The Big Rounds: Running and walking the Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley and Charlie Ramsay Rounds

About the Book

Three rounds. 113 summits. Nearly 300km and over 25,000m of ascent across the Lake District, Snowdonia, and the Scottish Highlands of Lochaber. The Bob Graham, Paddy Buckley, and Charlie Ramsay Rounds are Britain's three most challenging long-distance mountain rounds, and together they represent the ultimate test of fell running and mountain endurance in the British Isles.

Part practical guide, part celebration of mountain culture, this large-format Cicerone book by award-winning author and photographer David Lintern is designed to inform and inspire anyone drawn to the Big Rounds, whether as a runner against the clock, a walker on a multi-day backpacking circuit, or simply someone captivated by these extraordinary routes and the people who love them. Each round is described in full for both runners and walkers, with route guides, practical planning information, history, and first-hand stories from the legends of the sport.

• Tackle all three Big Rounds with full leg-by-leg route guides for the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District, the Paddy Buckley Round in Snowdonia, and the Charlie Ramsay Round in Lochaber, with each round described as both a 24-hour running challenge and a week-long backpacking circuit.
• Be inspired by first-hand stories and insights from the people who have defined the Rounds, including Jasmin Paris, Nicky Spinks, Charlie Ramsay, Paddy Buckley, Jim Mann, and Mike Hartley, alongside stunning photography from three of Britain's most dramatic mountain landscapes.
• Plan your attempt with detailed practicalities for each round, covering getting there, water sources, suggested backpacker's itineraries, places to stay and resupply, support runner logistics, and the rules for timed attempts.
• Explore alternative ways to complete each round, with information on day trips, shorter sections, and additional challenges, including round extensions and other long-distance mountain challenges beyond the Big 3.
• Discover the history of each round, from the origins of the Bob Graham in 1932 to the evolution of the Paddy Buckley and Charlie Ramsay Rounds, and learn about the extraordinary community of runners and walkers who have shaped their culture and records.
• Prepare thoroughly with comprehensive advice on mountaincraft and personal safety, equipment, environmental impact, access and right to roam across England, Wales, and Scotland, and guidance on winter attempts from current record holder Jim Mann.

A book to inspire, challenge, and move anyone who has ever looked up at a mountain and felt the pull of the summit, The Big Rounds is an essential addition to the shelf of every fell runner, mountain walker, and lover of wild British landscapes.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements Map key Overview map Preface Introduction What are the Big Rounds? Using this book The book's approach Mountaincraft and personal safety When to go Who to go with Equipping for the Rounds Environmental impact and leave no trace Access and the right to roam - differences in law and in practice The Bob Graham Round Route guide Leg 1 Keswick to Threlkeld Leg 2 Threlkeld to Dunmail Raise Leg 3 Dunmail Raise to Wasdale Leg 4 Wasdale to Honister Pass Leg 5 Honister Pass to Keswick Practicalities Getting there and around Water Suggested backpacker's itinerary Alternative ways to complete the Bob Graham Round Places to stay and resupply Support for runners Rules for runners The history of the Round A runner's story: Rob Bushby The Paddy Buckley Round Route guide Leg 1 Capel Curig to Nantmor Leg 2 Nantmor to Pont Cae'r Gors Leg 3 Pont Cae'r Gors to Llanberis Leg 4 Llanberis to Ogwen YHA Leg 5 Ogwen to Capel Curig Practicalities Getting there and around Water Suggested backpacker's itinerary Alternative ways to complete the Paddy Buckley Round Places to stay and resupply Support for runners Rules for runners The history of the Round A runner's story: Sue Walsh The Charlie Ramsay Round Route guide Leg 1 Glen Nevis to Luibeilt via the Mamores Leg 2 Luibeilt to Fersit - the valley section Leg 3 Fersit to Glen Nevis YHA Practicalities Getting there and around Water Suggested backpacker's itinerary Alternative ways to complete the Charlie Ramsay Round Places to stay Support for runners Rules for runners The history of the Round A runner's story: Jasmin Paris People of the Rounds Paddy Buckley Wendy Dodds Charlie Ramsay Nicky Spinks Helene Whitaker Jasmin Paris Jim Mann Mike Hartley Keri Wallace Appendix A: Hills and their heights Appendix B: Distance and elevation at a glance Appendix C: Firsts on the Rounds Appendix D: Round extensions, and other eye-wateringly long challenges Appendix E: Further reading and viewing

About the Author :
David Lintern is an award-winning photographer and writer, an average mountaineer and a below average runner. He has previously been a cinema projectionist, a sound engineer, a youth music worker and a university lecturer, founded a small refugee charity and worked for the John Muir Trust. After a lifetime spent in cities he now lives in the Cairngorms, writes about the uplands, and both guides and teaches outdoor photography. The Big Rounds is his first book and his website is www.davidlintern.com.