The Cheviot 2000

I have a scout going up the Cheviot this weekend so may have some up to date news in a few days !

Hi folks, together with another race marshall we were up in the Harthope valley today and around Coldlaw by Broadstruther. I can confirm that Cheviot and Harthope were covered in Snow above the 540m mark and with all the rain/snow that has fallen on Northumberland over the winter All rivers are swollen. Indeed the Harthope has had remedial flood defence work all along the valley.

If going up Harthope valley at present you will notice the fields are lakes by the approach roads! and the going underfoot on the moors is wet and soft.

Admittedly we didn't venture onto Cheviot today but after having recently completed St Oswalds way across Northumberland in the last Month I can say that it will take a long time to dry out.

So- It is likely that it won't be a 'dry run' but why should that stop anybody - get the entries and cheques in and who knows......

cheers

Graeme Heron - Thanks Graeme - Gazz

I have heard this year that along with all the survival kit you have to take, the organisers have also stipulated 1 rubber ring per team or individual arm bands to be taken by each team member as a precautionary measure! Just to be on the safe side i will be bringing a snorkel and flippers! Looking forward to the whole experience again and am busy tackling all the steep hills in Lincs! Seriously a Great event Northumberland and this will be Cheviots no7 since 1994 and possibly my last. (I think!)(The training hurts as the yrs tick on!)
Sherlock

This is not actually true - it's not compulsory !!

However if other forces have given staff 'water awareness' training, as in Northumbria, then this may prove beneficial !!!

Will be pleased to see all entrants this year, and major respect to the regular returners !!

Gary.

went up and did the first four check points the other week. when i started it was overcast but after about 20mins the sun came out. 20mins later it started to snow! I arrived at the summit about 10mins later to find visibility down to around 30metres.
The saddle after scald hill wasnt quite its usual boggy self because someone had driven a quad across there, although the tracks did stop suddenly at the edge of a particularly deep looking bog!!
Going up again next week so should be able to give another update then.

walked a couple of the lower hills on Friday and the moors are quite dry now although there is still evidence of the winters flooding and last years 'flash floods'!

I may live to regret this comment however extra water may be an ESSENTIAL requirement come race day as Cheviot weather never fails to throw up some surprises!

just got back from tramping around the cheviot bogs in the pouring rain with vis down to about 15 metres. certainly wasnt a shortage of water tonight.lovely

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CCYQFjAC&url=http%...

link to Wooler weather !!!

Did first 4 check points then dropped off Cheviot up onto Hedgehope, the going is good and suprisingly dry. It is wet when leaving Cheviot summit for West Hill and looking at it you would expect the worst, but it only lasts for 100 metres. Been up twice in last week and visibility is down to 20 metres, not so bad that I managed to spot an adder near the aircraft wreckage.

funny you should mention seeing an adder up there John. Ive been up there quite a few times recently & Ive seen at least one snake on each visit. Usually on the area between cheviot and west hill. I got speaking to a local who said thats theres been an unusual amount of the little critters spotted early this year and a few reports of people being bitten.
Best watch where we put our feet on saturday!

We have also spotted adders on our treks this year. Last time we were up going was dry - but who knows with Cheviot!

http://www.myweather2.com/Hill-and-Mountain/United-Kingdom/Cheviot-Hills...

This weather looks too good to be true!! Cloud free, I'll have to see it to believe it!!

Done lots of walking over the lakes this year and its really dry over there, lots of small tarns have all dried out. I know Cheviot has a mind of its own but I hope its not going to be too boggy.

Dave

The Walking Dead