STUFFMOUNTAIN

Review in November TRA Newsletter. This book is one of a series of Guides in the course of publication by Trailguides. The author is a UK Athletics coach specialising in endurance running in the fells and mountains. It's an interesting read for trail runners, particularly those who tend to stray off the trails and out into the open countryside. How many of us understand fully the nature of the flexible running style we should adopt to cope with the enormous variety of conditions underfoot that will be encountered ? This book offers guidance on how we can run more effectively and minimise the risk of injury on a variety of treacherous surfaces. There is also advice on how to strengthen one's legs and ankles to cope with the stresses imposed by varied terrains. The book should be of particular use to someone starting out on off-road running. It is the distillation of a lifetime's experience. Even an old hand like myself found it helpful to have such good sense so clearly expr

To be able to run more confidently and smoothing, and knowing what hazards to expect ,through diverse range of terrain will only help the enjoyment over the run but also to conserve valuable energy. Being able to understand the aspects that various types of terrain has on your running style and being able condition the body both physically and mentally only helps towards a safe traverse. Our terrain and environment is precious – so look to protect by running sensibly and taking heed to all environmental codes of conduct. On your next run off road you will now look at your environment with a different perspective Published Summer 2008 and available from a number of outlets or on line from www.trailguides.co.uk .

On 27th May 2006 Steve Lumb and Stuart Ferguson completed an unsupported round of the Hewitt’s within County Durham, covering 48 miles, 7,500 feet of ascent in 14 hours and 3 minutes. HEWITTS are a list of: Hills in England, Wales and Ireland over Two Thousand feet high with a drop of 30m on all sides. There are 177 in England, 11 of these are within the County of Durham. Stuart devised the round which started and finished at St John’s Chapel in Weardale and visited the tops in the following order - · Burtree Hill - GR862432 · Killhope Law - GR819448 · Deadstones - GR793399 · Burnhope Seat - GR785375 · Great Stoney Fell - GR823359 · Three Pikes - GR833343 · Viewing Hill - GR788332 · Mickle Fell - GR804243 · Bink Moss – GR875243 · James Hill - GR923325 · Chapel Fell - GR875346 The route has virtually no tarmac and little tracks and trails to follow as much of the round is on open access countryside this featureless terrain is very challenging particularly the large stretches of peat hag

On 17th September 2005 Stuart Ferguson established a new route by completing a solo, unsupported round of all the reservoirs in the Durham Dales of the North Pennines. Stuart lives in Wolsingham in Weardale from where the circular route over his local fells started and finished. He covered 61 miles with 9,200 feet of ascent in 11 hours and 37 minutes. The reservoirs visited in order were Hury, Blackton, Balderhead, Grassholme, Selset, Cow Green, Burnhope, Derwent, Smiddy Shaw, Hisehope, Waskerely and Tunstall.