Simon Willis Adventure Writing

SimonWillis.co.uk

OMM meets S&M

Sado-masochism in the mountains (without whips and chains) as Simon Willis enjoys the pain and pleasure of a mountain marathon.

Click to hear Simon talk about the OMM in the TGO-Show podcast

List the characteristics of the UK’s most popular mountain marathon and it sounds like an exercise in unmitigated misery. It is two punishing days, running across boggy and mountainous terrain, carrying the barest minimum of food and equipment to survive a long, cold, rainy night on the cusp of winter. It sounds like purgatory, yet for three thousand people it is pleasure of a most extreme kind. I’m one of them and I can’t decide whether I look forward to the event with delight or dread. Probably both…

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Simon & Liz Willis – KIMM 2005 day 2

I am no athlete, as one glance at the photos will confirm. Seasoned competitors boast toned bodies whereas I just look wobbly. The point of this rather personal confessional is to emphasise that mountain marathons are not the preserve of the ultra fit. Only the elite competitors run two marathons in two days. There are different classes and different types of event, so these competitions are within the ability of any hill walker, who is prepared to put in a couple of days training each week for a few months. There’s no better event with which to start than the grand-daddy of all adventure races, the KIMM.

Or at least, it was the KIMM. There have been thirty eight Karrimor International Mountain Marathons, but this year it changed its name to the Original Mountain Marathon. This reflects a similar name change by the company that makes some of the specialist equipment used by competitors, so KIMM has become OMM. There’s a powerful argument that, the slower you are the more you’ll benefit from an ultra-light pack, because you’ll probably be carrying it for longer. And you can go even lighter than normal because the perception of comfort on a mountain marathon is distinctly different to a multi-day hike. When you’re exhausted and know it’s just for one night, it’s surprising how little luxury is needed. Once I’m fed, dry and warm, I can sleep up a tree.

I’ve only tackled a few of these events but backed with knowledge from my Pacific Crest Trail hike, I’ve put together a mountain marathon kit-list for an experienced ultra-light hiker. I’ve also asked an expert to critique my choice. Joe Faulkner runs excellent training courses in the Lake District for mountain marathon and adventure race competitors (www.joefaulkner.com).

To get yourself into the right frame of mind, consider this: saving weight on mountain marathons isn’t about drilling holes in a toothbrush - it’s about leaving the toothbrush at home! But before we discuss such small items we’ll start with the big five.

1. Rucksack

My favourite for adventure racing is the Berghaus 64Zero (640g) which has big mesh pockets. There’s also the Salomon RR30 (758g), Lowe Alpine 32 (760g) and Macpac Ultramarathon (1000g).

Simon’s pick: OMM MM32L (618g) I’ll use a 2007 version of this classic pack which has a full mesh flap to carry a bike helmet or a wet tent on solo trips. The back stiffener pulls out and unfolds into a short sleeping pad called the Duo-mat, two of which can be joined with Velcro.

Joe’s Verdict: Simon has picked a classic, but I wouldn’t overlook the Berghaus 64Zero

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2. Tent

The most popular competition tent is the TerraNova Laser Comp (860g), which is remarkably light, stable and you can sit-up. I think it looks cramped lying side by side, but I’ve never used one. The lightest tent I can find is the SupAir (800g) but it’s flimsy. The Big Agnes Seedhouse SL1 (1300g) is excellent and relatively spacious. If even more space is needed, consider the SL2 (1500g).

Simon’s pick: Coleman Rigel X2 (920g) This tent is new for 2007 and I hope to use one of the first to arrive in the UK. Its predecessor, called the “Raid”, was popular on summer mountain marathons, despite limited headroom and condensation problems, because it cost just £70. The Rigel X2 has roof ventilation yet promises to be even lighter and cost just £90.

Joe’s Verdict: Simon may have mis-judged the TerraNova Laser Comp. Sleep top-to-tail and I suspect it could be more comfortable than his choice.

Coleman Rigel 920g and £90 new for 2007

3. Sleeping Bag

There aren’t many components, so pick a light fabric, down with high fill-power, and then it’s a personal choice about the minimum quantity of down you need to stay warm. I had hoped to push my boundaries and use an OMM PA-1, a radical design with down only in the bottom part of the bag so you sleep in a down vest, but I couldn’t find one and OMM aren’t making down products in 2007.

Simon’s pick: PHD Minimus (531g) has 220g of down and is the classic ultralight sleeping bag.

Joe’s Verdict: I’ve not been able to try a PA1, but I’ve used a similar Alpine set-up called a Pied d’Elephant, which works provided there’s no gap at the waist. The PHD is a great alternative.

