

I was OK on both Crossfell and The Cheviots without overtroursers. Being old school, over-trousers to me are to be avoided, they cause drag and condensation which probably leads to the increased risk of chaff-age!

Upper Base Layer – Helly Hansen Lifa. The tried and tested and very reliable thermal wicking base layer. For much of the year I prefer a zip neck for ventilation, but the crew neck under a mid layer works OK for winter. I used two Lifa tops all week, Yes, I just changed once.

Mid- layer – very important – this gives you the foundation of warmth. Early on it was a Haglofs stem top; latterly, a Haglogs micro fleece gilet (close fitting, long, with high neck and a very crucial zipped chest pocket for spare batteries)

Outer layer – the excellent Montane Krypton jacket. This is a shell micro-fleece jacket. It is highly wind-proof has two good pockets and a tiny sleeve pocket – for your toothbrush and yet more spare batteries. I've  used one of these for all my work and adventures for the past few years.

Spare Layers – Montane Fireball Smock and Lifa baselayers

Waterproofs – Montane Direct Ascent Jacket. A long lengthed, basic 'walking jacket' Two simple massive pockets and an excellent hood. Long enough to cover your 'bits'.  I choose this over my existing Montane Supefly XT, or Further Faster Neo jacket due to it's cut and features, or anything lighter.

Mark and myself pondering the book sale upon arrival at Hawes

Over trousers – Montane Superfly – Mid-weight O/Ts with ¾ venting zips. Over-trousers and zips got used constantly for the first three days.  These O/Ts might have been a bit heavy but the didn't fail and fit and perform very well. My Montane Minimus over-trousers that I carry for lightweight mountain adventures don't have long zips, wouldn't have been able to vent as well, or be removed as easily and, to be honest, wouldn't have lasted a week of chaffage and abuse.

Head – A ubiquitous Buff, as well as the Montane Krypton hood of course. A second Buff as a spare and a Montane Powerstretch Beanie for if it got nasty (which went on only once on the cold trudge to Bellingham.)

Glasses  -  I had some sport cycling glasses with a 2.5 bi-focal inset which protected my eyesight well against wind. I now struggle with my eyesight and some map work., especially at night with OS 1;25k maps, but I used Harvey 1:40 maps and these are much clearer.

Gloves – Two pairs of light thermal gloves, one being fingerless, with a pair of Terra Nova Tuff bags as over mitts when needed. I had Montane Extreme Mitts in my sac throughout for emergencies but never used them.

Poles – Black Diamond FL Distance (Alloy) pole. Has 20cm adjustment, and I bent one during a big falling slide on Hadrian's Wall, but it didn't break and performed very well. I have since bent it back OK.

Head torch – Trusty and reliable and perfectly adequate Petzl Myo RXP. With copious Lithium AA batteries. Regular readers will know that I really like the Petzl Nao and Tikka RXP reactive torches, but for a week long race, when charging facilities aren't available then a AA feed head torch makes sense. I also had a Petzl e+Lite as back up in my First Aid/Safety kit.

* I've since learnt that the AAA battery adaptor is now available for the Tikka RXP, so that will be on my list for next time. Reactive lighting really works for night navigation.

Rab – Vapour-rise Guide Jacket - Carried from Bellingham and worn for second part of The Cheviot. I had toyed with the idea of a Montane Extreme Smock, but could not find one in Large Blue and the Rab vents better, I think?

Still no over- trousers worn, and a Montane Fireball spare in the sac, along with Lifa base layer.

Rucsac – Osprey Talon 33. Perhaps a bit heavy and over specced and would have preferred to do the first day or two with my faithful Inov-8 25litre Racepac, but ditched that just before the start and went straight for the heavy weight gear, including bypassing Montane Minimus pants, and lighter kit all round etc. This was because of the weather conditions at right from the start, and the chance that we might be shipped off from Snake Pass and holed up in Glossop or somewhere.

With hindsight, my trusty KIMM-Lite 30 was probably the ideal choice.

Whatever the mountain or trail event – you should always be self-reliant and have the gear to get your self out of the poo back to base, and may be even home by public transport – think cash, cards, and being in civvy street.

Mug – a big simple GSI Lexan Mug – great for brews wherever, on the road, Checkpoints, and even cafes.   Mugs give you a bigger brew, and saves times and effort for checkpoint staff, and no washing up of course.

Regular readers will be glad to know that I have now found by faithful opaque green one, which was hiding in the shed ….so my mojo is back.

Spork – Titanium – cos it does not break, although it is heavier than the plastic ones.

Stove – Jetboil – obviously.

