Dark Mountain went ahead

[JK]

As I type this, according to their website, only 1 pair are still "out" on the Dark Mountain event in the SW Lakes.

They were given a comprehensive set of warnings to all competitors before allowing them to start:
"1) Wind that has shredded and blown away the control kites (the stakes and SI boxes are still in place, 2) Deep snow that may have buried checkpoints, 3) Frozen tarns that are now covered in windblown snow, 4) A reminder to look out for each other and NOT take any unnecessary risks and 5) That there is a manned checkpoint at the most southerly point on the course that offers a place a refuge in an emergency."

Only 5 teams failed to start

If this were a BOF event, would it have taken place? Given that it is an overnight MM for pairs, carrying safety equipment and they knew before they entered that there was a high chance of strong winds and rain then they presumably knew what they were letting themselves in for.

I'd applaud the organisers for bucking the trend for "nanny state" and over H+S-ing events, but it sounds a bit extreme to me.

JK (who threw hat+gloves in back of car in 1st R+R MM since weather didn't look too bad, and was swept away in a torrent in that Howgills KIMM)

[graeme]

It looks absolutely crazy and there's no way I'd do that.

I am, however, uplifted by knowing that there are people who would want to do it, and other people who make it possible. The world is a richer place for the existence of this event.

[gaw]

I thought this looked a great event. Maybe too tough for me but I thought the main drawback was the cost of the amount of high power battery power you'd need!

[DM]

I thought this looked a great event. Maybe too tough for me but I thought the main drawback was the cost of the amount of high power battery power you'd need!

Bright Bike Lights 1 battery pack lasted well enough to get Alex round. I packed him off with 2 fully charged spares and a Petzl which were not needed.

Great event, well done to Shane for making the decision to go ahead. So many people learnt a lot about what they can do.

[RJ]

Read about it in CompassSport and was sorely tempted. But January weather and possibility of high moorland terrain put me off. When I learned it was based at Muncaster in South Lakes I was very disappointed and really wanted to do it.

But sat in front of log fire on Sat night and listening to weather report of very heavy rain over the area during the night......

Looked at course maps and wished I'd been there!!

[andypat]

If this were a BOF event, would it have taken place? Given that it is an overnight MM for pairs, carrying safety equipment and they knew before they entered that there was a high chance of strong winds and rain then they presumably knew what they were letting themselves in for.

I'd applaud the organisers for bucking the trend for "nanny state" and over H+S-ing events, but it sounds a bit extreme to me.

JK (who threw hat+gloves in back of car in 1st R+R MM since weather didn't look too bad, and was swept away in a torrent in that Howgills KIMM)

As someone who has a lot of dealing with H+S at work, I tend to agree that in the area of sport and leisure there should be a different approach to health and safety than within the workplace. Something more along the lines of "participate at your own risk" seems mroe appropriate, especially when the activity can be undertaken safely on an individual basis provided you have the correct skills.

What you cannot do is dismiss Health and Safety as a discipline though. Where H+S is ignored and/or not enforced, you end up with issues like that nightclub in Brasil (apparently it was "between safety and fire certificates") with the horrific consequences.

[Scott]

It definitely felt like a bit of an adventure, although I fear it'll be a while before I regain the feeling in my frostnipped toes. I might try the score course next year... (and wear some warmer socks).

I thought the main drawback was the cost of the amount of high power battery power you'd need!

Single battery pack on the Petzl Nao lasted me for the whole six hours-ish that we were out. The combination of snow on the ground and full moon actually made the larger landforms in the distance stand out relatively well, until the rain turned to sleet and the visibility reduced quite a bit.