|
Hatterall Sledge
BM. 12 km/590m (7.5 mile/1900ft)
ER/LK/NS/PM
|
|
The Hatterrall Sledge is a new updated version of the
Hatterrall Hammer Fell race. Start and finish is in the same place, but
otherwise it's longer, higher, less road, more open fell with a few route
'choices'. Would recommend a recce to work out best lines... not a really a race
for 'novice' fell runners - weather in February likely to be grim, you will
need to self-navigate across open fell in places - if lucky you will find some
nice sheep trods.The start and finish fields will be marked to a stile – from
there on you need to find your way to all the checkpoints in order. The route
is fairly straightforward, if weather is good! Sounds good, doesn’t it?
The Start / Finish field is the same as the old Hatterrall
Hammer race. The route goes up to the road, but then turns right after about 100
metres. This marked route will take you across a few fields (on private land).
The fields are marked up to a stile, that leads onto the hill. You must take
this route on the way and back – no free thinking for this bit! Over the stile,
you can follow a good path upto CP1. From CP1, you can pick up the main Beacons
way path, past the trig (do not turn around here!). Follow to CP2, at the
Oldcastle stone marker. The kind marshal will point you in the correct
direction for an open fell descent. There are some good sheep trods to follow,
down to the stream at the head of the valley. DO NOT cross any walls or fences
– The valley fields are out of bounds and there are scary dogs at the farm! At
the stream a good path will be picked up that will traverse the side of the
hill to CP3. From CP3 the main path can be followed up the hill to the cairn at
CP4 – but be weary not to miss the left hand fork before CP4.. The CP4 marshal
will point you down a path – This can be followed all the way back to the
finish, or you might decide to ‘find your own route’ and maybe cut off a corner
or two.. You will have to go to CP2 on the way back, but not CP1. You must go
through the marked course in the fields to the finish. There will be a few bits
of tape out at path junctions – but not a lot!
|
|