Sleeping Bag – Rab Top Bag

Bivvi Bag - Alpkit Hukka

Sleeping mat – 3mm foam – c.150 x 45 cm. Lives in the front of my sac, folded in four – down the inside of the outerside , and not the back. Helps keep sac stable and protects from weather a bit too. Also a Wickes HD Rubble plastic bag is an essential sac liner.

Gear in Drop Bag / Spares / Essentials

Drop Bag - Ortieb Rackpack XL - Yellow - easy to see, bombproof ..simple.

Feet Up ... Brilliant Drop Bag

• A second light sleeping bag -Rab 300; both may have gone with me on the hill if needed.
• Another piece of 3mm for Cps – foot mat / floor covering
• Montane Prism Jacket and Trousers - excellent bit of exped AR kit.
• Terra Nova Laser Tent – gives options for camping, but not considered once paired up with Mark.
• A threequarter length Thermarest Prolite 3. Goes inside the Top Bag neatly.
• Crocs! 'nuff said....we haven't go time to go into foot care in this blog....

Food – copious amounts of 9Bars, Nairns Oat Cakes, , cashew nuts, tomatoes, cheese, hard-boiled eggs, olives, carrots, and other savoury stuff. Tins of sardines in sauce, Cous-Cous, frozen pizza slices, bananas and the occasional Naked Cocoa bars..

Cheese Prep - at Tour de Helvellyn

No chocolate, gels, energy drinks or stuff like that. I did carry a few jelly babies for the emergencies.

We ate good meals at Gargrave cafe, Horton Cafe, Dufton Stag Inn, Greenhead Cafe. Max stay 1 hour each, apart from Horton which was a two and half hour time out.

I bought back well over half my food in my drop bag, along with more spare Winter wear gear, spare Rab Vapour-rise, Montane Powerstretch Shirt, 'winter soft shell gloves' Lowe Alpine Mountain Cap etc.

STRATEGY

The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines Strategy as;

1 'The Art of War' …..or 3. 'a plan of action or policy...'

MST Planning at Alston?

Firstly, You must believe that you will probably get to the end, given your skills and ability. Such things as The Spine is 30% Physical, 30% Mental and 30% Emotional plus another 10% of grunt or something.

Having a plan is good; for example, my basic calculation was along the lines of six, 45 mile days, at an average of 3mph. Now 3mph is a very good average to maintain over such a distance, which further computes into 'just' fifteen hour 'running days' and so hence nine hour over-nights. Easy, eh?

Screen shot from the excellent www.opentracking.com website ....

So that's the plan ….but making it happen is far from straight forward. The Spine has unevenly spaced Checkpoints of varying quality and so the immediate issue of where (and when to?) to sleep arise.

There is oodles of stuff on the forum about tents versus bivis, and what is scary is the number of people who are asking which one to do, when they have never bivvied at all, which in itself is a skill.

So ...your strategy must encompass your skills.

I'll also throw in again a couple of lines regarding, 'Adventure' – 'Uncertainty of Outcome, Realistic Objective .. and Good Companionship' (this I learnt from Colin Mortlock,  way back in 1984 when he came to talk to us at as a staff group at Outward Bound Ullswater.

• 'Uncertainty of Outcome' - it's going to happen ….weather, injury....'holds' during the race. 
• 'Realistic Outcome' – you have a good chance of succeeding, but it's not a 'given'. But you must have the component skills to give it a go.
• 'Good Companionship' – It does help, disagreements can happen, a few sharp words are excusable. But all good adventures need companionship, even if you are Solo  you need to be 'at one' with your own company. ...more in a different blog, perhaps.

Back to Strategy  / Planning / Adaptability ....

Considering options at Hawes ...'Listening skills' are crucial at CPs

So … a 45 mile day should take us to Hebden Hey, arriving around midnight given the 9.30am start. With the start delayed due windy weather by 2 hours this knocks us back, and when combined with the plan of not actually sleeping at CP1 Hebden due to the confines of space and noise … hmmn.

So, 'Night Two' would crop up around the 90 mile mark, somewhere north of Horton and on the way to Hawes. I had scoped out one or two camp / bivi spots along here, but the weather and delayed start made us re-visit this. In reality we ended up sleeping early at Malham due to weather and then played catch up with a long, 25 hour day to Middleton, to put us back on schedule. After that we had two short days to Dufton and the Alston, with the race being suspended and our decision making no longer totally our own, but we still with a strategy. ...be flexible

Key Strategy '- look after feet, stomach and head...

EAT

I like food and Eat nothing else. Good simple food, is it a skill or strategy?

