Sump To Summit

Georgia had the idea months ago that we should run the ‘Tea Round’. I agreed, as we’d both signed up for long-distance runs, so this would be ideal training for both of us. We set a date a few months in the future.

Honestly, I didn’t know what the Tea Round was, and I hadn’t clocked how far it was either.

The ‘George Fisher Tea Round’ is a run that incorporates every summit you can see out of the window from the George Fisher Tea Shop in Keswick. The route is 48.5 km with 3,439 m ascent.

Georgia invited her friend, Rosie, and Rosie brought Comran and Sam with her.

I’d arrived in the Lake District at around 2 am because I’d been at a friend’s engagement party in North Wales, so was late setting off. We met outside the tea shop at 8:30 am and set off running. The first part of the route goes:

⛰️ Skelgill Bank (338 m) • ⛰️ Catbells (451 m) • ⛰️ High Snab Bank (440 m) • ⛰️ Robinson (737 m) • ⛰️ High Stile (807 m) • ⛰️ High Stile (806 m) • ⛰️ Red Pike (Buttermere) (755 m)

The descent down Red Screes was superb!

At the halfway point (north end of Buttermere) we stopped for a pie, ice cream, and as much fluid as we could drink. It had turned into a very hot day! The route up Whiteless Pike was tough in the heat with no breeze. Sam and Comran ran it!

I brought up the rear, struggling in the heat of the day. The second half was great running, the route goes:

⛰️ Whiteless Pike (660 m) • ⛰️ Saddle Gate (624 m) • ⛰️ Thirdgill Head Man (734 m) • ⛰️ Hobcarton Crag (738 m) • ⛰️ Grisedale Pike (791 m) • ⛰️ Eel Crag (Birkett) (807 m) • ⛰️ Crag Hill (839 m) • ⛰️ Sail (773 m) • ⛰️ Scar Crags (672 m) • ⛰️ Causey Pike (637 m) • ⛰️ Rowling End (433 m) • ⛰️ Barrow (455 m) 

Other than struggling through heather and ferns to gain the last summit, the second half was great. The only section that lets down the route is the run along the road at the end.

Our moving time was around 8h 30m. It had been a great day out with lovely people!

Not sure where Sam was for the final photo!