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Main Boards => Long Distance Walks => Topic started by: alewife on 21:35:46, 09/07/16

Title: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 21:35:46, 09/07/16
Some of you guys know I have wanted to do this for years. Some (too many) years ago, I found myself in a pub in Robin hood bay. There was a coast to coast certificate of some sort on the wall behind the bar, and it piqued my interest.

And now its all booked for end of April and mostly in May. Very excited, and a good reason to start getting out a lot more to get fit(ter).

I'll do it with Mountaingirl, and I must say she has been brilliant with the planning and organisation.

I'm sure we would both appreciate any advice about anything at all from those that have done it, or general info about long distance walking. We'll be starting from the west side.

Without wishing the time away, I can't wait O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 21:42:38, 09/07/16
You will certainly enjoy it, it's not just a walk, it's an experience.  O0

I've been to the Lakes a few times in the last couple of months and keep meeting people at the Hostels at night who are doing the C2C and feeling very jealous. I want to do it again...and again.

If you want any info etc, there are plenty of us who have done the walk....I know this thread will make me envious a few times to come  ;)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mick wmexile on 23:21:54, 09/07/16
I will be interested in following this thread. Last month I did my first long distance walk, The Pennine Way, thoroughly enjoyed it. I got the bug for more, already in planning stages for C2C next May. I'd really be interested how others have found the two walks in comparison with each other.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: White Horse Walker on 09:16:55, 12/07/16
Have a great time Alewife. We've had a number of guests here who have walked it and they all loved it.  :)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 11:42:22, 12/07/16
On my 'to do' list and a possibility it might replace my planned PW walk in 2017, so I too will be watching  :)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 22:58:20, 13/07/16
Thanks for the comments and I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions when we get closer to the off.

I have put Mr A in charge of my training plan: he offered and I accepted before I noticed the look of glee on his face. I reserve the right to refuse to partake of anything I don't like the sound of :-\   ::)

I start training in September, apparently  :)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 17:06:59, 16/07/16

Alewife- we did it about 6 years ago and I can give you advice from a female point of view so let me know how I can help. After doing Pennine Way I could have done with stretching my legs before I went!  :D  Once you start increasing your miles make sure you also walk with a full pack or increase to full pack as soon as you can.



I'd really be interested how others have found the two walks in comparison with each other.
We've done both Mick. As you know we've just completed the Pennine Way, we did the C2C about 6 years ago. Enjoyed both. C2Cwas16 days no rest day, PW 20 days incl one rest day at Alston. I think the PW was only tougher because it was longer. The first day on the PW is much harder, but the first 5 days were harder on the C2C assuming west to east. We did have particularly bad weather on the C2C, managed to get the tail end of a couple of American hurricanes in September ( not sure if that's always a factor to consider). PW was more remote and more boggy!! You will meet more people on the C2C, and there will probably be more that are not used to walking such long distances and give up more easily.  Certainly those we met on the PW were more determined to finish and not take any short cuts! It's amazing how many (usually Americans) on the C2C seemed to think nothing of taking a bus or taxi in bad weather or if tired, and then just carrying on!

Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: mike knipe on 20:43:20, 16/07/16
I think Rural Roamer's assessment of the relative difficulties of the CtoC and PW are about right. Maybe the Cheviot part of the PW is harder if you do it without the services of Forest View's bus pick-up from Trow but apart from that, the daily workload is probably about the same, its just that the PW is longer which perhaps makes the psychology of plugging away at it a little more important.
The PW has become quite a lot easier since they put all those stone flags down and diverted the route away from  the "PW undefined" moss-plods across Saddleworth Moor etc. You can still walk on the bobble-hatted skulls of 1970's sunken deep and lost into the sloppy bits of Black Hill (now green and no longer Black!) and Saddleworth Moor and the dreaded Redmires Moss, now drained and flagged. Ah yes, them were the days. One of my legs is still peat-stained from the legendary Ickornshaw Moor disaster, in fact. Happy days....
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 13:56:07, 19/09/16
And so the training begins. Just returned from holiday and feeling very lardy but ready to get my xrse in gear . Any training tips appreciated -thank rural roamer, only just seen your reply. I know I have 7 months before the walk so will be starting off with just getting out for a few miles each day, and build up the distance over the next few weeks.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: RonA on 15:52:43, 19/09/16
.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 16:06:40, 19/09/16
Thanks, yes I realise the time will fly by which is why I'm starting now. The planning/accommodation is all booked so daily distances are set now but using a luggage transfer so planning to use my usual pack, water will be the most of the weight. I do need new boots so I should probably be getting those fairly soon to get them worn in. Also planning on taking poles which I don't generally use so probably need to practise with them too.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: C2C10 on 01:08:56, 29/09/16
I'm planning my 10th coast to coast walk for May 2017.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 09:28:33, 29/09/16
We may well run (walk) into each other. Perhaps Kay and I, and anyone else on here who does it, should  have a red rose in our lapel, or carry a rolled up newspaper, so the we can spot any other forumites on the trail. I am really excited about it (I probably said that before ;D)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: youradvocate on 11:40:19, 29/09/16
I've done it but if I was to do it again I would try to re-route myself to avoid some of the road walking stretches. All in all a good hike, I have never really decided if the Lake District start, or to finish there is best way to do it?
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: C2C10 on 11:45:46, 29/09/16
Well, I have my itinerary drawed up. Will be mostly camping, got the lion inn booked up and a couple of bunk houses and maybe a youth hostel. I start on the 15th of May for 12 days. Will be using a packhorse :D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: youradvocate on 12:01:23, 29/09/16
I loved the Lion Inn. I camped there and arrived in rain and thick fog. When I eventually made it into the pub I met a bloke from the USA who grew tomatoes on a big scale. He gave all of us customers a talk about the different types, the cycles of the year, the type and cost of the equipment that is used, the ones that are used in ketchup as apposed to the ones that are put in tins, the ones that make money and the ones that don't, etc. Absolutely fascinating.  :-\
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 15:01:35, 29/09/16
I've done it but if I was to do it again I would try to re-route myself to avoid some of the road walking stretches. All in all a good hike, I have never really decided if the Lake District start, or to finish there is best way to do it?

I'll tell you in 3 weeks after I've finished at St. Bees  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: C2C10 on 11:14:48, 30/09/16
Having walked the coast to coast now 9 times and planning my 10th, next year. I can recommend the walking poles for a long distance walk, saves a lot of stress on the knees, great for wet boggy sections and warding off animals, especially dogs. Although the walking poles can be a pain whilst going over stiles. A lot of the coast to coast route can be wet and boggy in places and one's to note are, at the top of Loft Beck, Greenup Edge, from Boredale Hause to the Knott, Nine Standards, Greystone Hills. Although, that depends on the time of the year and how much rain has fallen in recent months, but I've known these places to be bone dry, so it's down to luck, I guess. The Nine Standards is a tricky crossing in misty weather and a gps or a compass/1.25000 map is a must. A good alternative route is the green route, which leads to the B6270 road and a couple of miles to rejoin the route to Ney Gill. The downside is, you miss out on seeing the Nine Standards, but nothing stopping you going up to see them, if you can see them and retrace steps to the green route. from Keld to Reeth is a choice of two routes and that is the high and low paths. The high route takes you along old mine working and can be a little remote in places, but interesting, if you like old mine workings and it's history. the lower route is best in foul weather and that takes you along the river swale, but a lot of stiles and meadows. One idea is split it, that walk from Keld to Gunnerside Gill and walk to Gunnerdale via the Gill and then along the swale to Reeth.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 17:04:46, 11/10/16
Thanks. I had a go with poles this weekend and have become a convert, so will definitely be using those.

Can anyone give me some general info on picking up provisions along the route. I think b&bs/hostels will do a packed lunch but if we were to avoid that are we going to starve or are there small shps in places, or definitely nothing available in others. Hope that makes sense.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: youradvocate on 18:38:40, 11/10/16
I do not cook en-route, prefer to go to pubs, etc and have never had problems in picking up provisions. There seemed to be shops, pubs and other places almost everywhere. A few longer stretches without such a place but I've never gone hungry.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 20:33:53, 11/10/16
We may well run (walk) into each other. Perhaps Kay and I, and anyone else on here who does it, should  have a red rose in our lapel, or carry a rolled up newspaper, so the we can spot any other forumites on the trail. I am really excited about it (I probably said that before ;D )


I suggested something like that after Hadrians Wall last year when we most likely passed April and Beefy,said hello to them but didn't realise!
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 20:59:25, 11/10/16
Poles will definitely help, I didnt have any for the C2C 5 years ago and I had problems with my knees, but they were fine this year on the Pennine Way using poles.