I was equipped to graze my way up The Pennine Way for six or seven days, without the need for cafe, pub or shop stops, and only treated these as a bonus.  I didn't eat much hot food provided at Checkpoints but prefer to stash myself away in a corner with my drop bag and fend for myself.  (Food for thought for the race format?)

Is its still open?  'YES!' Gargrave Cafe...31 hours into the Spine, apparently..

Cafe strategy or discipline needs to be slick too. The clock doesn't stop, so you need to be efficient, just like a trialthlete in transition. It's not about rushing, or demanding quick service. Leave your ego and 'race-head' outside and just make the most of your one hour (maximum) break. Be very polite to the cafe staff, thank and tip them appropriately, and do some good PR for your fellows. Not all 'runners' will be as good as you, will they.

So that's more than enough for one blog; I don't want to bore you.

My I suggest that if you want to know more, you come on one of our NAV4 Adventure courses, or book a 'One-One' day tuition day or two for yourself or small group.  Mid-week days are increasingly popular and a very worthwhile investment for any hill, mountain or running adventure.

Many thanks,

Joe

nav4adventure@gmail.com

Spine Race 2015 - Part One

Ok, was it Brutal?  Yes in parts, but equally it was beautiful, bountiful and, at times, boring.

Let's get this straight;  I've worked on The Spine for the past two years, in 2013 I went to Middleton-in Tees for 24 hours and stayed another five days becoming a crucial role in a crazy, risky and very ambitious adventure.  For 2014 I was contracted to provide safety cover, but ended up providing all manner of things way and beyond my original brief.   

In 2015 I decided to 'run'.  Why?  Because, I always say that taking part is usually easier than working the full length of an event, plus I had been bitten by The Spine bug and could do very well.  It suits my skillset; long distance expedition skills, in winter in remote places. And, 'Yes' it many ways it was easier taking part. It was certainly simpler.  Just get myself to the start and then the end with a few days in between, look after mind body and soles (feet) and the rest all falls into place.

So, after much training and coaching of others I'm at Edale and firend and good egg Mark Rawlinson is asking my thoughts on strategy.  Well, 'Go steady, really steady to Hebden CP1, take an hours TLC break and push on towards Hawes and CP2.  Sleep somewhere on the second night, where ever that might be  and take it from there.'

Spine Challenger Start - 0630-ish

Day One - Two

What actually happened is that the winds gave us battering on Day One and progress was slow and harsh due to this and the wet saturated ground.  Hebden Hey CP1 was the bun fight as I expected, with no where to sit and sort stuff out, and no hope of sleep.  From my expedition adventure racing experience I'm very happy to go 36-40 hours without sleep (I simply can't sleep on the first night) and so on we went.

I've known Mark for several years, ever since he took part in our Great Lakeland 3 Day event, and latterly at The Dragon's Back race in 2012.  It wasn't my intention to stick with Mark throughout the week, but we spent a very amicable first day together, with me tapping into Mark's superior local knowledge in the first few miles.  By Day Two we had formed a partnership and it became evident that we would spend a few days together and ultimately get each other to the finish.

I really enjoyed Bronteland in the dawn, but the section of undulating farm land to Malham is tedious and very slippery.  The only highlight was an impromptu coffee at The Lothersdale pub on Sunday morning.  We pushed on through in Churchillian conditions, with a 'steady go slow mission' to Malham Visitor Centre.  John Bamber was working his magic at CP1.5 and everyone looked suitably wrecked,  We managed a comfortable bivvi in the woods nearby and returned for a early morning brew with John Bamber before battling over Fountains Fell. On the shoulder of Fountains we headed into some terrible conditions; head down, hood up, goggles steaming up and ...hey-ho your batteries fail in your head torch. Wtf!!! I'm not changing them here.

Pen-yGhent was easy due to the re-route, although I'm not sure that Mr. Portuguese who couldn't find the trail would agree.  We were held at Horton Cafe for 2:40hr, so enjoyed a good feed on a veggie breakfast and a catch up with some 'out of the bubble' stuff.  The current assessment is that we are cruising.... and in good form.  Steady to Hawes CP2.  Bit of a battering on the last stretch of high moor from strong cross winds, which make you tense and stiffen the muscles.  CP 2 - an another one hour's TLC break. 'Crocs' on, socks washed, food eaten and out the door.  Sleeping in CPs' is a no-no as there is too much activity and noise.

One Hour TLC at Hawes CP2

Great Shunner Fell - an excellent peak


I had a great time on Shunner Fell; Mark is climbing well, we had blue sky and even a slight tail wind. Life was good. We had a surprise visit by Dave and Ruth, having driven from their Shap home after some dot watching, catching us up on Gt Shunner, which was very welcome.  And then Rich from Swaledale Outdoors who makes us laugh and takes us off route momentarily, such is his prowess as a local guide and navigator!  Seriously, we noted a re-occurring theme that when a visitor / supporter appeared on the trail it often took away your focus, Indeed, we habitually observed a supported runner often going off route and losing copious amounts of time and time and energy during 'support interface'.  

