Despite a rather grim weather forecast, we drove to the Lakes for the weekend with a run up Skiddaw planned for Saturday. One of the reasons I like running on Skiddaw so much is the variety it offers, you can make it as hard or easy as you want, depending where you start from. With a first time fell runner in tow, we parked at Latrigg to cut down on some of the ascent.

Leaving the van behind, we were greeted by a thick wall of drizzle, which obscured everything that wasn’t directly underfoot, as the path steepens well before the legs are even warm, on this occasion this wasn’t such a bad thing as it meant I could hide the reality of what was to come…

The path snakes steeply up hill, causing the heart to pound and legs to burn all the way to the false summit of Skiddaw Little Man at 865m. From here its a fairly easy run, if you don’t have a strong headwind like we did, across the top to Skiddaw summit, where a sheepfold provides shelter for a lump of chocolate and handful of sweets.

Just as we left the summit the cloud lifted for those magical few seconds, providing breathtaking views in all directions, with Blencathra on one side and Bassenthwaite Lake on the other. But the cloud and drizzle returned for the decent from the summit. Its a nice steep and fast decent, down towards Bakestall (673m) and then dropping off the east side on to the Cumbria Way for an easy but pleasent run up past Skiddaw House and Lonscale Crags.

True to form as we ran back towards the van the sun came out, we were greeted by blue skies and more stunning views over Derwent Water and Grisedale Pike. Tired legs were rested and more runs planned as we soaked up the sun sat on the side of Latrigg, I’m fairly sure we have a new fell runner convert, despite, rain, wind and steep ascents… Job done!

For those of you who use Strava Palava, we mapped our run using a Garmin Forerunner 610 and its uploaded, so feel free to check it out!

I’ll most likely be going to Hadrian’s wall as it’s local to where I live and is perfect for a couple of nights easy camping -

Hadrian’s wall on a good day

My Kit List -

I’ll be sure to take…..

• Vango Two Man Tent (pretty bog standard but I’ve had Vango tents for years and they’ve always treated me well – still had my dads original Force Ten until recently)
• Deuter Sleeping Bag/Mats/travel pillow etc (may even be super lazy and take an airbed for a bit of luxury seeing as though I’ll be taking my Land Rover as well!)
• Cooking utensils and Trangia, fully equipped with my own personal chef (boyfriend).
• Walking gear, backpack, boots, food/Water, headtorch
• Entertainment (my lovely little Labrador Puppy)
• camera for when we go out on the hill
• I won’t be taking my ‘Sheewee’. It did not work out so well for me the last time. That’s all I have to say about that.

If you’re thinking of heading out while the weather is nice, Northumberland, Lake District, Yorkshire Dales are definitely on my list of good places to camp in northern England.

 - LD Mountain Centre Camping Gear

686

On November 13, 1992, the 686 technical apparel company was formed. The 686 name comes from a crucial date in the life of Mike’s grandmother (June 6th, 1986) and adds up to the age of when he started the company (6+8+6). Since the beginning, 686 has been about providing innovative,  fashionable outerwear and technical apparel inspired from the same Los Angeles street culture and mountain lifestyle it was founded upon.

Sweet Protection

Stronger, lighter, better. The Sweet mantra can be traced back to a school paper from 1988, made by one of the founders and design manager, Ståle Møller. Specialising in protective gear, Sweet Protection also stock some great clothing and apparel products….keep your eyes peeled as to which ones we will be stocking!

Dynafit

The Dynafit brand is for people who live mountain sports and Dynafit is committed to serving all ambitious ski mountaineers. They stock a wide range of fantastic products designed for those who are madly in love with winter. We will be testing the water with a few of them by stocking them here this upcoming winter.

Napapijri 

Based in Norway, they are a stylish and technical brand with emphasis on comfort to keep you smiling through the bad weather. We will be stocking a few of their apparel products as well as some lovely jackets.

Smartwool

Smartwool is a fantastic brand using the finest New Zealand Merino wool to produce extremely comfortably socks – naturally soft, their fibers do not itch like other wool can do, they breath a little better and are naturally anti bacterial – even better if you’ve been wearing them for a couple of days straight!

Drake Bindings and NorthWave Boots

A variety of Drake boards and bindings, complete the Northwave proposal. These products are suitable for every type of riding in all snow conditions and ensure performances of high levels with a sensation of immediate responsiveness, for a customized set-up for all your needs and with an appealing look.
Drake bindings and boards (the latter introduced in the market only 5 years ago) are decidedly proving increasingly successful with positive feedback among the lovers of this field.

