Dark Peak Bob Graham Round 23-24/06/2006
The now normal start time of 18:45 saw five contestants waiting in warm dry weather at the Moot Hall in Keswick. There was in addition Alan Perfect, Ryan Edwards, Bob Berzins, Mick Stenton, Ian Adkin, Dave Griffin (and dog), Phil Rigby, Andy Middleditch and myself as support. Spurred on by the good weather the pace up Skidaw was brisk, Robert Cooper pressing the pace. Skidaw came 20 mins up on the schedule. We had managed to mislay Alan on the climb but Ryan found him and caught us up by Skidaw House. The pace slowed and we maintained the 20-25 mins lead on the schedule for the remainder of our section. The descent down Halls Fell was wonderful in the light, due to the good weather and early timing. A large collection of people were gathered at Threkeld helping out with the change over. The best thing about it was that a number of us actually made it to the Salutation by 22:50, first time in three years!
The night section was aided by the light evening. Tim Hawley, Chris Barber, Martyn Payne, Glen Coleman, Gary Douthwaite and John Leech were in accompaniment. The moonless night was quite dark when the light had faded. The section was uneventful and was still maintaining its 20 minute lead on the schedule and all still together. A smaller group was waiting at Dunmail in the gathering light waiting to take the contestants on the next section.
The morning section was accompanied by Gavin Williams, Ian Charlesworth, Nicky Spinks, Andy Plummer, Richard Wilkinson, Andy Colgate and Chris Speight. The weather while starting fine soon deteriorated and the clag and wet came down. The group were still together at Broadstand but here probably due to the wet making the rock difficult, things began to go wrong in that it took longer than it should to negotiate the Scarfell climb. The consequence was that Neil and Nick came down to a wet Wasdale to be met buy the supporters Jon Straker and Roy Shepherd busy brewing tea. Neil and Nick were quickly sent on there way with Tim Ray, John Rowe, Rob Moore and Dave Pollington. Then in came Phil and David who were then to be accompanied on the next section by John Rowe, Jeff Harrison, Dave Markham, Rod Harris, and Alison Shepherd, Hazel Jones, Andy Colgate and Richard Wilkinson. Finally Robert Cooper came down, late but still running. He was sent off on his way with Mike Robinson, Andy Middleditch and Ryan Edwards.
Gavin followed, after he had dealt with the rope at Broadstand. He then went forward with a flask of coffee intent on catching them up. The support party and retiring supporters packed up and made their way to a convenient “Ramblers Café” for second breakfast, in true hobbit fashion!
It was still damp when we began to gather at Honister but it was beginning looking a little brighter. Neil Drake and Nick Cable came in together and in good time. They were quickly dispatched with the supporters running through. Andy Middleditch then arrived and we then learnt that Robert had pulled out and was waiting recovery from the Wasdale Head with Ryan. When he was eventually found by Martyn Payne and Diane Hakes he was cold, but had been practising the art vertical sleeping in the pub. Luckily he met with Andy Dickenson who had loaned them some money (lesson to be learnt by anyone supporting in future – take some cash). Phil Walters then arrived at Honister. He was still in with a chance. He went on with Jon Straker, Dave Mosley, John Myers with Bess, Nigel Carr Amanda Greenwood, Rod Harris, Glen Coleman and Gary Douthwaite. Finally David Aspden and came in and despite time running out continued with little delay with Mike Meadowcroft, Andy Walmsley and Alison Shepherd.
At the Moot Hall people were gathering, Neil and Nick came in together with 25 minutes to spare. Phil gave the waiting group some excitement when he came sprinting across the town market place to complete consciousness that time was getting close, but he had a whole four minutes to spare, only his supporters neglected to tell him but rather seemed to enjoy the adrenaline rush.
David unfortunately came in over time a little later. Robert Cooper later found he had problems with his leg and had suffered a detached ligament and had to undergo surgery and the prospect of spending July sitting in his garden recovering.
Richard Hakes
Thursday, 29 June 2006