Onward; the section to Tan Hill was good, but afterwards it deteriorates into tedious moor land, with intricate navigation. By this stage, we had teamed up with Julie Garner who had some hand written route notes (but not by herself, I think?) and so with Mark monitoring his GPS, Julie's notes and myself keeping in touch with map and compass we made good progress finishing with a 25 hour day from Malham to Mid-Tees, despite some horrendous sleep monsters from me.

CP3 Middleton-in Teesdale 

CP 3 Middleton-in-Tees is a much better checkpoint with plenty of space, bunk rooms and showers etc.  There are no Spine Challengers, of course as there race has finished at Hawes. The race had been held here until 3.00am, which is just when we arrived.  Why it was held I'm not sure, it can't of been weather related, but must only have been that the race was getting to strung out.  So .... we take a six hour break in race time whilst others head out on the trail

The trip up the Rive Tees is a delight.  The riverside paths are good, the scenery excellent and the weather quite becalmed..  High Force was impressive with a full body of water and I particularly remember quarry activity across the river, a solid reminder of man's interaction with this wonderful environment.

We had been told of a 10.00 pm cut-off at Cow Green reservoir but we were about eight hours ahead of this and so the FULL course was our option.  The traverse over the Pennine watershed through to High Cup Nick is bleak and feels remote and we completed this just as it became dark and with a short lived, but very threatening snow squall coming straight at us.   The navigation isn't difficult but the small footpaths become obscure and you need to ford the river or find the big foot bridge over the Maize Beck.   ( By the way, you can sample this leg during our new NAV4 Adventure event - Pennine 39 - Sat 18th July )

Crossfell

A steady descent took us down to Dufton CP 3.5 being run by John Bamber and Paul Shorrocks.  Here we had a bit of a dilemna; push one over 'the mighty Crossfell' during the night, or stop here for and an extend rest.  Having considered all the options over fish and chips in the Stag Inn, the obvious personal and professional decisions was to rest up and tackle Crossfell early next morning.  So, after a peaceful, spacious night in Dufton Village Hall, we left a note for JB and at 6.30am started up the Crossfell massif.  Conditions were Ok on the ascent and even along the summit ridge the winds were moderate, the views quite awe inspiring and we were moving well.  It would be rude to pass by Greg's Hut without stopping for a brew, and then onward down to Garrigill were 'Mr.I.A.M MST'  bluntly told us we could get bused to Alston CP4 , or ... WTF!

We walked the last few miles to the Alston CP , along the river and up the last little hill.  Alston CP (the Adventure Centre NOT YHA) was rammed full with cabin fevered Spine racers, including those on the Short course who hadn't made the cut-off at Cow Green.  NB; talking later with Jim Tinnion I was very impressed that he could have made this cut-off but made a sound mountaineering decision not to push it out too far.

To be brief, the impeding storm was brewing for later that evening, but we were very surprised that we weren't allowed to carry on down the Tyne riverside to our intended next stop at Greenhead YHA,  So another long halt, this time with an official time out, of some 17 hours.  The racing snakes had gorged themselves on all the food, the place is a tip and everyone's brain dead.  Bizarrely, I can't sleep due to our restful evening at Dufton so at 2.00am I found that the centre WiFi is working Ok, so I acknowledge some emails as the whole Spine Family snore it's way through Storm Racheal.

Is it Thusday?

Off again just after 7.00 am on Thursday?  Steady, steady, strong progress to Greenhead YHA and along Hadrian's Wall in an increasingly wet and windy evening.  I enjoyed the Wall, but Mark was really starting to suffer with shin / ankle pain predominately on the descents.  The section after The Wall is tough; boggy with tricky navigation and it's a long haul to Bellingham. A surprise visit from Andrew Burton deep in Wark forest gave us a bit of a laugh and brief respite, arriving at Bellingham at around 1.00am?

By now this was becoming a stage race; Each CP is busy and full with blown out racers and staff.  Little space 'at the Inn' for us but I find plenty of room under a table at the back of the hall, take a buffet of cheese, nuts, tomatoes and hard boiled eggs to bed and grab a few hours sleep.

