 Well I enjoyed the event - posted a little bit on the running thread - we were disappointed that day two was cancelled, but not too surprised. The whole of Saturday was memorable, the enthusiastic chatter from all and sundry on the walk back this morning proved this was true for many others. Sorry the event is getting so much criticism (and dubious press hype), I'm sure we do these MM's because of the challenge and the personal choice to continue or retire. Oh and sorry to those whose cars were swamped hope you all managed to get home safely.
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 Well... there was a serious attempt to ban Brits from going mountaineering in the Alps in Victorian times... but thankfully it came to nothing. - Wrote Paddy. But thankfully, they did manage to stop the 'Tunnelling under Mount Everest Expedition' dead in its tracks from going ahead, way back then.
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| Edited: 26/10/08 20:23 |
 I still just cannot believe the press agencies and tv news are still even tonight crowing on about all this, as if it were some kind of a national tragedy akin to a major disaster that happened! It must just have been a so called 'slow news' time I suppose.
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| Edited: 26/10/08 20:27 |
 From an ITV news report it says there were 2500 competitors and they speak of 13 people needing hospital treatment. I wonder out of 2500 rugby players how many need hospital treatment ? What is the cost to the police force for 2500 binge drinkers? The cost to the NHS of 2500 heavy smokers ?
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Yes, apparently luckily just one broken bone case, and the rest all largely differing stages of hypothermia cases.
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| Edited: 26/10/08 20:46 |
I took part in 3 KIMMs in the late 90's, including one in Galway, and a real howler on the Howgills in 1998. My memory of that was soaked on the start line, having my pertex over trousers shredded by the wind and loosing a tightly gripped map. We gave up at the mid point on day one along with a lost of other people. That day was grim, the bits of footage looked worse from this year. I remember that event center being pretty smashed up with the wind and rain. I also remember the Sunday being glorious, and going out for a walk! I suppose my slant is that you enter with knowlede that it could be bad weather, and on the day you have the decision to start or not. Courses were shortened for day 1 (has this happened before), A lot of people were travelling on the Friday at different times, and if the weather had for some reaason improved then there would have been a lot of pretty uset bods around. In terms of safety on the hill, it was day 1 so every one had 36 hours of kit with them, so should have been able to go to ground and sit it out. And if you are so bloody minded to fight on ...... Others have said it but nanny state comes to mind, and yes I do accept that you may be putting others lives at risk if you do have the misfortune of needing to be rescued.
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 I'm glad everyone got back more or less ok, 13 injuries out of 2500 isn't a 'bad' percentage for this sort of event. I would question why some competiors sufferred hypothermia. I've taken part in events like this, and was shocked at what was considered as emergancey kit, i.e.:- bit of cheese about half the size of a pack of cards, FAK fitted into a small match box, space blanket as a shelter, (in october!!), extra clothing, micro fleece and a pair of ron hills! no waterproofs as far as i could see. All fitting into a maximium pac of 15ltrs. most around 10ltrs. I know the vast majority of people who take part in these events are experinced, but sometimes UL can be taken to far!! especially given the conditions expected this weekend!
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 huskyman: I'm not sure what 'similar events' you have taken part in, but every KIMM / OMM / LAMM I've done the conditions of entry include full waterproofs and a survival bag not blanket on top of tent, sleeping pad etc. I can recall having to show my waterproofs at check-in a few times and certainly when we've done well enough to be in the prizes we've had to produce our unopened emergency food, carried out rubbish, and remaining fuel in order to not be disqualified. This is on top of still having tent etc. There is absolutely no truth in saying their shelter was a space blanket. The LAMM (which is in the scottish summer) allows pertex overtrousers if the forecast is good. The KIMM for as long as I can remember stipulates fully taped waterproof top and bottoms and not pertex. In good conditions I can get the stuff in to a 22l pack, very few competitors manage less than this although sometimes the stronger member of the team may carry more and their partner less. It was good to see someone talking about taking ski goggles on ukc, in these conditions it's immaterial how fast you can run because it's more about keeping going and finishing than running. People knew the forecast was bad and planned accordingly. If I had been running this year I would have taken a 30 litre pack, a full mountaineering balaclava, a heavier synthetic bag and left the bubble wrap at home. Mind you a balloon bed probably floats quite well Cheers ben b
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BB. not all of the events i've done have been in the UK, but have done MMM in N.I. and and a few 2 day "fell walks" and an event in the Cheviots. I can't say to be an 'expert' in these type of events, but I do know what I saw at check-in. I've also saw people leaving gear to get to check points and coming back for it. I know this is certainly against the rules, as you are to carry your gear at all times, but people break rules!!
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BB. as i say not really into these events, what's the bubble wrap for? H
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 ........... I've also saw people leaving gear to get to check points and coming back for it. I know this is certainly against the rules, as you are to carry your gear at all times, but people break rules!! I've seen this while acting as a checkpoint marshall on the Saunders, particularly when the checkpoint needed a hard slog to reach. Wait until they arrive then send them back for the kit/partner they left at the bottom. Be prepared to use the most important phrase in the marshall's vocabulary ... " and you".
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Huskyman: No worries. I refer you to:
http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/review/reviewProductReviews/mps/rpn/1498/prod/Unknown-Bubble-wrap/rcn/53/rgn/9/v/3/sp/#288 which I would sort a link out to ifI knew how...
Cheers
ben b
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| Edited: 27/10/08 00:41 |
Ghostly Robberfoot: Thank you ben b
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You are not serious are you? that's got to be extracting the urine, using b/w as a sleeping mat/ ground sheet!
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Very serious, although I probably wouldn't have gone with it this time It's light, traps a lot of still air, is quite comfy if you use a few layers, ands weighs diddly squat. If the forecast is good I take 2x 4ft lengths; if dry and cold 3x. My friends laugh at me and call me a wuss for such luxury Best to use the stuff that is smooth on both sides rather than just one side as it is less prone to getting wet. Major challenge is getting it in the pack although it makes for a very comfy back when in there. Then there's the venerable balloonbed of course... Ben B
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ok, i think, wouldn't use myself, now, what's a ballonbed? excuse me if i seem stupid, but as i said not into extreme racing, like a bit of comfort! and can still get a weekend pack to about 12kgs. including food for two dogs! H
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Balloonbed When bored on those tedious bivvies you can make liddle anwimals
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The two dogs I take it are for warmth factor at night, right? Do they have a lot of 'two dog nights' out there at the races then? reference - There is a Canadian/American rock band called Three Dog Night, dating back to the nineteen-seventies. Their name came from an old Eskimo terminology for the number of dogs, at ones feet in the igloo, it takes to keep one warm throughout the cold Arctic night.
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| Edited: 27/10/08 07:07 |
 bubble wrap works well under a groundsheet. makes the ground that bit softer and it's soooo cheap. shame it's so bulky.
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