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The 8th Wonder of the World: Charlotte’s
Bob Graham Round
1st-2nd June 1996
[Yes, believe it or not, I DID complete the BG way back in
1996 (aged 39), the year that I was the fittest I’ve
ever been!]; this is an abridged version of my BG report with
a little bit of hindsight. To anybody contemplating this challenge
here are a few recommendations you may or may not want to take
on board:
- Start planning early – two years before you intend
to attempt it so that if you get injured (like I did in
1995) you can defer for a year!
- Do it whichever way round you want – there are
pros and cons to both. If you want a good night’s
sleep before it do it my way (anticlockwise) - that’s
if you can sleep, which I can. If you want a pint or two
at the end do it the Calder Valley Fell Runners (my previous
club) way (clockwise). Whichever you choose, train the
way round you intend to do it, stick to it, and don’t
get phased by what people say (but remember that you have
the same distance and climb whichever way you go). Some
people think clockwise is a bit easier but anticlockwise
you have a wonderful end to the BG (straight off Skiddaw
to Keswick – no running down the roads from Robinson
- Choose a first class support team like I did as it really
does help
- Don’t wear a watch (or at least don’t be
ruled by one) and don’t ask the time until you get
on top of the last peak, but this may not suit everyone
(somebody will tell you if you are behind time)
- I decided to go it alone as I did not want to be held
back by a slower person or be struggling to keep up with
a faster fell runner
- Don’t go “eyeballs out” enjoy the day
and take as much as you want of the 24 hours you have (it’s
not a race!)
The hardest thing about doing the BG is planning the
actual arrangements for the day – the training’s
easy in comparison! I left it late probably because I still
had doubts about my attempt even three weeks beforehand. Anyway,
everybody I asked to help were happy to do so which was a great
weight off my mind (and they were chosen very carefully, mainly
for their cheerful easy going dispositions i.e. people who
could cheer me up and encourage me if the going got tough).
So – if you are doing it anticlockwise and intending
to get a good night’s sleep, don’t camp – a
B and B is much more civilised. |
THE DAY
Honister Pass and loving the rice pudding!
|
Keswick to Honister
6am came very quickly; the weather looked promising and Irene
and Ted came to find me at 7.30am with all my belongings
and food enough to feed everybody in the Lake District for
24 hours! What was great about my support team was that I
didn’t have to tell anybody what to do because they
just knew what was expected. Jeff Winder and Neil Kemp were
waiting at the Moot Hall for the 1 stleg but there were also
the Simons (Lee and Fowler), and Andy Thompson, along with
four children, to see me off (one his, one Jeff’s and
the other two for good luck – Irene and Ted were looking
forward to entertaining them for a while). We set off to
Honister on really quite a pleasant morning. Jeff knew the
footpaths to avoid the Newlands Valley road – very
pleasant – and we made good time to Honister even thought
the wind was up a bit.
Honister to Wasdale
I felt good and, with some food and drink, I was soon off up
Grey Knotts with Louise, Jeff and Andy, leaving a veritable
army of support back at the youth hostel (Val Smith had turned
up too). However, soon we had hit thick mist but Jeff’s
route finding was superb and before long we got to Great Gable.
Next a mini-disaster struck. Myself and Jeff hurtled off down
the screes to the tarns (well, Jeff really – I just went
as fast as I could!). We arrived at the bottom to no sign of
Louise or Andy – what to do – we waited a while,
blew the whistle a few times and then decided to move on. There
were two, no three, problems here: 1. Andy had all my gear
(and in my caving days the motto was always never be separated
from your gear), 2. Andy was doing the recording and had the
pencil and paper, and 3. We did not know whether they were
OK. Jeff assured me we had enough food and extra clothing for
me and so we continued, assuming Andy and Louise were OK. Between
us we remembered the times for all the tops on the next section.
