Three Rings of Shap


SWINDALE  WATERFALLS IN SWINDALE

 

PLEASE NOTE

The new Event Secretary is -

NEIL BEATHAM

01768 866377

nbeatham@aol.com

 

 

 

‘An Outstanding Event’,  ‘A Proper Challenge Walk’,  ‘Rhubarb Crumble to die for’,  ‘A Great Day’s Walking’,  ‘Cumbrian Hospitality First Class’,  ‘For a tiny Group Cumbria do a great job’.

These are just some of the compliments we received after the 2006 Event.

The third to eleventh running of the Three Rings of Shap took place in June 2007 - 2015. Reports can be found on the appropriate pages. The format remains the same, the main Challenge being to complete all three Rings (a distance of 100 Kilometres) within 26 hours. We also, of course, accept and encourage entries from those who only wish to walk one or two Rings.

Jenny Mills (Cornwall & Devon) kindly wrote at length about her day and made several kind comments about another 'Wonderful Shap' including -

'Constant supply of varied food was second to none', 'Pleasant sleeping accommodation so convenient and more fun than a B & B!', 'Route instructions probably the best', 'Luminous stickers very helpful', 'Shower facility wonderful'.

Thank you Jenny, we certainly pressed your buttons - do come back next year!

Entry Forms for 2016 are now on the appropriate page, by post or email from the Group Secretary.

 

More details about the Shap Community can be found on the  Shap Community Website.


Each Ring starts and finishes at the Event HQ in Shap where there are full facilities with hot food and drinks available all day. We are hoping to provide showers again next year - albeit at the swimming club across the playing field! Please note that each Ring will only have ONE manned checkpoint at approximately half distance and will just provide cold drinks and simple food. Be prepared to carry your own supplies of food & drink if you want to supplement this provision.

RING 1 - MOSEDALE 18 miles (29Km), approx. 900 m. ascent.
Checkpoints - Branstree (478 099) unmanned self-clip
                     Truss Gap (515 132)
Travelling west from Shap this ring passes above the aptly named Wet Sleddale reservoir to reach remote Mosedale Cottage via quiet and secluded moorland. It then ascends two of Haweswater’s “Wainwrights”, Branstree and Selside Pike, offering superb views of High Street and Eastern Lakeland. Descending to the hidden valley of Swindale with its magnificent waterfalls and the Truss Gap checkpoint the route returns to Shap through the hamlets of Rosgill and Keld passing historic Shap Abbey on the way.

RING 2 - LYVENNET, LEITH & LOWTHER 24 miles (39Km), approx. 700m. ascent
Checkpoints - ‘The White Stuff’ Barn (573 252)
                      Road Junction (517 194) self-clip, drinks only
A fine low-level journey through farm and parkland visiting the quiet Westmorland villages of Reagill, Morland, Hackthorpe & Bampton Grange etc. and providing an intimate view of the three eponymous and little known rivers . Even on its own this walk is no pushover.

RING 3 – GREAT ASBY 20 MILES (32Km), approx. 750m. ascent.
Checkpoint - Field (668 117)
In complete contrast this ring follows Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast route out of Shap for several miles before leaving it to explore the National Nature Reserve of Great Asby Scar in classic limestone country. It returns from the checkpoint near Great Asby, now on the Westmorland Way, passing through Crosby Ravensworth and Oddendale on the way back to Shap.
 

 

 

CHECKPOINT CHARLIES KNIPE CHECKPOINT PRE START

THE LOWTHER VALLEY FROM KNIPE SCARHIGH CUP GILL, NORTHERN PENNINES