The Great Lakeland 3 Day: Quality Family Time !?

 Just over a year ago, someone told me you could take your dog to Great Lakeland 3 Day and I got a bit over excited and tried to book on to it with only a week or two to go. Fortunately my husband intervened and said I would enjoy it more with a bit more planning, and that we could do it together. I think he hoped I would forget about it. I didn't. I booked us in (Martin, the dog and I) and started looking at the kit list. It was only about two months ago I realised it would be the weekend after the Peak Divide... at least we were planning on walking it. 

By some miracle (and probably a lot of patience from Martin), the logistics of two camping events, the need for weight and space specific dry bags with all our gear in, and my clinic team realising I was going to be unhelpful after about 3:30 on the Friday, we made it to Threlkeld in time for our prebooked supper and to get the tent pitched before the light went. The mad wave of panic left, and a bit of excitement now took over as I stared at the slopes of Blencathra in a stunning golden evening light, sipping my tea. I felt relaxed, even though the weekend would bring challenges. I knew I could hike 10 miles a day, even with Peak Divide only a week out of my legs. 

The first of the challenges was the cold and the dog. Oscar has been camping with me once before but was just he and I, and it was a warm weekend. Unfortunately, the warmth of earlier in the week had given way to cooler temps, and the potential of minus degrees overnight. Oscar had a blanket but it wasn't enough. And whilst getting him in to the tent went okay, he was cold and shivering by midnight. My husband woke me to tell me. So the dog ended up in my sleeping bag which I had to open to accommodate him, and I ended up pretty damn cold. However, problems can be solved. 

For those that don't know, the GL3D as it is known is a three day orienteering event in the Lakes. You chose betwen courses of different lengths ranging from the Extreme (a 50k, 42kn and the 30km) to the Cafe (which we did) , or an adventure point score course, and camp at different locations betweem days. It is softer than the big daddy events like the OMM as you have a drop bag to leave your tent in, food vendors in the evening and lot sof nice entertainment like talks and films in the evening. But there a no showers, portaloos and, apart from the cafe course, you take all your own food with you. But we were on the cafe course, and we were going to take this luxury to extremes. 

On the morning of day 1, the dog was awake at 6am (probably his paws were out the sleeping bag or something) and it had been a rough night in the tent with not much sleep for anyone. This was not an auspicous start and Martin was not in a fab mood. However, we had pre booked breakfast, and there was a coffee van for posh coffees. Martin was less impressed to find his sausage was vegetarian and all the catering was vegetarian, but perked up a bit all the same. We packed up the tent and with reasonable ease, got everything back in the dry bags. With the dog it was a bit more tricky as he always had to be attached to one of us, and I was glad I had not attempted this alone last year. The moment of truth was when our dry bags came in well under weight at drop off. This helped me relax a bit. We watched the earliest starters head off, getting afeel of how it worked. I chugged a second cup of tea, and we decided we might as well get going.

The only condition of doing the course routes is that you must visit each point in order. However, you do not necessarily all have to go the same way. That said, for the Cafe and other simpler courses a GPX is provided and this was what most people were using. We passed kit check, paused for a photo, and then dibbed out of the campsite.

Fairly fresh on day 1 

The walk started with a lovely section along the river. Runners would pass us, off on various adventures (4 of the 5 courses went this way) and the dog was desperate to get  in the river. When we orienteer, usually I get the dog and Martin gets the map as its tricky to manage both. I then chip in if it gets confusing. Eventually the bridge with the first control came along, and people began to spread in to different directions. We headed off to the of the potential cafe stops at Smetabanning camp site. There were a few runners on the cafe course, as well as walkers, and most people said hello as they passed. This section was quite quiet, partly as it was early and partly as it is outside popular parts of the park. 

The first cafe stop was the self service shop on the campsite which was dead cute. We had a nosey, even though we didn't need anything (and came away with a flapjack). I love it when people make an effort like this and honesty run enterpises reassure me there is still good in the world. Then it was off down the drive to join the old railway line that would take us towards Keswick. We had formulated a plan to leave the route after Latrigg (our Wainwright for the day) and head in to the town to a) buy Oscar a sleeping bag, and b) get lunch. 