I was really pleased to see Mike Stevenson here, looking Ok, but sadly with his feet in a bad way.  Mike has been on two or three courses and recces with me and is a fast learner and strong minded athlete. I wondered if he would be setting off with Mark and myself next morning, but at this stage it is really important to move at your own pace.  True to his ability, Mike stayed ahead of us until the very last Mountain Refuge were he needed to take three - fours proper sleep before the last 10km to the finish.  Well Done Mike - You have really impressed me.

CP 5 Bellingham - Feet Up, Sleeping, slight soreness on ankle.

The Beginning of The End

Setting off from Bellingham, we had the company of Jim Tinnion. I was good to have a three way dynamic for a while, even if it meant re-negotaiting the terms of engagement but for a while the three of us moved well together. Jim had his partner Zoe supporting him, so at one of the road crossing he elected to drop back and travel at his own speed after a short rest.

Mark and Myself, were definitely on a mission, now, I was keen to force the pace, and as the sun came out on the descent to Bryness I push the pace on as a means of combating sleepy eyelids. Mark responded and remained 400-500 metres behind me for a while arriving at Bryness just as I was getting served at the surreal Forest View Lodge with soup, the vegetarian option.

Bryness Fettling...

I was still keen to  push on, as there is no point it sitting and dwell on soreness or lethergy, we were out quickly and efficiently.  Another surprise visitor, in the form of John Allen who had driven out from work in his lunch break,  and climbed strongly with us up to Bryness Hill. This was really the start of the end; 25+ miles along the summit ridge and the Border between England and Scotland.  

The End is Near

I'm sure we both intended to enjoy this. We got well established on the high ridge and most of the way to Mountain Hut One before dark.  The ground was surprisingly frozen and whilst Mark kept his Microspikes on continuously, I had mine on and off depending  upon snow cover as to snag your spikes on the turf caused quite a bit of discomfort to ankle and knee.  We made good strong progress; enjoy a bit of banter with MST team at the hut and push on again.  Layered up, including a RAB Guide Vapour-rise as a fourth layer, it was an indication of how cold and high wind chill was. Granted I still wasn't wearing over trousers, but being old school I try and manage without as they definitely create drag and increase chaffage in delicate regions.  We were both going strongly and navigating well. Mark remained steady on the climbs but was suffering on the descents. The final large descent of Auchope Cairn, with Hedge Hole beyond appeared very intimidating in the dark, with steep neve snow disappearing to our right.  Hugging the fence line leftwards we were now heading for Mountain Hut Two, and I pushed the pace out and searching for the best line in the snow.

Then, just as I was looking at the map, for the exact location of the Hut, and wrestling with glasses and head torch, I got a call from Stu Westfield The Mountain Safety Team Co-ordinator.  He was phoning asking us to call in at the hut and check out the condition of competitor No 68, ?  a certain Mike Stevenson!!!  A few minutes alter I was in the hut to find Mike fully kitted up in his sleeping and bivi bag, and being well looked after by Alan McCormack a fellow runner.  There were two other 'Spiners' there and very quickly the MST Team from Hut one arrived headed up by Ali Holland.  I know of Ali from years ago, a very strong and competent Adventure race and skilled outdoor person.  Mike just needed to sleep, he hadn't lost his sense of humour so we left him in Ali's capable hands and push on as a four.

From here it is just about 10km more or less down hill to the finish.  There is one last sod of a climb over The Schil and then what felt like a nicely graded and firm under foot descent. Unfortunately, Mark was really suffering by know; down hills are the most painful and he coped brilliantly with the amounting pain and culmination of this adventure.

Really good to see StuS and StuW at the end ....now where's the tea!

Finally, at this stage I'd like to thank Mark Rawlinson for a very interesting and rewarding week, and I'm very proud that we got to the end together an in relatively good shape.

Grabbing a few ZZ's in the car before breakfast at The Excellent Border Hotel.

There are a few other 'thank-you's due as well, not least due to Stu Smith and Stu Westerfield for their sterling work on the MST and to Scott and Phil for having a made idea to race the Pennine Way in Winter.

A second, 'Part Two' blog will appear shortly and cover additional issues such as clothing and gear, skills and thoughts about how to tackle the Spine.  If you have any questions or feedback then let me know by email nav4adventure@gmail.com  and I'll try and answer them.... 

See you at Lakes Mountain 42 and Pennine 39 out on the fells, or at a NAV4 Adventure course soon?

Joe Faulkner

NAV4 Adventure

Long Time, No Blog

Long Time, No Blog.

So much has happened at NAV4 Towers since August on all fronts; work, play, physical, mental and at times ....quite emotional and upsetting.

  

Plus, don’t like putting finger to key board unless I have something worthwhile to say and contribute to cyberspace. I’ve thought about many postings, and been very busy working on a whole range of events from sportives to Open5’s to stuff with GoLakes and Friends of the Lake District and other Lake District based organistations.

