Archive for Running

Over tops and down

June 9th, 2010 • Running

After Spad’ and my climbing adventure on Saturday, we slept in on Sunday.  I thought the day was gone until I got into gear at miday, on the way up the Ben, checking in at the top in 1 hr 33 later (a time which might have been competitive in the 1930s!).  Without having put a foot wrong so far, confidence carried me over along the Arete (where it’s a good idea not to trip over and stumble) before the tops of CMD and Anoach Mor got trampled over.  I made down to see Steve Pete coming out of the starting gates at the Mountain Biking World Cup, some 4 hours after I started out and, for the first time in months, my legs hurt on Monday morning.

Inspiring Moments in a Year

May 11th, 2010 • Running

I usually have one or two seminal moments in a year – wee experiences that stand out as really exceptional moments.  On this level it’s not usually more than one or two though.  In recent times I’ve found these experiences can quite often be attributed to certain things.  Ice climbing, when your right out there on the edge and going for it, can sometimes give me one, although not this last season, and only two in my life so far.  But both this year and last, two of the most fantastic moments came running across the Stoer peninsula.   I must have some connection with the place, although of course it might not only be me.

As it went I felt pretty vacuous after a day in bed following a party.   Running, I thought,  would clear the mind and get the blood pumping.  Even then I half expected to turn back after 100 yards overcome by lethargy.  But instead with each step the world became more glorious, until I was running with my arms waving manically in the air.  I wasn’t even running fast, but it didn’t matter.

mind blown, legs gone.
run run run across assynt thinking man,
under suilven and out out out
to the point of Stoer
where the old man will tell you how it is.

About High-8

High-8 is a loose gathering of like minded adventurists who document first person, on the ground experiences with words, photos and film. The hope is to form a rough guide to outdoor adventure sports in Scotland and provide a warts and all, honest representation of what we find. No sport is excluded from mountaineering and mountain biking to gorge walking and kayak all are welcome and encouraged.

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We have compiled a list of usefull weather forecasts to help with planning trips. This list is designed to work on mobile phones, so it can be used when out in the wilds. Signal willing of course...

The Code

The Country Code, which most of us learned in school (and we probably haven't read since!), was updated in 2004 when it became the Countryside Code. Here's the updated version:
  • Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs
  • Leave gates and property as you find them
  • Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
  • Keep dogs under close control
  • Consider other people
In Scotland, where there is a more general right of access, there also exists the Scottish Outdoor Access Code:
  • Take responsibility for your own actions
  • Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind
  • Help farmers, landowners and others to work safely and effectively
  • Care for the environment
  • Keep your dog under proper control
  • Take extra care if you are organising a group, an event or running a business.
There's obviously a lot to to be learned from these - it's amazing how many people get out to enjoy the countryside but are still happy to leave it in a mess. Even with the recent updates, the Countryside Codes seem slightly outdated when considering the wider issues involved when lots of people get out into the countryside. Some places just can't handle high volumes of people, no matter how they behave and publicity, no matter how interesting or well-done , has the potential to attract lots of people to an area. Blogs including video, pictures or words, form part the the wider media which could easily contribute to tipping the balance, and so we as bloggers have to consider the implications of what we decide to post. Can the place we're writing about take more people, and if not, it might be wiser to leave maps, place names or grid references out of posts. In Scotland, the Mountain Bothies Association has been careful to protect the location of some Bothies due to mis-treatment and, in some cases, even malicious vandalism. That is not to say they would not advocate people using them - in fact, a well used, maintained and loved network of bothies exist, and the MBA as an organisation is there to encourage this. Some bothies are busier than others but generally it is the less remote places which are more susceptible to abuse - something which might be worth considering when deciding whether to post information. It must be said, in most cases it's obvious what should or shouldn't be publisiced, but it's worth taking these considerations to mind.

Please note: The Code is constantly being revised and added to. If you like to add something login in to the discussion on the forum.