I will add more as the plan comes together!
Control Points & Cut-offs
Apologies missed WP12 Foel Cwn-Sian Llwyd in my haste to publish – plus a few WP on the Llantysilio to prevent any circumventing of the Skyline 😉
Distances are approximate. Some route choice available. The fences are your friends – especially if the mist is down.
7 checkpoints – 17 waypoints (you need to run ‘close’ to these with your GPS trace). Majority of these are just to prevent cheeky shortcuts and keep you as much as possible on the Skyline. WP3 & 4 are to prevent runners dropping off the ridge and shortcutting to CP1 – it is rough ground but someone would be tempted. WP8 is there to prevent folks descending straight off Aran Fawddwy and is the only real ‘safety’ waypoint.
Timings
I have extended the day from 16 to 18 hours to give a better chance for the more mortal individuals amongst you though this means a 4am start which even I am not fancying. You will need to be in Barmouth on the Friday evening to register (time 5-8pm tbc) and to sort out the GPS tracker. So its a sleep in van, tent, b&b night.
Race Maps
No mapping-GPS devices! No Garmin breadcrumb trails. I will provide a map pack printed on waterproof-tearproof film for the race – but you may prefer your own. Map, compass & whistle will be mandatory equipment.
Reccy’s
Suggest you leave any reccy’s of the middle legs until spring (if not later) – it will be proper filthy in the winter months. Also always a chance of grouse shooting so be mindful of landowners etc. Always carry a map and if you are challenged – remain friendly, demonstrate your position on the map and show the access land boundary. Good chance that you will only have sheep as company on some legs. If you go solo please let someone know where you are going and carry a charged mobile phone.
Majority of fences can be easily straddled. There are a few gates & step-overs if you can find them. Be mindful of ewe’s especially in the spring when they may be pregnant – give them space – do not spook them.