C2C we managed to buy lunch a lot of the time, a few days we ordered a packed lunch. They can be quite expensive though and we only want a sandwich not all the other bits that come with it! On the Pennine way there were lots of days when we thought we wouldn't be able to get anything on the way, so rather than order a packed lunch we asked the B&Bs if we could just have a sandwich and most of them were fine with that and didnt charge us much. One only charged us 50p per sandwich!  If you put up your schedule some of us may be able to advise of places to buy. Evenings we always ate in pubs or the odd fish and chips in larger places.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 21:11:48, 11/10/16
There are shops in St. Bees, Cleator, Grasmere, Patterdale, Shap, Orton, Kirkby Stephen, Reeth, Richmond, Service Station at the A19 crossing before Ingleby Arncliffe, Osmotherley, Glaisdale and Grosmont...not sure if I missed any.

There are also some cafes along the way including Honister, Rosthwaite, Keld, Lordstones (at Carlton Bank) plus a few pubs.

As for poles, I'm trying them just now on my C2C and I'd say I've mostly used them for stability on wet/muddy descents. Never used poles really before and not sure if I'm using them properly or if they are actually helping.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 21:12:09, 11/10/16
That would be really helpful. I'll post it up when I get a chance. I think we're sorted for the evenings on the whole, just the lunches and don't want to be pubbing or cafe-ing too much.


Has anyone got any experience of Sherpa v packhorse for luggage transfer. They both seem similar but Sherpa is a bit cheaper but not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing.




Thanks Bricam O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 21:21:11, 11/10/16
I've used Sherpa twice, never had any problems. Never used Packhorse so can't compare.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 22:17:33, 11/10/16
We used Sherpa, they were fine. A lot of people we met used Packhorse, again with no problems.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Rather be walking on 12:29:55, 12/10/16
I've done it but if I was to do it again I would try to re-route myself to avoid some of the road walking stretches. All in all a good hike, I have never really decided if the Lake District start, or to finish there is best way to do it?
This Sept we completed St. Bees to Kirkby Stephen due to time restraints :( , (Kirkby Stephen to Robin Hood Bay next Year in May)  :)
Interestedly we chatted to walkers walking east to west and some wished they started at St. Bees  ???
 
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Slogger on 20:06:18, 12/10/16
Just a brief note, Re: Poles, yes I know again! Obviously a lot of people find they help, I have in fact three sets, two of which are carbon and not cheap to purchase. i have triad and triad again to get on with them. My latest foray was a walk/run along the Dales Way, I got the poles out at about the two mile point and moving fastish, I reached Bolton Abbey 13.1 miles in 3 hours exactly, so just over 4mph. However at the 18 mile point i was quite badly knacked through all the 'poling'. I stashed them away and still walking at the same pace quickly recovered. My thoughts on this are, when moving fast and pushing hard you use more energy up than the benefit for speed is worth. At a more reasonable pace with gentle pushing, it may be another story.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 20:26:21, 12/10/16
I don't think I was pushing on the poles but more just using like a walking stick, or 2 walking sticks. which probably isn't correct but I found it helpful. Peter did show me how to use the straps correctly after I said they were making my hands sore. I'm sure loads of people will now want to tell me how to use them correctly and I have read all the threads on poles before but it just steadied me and helped a bit when I was tired.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: mikelaluz on 12:34:17, 19/10/16
Hi Alewife


I'm new here but just returned from doing the first 4 days of the C2C (unfortunately having to do it in bite size chunks). Firstly on the Trekking Poles issue like many I was not a fan but had never really tried.


My daughter convinced me and I'm so glad she did. Not only the descents (which was my concern) but they make ascents particularly on steep uneven and very hard Cumbrian paths a great deal easier


One other point which I put on the C2C Wainwright Forum - Be very wary of the Southern route around Ennerdale Water at one pint about 80 ft up above the Lake on the path (reservoir) and around Robin Hoods Chair I found myself on a cliff edge and unable to turn to go back and had to traverse to a ledge down to right with my back to the cliff - This would not have been a problem with two people but I was travelling solo and unable to turn without fear of falling. I have to say I have no head for sheer heights and others may take it in their stride. Arriving at Black Sail two other sets of walkers had been warned and taken the Northern route around Ennerdale Water which is the far safer route.