Keep a look out for new products through out site!

I’d never been anywhere that hot before and soon had to push my factor 30 up to factor 80! I wasn’t even aware they made factor 80 – I looked like a Greek statue and had to apply it like I was cementing a wall! Anyway, not only using sun screen helped but covering with clothes will also help to block out the harmful rays - Good examples of fabrics contain full percentages and/or blends of heavy weight natural fibers like cotton, linen and hemp or light-weight synthetics such as polyester,nylon, spandex and polypropylene. Natural or synthetic indigo dyed denim, twill weaves and canvas are also good examples. However, a significant disadvantage is the heat retention caused by heavier weight and darker colored fabrics – So do stick to lighter colours to reflect heat.

ROYAL ROBBINS
Expedition Light LS Shirt

ROYAL ROBBINS
Women’s Essentials Tank

I was doing OK with my trusty factor 80 – I had also burnt my face quite badly, which eventually went all swollen and I looked like the elephant man, only female and more pink – I do have a photo but I’m not posting it on here! I was quickly put onto a prescription strength ibuprofen cream and tablets, antihistamine and some form of ‘calms’ as it was quite unpleasant! I was told to stay out the sun for a couple of days which proved quite difficult in Thailand! I made sure I sat under the trees on the beaches, and any dips in the ocean were done so with shorts, my boyfriends t’shirt, sunglasses and a nice big hat – Not quite the ‘beach babe’ look I was going for!

https://www.ldmountaincentre.com/product.aspx?id=7809

The Super Zephyrus is the new version of the Repoint Optimums Belay jacket from the North Face Summit Series which is designed to be both durable and lightweight in even the harshest environments on the planet. The Super Zephyrus Hoody has an athletic fit designed to keep you warm without limiting movement or breathability. With a primaloft insulation and a water resistant PU kiss coated nylon rip stop shell, the Zephyrus hoody can be packed down small and carried in your pack weather you choose to wear it while on belay or to put it on to keep you warm when you stop for a break on a bike ride.  The Super Zephyrus is the jacket of choice for instructors at Go Ape high ropes courses and proves to be more than up to the task.

“Culicoides impunctatus, which is responsible for up to 90% of the bites on humans, occurs throughout the country, although it is most abundant in the west and the north, where the boggy and acidic ground provides an optimal environment for breeding. Midges are at their most numerous at lower elevations, and are seldom encountered above about 500 metres, where the wind reduces their ability to fly.”

Most people I know have experienced a bite from a midge – they can affect some people more than other’s – Myself being ‘some people’ and I blame my Yorkshire blood for it!

I wouldn’t say my visits to the Scottish Highlands have been ruined by midges, but they are a nuisance at this time of year and I do seem to react when bitten. There are loads of remedies to choose from to repel the insects as well as relieve bites if bitten. I’ve used the 100% Deet repellents before by LifeSystems and find it a bit strong for me personally so do be careful with this product if you have not used it before – I find the 50% Deet a little better for my skin – if your skin is sensitive or you are prone to eczema or other skin allergies I would recommend against Deet products. There is the natural one which has eucalyptus oil and other active ingredients that shouldn’t melt your skin off. I’ve also been told that Avon Skin So Soft works a treat – apparently it has almond oil in that scares the wee beasts off – But don’t quote me on that as it isn’t proven, I heard it from my boyfriend who used it during his training expeditions with the army…….yeah.

If bitten, I tend to use the Bite Click Relief – I was a bit scared at first as you can see the little electric charge like on a gas hob, but not as strong! It numbs the itching and is much better than putting on more cream or roll on relief stuff (It was also great against mosi bites when I was mauled by them in Thailand)

There’s a whole range of gear you can use to arm yourself against midges – treated nets, spray for your clothing and fabrics and everyone will react differently to both the bites and the treatments, so do check each label of whichever product you may wish to use.

At least with our grim summer, the reports have shown that midges are very low this year….so you may not even need any repellent at all!

Eco Resort, Chiang Mai

It’s good to find your own places to stay but if I was going to recommend somewhere, this would be it. You could have quite nice rooms if you wanted but ours were £5 a night – just a bed and air con in them, shared bathrooms.

