The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM) is a two day event in Scotland. It was held this year at Loch Fyne and YC completed it with Paul Hainsworth. We opted for the A course - a notch down from the Elite, but still a testing 35 mile route with 11,000 feet of climbing. Competitors have to carry all their own kit including tents, and are only given the designated route on the day.
Saturday dawned bright and sunny, and turned out to be a superb hill route around the Arrochar Alps (including the killer climb up Ben Vorlich for those who know the Arrochar Alps hill race). Sunday was damp and misty, and a bit of a nagivational challenge searching for elusive re-entrants and stream junctions. We had a few navigational wobbles including the very last checkpoint which was in a tricky location on a steep hillside wreathed in mist. But by and large we managed a reasonable route, finishing 16th overall out of 34 starters in 17 hours 19 minutes (two long, long days). Aengus McCullough and Francis Blunt went well in the Elite finishing 3rd. Joe Faulkner and Louise Wilkinson had a good run to finish first mixed pair in the Score. Also spotted there from NFR were Lewis Grundy and Charles Scott.
All of this calls, of course, for some rest and rehydration. YC is off to Norfolk for 10 days sailing. They say the beer is very good in Norfolk. YC might have to try the odd half (strictly for medicinal purposes of course).
left - heading for The Cobbler
middle - traversing under the Cobbler
right - plotting the route off Ben Vorlich
what the well dressed man wears at the midcamp whilst keeping the midges at bay