The mist lifted and dropped all the way to Wasdale but there
were no further mishaps (and excellent navigation by Jeff – book
him for your BG!). As we dropped into Wasdale via a lovely
scree run we got a brilliant view and a great welcome from
Irene, Ted, Jackie, Pete, Jess, Val (and Louise), whilst Andy
arrived spluttering behind us by about 10 minutes with my rucksack – a
great effort and pure dedication to the cause. They had not
been able to keep with us down from Great Gable, had also got
lost, and then split up with Andy following us on and Louise
heading straight down into Wasdale. |
Wasdale and relishing the climb to Scafell
|
Wasdale to Dunmail
Irene’s soup was perfect fodder here before the long
climb to Scafell with Pete White and Jess Palmer. I was looking
forward to this leg more than any other because during training
I had enjoyed it the most, and how could I not enjoy the time
with Pete and Jess? And so, up into the clag again but Pete
had already got his compass out and bearings from his 1981
round (admitting they would have changed a bit over the years).
We had organised for Simon F to meet us at the top of the descent
to Broad Stand – very helpful, considering the weather.
It was desperate down to the ropes that Simon L had rigged – very
greasy. As we neared them, a display of food appeared and Simon
L assured us we could eat what we wanted so we did!. The ropes
(one round the waist and one as a hand line) were invaluable
and we were soon on our way. One problem – Neil had got
lost somewhere and had intended to accompany us to Dunmail!
He had followed Simon F to the top of Broad Stand to check
he was in the right place to lead us down. Neil then missed
the four of us as we came down and was later discovered coming
up Lord’s Rake, having been nearly to Scafell, back down
to Lord’s Rake, Mickledore and almost to Scafell Pike
where he had turned 180 degrees around and returned to Lord’s
Rake where he was found by Simon F. This made them all somewhat
late getting down to Wasdale, knowing they had to pick up John
Crummett and Mick Banks in Keswick. Amazing how I was totally
unaware what was going on! To resume: we started to meet lots
of people in the Scafell Pike area who were quite clearly lost
but fortunately Pete and I got our navigation right between
us (along with John Crummett’s detailed route description)!
Coming off Bowfell, we suddenly dropped out of the mist to
the most stupendous views of Langdale, which we stopped to
enjoy. We had a very pleasant jaunt to Dunmail, soaking up
the views – this for me was what the BG was all about
(enjoying the fells and the company). This section, however,
contained one of my two lows on the BG – the long trudge
up Martcragg Moor as it seemed to go on a bit!). A particular
high was being in front of Jess on the fells for the first
and last time in my life – well he had done the 60 odd
mile Fellsman’s Hike (in around 12 hours) and the LDWA
100 miler only a few weeks back, but it was gratifying to hear
him comment that he thought pacers were supposed to be in front! |
Eating again at the top of Broad Stand
|
At last a view into Langdale from below Bow Fell
|
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Dunmail to Threlkeld
At Dunmail Ted, Irene, the Simons, Neil (found), Jackie, Mick
Banks, John Crummett and Penny White (the dog) were patiently
waiting, although I don’t think I was that far behind
schedule! It was at this point that I started not to feel
like eating but I had eaten and drunk so much up to that
time that I wasn’t too worried. |
|
|
| It wasn’t long before we (John, Mick and Neil) were
heading up Seat Sandal. I was dreading the next bit but it
really wasn’t that bad after all. Neil and Mick had a
very interesting conversation about quantum physics which I
was glad not to be able to contribute to so I could concentrate
on the climbing; John went ahead leading the way. It was dark
by the time we got to Fairfield but it was pretty clear and
it wasn’t long before Dollywaggon Pike was conquered
(another hill I wasn’t too keen on – not bad in
the dark). We stopped for sustenance at the shelter before
Helvellyn briefly (very cold and windy and the mist was well
down), and then walked briskly along the Dodds to Clough Head.
I couldn’;t quite believe how well everything was going
and how reasonable I felt at this point, and then the mist
cleared. John found the bog by the fence down to Threlkeld
from the coach road (thanks John) and we were met at the road
by Irene, Ted, Simon L, Simon F and Jess (the latter two a
little worse for wear from alcohol consumption). I think some
whiskey had been drunk at Dunmail, then they had proceeded
to drink in the pub at Castlerigg, and then in Simon L’s
car *the carry outs). I don’t think Irene and Ted had
ever envisaged what supporting a BG could have been like! |
Threlkeld to Keswick
Back to normal; eating again at Threlkeld
|
| The last leg beckoned and some more of Irene’s soup
set me on my way (and John said I was late – it turned
out to be 1 minute by his watch!). My other low point came
next and that was the first steep section of Blencathra. I
knew that I had to reach the top before dawn broke. We did,
the weather improved and a wonderful dawn came; the sun shone
and the Lakes looked fantastic. Great Calva was a doddle this
year because all the heather on both sides had been burnt.