4. Sleeping Mat

The heaviest I would consider is a cut-down Ridge-rest (150g). 2007 OMM sacks will come with a thin pull-out, unfolding mat called a Duo-Mat (147g). The Balloon-Bed consists of toy balloons, of the type used to make model giraffes for kids at funfairs, inflated and slipped into a Pertex cover, turning it into a weird, lilo-type-thing.

Simon’s pick: Thin sleeping mat can be found at most outdoor stores. I trim mine to 73g so it sits under my shoulders-to-bum, and I fold rather than roll it so it slips snugly inside my OMM sack.

Joe’s Verdict: Simon understands that insulation, not padding, is required, since the boggy ground is usually soft. He could have chosen 3mm tent underlay.

5. Food & Cooking Gear

Don’t cook, just boil water and pour it into pouches of freeze-dried food from which you eat with a spoon. Pick the lightest pot, stove and gas canister.

Simon’s Pick: DryTech Real Expedition Meals from Norway were introduced to me on Joe Faulkner’s course and they’re superb for dinner and breakfast. I also take instant custard power in a zip-lock bag, pour in boiling water and drop in chunks of malt loaf. In addition I have salted nuts, chewy bars, sweets and mint tea bags.

Markill Peak Ignition Titanium Cooker is light with a good power output. A double thickness of aluminium foil is the windshield. I use a GoGas 125g cartridge, as OMM competitors must finish with enough gas to make a hot drink.

SnowPeak Titanium Mug: Any tall titanium mug will double as a pot and mug. I use a cheap plastic spoon.

Joe’s Verdict: When you reach camp cold and hungry you want a simple meal that needs only boiling water added. This saves time and gas, and you can’t knock it off the stove. If your meal is too complex you’ll scoff an energy bar instead, fall asleep, and be exhausted next day.

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Stove, Pan, Spoon and dried meal

CLOTHING

Get out the kitchen scales and set aside a whole evening to weigh everything you might use and record its weight. You’ll make important discoveries. I have two seemingly identical fleece hats except one weighs 100g more, and that could be two energy bars instead. Check the event rules again to establish exactly what clothes you must carry as a minimum and comply. However, at this stage you’re not deciding what to wear but establishing your options.

I pack my running sack on the day before the event, but take several options with me. If the weather forecast changes I can add a down vest or switch to shorts. I try to book a B&B for the night before, but if camping I use different gear because I want my race kit dry and light.

This is my clothing selection to which I’ll add or subtract as the weather forecast changes.

CLOTHING SIMON’S PICK

Warm leg cover GoLite Propell tights 280g

Shorts if warm Ron Hill long lycra 107g

Camp warm leg cover Berghaus ProStretch Light-tight 240g

Long sleeve top Berghaus X-static LS 183g

Camp long sleeve top Berghaus ACL base 171g

Warm top Berghaus Spectrum Micro fleece 320g

Windproof GoLite Ether 100g

Taped waterproof top OMM Kamleka smock 300g

Taped waterproof pants GoLite Reed pants 116g

Down vest GoLite Cirrus 283g

Running shoes Inov-8 MudRoc 280 700g

Gloves Thin gloves 28g

Home-made w’proof mitts 40g

Hat GoLite Frost 50g

Silva compass 48g

First aid / emergency kit & spare food

Joe’s Verdict: Cut the clutter. When packing, avoid adding extra bits and pieces. If it’s showery, run in a windproof and clothing will dry when the rain stops. Modern mountain clothing is designed to be warm when wet, so run in the same kit both days even if it’s wet and keep the thin, dry layers for camp. Work on a three-layer system – base, insulation, and shell.

SMALL BUT IMPORTANT ITEMS

Headtorch: Around camp, the Black Diamond Ion is among the lightest headtorches, but to run in the dark you’ll need something like the Petzel Tikka.

Bin-bag: Cut down and line the inside pack to protect sleeping bag and spare clothes.

Zip lock bags: Make excellent water carriers, although it looks like someone has stolen your goldfish. Carry two for water, and two regular poly-bags each to wear walking around camp, over dry socks inside wet shoes.

Ear-plugs: Your partner my snore or your tent might be near a loud snorer.

Water bottle: I use a wide-mouth a water bottle, not a bladder, as it’s easier to fill on the hill and doubles as a mug.

Vaseline: To prevent chafing.

If you’ve read this far you may have thought, “I wonder if I could do that?” If you think you might be able to handle a mountain marathon, then the answer is probably “yes”. But you’ll not know until you try.