The Great Lakeland 3 Day Mountain Trial April 2005
Report and Results

Report by Joe | Results | Report by Anne Wade

GL3Day 2005 was certainly one which won’t be forgotten in a hurry. GL3Day is a three day adventure for competent fell runners and walkers. Speed is not important but total reliance and confidence in good navigation is a must, and was severely tested in some appalling weather. It’s a tough challenge mentally and physically but also an informal friendly event.

Firstly, a big thank you must go to all the people who helped, especially those suffering the weather on hill tops, or at the now infamous control called ‘The Perfect Picnic Place’, which simply wasn’t at all, as the wind and rain blew in from the north. It was, of course, very sheltered during December’s recce.

Overall I was very pleased with the routes, which have been very well received and executed. I was very reluctant to shorten Day One but it just had to be done because of the forecast. Inevitably, it wasn’t too bad, but the bitterly cold wind and squally wintry showers added up to an horrendous windchill.

Route Outline : Start and finish Coniston

Day One : 1) Coniston Old Man, 2) Three Shires Stone, 3) Three Tarns, 4) Great How, 5) Ill Ghyll Head, Finish at Nether Wasdale.

Day Two : 1) Middle Fell, 2) Looking Stead, 3) ‘PPP – Track/stream ceatherrossing at 133 137 near Gillerthwaite in Ennerdale, 4) Crag Fell, 5) Lank Rigg, 6) Cawfell Finish at Nether Wasdale.

Day Three : 1) B’way enters forest – 135 021, 2)145 896 B’way/road, 3) Water Crag, 4) Whitfell, 5) Ulpha Bridge, 6) Caw, Finish at Coniston.

The route covers a wide ranging area and a variety of terrain but mainly open mountainside.

Good navigation and route choice is the key to a successful adventure.

Visiting Round How, the original but omitted control, would have taken at least an extra hour’s effort and may be two, which made my original planning about right. More significantly it would have been an hour or much more of very difficult navigation in high and rocky and exposed terrain; hence a serious risk.

Day Two was a fascinating day, with snow down to 400metres and a huge amount of route choice. It is very pleasing that everybody coped with the weather conditions and made what they needed to of the day’s route card. As I ‘ran’ up to the snowline at Looking Stead, I wonder what would happen. The low level road route ( 4km up Wasdale ) was an unusual but sensible extreme weather alternative and I applaud all participants for choosing their days’ route options appropriately. Day Three was the traditional sprint for the finish burgers, but over some rarely visited fells.

You can read more about GL3Day by visiting www.planetfear.com and reading Shane Ohly’s account. Anne Wade has written a great report of her and Vaughan’s adventures; see her report here. Garry Perratt also has his GL3Day 2005 memories and a lot more info too, at www.LeanMeanRunnerBean.me.uk

The event has evolved over eight years. It has always been difficult finding overnight locations, especially on the BH weekend. This year was the second year running that we had two nights camping at the same place, and the Nether Wasdale facilities and pubs were very superior. I can not promise this again, although including the optional evening ramble for a beer is always on the wish list.

Next year’s event will be May Day Bank Holiday weekend. (April 29th+30th, +May 1 st) and judging by the interest this year we will hit the limit of 50 people.

Yours on the fells - Joe Faulkner