After ITERA, came 'Porage', The Longmynd Hike, OMM ..... 

Work has been busy; I’ve particularly enjoyed delivering several One-One navigational tuition and coaching  sessions, plus we’ve had one big weekend course, the flagship Mountain Running Essentials weekend course.

On the NAV4 Adventure racing front front, I am particularly proud of two NAV4 teams racing at ITERA, both completing the week long race down the length of Wales.  Each team faced it’s own problems in terms of sickness, injury and mechanical issues, and each got to the end together and intact.

NAV4 Adventure Two, was impeccably lead by stalwart John Allen, with the unbreakable ‘Wilko’ grinding it out as usual. Dave Johnson and ‘Young Ben’ Shannon were new additions to NAV4 team and each added skills and experience to the mix; style and panache is everything. We as NAV4 Adventure One had our own setbacks; my annoying and frustrating rear ‘mech’ problem on the very first transition set the tone, but careful use of a file, plus Eddie Windthrope’s excellent bike-tech got us through.It was a full two weeks later that a local bike guru confirmed that the spare rear mech as supplied with my bike had been the wrong one,

And this after a challenging paddle along the Menai Straits; but no capsizes and it was actually rather fun! This is no blow-by-blow account of ITERA.  (Team mate, Jill's blog is well worth a read) Expedition adventure racing is very much an involved and emotional experience...(don’t mention the word ‘journey’) with teams of four working together towards a common objective.  The fact that all eight of us showed our commitment, skill, and application makes me very proud.

Post Race Blues ....

...are real, so onto ‘Mountain Running Essentials’.

MRE is our long-standing flagship weekend course. It’s squarely aimed at trail and mountain runners needing to improve their navigation and all round ‘hill-skills’ and was as successful as ever.  I suppose after fifteen years of delivery we know what we are doing

Working on events provides a life of variety: :

• Longmynd Hike – 18 hours on Ragleth Checkpoint.
• Grand Tour of Skiddaw – eight hours of sun bathing on Skiddaw (with tea bags of course)
• Cumbria Way Ultra – eight hours MTB in and out of Carlisle
• Buttermere Tri and Swim - drinks stations on road and lakeside
• Lakes in a Day – a fleeting few hours on Hall’s  Fell ridge ensuring no-one gets freaked on the rocky ridge
• Ennerdale Trail Races – 10, 25 and 50km – with tea and coffee and cakes for all.
• Great fun at the George Fisher’s / Petzl night run –
• etc, etc,

Watching and waiting, helping and hovering,  supping and supporting; all very revealing. This is not the place to bang on about safety, albeit carrying some basic kit and having some navigation skills gives a good foundation for a safer and more rewarding experience. 

So, with winter fast approaching this is the time to layer up and take a long hard think about being out in the shorter days, with the nights firmly drawn in and the temperature dropping.

Looking Ahead – Personal Objectives

Ok – so it’s true – I am taking part in The Spine Race. After two years of working on the safety and logistics side I've decided to take part.  Often said that generally doing an event is easy than working through out ;  will this be true this time?

What I do know is that Stu Westfield has done an amazing job heading up the Mountain Safety side of things for the past three years, he has the patience of a saint, and it’s been a pleasure helping him. Stu Smith came on board last year and helped me and StuW, along with ‘Young Ben’ (a different one) and a few others.  Darren Hunt and The Two Stu’s  will perform a colossal role in January keep tabs on us all.  Let’s helping them by being safe and self-reliant.

Why am I racing? ‘Cos it’s an intriguing blend of expedition skills, endurance and mid-set.  Plus, it’s a varied and iconic route. Plus having watched people suffer, survive and overcome I need to square the circle. 

And, if I can still walk upright and in a straight line by June, I’ll be lining up for a third Dragon’s Back Race but one day, or race, at a time

ITERA - Further Faster

All packed and Ready for ITERA

They say getting to the start line is the hardest part, and I'm very proud to have two strong and competent NAV4 Adventure teams lining up for yet another Expedition Adventure race.

It's been a busy day, indeed a busy few weeks and months, as we have all been preparing for a full week's adventure 'racing' down the length of Wales. You will be able to follow the race via live tracking here - watch out for our two teams - 'NAV4 Adventure One' and 'NAV4 Adventure Two'.

I guess I was the first to see this!

Just writing that last sentence throws up two key names; Sharon MacDonald and John Allen, our respective team Captains. Both of these people are excellent athletes in their own right, and deserve my thanks for being team leaders.  John (Gentleman John) Allen has come to the fore since he inherited Team Two secretarial duties when Hannah Munchkin eloped to serve the British Army.  John has done a great job of blending Dave Johnson, Ben Shannon and Louise 'Wilko' Wilkinson into a well oiled, and well-gelled team.  John is a natural leader and skillful adventure racer, especially in Expedition length races.