As we strolled down the railway line, the sun was coming out. It was going to be a lovely day. At this time, the K2T footpath wasn't too busy but we did have a little panic about whether we were going to get mown down by parkrun which would be starting very shortly. Fortunately, we turned off before getting to the parkrun turn around point, and climbed up a hill that took to the footpath to Latrigg. The second cafe point of the day , the ice cream van, had not arrived but we were happy to wait until Keswick. Heading up, I had walked this way before but to Martin it was new and he enjoyed the views over towards Derwent water. It was stunning looking out over the fells above Keswick and Braithwaite. 

 From the top of Latrigg I confess we just wandered down the route we fancied in to Keswick, taking a bit more time in the woods for the dog to sniff, and then walking the reverse of the railway line back in to Keswick. People on the course gave us funny looks when they saw us going the other way- i suspect thinking we'd missed the check point. But we had plans for lunch at my favourite stop: Fellpack. Now if there was a prize for bougiest lunches on this event, Martin and I would have won it. Whilst in Keswick we also picked up a kids sleeping bag for the dog (Martin had some mad plan about me giving the dog my very old sleeping bag and getting myself an expensive new one but this to me was daft, my old one is fab), some extra supplies of food and generally had a mooch. Keswick was bustling but not too manic, and it is nice to be able to see it in the sun!

And then we were off back out of town and up to Castlerigg stone circle. On this climb we encountered people in various states: some were on the Herdwick course and starting to flag, others were on even longer courses and marching solidly up hills with poles. There was a control just outside the climbing centre which also offered a cafe, as well as an ice cream van. I think quite a few people stopped here for refreshment as it was warming up and the routes were converging. 

Our last climb of the day was Low Rigg but there was grumbling in the husband camp about a sore toe. I encouraged him to put a blister plaster on it but got more grumbling. However, Martin was doing better than some people around us; the hard ground had caught a fair few people out and fell shoes had proved an uncomfortable choice for some. My Innov8 hiking boots are not my favourite ever but at least they are a bit padded on the soles. Thankfully, Scarpa were sponsoring the event and lending out shoes to trial; I think they saved a few races that day (and hopefully converted a few people to fans). We hadn't done this section at all and it was so nice to do a new place. One of the themes of the weekend was taking paths we otherwise wouldn't have gotten around to; valley walks and woodland trails through pretty connecting places that in our quest of big mountain days we forget. 

We arrived at the campsite at the end of day one fairly pleased with our day. We might have technically had one of the slowest times on the cafe course, but we seemed to be the only ones who had stopped for a sit down lunch and a mooch in town. People actually asked if that was allowed, and were surprised to here it was a yes! It is a very flexible event (though there is a daily cut off). People at camp were in varous states: some had clearly gone very hard, some a bit too hard and some were just having a lovely time. We took our complimentary beers and went to set up the tent. 

Food in camp is not cheap but it is a lot easier than heating up dehydrated meals. I also sat and watched some of the movies on display, and chatted to people about their days: the routes, the highs and the lows. I met my running coach in person too, which was nice. He was there doing sports massage (which sold out every evening). Sadly we timed dinner wrong and had over an hour wait, and it was getting chilly in the air by the time we ate, so we ended up retreating to the tent shortly after. We looked at the map and formed a plan for the next day: Martin had a brain wave that if we did the route in reverse, we would end up at th pub at a good time to have Sunday lunch as the other cafe on the map had been closed. 

Another cold night came in, but at least the dog had his own sleeping bag. I had several layers on and had broken sleep, my wriggling tendancies extracting me from my bag only to wake up cold. 

Camp noises start early on the event: people start running very early if they have big days planned, and this requries early wake ups. Mercifully, we did not need to pack the tent up that morning as we were camping the same place and for this I was very grateful. I got up early and took the dog to the loos, before joining the queue for coffee. Martin had been grumpy and pufffing as I got out the tent, having not slept well. I thought an offering was needed, though my phone decided not to work and I had to run back to the tent for my purse before paying (Thank you Podda and Wren for keeping us going but also for your understanding at this time!). Coffees and cinnamon bun in hand, I went to wake the beast in the tent for day 2. He looked very sad when I told him he had to get up. 

