QO at the Lakes 5 Days
QO recover at Bessyboot
Some 21 or so Quantock Orienteers attended the Lakes 5 Days 2026 event. The lakes offer some of the most demanding terrain. The event is renowned for big hills, intricate contour detail, rough ground and the kind of long uphill walks to the start that have become stories in their own right. Across the week, QO runners (and walkers) performed relatively well, navigating some brutally technical areas but enjoying the team spirit that makes multi-day events so special.
Karen Lewis reports
Thank you to the Fieldhouse/Mudd contingency for bringing, putting up and taking down the tent and banner daily. It gave us all a place to head to when needed.
Day 1 – Askham Fell
Parking was adjacent to the assembly and the walk to the start was very reasonable for Lake standards. They were just leading us on!
The area consisted of rough open land with an array of depressions. This was a runners area and was not too challenging. Courses had little climb and, for the shorter courses, controls were not that far from the paths. There was also a central ring of stones to assist with navigation.
For day 1, Adam Fieldhouse led the M21 contingency and came in 5th place and Roger Craddock and very respectable 4th in his age class and Rosie Wych came in 7th place.
Day 2 - Bessyboot
Definitely one of the days everyone will remember. First the walk from the parking to the assembly field, then the long gruelling steep climb to the start between 40 and 60 minutes depending on your start.
The shorter courses made use of The Combe (described as a flat-bottomed valley) – not quite how I would describe it. There was a climb to the first control and then you worked your way down to the valley bottom and from there you worked your way back up to the finish. Unfortunately, you had the same walk back from the finish to the assembly field. There was a lovely pool of water near the low start and some of us cooled off here before the walk down. Absolutely exhausted once we got back to the car.
Another good run for Adam Fieldhouse coming in 4th place – very impressive, Roger Craddock came in 3rd and Will Kromhout came in 6th on his course
Day 3 – Yewdale Fell
The rain came in overnight and continued well into the morning.
Parking caused some major hold ups and meant that nearly all competitors were late to the starts. The start was a 1.6 km 130 m climb from the parking – not so tough as the previous day. The area was consisted of rough open with lots of crags, big rocks and an endless supply of marshes. On saying that, it was thoroughly enjoyable out there and the shorter courses made good use of the area. The sun came out about a third of the way around and made for some superb views from the finish. However, you then had the gruelling (I would say dangerous when tired and wet) walk back down 150 m rocky descent back to download.
Then to get out of the parking area. Some adventurous soul had opened another gate out and tested it. Definitely the route to take.
Results wise, another mixed bag – Rosie managed an 8th , Joanna Evans came in 7th, Aliani came in 7th and Robin Fieldhouse beat Adam and came in 12th.
Day 4 - Bigland
Only 1.2 km to assembly and then only 1 km to the start. It obviously wasn’t enough of a warm up for me. I was going to say it was nice to be back in woodland but this area caused me some issues.
I should have been in my element as it was reasonably technical. However, it was rocky, vegetation was difficult to get through (the holly) and then there was bracken Lost my mojo between control 4 and 5 and rather than go back and relocate, I forged on ahead in the wrong direction 26 minutes! Knew I was wrong (and where I was) when I got to the wall junction. The rest of the course went reasonably well.
Big achiever on this day was Aliani who came in 2nd in her group.
Day 5 – Hampsfell
Parking alongside assembly and a reasonable 600 m walk to the starts.
This area was my favourite of the week. Rough open, with large patches of limestone to cross, the odd patch of trees and some bracken of course. A feel a bit cheated, didn’t really get my monies worth but really enjoyed the course.
It wasn’t particularly technical, but I did hear several people say that they had done a 180 degree error.
I’m not the only one that enjoyed today, in their respective categories – Roger Craddock came in 1st, Adam came in 9th, Will 7th and Aliani 6th.
Well done to all those that attended. It was great to see everyone and get out orienteering again. Thoroughly enjoyed the whole event.