Sunday, June 12, 2011
The Baslow Boot Bash- Event Report
I have somehow managed to miss this event before now, but it's an enjoyable one- lots of climbing but lovely scenery and friendly people. This event is slightly different in that there is no route description to follow, but a list of checkpoints which must be visited with some notes on the recommended route to take. This meant... map reading!!
I decided to be ultra-prepared and on Friday night spread out my White Peak map on the floor to mark the route (not an easy feet as the map is nearly as large as my spare room floor!
Here Comes The Rain!!
Deepdale
View From The Viaduct
The Tunnel- Our Path Went Right
Water-Cum-Jolly Dale
Cressbrook Dale
Threatening Clouds- But Didn't Come To Much!
Froggatt Bridge
Facing The Last Steep Climb!
Track Towards Bank Woods
Petal Strewn Pathway!
Baslow
I decided to be ultra-prepared and on Friday night spread out my White Peak map on the floor to mark the route (not an easy feet as the map is nearly as large as my spare room floor!
The start was a very reasonable 9am and after realising that my car was obviously running out of oil, buying more, being unable to remove the oil cap (what a girl!) and having to enlist the assistance of a male runner, I made it to the Village Hall, bought a cuppa and noted with relief that their recommended route almost exactly matched the one I’d high-lighted on mine.
I spotted Rich, who was completing the Boot Bash as the first event since his injury and surgery, if you are reading this Rich and Wendy, I hope you both have a good day!
There was a mass start from Chatsworth Park in front of the kissing gate, and we set off in brilliant sunshine through the park towards the bridge in front of the house. I hoped it would stay like this all day- but needless to say it didn’t!
Chatsworth House
The route climbed through Edensor Village to Carlton Pastures- the first real climb of the day. I knew this bit as it is part of the Grindleford Gallop route in reverse, but it was a lot harder going up than coming down!!
Edensor Village
After crossing Carlton Pastures, we climbed to a wood and followed a lovely path through the wood to the first check point near Bowling Green Park. I was talking to a lady whose husband was running the route- it was her first foray into longer distance walking.
After a drink of squash and a digestive the route veers right before following a narrow, nettle-strewn path to the front of Haddon Hall which was hidden by trees. We crossed the A6 and started climbing again, on a track and then across fields towards the village of Over Haddon- when I looked back Haddon Hall was revealed in all its glory.
Haddon Hall
Peak District Scenery
Over Haddon is a lovely village, I’ve parked there before when I walked Lathkill Dale. The second checkpoint was in the car park, and the marshals were very apologetic at the poor selection of biscuits- they’d sent for more and invited us to wait but I made do with a Nice and some squash and went on my way.
The next part of the route was across fields- lots and lots of fields- towards Sheldon. There seem to be three main ways of leaving each field; either one of those aptly named squeeze stiles the Peaks do so well, which consist of two slabs of stone with a tiny gap between them which, if you are lucky, just about allow you to squeeze one leg through; the step approach which consists of stones jutting out of a wall which allow you to heave yourself up and over (killer on the legs after a few miles ); or little wooden gates on loaded springs which snap shut, trapping the fingers of the unwary!
Disused Mine Near Sheldon
We experienced our first shower- which blew over soon enough, but as we were nearing Sheldon, walking past an old disused mine, I saw huge dark clouds heading swiftly towards us. Realising we were in for a soaking I thought at least I may make the village where there might be a bit of shelter. I reached the checkpoint just as the rain hit- only to discover that it was the most exposed checkpoint of the day, the only shelter being a nearby bus shelter which was already full of miserable looking souls wearing rain coats.
It was awful. The driving rain turned to hail, and the wind was blowing everyone all over the place as we scrabbled in our packs for our waterproofs. I was already soaked before I got mine on! I decided to press on, fortified by a custard cream, and set off into the teeth of the gale. I reached the footpath to Deepdale just in time to see a poor lad with a school party slip off the stile and do a rather impressive forward roll into the road- luckily he was okay!
The next part was the most miserable of the whole day for me- freezing cold, walking through wet fields, trying to keep my hood up against the driving hail, feet getting soaked from walking through the long grass. Luckily it cleared up by the time I reached the dale, and became warm again.
Monsal Dale Viaduct
This part of the route was lovely- walking through Deepdale and then Monsal Dale. I couldn’t see anyone around who looked as though they were doing the Boot Bash at this point, but enjoyed the solitude. This was shattered though when I reached the viaduct- the one usually seen above, from Monsal Head- and joined the Monsal Trail. I think that everyone had decided to teach children and the unconfident how to ride a bike! I had quite a few narrow misses and a couple of times heard the thud of bodies hitting gravel (nothing to do with me!!).
I’m sure when I last walked this way, several years ago, the tunnel was closed off and the trail detoured round it. It was well and truly open now, but disappointingly I didn’t get to walk through it as our path veered off to the right just before, gently descending to Cressbrook Mill and the rather lovely named Water-Cum-Jolly Dale.
There was a bit of uphill road walking to the next checkpoint and some other Boot Bashers overtook me. We passed a group of school kids with huge packs, two of whom were straggling behind- when I passed them one was expressing a wish to die!
After the checkpoint I needed to find the entrance to Cressbrook Dale- luckily there were a group of four people in front, 3 ladies and a man, who looked like they knew where they were going. We started out on a narrow windy path through trees, with the scent of wild garlic- passing a large group of young school kids, who, amidst cries of ‘People! People!’ moved aside for us.
After this the path opened out into a wide track through the dale. It started to spit again, and the group in front of me stopped to don waterproofs. As I couldn’t be bothered, I decided to sit it out and hope it wouldn’t come to anything, and it immediately stopped. I was talking to the group, who do the Boot Bash every year, but it’s the only long distance walk they do. Each year they look for easier/ shorter variations on the route so had a few they were putting into practice today.