Martin nearly failed kit check on day two by wearing three coats to start. It was cold in the monring air, and his tiredness was clearly breaking through his normally over warm personal thermostat. Fortunately, the mountain safety guys were convinced in the end. We did have some of the biggest rucksacks due to dog kit, as well as being on the cafe course, so I don't think we were really the worry. Also, when i asked about doing the course backwards, the timers said it was fine but we needed to register it as an adventure course, which was fine by us given our lack of competitive attitude. 

Puffy eyes on day two

All but two courses started out the reverse of the end of day 1, but we caused confusion by then turning right at a gate rather than left. A pair of chaps checked with us that we weren't going the wrong way but we explained our plan. I think a few people later thought it was a good plan but hindsight is a wonderful thing. So we set off in peace and relative solitude, seeing very few people as we headed back up the course from the day before before climbing up to High Rigg and a new Wainwright for us both. This was a bit of a stiff leg climb initially. On top we met a lady who was one of the event staff and had a quick chat about her route options for her own little adventure run. Then we headed off to find the control on the knot before following a path of the top of the fell that would have been hard to identify on the map but was easy with the GPX. 

We wound down the far side of High rigg and towards a river. Dog had a drink and then we crossed the stile to be greeted by the road crossing team, who I think were surprised to see us early as they were waiting for most of the cafe course guys the other way later in the day. But I was glad to get the fast road crossed early. Then we headed across a farm and towards the plantation that would take us up to Raven Crag (our second new Wainwright today). At the foot we met a man who commented he thinks that this place must be on instagram a she had been walking here in May many years and never seen so many people. We nodded sympathetically, quietly hoping th elarge number of GL3D people weren't about to ruin his day. 

Then we climbed up through the plantation for a few km, winding on forest tracks and footpaths, to pop out at the foot of the board walk and steps to the viewing platform. It was suddenly much busier, mostly we just walkers but we did start to see the odd person from the event. One or two had clearly given the steep climb up the other side some serious beans as they looked pretty wrecked. I think we definitely had the nicer climb. It was busy so we powered up the last climb and on to the viewing platform for amazing views over Thirlmere

Then we reversed our steps and caused more confusion as we started heading down the path others were coming up. We offered reassurance (when asked) that the route down for the event was a lot less steep than the one up. I was glad of good boots and fairly confident feet on the steep loose path, and begged the dog not to pull. I did have one little slip and banged a hand but that was about it. It was a long climb down! 

At the bottom, we headed on the road around the reservoir. As we crossed the damn we saw a few slightly lost event participants trying to jump the wall out of the woods having take a very minor wrong turn and missed the proper steps 20 meters on. Fortunately from our angle they were obvious. This next section was stunning: a lovely woodland path with bluebells and the lake just to our right. It was single track and we were against the flow but it didn't matter if we were slow. We just smiled at people going the other way, occassionally exchanging comments. 

We reached the climb up Great How which is an out and back. We had it as our last real climb of the day but the top section was a bit tricky, with the control on the viewpoint not the cairn. Its not a long climb but some of the other cafe guys were coming up and down with more effort than we were. One group of women were clearly a bit anxious about this climb and I worried about them on the bigger, steeper climb to Raven's Crag from this side. But once we were down on the reservoir path, we passed very few people, and nearly no one from the event. It was pleasantly quiet despite its ease of access and lovely views. Everyone wants to go up Helvyllan. 

And once we reached the Thirlmere car park, it was apparent how many people did indeed want to go up the big mountain. The car park was full and there was jostling for spaces. People with clearly inappropraite clothing and kit were heading up the hill and we got out of there pretty quick. It was a short climb to join a footpath that sauntered on the lower slopes of the range and here we bumped in to Jacob the fell runner of 'George' the film fame. He stopped for a quick chat and to talk about the event which was nice- his partner was doing it and bit annoyed they had ended up running it effectively in her backyard! Apparently their dog had also had tent issues and had to be picked up and taken home which made me feel less bad about my ridiculous dog. 

