Highland Trail 2015

[Bearbonesnorm]

So I had a cracking ride yesterday through Fisherfield, it is fantastic, but the macaroni cheese in Poolewe has sat heavy in my stomach all day and I've not been eating. So, I have scratched, as going into Glen Affric tonight with the weather as it is would make me a liability.

Enrico is going well, trying to get to the youth hostel in glen affric tonight.

The weather this year has been a major factor - the trails are generally either bogs or rivers.

Sorry to hear that Steve, although it does mean you miss the shove up into Glen Affric Great to see you making good progress after Ullapool.

[Ian]

Yes Ian, Alan said they had to cross 'no matter how shagging deep'* to get a time.

* or words to that effect.

OK, noted!

Surely if it gets to a point where it just isn't safe allowances have to be made...?

Yes, quite. I always felt that even the option to back track was slightly academic, as once you'd descended into Fisherfield, you'd think "bugger that, I get across somehow" and subject yourself to a risk you wouldn't otherwise have taken to save the discomfort/ inconvience/ lost time in back tracking.

So I had a cracking ride yesterday through Fisherfield, it is fantastic, but the macaroni cheese in Poolewe has sat heavy in my stomach all day and I've not been eating. So, I have scratched, as going into Glen Affric tonight with the weather as it is would make me a liability.

Sorry to hear that Steve - I've been watching your spot all afternoon and wondering what was happening. Is that an official scratch, or just rest up and head out to the finish tomorrow? So close, all things considered...

[ScotRoutes]

Wasn't there a bit of controversy in last year's TDR when more folk than strictly necessary took a detour?

[GregMay]

Scratch Update:

Steve Large - Bad food last night and now vomiting. Hitting the road back to Tyndrum.

[GregMay]

Surely if it gets to a point where it just isn't safe allowances have to be made...Not saying it has but who would know?

I would. And the GPS track you have to submit would.

[adjustablewench]

No I mean how do you know when the conditions have become unsafe? When you watch the blue dot do a change of direction and head downstream?

[Chew]

No I mean how do you know when the conditions have become unsafe? When you what the blue dot do a change of direction and head downstream?

eh?

[jay91]

No I mean how do you know when the conditions have become unsafe? When you what the blue dot do a change of direction and head downstream?

eh?

I'm gessing you mean if its to deep/fast and uncrossable

[adjustablewench]

Yes - if Alan says you have to cross it but physically can't what happens?

[Chew]

Yes - if Alan says you have to cross it but physically can't what happens?

Either wait for the river levels to drop to when you feel its safe, or scratch and dont complete the route.

Maybe a bit harsh (and easy to say sat at home) but if you want a finish you have to complete the whole route.

Looking at Jenny's trace it looks like shes tried to cross to early. Alans always said the best place to cross is where the GPS track is.

[Blackhound]

Sadly AW you have to return to the road and ride round and be scratched. Alan may allow this retrospectively as the organiser but it was clear in the pre race briefing. As riders we have to have our own safety as the first priority even if that means taking an alternative route and a dq down the line.

I do hope she manages to get across safelt though. I have not been there so do not know what she is facing.

Scotroutes - I understand in last years TDR saw on the maps 'impassable when wet' and went around some other way. This is strictly against race rules you just get on with it (as I had to Bannack Road). Not a safety issue though fire for instance is and re-routes are implemented mid race. Unprepared folks I reckon.

[Ian]

I've just done some analysis of routes taken to cross the loch mouth using the replay function on Trackleaders.

It seems all the other riders made the Fisherfield crossing nearer the loch mouth than Jenny has.
This is what it looks like: https://www.flickr.com/photos/reizkultur/14154646477/

With recent rain, the beach may be submerged, forcing Jenny upstream, so what appears to be her "crossing too early" may the closest she can physically get in the current conditions.

The beach/ shore must be submerged for a proportion of the time, otherwise it would be vegetated. Plus, if the level is up to that extent, it'll look dead wide. Factor in strong wind, waves coming up the loch etc, I bet it looks practically impossible without a boat.

