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" The Coast to Coast Walk" with Simon and Clare Part On...

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*Inroduction
The Coast to Coast Walk was the brainchild of Alfred Wainwright the well known writer and hill walker, it was devised by him in 1972 and is now one of the most popular long distance walks in the world. The Coast to Coast Walk crosses three National Parks and undoubtedly some of Englands finest scenery. Starting besides the Irish Sea at St Bees Cumbria, you have wonderful walking through the Mountains of the Lake District, across the Pennines and down through Swaledale and finally across the North Yorkshire Moors finishing at the East Coast at Robin Hoods Bay a grand total of 192 miles.
Wainwright devised the walk to be done in 12 days, but this can be adjusted to suit the experience,ability and stanima of the individual walker. The walk is severe and difficult in places and the days walking are long and tiring, but the marjority of those that complete the challenge extoll the rewards and fantastic experience that make it all worth while.

For many months prior to the walk Simon and Clare planned and prepared for the challenge, reading books, studying maps and getting in as many walks as they could. Finally the day of departure arrived and Clare’s Father drove the very excited pair to St Bees where their journey began!

Because their journey is so long I have divided it up into three parts;0)

The 25th July Day 1 St Bees to Ennerdale Bridge 14.5 miles

First the Traditional " Dipping of Feet in the Sea" followed by a picture at the starting post

Exploring some of the Rocks and caves along the beach in true Wrainwright spirit before we set off.
Now lets get going! first stage is across the clifftops, far reaching dramatic sea views across to the I.O.M and Scotland

We continued to follow the steep and stoney path out of the bay, finally reaching the North Head and the Lighthouse which was built in1886

The path now turns inland and the walking mainly lanes and forest paths which led us to Dent Fell which is a strenuous climb of aroung 1250 ft and and a painful descent along a stony forest track., The view from the summit was panoramic!

The walk now brought us to the very pretty valley of Nanny Catch Beck which signifies our arrival in the Lake District National park, the pleasant walk along the beck brought us to the road to Ennerdale Bridge and our B.B for the night. Our first day completed although we were tired and aching a little we were also pleased to have reached todays goal..

Ennerdale to Rosthwaite Day 2 – 15 miles
A rather damp and misty start to the second day, we set off around 9-30 walking alongside the length Ennerdale Waters with fantastic views towards Great Gable .We start the route following Ennerdale Waters

The Weir our first view of Ennerdale Waters.

Forest clad sides of the Valley with low cloud and mists.

The forest road now opens up and follows the River Liza up to the Black Sail Youth Hostel, (a former Shepherds Brothy) where we stop for a welcome break. both rather wet now!

Looking up the valley towards Great Gable covered in mist and Cloud

We now continue a steep rocky ascent out of the Ennerdale valley by the way of Low Beck a strenuous climb of 1000ft in half a mile, finding the route to Low Beck is not easy when the cloud is low and misty

The end of Honister Pass heading towards Seatoller a then Rosthwaite

Views across the valley over Seatoller, Borrowdale begin to appear
“One of the fairiest of lakes and Valleys” according to Wainwright!

On the way to Rosthwaite now!

The last fields before Rosthwaite Village

Outskirts of Village appear

Nook Farm just a lovely little place along the way into Rosthwaite village and our B.B for the night

Rosthwaite To Patterdale Day 3 17 miles

A early start for the long hard days walking ahead of us. Heading for Patterdale but first we take the sign for Stonewaite

Stonewaite Beck again, the clouds are closing in on them hills in the distance aren’t they!

Views of the hills around Borrowdale.

We have now passed Stonewaite and are following the wall and Greenup Gill up the valley!

The path just keeps on going upward leading us towards Lining Crag, its pretty steep but steady route lies ahead

Looking back down the valley we have climbed

The last pull up to Lining Crag can be clearly seen

We have crossed Greenup Edge now and with great views down the valley towards Grasmere

Calf Crag

Grasmere below the ridge walk

The Ridge walk that took in Calf Crag, Gibson Knot and Helm Crag

Helm Crag [The Lion and The Lamb]

The route down was steep and slow going, hard on the knees. legs and feet.

Views of Grisedale Tarn and the next valley

The route down to Grisedale Hause

Mountain rescue just picking someone off Helvelyn

The Valley walk down Griesdale to Ullswater and the last few miles to Patterdale and our B.B. and a place to rest our tired and aching limbs!

Paterdale to Shap Day 4 16 miles
The next day as started and wer’e heading up the flanks of Place Fell to Boardale Hause and the turn off to Angle Tarn, we say a last farewell to Patterdale and Ullswater.

Angle Tarn and views across toward St Sunday Crag area.

High St opens up in front of us

The Knott on the left and Haweswater valley

A stunning view of High St ridge

The mountain terrain is Fab up here!

Th High St ridge and walking heading up it!

We have turned off High St now, but you have to admit it’s tempting to head up and pretend to be a Roman Legionnare Lol

Road to Kidsty Pike which is the second time we have done this Peak.

The rear and downwards flanks Kidsty Hawes

Haweswater Reservoir and the 5 mile hike along it

Taking a Call as we cross the fields to Shap!

Almost reached our destination for the night, Shap Abbey comes ito view!

Shap is where we end our 62.5 miles of walking in the Lake District. tomorrow we start our treck across the Pennines and down into Swalesdale.