The other key name in this operation is Sharon MacDonald.  Ironically, Sharon came into our Terrex 2012 team at just three weeks notice, and first met team mate Dave (Atkinson) on the drive up to Stirling although to be fair Dave had been in Corsica topping up his fake tan for three four weeks.  Sharon immediately fitted into our TERREX 2012 Sting team and it does feel like I've known her a lot longer having raced well together in the LAMM, two Elite Dark Mountains plus lots of other great days out on bike and foot.  As we all know, it's all about team work, not one individual, we all have diffferent strengths and 'allowable weaknesses', if you are familair with Belbin.  
     
John and Sharon allow me to simply enjoy a role 'just' as team member, lead navigator and contribute to the team effort.  I suppose I do retain a little bit of a 'Directeur Sportive' overview of both teams, and I have been known to say that I'm on the verge of EXPED AR retirement and look forward to seeing a younger, fresher, strong and faster NAV4 Adventure team go forward in future years. Incidentally, if you want to get involved with NAV4 Adventure ....you know what to do, don't you?

Last Team outing / kit sort

Team Dynamics

There has been many a time that I have questioned that I should be racing in the same team as John and Wilko as well have a strong track record in previous races, but  I believe there is no clear divide or distinction as to which team is stronger and faster (although I have my own hopes!). I was mightly pleased to receive an email a few weeks ago from 'Young Ben' when he apologised in advance for when NAV4 Adventure Two beat NAV4 Adventure One, as at least it proves we all have a sense of humour.  Of course, if this happens, I'll be genuinely very pleased as long as we have both teams have raced to our maximum.

Setbacks, Profit and Loss

All teams suffer set backs and losses and we have been no less afflicted. First we lost Hannah, then Gareth, but gained Ben and then Dave. And then ... just when we thought we were set and after a huge amount of good training Andy Moucey suffered a stress fracture in his foot, which was so sad and a disappointment for us all.  Fortunately, we found Eddie Winthorpe waiting in the wings 'fresh' from the Marathon de Sables (which will be ideal training for biking down Wales in the rain.) Andy contributed greatly to our team and I hope to see him racing with us again soon.

Me in a hole, them on a lump.

Seriously, Eddie is strong, fit and skilled and has fitted into the team excellently with two Team Traing Days already completed in the past few weeks.  His all round bike skills, especially mechanics skills, compliment the team.

My other team member is Jill.  I've riden with anyone who just looks so comfortable on a bike. Sometimes I think her primary role is to make me laugh, but she has just gets on with everything, especially if Sharon gives her 'the look'.  Jill has done an excellent job on the nutritional side of our build up and I'm looking forward to eating my way down Wales. We had a fascinating session with Sarah Garton a nutritionalist and have welcomed the support Wholesome Bee in Settle. I've introduced the team to 9bars and now need therapy due to addiction.

So we have two teams; are with good experience, skills and comitment. And so just for completeness, these are our final team line-ups:

Sharon MacDonald, Jill Eccleston, Eddie Winthorpe, Joe Faulkner
John Allen, Louise Wilkinson, Ben Shannon, Dave Johnson

'Racing'
It's about the Expedition rather 'racing'.  To finish first ... first you have to finish' and I've seen many teams implode or break themselves or something by not lasting the pace.

Pacing is important.  One of my fears and worries are what I call 'Race Gates'; key points that we must get beyond, usually by a certain time and sometimes quite literally such as before the tide turns or the weather craps out on the mountains.  However, we are strong and equipped, bad weather doesn't frighen us and we have the mountain skills and gear to cope with many things.


We've learnt alot of the past few years;  WARC 2006, ARWC 2007, TERREX 2010, Swift and Sting 2012, not to mention the Open5s and Open24s we've all done.

We prepared wisely;  We are indebted to Distant Horizons for on-going support with our paddling activities. Being based on the shores of Ullswater they have an ideal for water and mountain activities and they don't mind us truning up at all tiems of day during our training sessions, trying out differnet boats and rigs and trims.

It's not about the Bike - nor the drugs you take.
All the Gear and No Idea?  No - we are selective in what we use  - LESS Is MORE. . We have chosen our gear wisely. For example, we have chosen Petzl Meteor III+ multi-sport helmets which saves time as they serve us on the water, bikes and mountains and in caves, too, maybe! 