[ScotRoutes]

Sadly AW you have to return to the road and ride round and be scratched. Alan may allow this retrospectively as the organiser but it was clear in the pre race briefing. As riders we have to have our own safety as the first priority even if that means taking an alternative route and a dq down the line.

I do hope she manages to get across safelt though. I have not been there so do not know what she is facing.

Scotroutes - I understand in last years TDR saw on the maps 'impassable when wet' and went around some other way. This is strictly against race rules you just get on with it (as I had to Bannack Road). Not a safety issue though fire for instance is and re-routes are implemented mid race. Unprepared folks I reckon.

Ah - I knew there was an issue that wasn't actually safety-related. I just wondered if that was why Alan had tightened up on it this year.

I see that the HT550 page still mentions the detour as being permissible.

ALTERNATE
One route alternate is available to avoid a potentially dangerous river crossing in Fisherfield. If you arrive at this crossing and feel that it is too dangerous to cross, you may back track to the road and go via the coast to Poolewe. This will be a significant time penalty. There is no limit on the depth of the river, and it is up to the individual. Make wise and safe choices for yourself, regardless whether ten people have crossed before you.

Of course it may be different if being done as an ITT.

[ScotRoutes]

The pink line is Jenny

[GregMay]

Guidelines folks...to be strictly adhered to :)

Either way, Jenny is in possibly the best spot possible. Dry, stormproof bothy - walk over to river "nope still up" walk back to bed. Repeat.

But if the Alan says you gotta cross to get a time...you gotta cross. Simple as. I know I wasn't comfortable with it when I had to do it, retrospectively - it's not that bad a crossing. In low water. Which we probably don't have now.

[whitestone]

The levels that some of the highland rivers can get to is quite surprising, I remember walking by the Abhainn Rath some years ago and noting that flood debris was at the height of my head which would equate to about 12ft above the normal level of the river.

A few days worth of rain would raise the loch level so the spits visible in the arial photos wouldn't be visible.

[Ian]

A few days worth of rain would raise the loch level so the spits visible in the arial photos wouldn't be visible.

That's what I expect Jenny is faced with now. Whilst I wish her a safe crossing at some point soon, I do hope she has a camera and takes a photo of it so we can all go:

She's been there for 9 hours now, and you have to wonder how much food she has with her, especially given Poolewe is 8hrs+ away once she is across...

[kbrembo]

She's a character and I'd imagine there will be a few walkers in shenival! She'll be keeping them entertained!

Tough cookie.

C'mon Jenny

[Ian]

Fraser MacBeath at top of the Devil's Staircase. 20 miles to go. Remember Fraser has been riding since 5:30am YESTERDAY. 40 hrs straight!

[Blackhound]

Food supplies for Jenny was something I was talking to Mrs B about a while ago. She would have made an assessment of how long it would take to get to Poolewe and some emergency rations. If she has to stay overnight and loses 15 hours(?) then it may be an issue for her. Long way to back to Dundonnell as well though.....

[Zippy]

Hmm, Andy W (boxelder) is still going, he's gonna have to stop soon, he hasn't brought lights with him...

This is all tough stuff, I'm incredibly impressed with what everyone is putting themselves through. I'm gonna have to sort out a few things before I consider entering...!

[Ian]

Hmm, Andy W (boxelder) is still going, he's gonna have to stop soon, he hasn't brought lights with him...

Really?!

Edit: OK his stop times for all the previous days were before 10pm. Does he have an head torch? He might wish he had something to get him home having got so close to the finish

[Bearbonesnorm]

Given that it's 10.30 and nearly properly dark, I imagine that'll be Jenny holed up for the night ... food or no food. Hopefully there'll be something at the bothy she can eat.

[ScotRoutes]

Still dusk in Aviemore...

[Zippy]

Hmm, Andy W (boxelder) is still going, he's gonna have to stop soon, he hasn't brought lights with him...

Really?!

Edit: OK his stop times for all the previous days were before 10pm. Does he have an head torch? He might wish he had something to get him home having got so close to the finish

Yeah my thoughts exactly. When chatting to him he said no bike lights just a head torch for camp etc. reason being how long the days are!