A lot of things are different to my last posting position back in November last year. Among these are a house move and a job change - assuming I had a job to change from.
Well, briefly, I have taken a job as assistant warden on a busy campsite in England's Lake District. After a couple of weeks finding my feet I headed off to justify my trail running status and very soon found my fitness had kept the faith. I found some easy and moderate routes straight out of the door but on travelling to a sister campsite I discovered where my destiny lies - the fells. Or at least it will when I learn to navigate!
I've just returned from a second camping trip to Wasdale, a couple of kms from the summit of Scafell Pike. The area is alive with drama, with possibility, with challenge and with a running history, much of which is celebrated only by a small passionate number of Britain's greatest athletes.
This was my first fell and to date my only one but I expect to have explored somewhat further by the end of my summer season. My first ascent laid bare my navigation problems when I misjudged distances and direction. I hope to become a better reader of maps and terrain: surely I will learn from my errors.
My second trip to Scafell Pike rewarded me in a number of ways: I arrived at the summit without getting too lost. I found views this time instead of cloud. It was hazy but with visibility out to about 10km I saw much more in terms of the spacial placement of the Scafell Massif and of the proximity of other peaks. I also put a line in the sand of 1:17 for the ascent. I'll be looking to get that under the hour before I'm done. It's good to be back.
Future projects include linking the 3 National Trust campsites of Low Wray, Gt Langdale and Wasdale in an out and back over 2 days, camping at Wasdale. Further in time, I'll look to run Beachy Head again this year where I'll hope to knock half an hour off my time.