Final point I was fine but several walkers experienced blisters on their feet through the sheer hardness of the ground on the first few days - my advice is well worn in boots and some of the higher cushioned Bridgedale Socks and also back to the trekking Poles they take a massive strain off the impact on your feet.


Regards


Mike
PS The guide book I used for info  Coast to Coast Path Henry Steadman
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 12:53:14, 19/10/16
mikelaluz- I know where you mean along Ennerdale Water, its the bit around Anglers Crag thats a bit of a scramble?  I seem to remember thats the lower path and there might be a higher path to take? Or maybe I'm thinking of somewhere else!  I do recall it's a bit tricky if not used to scrambling. I think I took off my rucksack and passed it down to my other half and he helped me down. Like you said a lot of people take the northern path, though it's not so interesting.


Alewife - a good piece of advice to remember is, plan your route but be prepared to change it according to the weather.  We often ended up doing the low route when we'd planned the high route and vice versa. And there's no set route the aim is to walk from one coast to the other!

Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 13:23:26, 19/10/16
Yes, the North side around Ennerdale is a nice smooth path and then onto a forest track, much easier to walk on than the other side of the water. It might not seem as interesting but there's plenty of interest in the next 180 miles or so  O0

Just be aware of "low routes" as some of them really aren't "low" at all, merely lower than the other alternatives. The "low route" after Black Sail Hut is still a fair climb before descending down to Honister, so don't be fooled by the "low" word, lol.

If weather is good, one "high" route I'd recommend for views is the one between Borrowdale and Grasmere, that takes in Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. Basically, when you get to the bit where you decided high or low, you're quite high up anyway and not too far to climb to reach Calf Crag then a ridge walk along the other 2 summits before a steep descent into Grasmere. The "low" route basically heads down from the turn off and through the valley.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: mikelaluz on 14:02:31, 19/10/16
Yes, the North side around Ennerdale is a nice smooth path and then onto a forest track, much easier to walk on than the other side of the water. It might not seem as interesting but there's plenty of interest in the next 180 miles or so  O0

Just be aware of "low routes" as some of them really aren't "low" at all, merely lower than the other alternatives. The "low route" after Black Sail Hut is still a fair climb before descending down to Honister, so don't be fooled by the "low" word, lol.

If weather is good, one "high" route I'd recommend for views is the one between Borrowdale and Grasmere, that takes in Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. Basically, when you get to the bit where you decided high or low, you're quite high up anyway and not too far to climb to reach Calf Crag then a ridge walk along the other 2 summits before a steep descent into Grasmere. The "low" route basically heads down from the turn off and through the valley.


Hi bricam


Agree totally 'low routes' in the scheme of things are not that low - When climbing up from Black Sail there was a very strong Easterly and I decided to keep to the 'low' route to Honister but as per your advice the next day into Grasmere was fine wind wise and I was happy to take the 'high' route and as you say you're already up there it would be a waste not to.


Rural Roamer you're right alternative routes are key and I was surprised  that of the people I met many had little map reading skills and were very much reliant on whatever Guide Book they were following. :-\
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 14:18:47, 19/10/16
we might have crossed paths on the C2C then as I finished in St. Bees on Saturday afternoon  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: mikelaluz on 14:42:16, 19/10/16
Hi Brian


I started at St Bees 4/10 and finished on Friday 7/10 so I think we would have been a few days apart.


A bit gutted that I couldn't carry on because once the Easterly had subsided on the Wednesday having stayed at Honister YH Thursday and Friday were glorious days and perfect walking weather.


