LITMIR.BIZ

      Perfect weather for a run on Wetherlam (Route 11)

      Many postcards sold in the local shops make joking reference to the amount of rain that falls in the Lake District, and there are even Cumbrian dialect words for various types of rain, such as ‘mizzlin’ (drizzle) and ‘yal watter’ (heavy rain) – in much the same way as Eskimos have tens of words for different snow types. The floods of December 2015 did nothing to break the national perception that it rains, a lot, in Cumbria.

      The first thing a runner should do each day is check the weather forecast (www.mwis.org.uk/english-welsh-forecast/LD or www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/mountain-forecasts/lake-district) to identify any highlighted risks such as thunder storms or a low freezing level that could result in ice on some of the fells. As ever, the runner needs to adapt their choice of route, as well as the equipment they plan to carry, to the prevailing weather. In the winter months the fell top assessors report from the summit of Helvellyn (www.lakedistrictweatherline.co.uk) on conditions underfoot and the weather.

      As well as rain, we do (more often than you might think) get beautiful weather in the Lake District, and these days make every second of the wait worthwhile. It’s easy to get sunburnt and dehydrated on the fells, even on cloudy days, so runners need to study the forecasts carefully to decide what to wear, what to carry, and if they need any extra safety kit.

Maps

      Each route description is accompanied by a 1:50,000-scale map blown up to 1:40,000 for ease of use, but runners should always carry a separate sheet map of the area in which they’re running. For the Lake District there are two key choices of map: Ordnance Survey (1:50,000 or 1:25,000-scale maps) or Harvey (1:40,000-scale map). For micro navigation specific to small areas, you can also get the excellent Yellow Publications (1:16,000-scale maps, www.yellowpublications.co.uk), which are ideal for runners as they fold up very small to fit into your hand or pack. The relevant sheet maps are listed at the start of each route description, and all the maps you’ll need are readily available on the internet from retailers such as Stanfords (www.stanfords.co.uk), the Map Shop (www.themapshop.co.uk) as well as in outdoor stores and other places throughout the Lake District.

      Never, ever consider relying solely on the mapping provided on a smartphone, due to the lack of phone signal in the fells, the effect on battery life, and the effects of inclement weather. If you have downloaded offline mapping, ensure that your device battery strength is sufficient. Always take a paper map with you when running; it’s not there just in case of an emergency, but will help you explore the fells, learn about the region and learn that navigation is quite simple and not the black art it is often perceived to be.

      Micro navigation skills will enhance your experience of fell running

Safety and mountain rescue

      Always carry the safety equipment outlined in the checklist below (see ‘Trail and fell running kit‘). In the event of an accident you’re not guaranteed a phone signal, so a good level of autonomy and experience is required for the more remote mountain runs. Where you can make a call, the emergency phone number is 999. Ask to speak to the Police, then inform them that you need Mountain Rescue. You can register your phone at www.emergencysms.org.uk; this will enable you to contact the emergency services by text when signal strength is weak in the fells.

      If you’re out of phone signal and you can’t move, use your whistle to blow six times in succession each minute. This is the international signal for rescue. If a rescue is likely to be made by helicopter, secure all loose clothing and try to get into an open area free of obstacles, and turn your back to the prevailing wind. When a helicopter approaches, raise both arms above your head in a Y-shape to indicate you’re in need of assistance.

      If you’re running alone, it’s always worth letting people know where you’re going and what time you plan to return. Many people use social media or email to enable their friends to raise an alarm if they haven’t checked back in by a certain time. Remember that in the UK the Mountain Rescue teams are all staffed by unpaid volunteers, and so you should always turn back if in doubt, if you think the conditions are worsening, and never consider a call-out unless you really need it.

      Mountain Rescue teams are frequently using smartphone technology and the SARLOC app to pinpoint callers’ exact locations. In some cases this has been used to remotely monitor casualties off the hill in case their condition worsens.

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