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Fells Runners Have Sinking Feeling

TORRENTIAL rain and high winds were the cause of an unsettled Mountain Marathon in the Lakes last weekend.

A months rainfall was dropped in 24 hours in the National Park, even though bad weather warnings had been broadcast, this was worse than anyone had expected.

2,000 fell runners bore the brunt of this downpour and must have been very sorry for themselves by the end of the weekend. Over-night around 1,700 runners were unaccounted for, but that number gradually dropped off the next day and all competitors were accounted for by the evening.

The lakes is renowned for being a wet and windy area, as the winds are channelled up the long narrow valleys at speed and let loose their damp cargo on top of the hills.

Sty Head in the Lake District is the wettest place in the UK, on average, with 430cm (169") of rain a year

Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival

THE FESTIVAL you've all been waiting for has arrived.

The Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival (17th-19th October)is designed to showcase life on and around mountains and the sports which come with them.

Festival director Stevie Christie said: "This year's Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival is set to be the best, yet aiming to entertain, enlighten and inspire.

"Magnificent scenery has a starring role in all the films whether it's the wilds of Alaska, waterfalls in Mexico, Icelandic glaciers or the mountain peaks of Scotland."

This year the festival is endorsed by legend Sir Chris Bonington and record breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont, who rode around the world in 194 days.

The festival is in the George Square lecture theatre of Edinburgh University.

More information can be found at www.edinburghmountainff.com.

Road to Ruin

Fears are increasing for the Annapurna Circuit, as work to build roads into the mountains are well under way.

The Circuit is one of the best loved trekking routes in the world. Stretching 300 Kilometres and rising up to just over 5000 metres at Thorung La, it attracts hundreds of eager trekkers throughout the two main seasons.

The trek is an amazing chance to get a glimpse of the Annapurnas and some of the most picturesque landscapes in existence.

All that is under threat now, as a new road building scheme is underway which is attempting to grind its way through some of the more beautiful valleys and passes, with the intention of making vehicular access to the remote villages a reality.

In one sense it is beneficial to the local economy, but if you are intending on doing the circuit, I would recommend you go sooner rather than later.

Camelback all-nighter

Camelback mountain, 2704ft, Pheonix Arizona, is the setting of one mans attempt at focusing attention on suicide prevention.

Daniel DeCelles,21, will hike up and down the mountain from dawn until dusk to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The hike is also in memory of DeCelles’ friend who committed suicide.

He believes he should reach the summit 10 times over the night.

6th Highest Mountain Claims Life

Cho Oyu (26,900ft), Nepal, has claimed the life of a Police officer from Winnipeg.

Guy Leveille, 45, fell after getting into difficulties on a tough climb.

Mr Leveille was climbing the sixth highest mountain in the world to raise money for orphans in Nepal.