The Bob Graham Round

As a Lakelander I have interests in the area outside climbing. One of these is the 24 hour challenge known as the Bob Graham Round. The idea is to visit 42 named summits on a 72 mile circuit that starts and finishes at the Moot Hall in Keswick. It is not a race, except against the clock, and contenders may attempt the circuit in either a clockwise or an anti-clockwise direction.

The round was first attempted by Bob Graham when he was forty one, the idea being that he would ascend one fell for each year of his age. However luck played its part and he did not complete the round that year. Thus he added the 42nd fell, Great Calva in the back o' Skiddaw. Many are those who have cursed this addition! Click for a potted history

The challenge may be divided into five sections, each of which starts and ends at a road crossing or Keswick itself. In a clockwise order these are:

The following paragraphs are intended as a précis on the ground covered along with some idea of the distances and amount of ascent involved. The names of tops are in bold type.

Section One: Keswick to Threlkeld

A short amount of road to the small carpark on Latrigg then a steep pull up onto Skiddaw itself. A steep descent to the track leading to Skiddaw House, straight over this up Great Calva, then a beeline for Blencathra. Finally a descent of the steep Halls Ridge to Threlkeld. Once on the fells the going is at first a slate/shale path then boggy or heathery. Distance: 13 miles, Ascent: c.4000ft, Time: 3hrs 45mins

Section Two: Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise

A slightly involved section in the valley to gain the slopes of Clough Head, once the summit of this is reached then it is high level ridge running along mainly grassy paths to Helvellyn. At Dollywaggon Pike a steep descent is made to Grisedale Tarn then the two outliers of Fairfield and Seat Sandal are taken before descending to the road at the summit of Dunmail Raise. The going is mainly grassy with some easy stoney paths around Helvellyn and Fairfield. Distance: 14 miles, Ascent: c.5600ft, Time 5hrs

Section Three: Dunmail Raise to Wasdale

This is the longest section and also the roughest underfoot. A steep climb from the road to Steel Fell leads to an undulating section in and around rocky hummocks to the Langdale Pikes. A moorland section then leads round the head of Langdale to Rossett Pike. A steep scramble leads to Bowfell which marks the start of the roughest section of the round. Speed is difficult to maintain over this terrain as it is mainly composed of large boulders. Eventually Scafell Pike is reached. The quickest way to Scafell is via Broad Stand which is a rock climb, though admittedly easy, where a rope may be required (support team?). It is then a long descent on grass to the car park at Wasdale. Distance: 18 miles, Ascent: c.8000ft, Time 6hrs 30mins

Section Four: Wasdale to Honister Pass

This section is another tough section especially since it follows the long central section. It begins with another steep climb direct from the car park at Wasdale to the summit of Yewbarrow. Generally easy running ground then leads around the head of Mosedale over Pillar to Black Sail Pass. Kirkfell and Great Gable are then traversed before easier ground leads to Honister Pass. Distance: 10 miles, Ascent: c.6000ft, Time 5hrs

Section Five: Honister Pass to Keswick

This is the shortest fell section with only three summits to cross before the final road section is reached. Generally grassy underfoot. Distance: 12 miles, Ascent: c.1500ft, Time 3hrs

Obviously having to cover that distance requires some training so here is my preparation diary.

Since I haven't yet done the round this page is not yet complete. Here's hoping.