Post by Bob MannixIs it just me? I understand entirely the attraction, and right, of people to
enjoy the hills in poor weather and conditions as it is part of the
challenge. I agree the coverage was hysterical and based on poor
understanding. Nonetheless, I have a problem with mass events in the hills.
Had the weather been colder there might have been calls on the MRTs and
emergency services that would have been difficult to meet given the numbers
(there will always be a percentage who are not properly prepared, or
unlucky). So, it's not what they were all doing that I have a problem with
but so many doing it at the same time. It clogs the whole place up,
irritates those who go there for some quiet, puts a load on the services
etc.
This is the 41st year it's taken place. It's at this time of year
specifically to make it challenging. There have been blizzard
conditions in previous years. And yet there is still an excellent
safety record.
As for irritating folk that go there for quiet, it's not a linear race
and 2,500 folk spread across that amount of Lake District on 7 different
races, often taking different routes on each course, is actually pretty
small beer in density terms. Unless you've chosen to camp next to a
checkpoint the impact isn't actually that great.
Post by Bob MannixIf you want to yomp fast across the hills with a bivvy, absolutely, go for
it! Why do it en masse though?
It's a race so you get a competitive framework. Given the popularity of
competitive sport I don't think it's too much of a stretch to see some
folk will be attracted. Also, like orienteering, people do it to test
their abilities against something dreamed up specifically to stretch
them but not break them. You don't get that just by selecting your own
yomping course and putting in a bivvi.
Post by Bob MannixI similarly don't like 3 peaks challenges
etc - people from the rest of the country roaring about the roads at 3 in
the morning waking everyone up just so they can say they have done it - they
would be better off giving their costs to charity and staying at home,
keeping the peaks for another day!
It's not really anything like the 3P though, which is a lot of people
going up and down the same 3 tracks. A MM covers an /area/ and is a
true test of navigation, self reliance, fitness and general mountain smarts.
Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net ***@dundee.ac.uk http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/