Carnethy 5 report 2019

Dave Gaffney's Report from Carnethy 5 on Sat 9 Feb:

Colin told me to keep it brief, so here's my report from the Carnethy 5 in bullet point form.

• It was windy. Really windy. Even at ground level. Alan Elder actually considered wearing a long-sleeved top. That's how bad it was.
• Usually in the C5 you reach the top of Scald Law (1 of 5) and are grateful for the relief of a short downhill section before you turn towards South Black Hill (2 of 5).
• This year, that short downhill stretch was almost as hard as the preceding 20-minute climb had been.
• But into the teeth of the hurricane we stupidly went, like rag dolls somehow upsetting the odds to fight their way round the cairn and down to the foot of East Kip (3 of 5) and a brief respite from the wind. But no respite from the contour lines.
• Summiting West Kip (4 of 5), the tantalising prospect of having that wind at my back suddenly presented itself.
• In reality, though, it was just coming at you from a different side, and it didn't seem to aid progress on the descent to the Howe.  
• Still, by this point it's four hills down and one measly mound to go, so it's pretty much job done, isn't it?
• Well, not really. Not at all, in fact.
• Because Carnethy (5 of 5) is a brute and a bully and a bloody big bothersome bugger. It can be broken down into three sections, each of them equally evil. The initial climb on the path. Then the really steep gully bit to the frustratingly false summit. Then a left turn for the final rocky path to the cairn.
• After that, the bell rang for a final round showdown with the headwind, this time with a bit of heather and scree thrown in just for giggles.
• Down to the gate and a lumpy, soggy, sapping run in to the finish line.
• Next year is the 50th edition of the race. I can't recommend it highly enough. You'd love it.
• Don't just take my word for it, though. There's a couple of good reports from Jonny Muir and Ross Brannigan below, if you want an alternative view...

https://heightsofmadness.com/2019/02/09/carnethy-5-post-mortem-i-was-there/
https://uptosummit.home.blog/2019/02/09/the-year-of-the-wind-carnethy-5-2019/

Also racing was Jacob Adkin in Keswick AC colours for a stunning 5th place finish, and ex Moorfoot Sarah McCormack who only went and won it! Also running were regular Tuesday trainers Adam Hayward (not pushing child in buggy this time!) in Ochils colours and Katie Walling in the brown of HBT. Everyone acquitted themselves very well.

Full results: http://carnethy.com/2019/02/carnethy-5-scald-law-junior-results-2019/

Dave

Alan

I think that is Jacob in ninja mode

Alan the Bard's input: An 'observation' of Storm Erik's visit to Carnethy 5

Big Erik The Gale

Big Erik the Gale
From the west, did hail,
His planning, to prise us to pieces.
When lipping the Law, so ripping and raw,
Poor sheep, hang on to their fleeces

Big Erik the Gale,
No chance to exhale,
As forces, on faces, he funnels.
On Black Hill, South, he billows your mouth -
Your nostrils resemble two tunnels

Big Erik the Gale,
It’s time to hightail,
In terror, traversing typhoon,
While making the trip, to the easterly kip,
Avoiding a stop on the moon

Big Erik the Gale,
Should spend time in jail'
Assailer, attacker, a harmer!
West Kip to the Howe, I nosedive and plough,
A furrow befitting a farmer

Big Erik the Gale,
His final assail -
This bully is biting and breathy.
But try as he will, he can’t halt the thrill,
Of the final descent from Carnethy

(Alan Elder)