Skiddaw wasn’t as bad as anticipated – just a long
slog but pleasant. I felt a little light headed at the top
but stuffed some jelly babies down and felt much better. At
this point I asked if we were OK for time. The answer was yes – we
had 90 minutes to get to Keswick. The morning was perfect,
the company great, and we mostly walked to Keswick. Irene,
Ted, the Simons, Pete and Jackie were there to greet me at
the Moot Hall. I felt pretty good – another of my life’s
ambitions accomplished. |
|
| Many thanks to all of you who helped on the day (I would
book you all again), and to those who weren’t there but
encouraged me during those winter training months. Last but
not least, thanks to work for being so stressful that days
in the hills had to be the best way to relieve the tension
(and train for the BG). |
|
| Schedule |
| |
| Keswick to Honister |
2hrs 17 minutes |
| Honister to Wasdale |
3hrs 51 minutes |
| Wasdale to Dunmail |
6hrs 24 minutes |
| Dunmail to Threlkeld |
5hrs 17 minutes |
| Threlkeld to Keswick |
4hrs 42 minutes |
| |
| Total time: |
23hrs 42 minutes |
| Rest time |
1hr 11 minutes |
| |
| Detailed schedule |
| |
| Keswick |
08-00 |
| Robinson |
09-34 |
| Hindsgarth |
09-53 |
| Dale head |
10-06 |
| Honister |
10-17 |
| |
| Honister |
10-27 |
| Grey Knotts |
10-49 |
| Brandreth |
10-56 |
| Green Gable |
11-11 |
| Great Gable |
11-23 |
| Kirkfell |
12-05 |
| Pillar |
12-50 |
| Steeple |
13-10 |
| Red Pike |
13-30 |
| Yewbarrow |
14-00 |
| Wasdale |
14-18 |
| |
| Wasdale |
14-43 |
| Scafell |
15-55 |
| Scafell Pike |
16-31 |
| Broad Crag |
16-44 |
| Ill Crag |
16-57 |
| Great End |
17-07 |
| Esk Pike |
17-32 |
| Bowfell |
17-52 |
| Rossett Pike |
18-25 |
| Pike O'Stickle |
19-10 |
| Harrison Stickle |
19-25 |
| Thunacar Knott |
19-33 |
| Sergeant Man |
19-48 |
| High Raise |
19-55 |
| Calf Crag |
20-20 |
| Steel Fell |
20-45 |
| Dunmail |
21-07 |
| |
| Dunmail |
21-27 |
| Seat Sandal |
22-06 |
| Fairfield |
22-37 |
| Dollywagon Pike |
23-22 |
| Nethermost Pike |
23-40 |
| Helvellyn |
23-53 |
| Helvellyn Low Man |
00-04 |
| White Side |
00-14 |
| Raise |
00-31 |
| Stybarrow Dodd |
00-53 |
| Watson Dodd |
01-05 |
| Great Dodd |
01-20 |
| Clough Head |
01-56 |
| Threlkeld |
02-44 |
| |
| Threlkeld |
03-00 |
| Blencathra |
04-00 |
| Great Calva |
05-14 |
| Skiddaw |
06-26 |
| Keswick |
07-42 |
|
Training for the BG
Psychologically speaking, to achieve the BG I needed to head
for the Lake District at any opportunity to train on the
hills and over the route (and learn it well). However, I
know people who have completed the Round without ever training
in the Lakes or knowing the route (although I feel that not
knowing the route is a disadvantage; if you do a lot of your
training there then you know what is coming and can pace
yourself). However, attempting the BG shouldsurely
include getting to know the route! I concentrated on long
distance races and ‘events’ in the year before
my BG, and climbing several thousand feet many weekends in
the Lakes, but also in the Howgills or Yorkshire Dales when
I couldn’t spare the time to travel much further. Below
is my training log which may be helpful to those contemplating
the BG in the future. I trained with many different people,
and with some who also completed the BG the same year (Andy
and Jess two weeks later). I also did a lot of training on
my own; it has to be said that it was often painful to get
up early yet again at a weekend after a hard week’s
work to be in the Lakes at 9am but it was well worth it!: |