Eventually we left the route to take a diversion to the pub for Sunday lunch. It wasn't too busy and we all get very well fed (even Oscar got roast chicken despite me telling Martin to NOT feed him from the table). There were a few people in the pub from the event, all doing various routes, as well as well dressed folk. I was aware we probably smelt a bit from two nights in a tent and no shower. 

After a leisurely lunch, we climbed back up to the path and continued along above the A591. Eventually we dropped past some amazing plunge pools to the last control of the day and on to the road for a short section (mercifully there was a verge) before we turned in to some fantastic woods and the path that would take us back past the very cute farm (with woodland mushroom trail) and back in to camp for the night (and the complimentary cake you get every day!) 

There was more foot grumbling from the husband but we made it to the talk on running with dogs and dog first aid. Then it was time for the dog show which involved dogs catching treats (Oscar was hopeless), walking nicely in a circle (not Oscar's strong point) and waggiest tail (Oscar was tired and grumpy). Oh well, it was good fun anyway. 

That night was the coldest yet. Again it dropped below zero in the valley and took a long time to warm up in the morning. We huddled together for warmth and once again in the morning I took Martin his coffee offering. At least the next night would be in our own beds. 

Check out the eye bags

Despite a grumpy husband, the tent got packed away without too much fuss. It was damp from a little rain overnight (the only of the weekend) and would need drying once we got home but that was later. Our porridge pots didn't mix well as the water was cooling too quick to mix them. I managed ot smile for the start....Martin was less happy. 

Martin's unhappiness was a bit of a theme for the day. His toe hurt and he just wanted done. We once again headed out on the route, glad the cafe route was not going up the big climb the Herdwicks and others were starting on. It was gentle and pretty, past some stunning farm and pretty lambs, before we started to climb up Clough head. The initial section through the quarry was loose and steep, with the other course coming the other way. But then it was on to the open fell and a meadering climb through the knots of Clough head. We bumped in to Steve from my club who was also running but I think doing the adventure course. Lots of people drop down in the last day due to the need to make the cut off at 2 or 3pm, as well as long drives home (plus tiredness I suspect!). 

The descent off clough head was one of the few points that could have been a moment for a compass on the weekend but out of laziness we used the GPX (it was clear and you could see the landmarks anyway). I chatted to Steve a bit but could sense Martin's grumpiness behind so made an excuse and dropped back to walk with Martin. We wombled back in to the valley, very close to what owuld be the finish line before veering away back towards the old railway line. We took a diversion and got Martin a cola at Smettabanning which sort of lifted his mood for a bit.

The main K2T railway route was much busier today, as it was later in the day. Cyclists, runners and walkers all jostled and I was glad to turn off the path to head up past the now present ice cream van. We then dropped down in to a lovely gulley which I think was Oscar's favourite part of the walk as got to play in the stream a while. 

Then it was a steady climb up through small woodlands and fields to the Blencathra centre. Unfortunately we missed the path and ended up walking back up the road to the control in the car park, but oh well. It was mostly downhill now, and a gentle walk in to Threlkeld. Martin needled me a few times. I was abit annoyed at his attitude, given I had paid for th event, but also I guess I was tired and had a small but irritating blister too. 

After Threlkeld it was a simple flat walk back to the finish line. People were flowing down the riverside path in dribs and drabs, and Martin had slwed down considerably. But then we could see the last control, then the tents of the finish. We crossed the line with our marriage intact!

At the finish line we were served a lovely chilli and rice, with a cookie to take home. The sun was now out and it had warmed up and people were lounging on both the seating and their dry bags. We sat and discussed how it had gone, and there was even the slip of 'next time' from Martin so who knows! I quite fancy coming back and giving a bigger course a go (a weekend of the herdwick or a mixture to include the Wainwright) but let me see who I can get interested in it. I loved the event and can see the reason it cost a lot to put on though appreciate this is too much for a lot of people. I was very glad of a bath and a bed that night though!