Dont forget to join us in Part Two.*

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Comments

 

well done to them both carole and so enjoyed reading your blog, beautifull scenery and pics, i so love our countryside, looking forward to the next part now, well put together ;o))

27 Aug, 2010

 

what more can I say, Sanbaz has said it all, great blog and pictures

27 Aug, 2010

 

Loved this blog Pansypotter, all those beautiful views of the Lake District (a favourite place of mine).Roll on part two...

27 Aug, 2010

 

Thanks Sandra, Yorkshire and Mavis, pleased you like it just hope you are not too tired after the long walks;0))

27 Aug, 2010

 

That was brilliant,Carole,and really takes me back to the years I lived in the area as a child.We spent many happy hours at St Bee's.What an achievement for them both,as for the most of it , it is pretty strenuous...and they were still smiling Lol.Looking forward very much to part two....lovely.

27 Aug, 2010

 

i had to have a sleep carole so tired haha

27 Aug, 2010

 

Who needs telly when we have your brilliant blog !
Loved it,---- every step of the way--- well done.

27 Aug, 2010

 

Wonderful photos Pp.....Love Ullswater..such a sense of peace. Looking forward to the next leg..and of course we know where it all ends ! xxx

27 Aug, 2010

 

Beautiful scenes Carole what a wonderful walk glad they enjoyed it all, my youngest daughter since watching the Wainwright walk want s to do it now, I laugh she can't remember yesterday so sure to get lost if she did it.

28 Aug, 2010

 

Beautiful scenery love Shap, but there again love all of the lakes.

28 Aug, 2010

 

Thanks to everyone for your lovely comments pleased you are enjoying it. Feel as though Ive done it myself, getting to be quite the expert on the route now lol

28 Aug, 2010

 

Fantastic walk Carole....love the Lakes like everyone....and Seatoller and Rosthwaite, just beautiful. Well done to them both, what an achievement!

28 Aug, 2010

 

Very much looking forward to Part 2 PP, and possibly seeing the old Bonkers family home ...Crackpot Hall.

29 Aug, 2010

 

Thanks Janey will pass on your comments
B.B Im woring on it now which area is Crackpot Hall so I can have a look through the pictures;0)

29 Aug, 2010

 

Sorry PP judging by the beautiful photos already submitted you ll have so many to work through.Crackpot - just love that name ! - is in Swaledale surounded by old lead mines not far from Keld and Muker .

There are some wonderful views along Swaledale from it so think Simon and Clare would have a few shots. From Shap think next stop Kirby Stephen then from here to Keld its this leg that would take them past Crackpot Hall.

29 Aug, 2010

 

BB have found the pictures,you were pulling my leg about the old family home then lol but have some great pictures of it so wait for part two;0)

29 Aug, 2010

 

Thanks PP very much looking forward to seeing the old place again ..while since I ve been just hope the tenants been looking after it ..lol

29 Aug, 2010

amy
Amy
 

A fabulous blog Carole , I'm so envious I wish I was doing it , I'm pretty sure I wouldn't manage it now . well I might if they put a B&B every 5 miles .. LOL... my mouth hasn't stop watering at the thought of lamb ,veg a dumpling hot pot at the Flock-in tea room at Yew tree farm , or their Herdy burgers scrumptious ~ well worth the walk .... did Simon and Clare pass there and sample it ? .. and the Ginger bread at Grasmere , yummy !
Well done to them both ... :o))

29 Aug, 2010

 

Thanks Amy, pleased you enjoyed it. you dont have to try and do it in 12 days like Simon! he said an American couple were taking a month to do it, makes sense you can enjoy the scenery without all the pain and urgencey. Mac Adventures arrange all the route with BB and Sherpa service to ferry your luggage each day to the next BB. They didnt go to Grasmere as instead of stopping there like the walkers who wer doing it in 14 days they carried on an additional 8 miles to Rosthwaite, but I know what you mean about the Gingerbread Mmmm

30 Aug, 2010

 

Lovely blog Pansy. Enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Well done to Simon and Claire. We live near the Brecon Beacons and the views are like these pics. Breathtaking.

31 Aug, 2010

 

Thanks Linda how lucky you are living so close to such stunning scenery;0)

31 Aug, 2010

 

Im full of admiration I would love to do that !! but alas now to old. lol. lovely photo,s and a very interesting journey thank you.

1 Sep, 2010

 

Thanks Maggy, I envy them too but was able to share in their happines and celebrations at the finish!

1 Sep, 2010

 

Beautiful blog, PP, it made me homesick for a holiday in the Lakes again! Simon and Clare certainly like a challenge, don't they. I like the idea of doing such a walk but don't think I would last the course :)

15 Sep, 2010

 

Thanks Gee, we have just come back from a coach tour in the lakes, I was quite excited to see the names of some the places Simon and Clare walked, just like you wish I could manage to do a few of them myself, not the same just just looking from a coach!

18 Sep, 2010

 

A fantastic walk and wonderful views. I love the misty hills.

28 Sep, 2010

 

Thanks for joining us Hywell do you think you will last to the end lol It was a unforgettable experience, think they plan to do it again;0)

28 Sep, 2010

 

tremendous walk and such amazing views. ive stayed in some of those youth hostels,

13 Dec, 2010

 

Hope its brought back some happy memories for you;0

14 Dec, 2010

 

yes, but wish i had done it all myself! only did a tiny bit

14 Dec, 2010

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