| 1995 |
| June |
Ennerdale Horseshoe Race (23 miles) |
| Capricorn two day orienteering (A class) |
| July |
Saunders MM |
| Walking in the Pyrenees |
| August |
Borrowdale Race (17 miles) |
| Dalesway 84 miles walking and running |
| Kettlewell 15 miles walking and running |
| Cray to Hawes 15 miles |
| Lake District walking and running 15 miles |
| September |
LAMM (Mull) |
| Lake District Mountain Trial (15 miles and 5000 feet) |
| October |
Ian Hodgson Mt Relay 1st leg |
| Howgills 15 miles walking and running |
| KIMM (Long Score) |
| November |
Copeland Chase (Long Orienteering) |
| Winter Hill race (15 miles) |
| December |
Snowdon walking for 10 miles |
| Calderdale Way Relay Leg 6 |
| Stoop Fell Race 5 miles |
| Scotland for 4 days walking and skiiing |
|
| (additionally running with Calder Valley
Fell Runners every Tuesday night for 1.5 to 2 hours
on hills) |
| 1996 (more detailed) |
|
| January |
6th-7th Marsden to Edale walking return (40 miles) |
| 9th Run 10 miles |
| 12th Run 6 miles |
| 14th Dales walking and running 18 miles |
| 16th Run 12 miles |
| 18th Cycle to work (25 miles round trip - hilly) |
| 20th Run 6 miles |
| 21st Lakes 12 miles and 2700 feet walking and running |
| 23rd Run 10 miles |
| February |
4th Howgills 10 miles 5500 feet walking and running |
| 10th Haworth area (3 hrs slogging through deep snow) |
| 11th Derbyshire training for the High Peak marathon |
| 18th Dales walking 15 miles |
| 24th Wadsworth Trog race 20 miles 4500 feet |
| March |
1st-2nd High Peak Marathon (40 miles) |
| 9th Langdale to Patterdale 18 miles 4000 feet walking
and running |
| 16th Haworth Hobble 33 miles 4500 feet |
| 23rd Patterdale 15 miles 5000 feet walking and running |
| 24th Kentmere 12 miles 2400 feet walking and running |
| 30th Lakes 15 miles walking and running |
| April |
(in USA most of April; I was very worried about losing
out on training but I did as much as I could and was
in to the Lakes as soon as I got back!) |
| 3rd-4th walking in Great Smokey Mountains |
| 6th Run 8 miles |
| 9th Run 6 miles |
| 12th Run 6 miles |
| 14th Run 4 miles |
| 23rd Run 10 miles |
| 25th Run 6 miles |
| 27th Lakes Wasdale to Wasdale round trip |
| 28th 3 Peaks Race (support up Pen Y Ghent and Ingleborough) |
| May |
1st Great Whernside walking 10 miles |
| 2nd Run 6 miles |
| 4th Honister to Wasdale to Honister |
| 5th Dunmail to Keswick |
| 6th Keswick to Honister to Keswick |
| 9th Run 6 miles |
| 12th Howgills running and walking 14 miles 6000 feet |
| 14th Run 6 miles |
| 16th Lakes 6000 feet |
| 18th Lakes 6000 feet |
| 20th Cycle to work |
| 23rd Lakes 15 miles 5000 feet |
| 24th Short walk |
| 25th Short run |
| 31st BOB GRAHAM ROUND |
|
| So – you don’t have to do masses of training
but the training has to involve climbing a lot and long distances
(‘time on your feet’). I did a lot of long distance
races and all three Mountain Marathons the year before, but
in 1996 I only did three races ( bold), at
the end of February and the beginning of March. I had a reasonable
idea of my times over the main five sections but I never timed
myself between the tops. I do believe that if you do quality
training and know the route, have a good support team and weather,
then there is every reason to believe that you can complete
the BG in 24 hours. It is a fabulous route and has to rate
as my best 24 hours on the fells – a truly enjoyable
day. Go on, you know you want to! |
Charlotte Roberts
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