After leaving the Dale, we were back in fields again, en route to Foolow and the checkpoint by a lovely duck pond. There were 7 checkpoints in all, which is quite a lot, but the only food served was biscuits. I had lots of other stuff with me but in the end I only ate a mars bar and half a cereal bar.
The group of four left the checkpoint before me, so I ended up following them across the fields, catching up with them near Eyam. This part of the route was not that memorable- fields, stiles and threatening black clouds which luckily didn’t drop any further rain on us.
Pretty Flowers And Dark Clouds!
Once we reached Eyam, I knew the next bit of the route to Froggatt bridge as again it was part of the Grindleford Gallop in reverse. The recommended route was to climb on the track past the Riley Graves, but the group of four had decided to follow the road, which is relatively flat.
Me being stupid, I decided to stick to the original route and take the climb, so, fortified by a cappuccino from the village shop, I set off up the track, past the Riley Graves and down through woods and a field. As I descended towards the road I saw a whole load of people strung out along the road and realised I must have been the only one to do the climb! Ah well… good training…
After meeting the road, there is a massive downhill to Froggatt Bridge (one of the worst climbs coming the other way on the Grindleford Gallop). I ran all the way down- great fun- and reached the Froggatt Bridge checkpoint just behind the group of four. A marshal said that there were around 70 people left to come through which was great news as I thought I was one of the last.
Walking By The River
I set off down the river towards Calver, feeling quite tired at this point. Now, Calver is only a short hop from Baslow but the organisers had decided we would love to detour up a massive great hill… it was definitely the toughest climb of the day- I was gasping for breath by the time I reached the top and must have been going at 0.02 miles per hour!
Luckily the path through Bank Woods, while seeming never ending (especially as I kept getting glimpses of Baslow in the distance, and my mind kept screaming that we were walking AWAY from it!) was actually quite pleasant, and mostly downhill.
Luckily the path through Bank Woods, while seeming never ending (especially as I kept getting glimpses of Baslow in the distance, and my mind kept screaming that we were walking AWAY from it!) was actually quite pleasant, and mostly downhill.
The last checkpoint was at the end of the track, and I filled my water bottle and set off down the road, actually managing to jog downhill. I passed two of the group of four, who said that their companions had gone on ahead. The last part of the walk was quite pleasant, downhill through fields with Baslow in full view.
Baslow- A Welcome Sight!
I looked at my watch and realised I had a passing chance of making 8 hours 45 minutes if I got a shift on, so jogged the rest of the way back (it was downhill!) The last bad moment of the day was realising that rather than arriving in the middle of Baslow, as I thought, I was dumped by the footpath at the other end of the village- and it is a long village!
I finished in exactly 8 hours 45 minutes, which I’m happy with, especially as I heard several people say that they had clocked the route at 28 miles. I recovered with lovely vegetarian pie and mushy peas and two cups of coffee.
I am aching a bit today- it was quite a toughie but one which I would definitely do again. Next challenge is the Malverns Marathon…
Labels: baslow boot bash, Derbyshire, White Peak
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Where Does The Time Go!?!
I honestly don't know where the last month has gone. Did we really just have May or did I just blink and miss it?
What with preparing for a wedding (not mine! My little sisters...) and being in some demand socially lately I just seem to have had no time at all.
Ok, that's the paltry excuse for the lack of entries over- so what's been happening lately on the endurance adventures front?
Well... not an awful lot... I have been out and about, walking, running and to the gym but it has been a bit sporadic. The crowning achievment was a 14 mile walk/ run in the rain Bank Holiday Monday. I went by Holme Pierrepont, along the cliff top walk at Radcliffe-on-Trent and onto Shelford, returning through some fields back to the cliff path. The rain never let up once- I think it may have turned to light drizzle for a couple of minutes, but that was the only respite. Trouble is, although it was wet, it was also quite warm, so I was in my t-shirt.
On the way back to the house I remembered some stuff I needed from Morrisons, and, knowing I wouldn't be bothered to go out later on, I limped up the canal to the store, absolutely soaking wet and rather fed up by this time. I passed a lady in waterproofs walking her dog- as she walked by she smiled and said 'Isn't it refreshing walking in the rain!'
My next little venture is going to be the Baslow Boot Bash on Saturday June 11th, I have also started to follow a training plan in a magazine (Trail Runner I think) with a view to finally settling my score with the Bullock Smithy...
What with preparing for a wedding (not mine! My little sisters...) and being in some demand socially lately I just seem to have had no time at all.
Ok, that's the paltry excuse for the lack of entries over- so what's been happening lately on the endurance adventures front?
Well... not an awful lot... I have been out and about, walking, running and to the gym but it has been a bit sporadic. The crowning achievment was a 14 mile walk/ run in the rain Bank Holiday Monday. I went by Holme Pierrepont, along the cliff top walk at Radcliffe-on-Trent and onto Shelford, returning through some fields back to the cliff path. The rain never let up once- I think it may have turned to light drizzle for a couple of minutes, but that was the only respite. Trouble is, although it was wet, it was also quite warm, so I was in my t-shirt.
On the way back to the house I remembered some stuff I needed from Morrisons, and, knowing I wouldn't be bothered to go out later on, I limped up the canal to the store, absolutely soaking wet and rather fed up by this time. I passed a lady in waterproofs walking her dog- as she walked by she smiled and said 'Isn't it refreshing walking in the rain!'
My next little venture is going to be the Baslow Boot Bash on Saturday June 11th, I have also started to follow a training plan in a magazine (Trail Runner I think) with a view to finally settling my score with the Bullock Smithy...
Labels: baslow boot bash, Holme Pierrepont, Radcliffe on Trent