Hoping to get it completed before New Year although work may get in the way unfortunately :-[
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 17:20:09, 25/10/16
Having walked the coast to coast now 9 times and planning my 10th, next year. I can recommend the walking poles for a long distance walk, saves a lot of stress on the knees, great for wet boggy sections and warding off animals, especially dogs. Although the walking poles can be a pain whilst going over stiles. A lot of the coast to coast route can be wet and boggy in places and one's to note are, at the top of Loft Beck, Greenup Edge, from Boredale Hause to the Knott, Nine Standards, Greystone Hills. Although, that depends on the time of the year and how much rain has fallen in recent months, but I've known these places to be bone dry, so it's down to luck, I guess. The Nine Standards is a tricky crossing in misty weather and a gps or a compass/1.25000 map is a must. A good alternative route is the green route, which leads to the B6270 road and a couple of miles to rejoin the route to Ney Gill. The downside is, you miss out on seeing the Nine Standards, but nothing stopping you going up to see them, if you can see them and retrace steps to the green route. from Keld to Reeth is a choice of two routes and that is the high and low paths. The high route takes you along old mine working and can be a little remote in places, but interesting, if you like old mine workings and it's history. the lower route is best in foul weather and that takes you along the river swale, but a lot of stiles and meadows. One idea is split it, that walk from Keld to Gunnerside Gill and walk to Gunnerdale via the Gill and then along the swale to Reeth.
lots of useful advice like this one and others. thank you everyone. I am the other half of the partner in crime ;)  Info on any other tricky places to negotiate would be appreciated.   Did you get lots of dogs behaving badly!?  :o   my fears is more of cows.


I have walked the South shore of Ennerdale water. I think the lower path at Angler's Crag could be tricky as it drops down to the shore if I remember... ::) . We could take relaxed north shore path if Alewife agrees.


As for provisions, what I am looking for are fruits...apples and bananas. I don't eat crisps or chocolate bar for lunch. bricam or anybody else, are they easy to find?

I can't decide which book to buy. I could only find Martin Wainwright book to have a look, but there were some criticism that he walked in frozen condition and there is no info about how long the stretch is. I could not make sense of what he is describing with the map on the spot where I once got lost. Obviously, A Wainwright wrote both text and the map.
And so, they are in perfect harmony, though there aren't enough details in some places on either of them if he misses it. Mike, is Stedman book good?  - make sense of instruction with map?


About the harvey's strip maps: how far would they give you if we go off the path? 
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: staggerindragon on 06:36:41, 26/10/16
I hope I'm not jumping in out of turn here.
 
Can't say I remember any negative cattle encounters on the C2C this autumn.  Later, near Sedbergh, a couple of friendly pet cows tried to snack on my backpack belt, and a frisky stirk made a bit of a mock charge, but those were the only memorable encounters.  If you're lucky, you'll meet the fell ponies just across the motorway outside of Shap. :-)
 
When you end up in boggier areas, avoid the brighter green mossy bits.  Look for grasses, reeds and heather.  They'll be growing on firmer ground.  The bumpy hummocks are tiring on the feet and ankles, but they'll be higher and drier too.  Gaiters and leather boots really pay off too.
 
For books, I read Wainwright before I left but brought the Steadman guide with me.  It was also helpful in planning which services I could expect in villages and towns along the way.  I confirmed opening times on the internet before I left, and one or two had, in fact, closed since the book was published.  I used the route descriptions as a general guide to plan/mark my route out on the OS maps. I didn't do that well with Steadman's diagrams, I'm afraid.
 
I'm curious, has anyone taken the option of going up Kidsty Pike and then back along High Street down to Bampton Common instead of the Haweswater shoreline path?  What are the views like?  A local said he liked the route.
 
As for food, I stopped in the Grasmere Co-op, Patterdale store, Shap Co-op, Tebay Services, Kirkby Stephen Co-ops, and the shops in Reeth and Richmond.  They all had selections of fresh fruit and veg (some fresher than others).  I didn't stop in, but I think the Muker tea room/village shop also has non-junk type food, but definitely check their hours.
 
I'll shush now . . . I hope you're having a great time planning!
 
 
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 13:58:58, 26/10/16
Thanks SD.


