Route : Coniston, Black Sails, Hard Knott, Glaramara, Base Brown, Fleetwith Pike, Gatesgarth

Gatesgarth, High Stile, Haycock, Kirkfell, Slightside, Whinrigg, Fisherground

Green Crag, Harter Fell, Grey Friar, Coniston.

GL3Day is a truly unique event with three days of quality route finding – and with the luxury of your overnight baggage being in a minibus / truck rather than on your back. GL3Day is also unique in the contribution that the participants make ; there’s not many events were the competitors add their own times and work out the cumulative of Day One and Two, whilst the Official Time Keeper has her tea. But there again the prize is the same whether you’re the quickest or the wisest – a T-shirt and a great sense of satisfaction to all.

Whilst the weather seems impeccable and consistently fair, the distances each day will always be arbitrary as the focus is put squarely on giving you the best route possible rather than adding a few km just to make it an exact pre-determined amount.

The routes seemed well received. Day One proved a little too fast, although of the right distance, and Day Three was compact but served its purpose in getting you neatly from A to B. Day Two was a bit of a monster – a bit too rocky and high fells-ish but that’s par for the course. Incidentally, we think the optimum line, if there is such a thing, from Kirkfell to Slightside is probably via Wasdale Head any way.

The optional controls also worked well, mainly because people made sensible decisions to short route themselves in order to survive and sustain themselves thought all three days.

Many thanks to the team, especially new members Pam and Pauline, who quickly coped with our quirkiness, and to the new participants whose worried looks soon faded with support from the old guard. Thanks guys. It’s the contribution of the participants that’s makes this event very unique and a pleasure to organise, although I momentarily forgot that one driving the passes fully laden on Day One. Someone said I kept you waiting just to test out the day kit you were carrying.

The new date worked very well – much better than a bank holiday weekend, so the date next year will remain as one week after Easter – hence Friday 25^th – Sunday 27^th April. Perhaps it will rain then ?

The feedback throughout is great and thank you for all the messages of thanks. Next year’s route is intended to be slighter longer, but with no additional ascent or very rough terrain.

Finding overnights in the right place is difficult so if you have any secrets / contacts please consider sharing them.

Details will be confirmed in FRA calendar and sent to you in the New Year.

Joe Faulkner

Bampton Post Office Store + Café

Bampton

Haweswater

Penrith

CA10 2RQ

01931 713 351

faulknerjoe@hotmail.com

www.bamptonpo.com

www.tuaproducts.fsnet.co.uk