For some inexplicable reason, the Fannichs were among the last of the Scottish hills that I came to know. Undoubtedly I passed by on too many occasions, fixed on the hills of Assynt or Sutherland, only occasionally pausing to consider the ridge which lies almost hidden from all aspects except the north.

One of the joys of fell running, is that it works whatever the weather. No obsessing over whether the crags are dry, what condition the ice is in, no tidal planning or concern about rising winds. But still, having spent half a lifetime planning trips with all these things front of mind, it’s hard to shake the mindset.

Just as many fell runners once came to the sport from some form of mountaineering background, so many climbers had their first taste of steeper rock, while scrambling.

It’s interesting to scan through the list of first ascents for many of the Lakes’ winter climbs, if only to note how many were completed over a small number of consecutive years, now decades past. If they ever were, stable winter conditions on the fells it seems are no longer a thing.

An Teallach (The Forge) is arguably the greatest of all Scotland’s mountains and one which, in winter conditions, requires no small degree of commitment if the ridge is to be traversed in full.

It seems a long time since I last supported a BG, much longer still since my own, though the Wasdale fells that dominate leg 4 remain as familiar as they ever were. It is arguably the hardest of the five legs on the Bob Graham, at least if running clockwise and for many aspirants, a daunting prospect.

Growing up in West Cumbria, Wasdale was among the more accessible valleys, Wastwater and the surrounding hills a familiar weekend haunt. It was a long time ago but even then, on a good day it always seemed busy - the lure of The Pike, Great Gable and others drawing folks from far afield. I’m glad we could not foresee what was coming.

Of the six classic north faces of the Alps, the Piz Badille is arguably the easiest. The Cassin Route - first ascent in 1937 - gives relatively safe climbing on good rock, largely free of rock fall. It seemed a good place to start.

Typically approached from the Cairnwell Pass, a far better run is to be had by starting at the head of Glen Isla and finishing via Black Hill and Monamenach.