The Great Gifts Peak Round, 22nd May 2021

The Great Gifts Round (GGR) conceived from all 14 Peaks gifted to the National Trust after WW1. Start and finish at the WW1 memorial at St Olaf's Church, Wasdale. 24 miles, with just under 10,000ft ascent. Kirk Fell, Gt Gable, Green Gable, Base Brown, Brandreth, Grey Knotts, Castle Crag, Glaramara, Allen Crags, Seathwaite, Great End, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike, Lingmell.

We opted for a clockwise round leaving the memorial stone at St.Olaf’s church just before 6am. The weather was dubious, which was disappointing for May, but not a surprise!! Kirk Fell ascent went well, the views back down to Wasdale and Wastwater were lovely, the view ahead not so great – into the cloud. No summit view from Kirk, no navigation problems either, we were soon ascending Gt Gable. The view didn’t change here either except for the snow flakes.

Onwards to Green Gable, we missed the BG line off Gt Gable but not a problem, Windy Gap wasn’t too windy; Green Gable, no summit view and onwards to the first out n back of Base Brown. The first hint of the cloud clearing here, yippee! We made a traverse here up on to Brandreth and then Grey Knotts, before descending to Honister slate mines. Jackets off, we are out of the cloud, off the water logged ground and on a nice run to Castle Crag.

Discussions here for the return from Castle Crag, to start the climb of Glaramara; we decided to stay high and drop into Seatoller, instead of loosing height and going via Rosthwaite.

 

Glaramara was as expected, a long, tough climb; we took the race route from Thornythwaite Farm, (which was not obvious, very wet underfoot and very hard going! In hindsight we should maybe have gone via Rosthwaite and used the main fell route.  Happy to arrive with views over to the Langdales and a clearing view over to Great Gable, (perhaps we will have a view off Scafell Pike after all). Allen Crags came and went, down to Sprinkling Tarn, ready to tackle Seathwaite Fell (the 2nd out n back).

Here, (Sprinkling Tarn) we encountered the first real crowds of the day, it was pretty busy, and the first real dilemma of the day, which way to Gt End? Stick to the path to Esk Hause or chance a steep ascent and pick up the path of Brown Band. I am feeling pretty tired and am sure the clear path will feel easier. Decision made, Esk Hause, Gt End, Broad Crag, Scafell Pike. Now I AM tired, each step is hard work, but the end is insight. Encouraging words from Natalie, a handful of dried apricots and we’ve made it. We managed a solo photo at the memorial plaque, on an incredibly busy Scafell Pike, over looking the motorway of hikers and those queuing for a view off England’s highest summit! Someone was brewing coffee on a stove, oh it smelled good!

The final climb to Lingmell, I think I can just about manage this! Coats off, quick pic, (I think I took in the view; but if I didn’t Natalie has the photo!), I think we are in for a speedy descent. Natalie & I agreed at the start it was to be an enjoyable and chilled day. We were to be efficient – i.e. not too many photos, try and discard / add clothes, pee stops, feed stops together, to not waste too much time. We managed this quite well. However we both had a time in our heads and from here, without too much stress we might just manage it. Sub 8 hours is on the cards! Coke at the van and I can almost taste the coffee promised by Alex at Nether Wasdale, lets go!

Natalie is keeping us on the Wasdale race line, I’m trying to keep up, managing to sneak in at least one photo down to the valley and Wastwater. To the famous stile, straight line to the path over Lingmell Beck and a sprint (or waddle in my case) to St Olaf’s. Gates were held open every second counts!! I was very pleased to be finished, very tired, but totally elated. Another successful adventure, another day for the memory box, another reminder these 20(ish)mile long runs are maybefar enough!!

Thanks to Alex Kashefi for setting up the GGR – it is an excellent route with a lovely story behind it. The start at St Olaf’s is a lovely tribute.

I would recommend to runners and walkers alike who are looking for a challenge or long distance route.