Hot Runs

Saturday: myself and Tim headed over to Hathersage to recce part of the Long Tour of Bradwell. The weather was hot and humid, and away from the shade of trees it was sticky hot. Our route took us backwards on the race route from Leadmill Bridge to Toads Mouth, exploring the link from the Burbage Valley across the road and down towards Lawrence Field. We returned the same way (or at least returning on the actual race route as we'd taken a slight detour on the way up). Back at the car we still felt good so continued on the race route towards Bradwell for a short distance....then back to Hathersage for a late lunch+ice cream and browse in the gear shop. Total run 14.6km and 350m ascent.

Tim running across Lawrence Field

Looking towards Bole Hill

Sunday: solo early morning run for me from home. My route was from Old Glossop, Cock Hill, Glossop Low, over to the Pennine Way, up to Bleaklow Head. I'd contemplated heading to Bleaklow Stones-The Ridge-Hern Clough but dismissed that in favour of less tussocky running. I stuck to the Pennine Way until some point after the turning to Hern Stones then bashed across the tussocks to the B29 plane wreck and Higher Shelf Stones trig point. I decided to run along the Shelf Moor race route across to Dog Rock and home down via Lightside, but feeling good as I crossed Dowstone Clough I made a decision to head back to Glossop Low....and luckily came across a quad track that made for easy running across the heather. I picked up the Torside-Glossop Low trod and boards, and was soon heading down passed Cock Hill. A quick detour back to the trig point, then off via the quarry spoils and down to Old Glossop. The temperature today was pretty perfect, warm but a good breeze blowing and enough cloud cover to not be worried about sunburn. I saw and heard loads of curlews flying really close by, a stoat popped it's head up and called out, grouse, a lizard thing rushed off down a peat tunnel, and there were plenty of mountain hares around and one pheasant. Apart from the wildlife I didn't see anyone until dropping off Cock Hill....a perfect solo adventure.
Total run 17.1km and 625m ascent.

Torside Clough and reservoir

On the Pennine Way

There's a stoat hiding in there, honest!

My route across to Higher Shelf Stones

Approaching the B29 plane wreck and trig point in distance

'Overexposed' B29 plane wreck

Dowstone Clough

View from Glossop Low

A little windswept at Cock Hill with Bleaklow behind

Glossop town

Dog Rock Delights

Super glorious sunshine greeted us today for our Running Delights session. I'll let the photographs do the talking...

Guided runs on a one-to-on basis or for groups can be organised....contact me for more information or have a read of the Guided Running page. Organised Running Delights sessions will be posted on the facebook page.

Bog Trotting

Lovely run up onto Bleaklow today, quite windy blowing in from the west but beautifully clear. Here's a few photos to give you an idea of the terrain I was on...

Looking towards Grinah Stones from Higher Shelf trig

Higher Shelf trig point, and the highest point on today's run

New-ish mudclaw 300s enjoying the boggyness of the run and performing very well

Near Dog Rock, looking over to The Pike, with Shelf Benches and James Thorn behind

Looking up Dowstone Clough

I was nicely surprised to reach the trig point via Doctors Gate in just under an hour, I reckon that is my quickest time up that route to date. Here's my strava log:

Sunshine

Beautiful weather for fell running.  Today's route from home took us up the start of Doctors Gate then sharp left up to the top of James Thorn, to the pond and onto the top of Shelf Benches. The sunshine was accompanied by a stiff breeze on top that kept us moving.

Lou, Brae and Andrea heading up the path to James Thorn, Glossop in the right/background

My shadow...looking back down Doctors Gate, towards Mossy Lea

Lou summits James Thorn

Andrea using Brae as a wind break on the summit of James Thorn

Brae having a dip in the pond under James Thorn

Lou, Andrea and Brae heading off James Thorn towards Shelf Benches

Brae with Dog Rock in the background

Andrea and Lou enjoying easy running along the top of Shelf Benches

Early walk

A few photos from my early walk today (set off at 7am):

Taken at Spring Cabin at the end of Shelf Benches - clag is lurking on Dog Rock

Looking back from the same spot towards Glossop - Shire Hill the one with trees

Near Ferny Hole, The Pike in the clag

Looking down Wigan Clough....Dog Rock is over there somewhere

Taking shelter from the claggy rain at Dog Rock, looking east towards Dowstone Clough

Another view from my shelter spot...everything wet

New boots seem to be wearing in nicely. 4hrs yesterday, 4.5hrs today and no issues.

Crunchy

I had a delightful fell run today up onto Bleaklow with a fellow Glossopdale runner and her daughter - and it was a wonderful run for her first time on the fells. Our route took us up from Glossop via Lightside, Yellowslacks and Dog Rock then across Dowstone Clough and to 621 trig at Higher Shelf Stones...then down via James Thorn, Shelf Benches and Mossy Lea. Conditions underfoot were lovely, crisp and crunchy with some solid chunks of snow still there from last week. We even had a delightful glimpse of a mountain hare bouncing across the frozen terrain. Here's a few photographs:

Running towards Dog Rock

our three shadows

the route across from Dowstone to the trig was directly into the sun - almost a perfect natural bearing

one of the large snow patches still remaining

frozen grass

dropping down from Higher Shelf Stones to James Thorn

almost back down to Mossy Lea

Snow on the benches

Shelf Benches to be exact, on the Western end of Bleaklow. Here's a few photographs from my run on Saturday, they are taken on my phone so not the best quality. Good memories though of a chilly run.

Looking east towards Snake Summit

Facing north east - James Thorn with a light covering of snow

Easterly view of James Thorn

The trod along the top of Shelf Benches

The Pike and Dog Rock to the North

Heading back south down Shelf Benches, looking towards Lordship Hill with Kinder hidden beyond Hurst Moor

I wish I'd taken out the camera on this run but hadn't actually planned on going up so high so was travelling light....I just can't resist getting up into the snow!