Petzl Meteor III+ Multi-sport

Ortleib Rack-pack duffle bags are simple strong and waterproof, and without any zips to break or jam up. I'll be using a Petzl Nao and my trusty Myo RXP throughout the race, supplemented by Hope R4 for MTB sections. I went on an excellent tour of the Hope factory in Bar'lick and it's amazing to see such quality items being produced right here in the North West.

Not taking the entire shed!

Our bikes are well serviced and fit for purpose; all on 3x9 speed 26 inch wheels in order to remain compatible (well, with the exception of the young dude who has more bike knowledge than all of us put together)  We have paddle bags and team bags sorted, Drybags and not so Drybags, all borne form experience.

I made my own lightweight group shelter many years ago, and now  Paul Vousden - Mapdec - has made some brilliant 'LESS' group shelters (and I have one or two spare so will bring them down to Cardiff!)

I've worked predominately in Montane gear for many years and the both teams have a passion for Montane, especially due to our links with the North East.  However, our team will each wear what they choose, they know what works for them, and we won't try anything new or radical. 

Ultimately, I've packed the Sporks, and my BIG mug obviously, along with the Jetboil and wholesome food.


We are prepared...And Finally:

I'd like to thank my wife Linz, and all of our partners and friends as without their support this would not happen.

Joe

Thursday 11.59pm



 

Basic Navigation for Runners - A Two Part Evening Course

I recently spent two pleasant Monday evenings with some great people teaching -'Basic Navigation for Runners'.  They each gained confidence and had their eyes and minds opened, as we de-mystified the magic of maps, learnt that 'Contours are Crucial' ... and that 'Compasses are not Complicated at All'....( Yes, this was a quote from a client!)

The following is an edit from a previous article which sums up why I think it's imperative that runners and walkers a like, need to think about their navigation and 'hillskills'.

'Beautiful evening ... magical maps de-mystified'

Hill Skills and Happy Hill People        

How we access is the hills is changing:  the outdoor industry is far bigger than it was just a generation ago and majority of people are introduced to and engage with the mountains  through some form of guide book, magazine article, organised event or challenge.  There are some brilliant courses and ‘providers’ out there but sooner or later it’s time to go forth on your own.   Developing your own ‘Hills Skills’ is a very worthwhile and satisfying.

We Learn by Doing

I’ve walked, climbed, biked and paddled in all corners of the UK and beyond.  However, it has been in those far flung places that I’ve realised it is the exploration that gives most satisfaction, together with the appreciation of the freedom we are privileged to have in the UK.

Risk and Responsibility

Looking after your self in the mountains is as paramount as looking after the environment. Being warm and comfortable is quickly mastered – get your layers right and be flexible in your clothing.  Modern fabrics make life a lot less sweaty, our rucsacs are lighter, our understanding of food and hydration a whole new science.   We have better maps ( it’s not that long ago that maps of Scotland where only One Inch to the Mile) and now have a proliferation of techno gadgets that will get us to within metre of a known point on the globe.  We have phones that can reach all corners of the world; if the signal is there and the batteries are sound! 

Sound Mountain Judgement

We learn by doing.  We can be taught skills and techniques whether it is knot tying or fire lighting but until you need to do this for real you have not mastered the skill.  You learn; ‘When to turn back, How to respect the mountain environment, and be flexible in your plans’.   It is often said, there is no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothes  .... Or the wrong activity!

It is our responsibility in to make ourselves safe and in doing so we greatly enhance our performance and enjoyment.  And the biggest factor in doing so is by learning how to navigate. By being out there in poor weather and gaining skills and experience so that we can go further and maybe, even faster?

Hill Skills - Navigation isn’t Rocket Science

OK, soon as you mention the ‘N-word’, some people glaze over or become freaked by childhood memories of geography teachers or Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.  Another group reach for their smart phone and then spend a while bringing up some form of mapping software which struggles to scan and sweep to the desired scale and location, whilst fearing the basic skill of navigation.

Contours are Crucial

All those wiggly lines are the most important things in the hills and mountains. Don’t worry too much about compasses; they are often over rated (especially complex ones just like Smart phones!)   Yep, you need a compass and a map too of course but don’t get hung up on compasses bearings and magnetic variation.  Good navigators ‘read’ the contours of map far more than they dial up a compass bearing. 

Good basic navigation is easy!  There – I said it.  We can all do it, if we want to.

About  Joe Faulkner;

I’ve spent 30 years walking, climbing, running, biking and paddling in the UK and gained a reputation as a competent ‘Mountain Athlete’.    I coach all forms of mountaineering with a specialism for Hill Skills and Navigation.    Further details can be seen at my NAV4 Adventure website  - www.nav4.co.uk

nav4adventure@gmail.com