Chaing Mai has loads going for it, had a fantastic market called the Night Bazaar – beautiful temples to explore and all that – but if I’m honest I was too bothered about those and so I scoured round to see who would be best to take us on some adventures. I headed up to the Mae Taeng River for some White Water Rafting. As I was there for the dry season, the water was at its lowest but was still high and enough for my heart to be in my chest at some points! If you want to giggle like a school girl, definitely have a go at this if you haven’t already….

Beginning of the raft route – lovely and calm to start with!

The next day I managed to book a trip up the the Crazy Horse Buttress with two guides. It took an hour or so to get there via minibus which we had to ourselves. Just myself, my better half an a young Australian girl who was also at a similar climbing level to us. As I had decided against taking my own shoes and harness, much to my deepest regret, we made a quick stop off to pick up some gear. If I were to go again, I’d definitely advise taking your own shoes and harness if you have them. Apart from the fact the gear looked about a hundred years old, the shoes were obviously not the right fit and I’m pretty sure they were still damp from the previous owners sweat! Not nice!

Nevertheless, when we got there it was still morning and wasn’t too busy with people, the weather was also perfect – it was about 28 degrees but it felt much cooler and fresher than the south.The guides initially took us up to a crag which hadn’t been graded yet – I guess just to see how we would all do. They set up the top ropes for us and as we were pretty comfortable belaying and soon had us having a go. I’ve been climbing at indoor walls for just under a year now, and am used to that environment – but it was great to get out my comfort zone and give it a real go.

On the way up

The climbs were very enjoyable for someone who was new to heights on outside routes, I would recommend this place to both the experienced and inexperienced climber.

I’m up there somewhere!

After a couple of hours we took a short drive to a local cafe where our food/drinks/ice cream was included with the trip – Was great to get some energy up before heading back to have another go, this time heading to The Hanging Gardens – Similar graded routes, 5b 5c for me – my better half was attempting slightly harder 6b’s and 6c’s – It was great that you could work to your own ability yet push yourself to something you never thought you would do.

My feet missed my shoes quite badly! So do remember to take your own if you can!

Time for a well earned Thai foot massage!

Running in the Alps

Trail running is one of the fastest growing running disciplines in the UK and is a great excuse to get out in the hills allowing you to cover bigger than normal distances and get fit in the process. Trail running allows you to explore the hills in a different way, moving swiftly it brings freedom and endless views, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Running through woods

At its heart, trail running is very simplistic, all you need is a pair of decent shoes, and the motivation to get out and explore. From your local suburban park paths, to the fells of the Lake District or mountains of Scotland and beyond, the options are endless.

Rough ground and increased twists and turns can seem tough at first, but regularly heading off-road will help you cultivate stronger ankles, knees and quads, solid core stability, and a sharper running technique.

If you are sticking to your local park and summer running then your usual road shoes should be fine, but on more technical ground and in wetter conditions you will want to look at a trail specific shoe, perhaps something like the Salomon XA-Pro or La Sportiva Wild Cat.

Lovely Lakeland trails

A trail shoe will have increased traction, to grip in wet and muddy conditions, toe bumpers to protect your toes from rocks and roots and a more durable fabric to help keep mud and water out. A slightly lower heel allows for more ankle flexibility and cushioning is reduced as trail running is much softer than pounding the concrete.

Beyond this your normal running clothing will crossover from town to trail. For longer runs you need to make sure you carry a protective layer in case the weather turns nasty so you may wish to use a small rucksack or hydration pack, maybe something like the CamelBak Octane XCT 3 or Osprey Talon 8. If you are heading to more remote areas its worth carrying a mobile phone, a map (you can always cut it down to just the area you need), compass and whistle and a couple of energy gels.

Running in the Lakes

The UK is full of potential trails, all you need is an OS map, a compass and a little imagination… But if you aren’t ready to head out on your own, then speak to your local running club, most will have at least a few members running off road regularly.

Having to navigate and move over challenging terrain, takes your mind of the running, meaning that runs seem much shorter and more interesting than regular pavement pounding. Trail running is much more about enjoyment than numbers, so don’t focus too heavily on how fast and far you are running, instead focus on where you are and the views surrounding you!

This is all you need to head out and hit the trails, as your new found passion develops you might want to look at entering one of the many trail races that are springing up all over the country! Let us know how you get on and if you have any tips for aspiring trail runners we would love to hear them!

Ridge Running