The Mighty has fallen...

YESSSS!!

Oh wait... I mean NOOOO!!

The Mighty Deerstalker 2018 has fallen victim to the weather. The most extreme event in the calendar has been out-extremed by Mother Nature and her Beast from the East.

As late as this morning I was getting in touch with everyone I could think of who might have a spare 4WD I could borrow to get me up to Scotland safely. I'd laid out all my kit; my base-layers, mid-layers, triple strength waterproofed socks. My road route was planned to dodge most of the yellow and amber warnings, and my tent and sleeping bag were rolled and ready.

The email dropped in around midday, and I must say that although I was disappointed in not being able to complete it, I was also a tiny little bit relieved. Looking at the various pictures the locals have been posting on the Rat Race event page, you can see how deep the snow is, various roads in to Innerleithen were out of action, and on top of all that my camping arrangements might be considered woefully inadequate!

It does sound like it would have been nearly as much of a challenge getting there as it would have been if I had managed to reach the end of the race with hypothermia kept at bay, and all of my fingers and toes intact. The red weather warning in Scotland has rendered the set up and event logistics impossible, and to ensure the safety of staff, travellers and participants the night time adventure has been postponed.

My JustGiving page promises the event will be finished, and it will. Next year the date of The Mighty Deerstalker has been set for 16th March 2019, and my entry has been automatically confirmed as transferred.

The other events are still on. I now start in May so there is still time if you wish to join me, however the head torch is back in the box for another 12 months. Sorry!

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Twitter: @PhilJ0606

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