So this is an outline of our plan, for anyone who is interested (or wants to join us for a stroll at any point O0 )
St Bees –Cleator        29/4         
Cleator-Ennerdale Br 30/4
Ennerdale Br – Rosthwaite 1/5
Rosthwaite – Grasmere 2/5
Grasmere- Patterdale 3/5
Patterdale-Shap 4/5
Shap-Kirkby Stephen 5/5
KS-Keld  6/5
Keld- High Flemington  7/5
HF – Richmond  8/5
Richmond – Danby Whisk  9/5
D Wh- Osmotherly N  10/5
N Osm- Clay Bank top 11/5
CBT –Glaisdale  12/5
Glaisdale-Littlebeck  13/5
LB – RHB 14/5
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Slogger on 15:39:08, 26/10/16
Re: Southern Ennerdale path and Anglers Crag. There is no lower or higher path, just the one that involves an easy short scramble across mid Anglers Crag. It has a few cul de sacs, worn where people have attempted to go straight on or for viewing purposes, worn into it. Basically you go the easier worn way, upwards, until the way is obvious.
Two pics showing the way down, it's just one path meandering about somewhat. The distant shot looking back is of the final drop off path from it's high point, here you can see that there is no lower path. I made a point of looking for one and there simply isn't one.
You may be able to find the pics in one of my C2C bloggs, see website at the bottom of this post. In the blogg click on the photo in quiestion to enlarge for a better view.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 12:01:40, 27/10/16
thank you for useful info SD and Slogger. I will take time to read your blog. You did it in a cracking pace, Mad :o ! I make a note about shops. ..pet cows  ???    I don't want to be befriended by any cows. 
Should I go for Steadman's book?
I must have read about the shore of Anglers Crag and imagined 'lower path'  and went straight to the route above.  ::)
...just reading your blog, Slogger. You met so many generous people. Especially, Steve at Richmond was so kind. I would have burst into tears if I were you O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: mikelaluz on 10:16:28, 28/10/16
Hi Mountaingirl


As per earlier posts the Steadman book is really good for planning - accommodation, shops and pubs etc. The mapping is not very detailed and IMO you certainly need the OS maps alongside the guide - The AA map (Number 2 I think) is great for the Lake's as it covers a large part of the route which requires 2 OS maps (after Grasmere).


Slogger the scramble over Anglers Crag I agree is not difficult however it was a shock and for someone who has no head for heights I will definitely be taking the north shore route next time. You are correct that there is no higher path on the south shore as that is what I thought I'd missed somehow.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 11:44:29, 28/10/16
thank you Mike. I ordered Stedman's book O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 23:11:31, 29/10/16
Mountaingirl - I think wherever you can get sandwiches you will probably be able to get fruit. As mentioned Co-ops are pretty good and cheap, village shops too.
We used the Cicerone guide for the C2c but the Trailblazer guide ( which I think the Steadmn one is) for the Pennine way, which we preferred. If you're not using a gps then you probably need to have the OS maps as well.  We were ramblers members at the time so hired them from them. But I think it was 8 maps which took up room in our luggage! there may be some way you can download them and just print out the route and take the relevant sheet(s) each day, or borrow from the library and photocopy (if thats allowed).
Re cows, I'm not keen but I just get on with it now. If I let it worry me I wouldn't do the walk. You will encounter some, if you're lucky they will be at the far side of the field away from where you need to go, if you're unlucky they will be right by the gate you need to go through. On the Pennine Way we were about 10 mins behind another couple and they spoke about having to try and shoo a group of cows away when they climbed over a gate, when we got there they were nowhere to be seen. Just make sure you read the advice on encountering cows.

Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 23:21:05, 29/10/16
Slogger - re Anglers Crag, have just checked the Cicerone guide, it says re the southern path-
" Energetic souls may opt for a steeply ascending path, encountered a little before Anglers crag, crossing the top of the crag, a splendid viewpoint, before descending steeply on the other side. A more pronounced way takes a lower line and clambers through the fractured base of the crag with much less expenditure of energy"


At the time I think we were looking for the "higher" path but couldn't find it and took what we thought was the "lower" path.  From what I recall we decided that the higher path must have gone off before we thought. The weather was dreadful that day and the paths were all like waterfalls.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Slogger on 17:57:01, 30/10/16
Re: Higher Anglers Crag path. There is a higher path above Anglers Crag but it doesn't drop down to the water for quite some distance. It leads to the Red beck path which drops steeply down by a wall. This is a horrible descent especially in summer when the ferns are shoulder high and the path beneath virtually impossible to see or follow. During a C2C following a more direct line some years ago, I came down from the Crag fell path to descend the Red Beck and made an error ending up on that higher path going in the direction of the top of Anglers Crag. I realised my mistake and backtracked to the rest of the horrendous path down to the water.
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOPSaHtnj4701XNpeXgv14TWu7Et6ktdHvsfQQS (https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOPSaHtnj4701XNpeXgv14TWu7Et6ktdHvsfQQS)

I mention it in my blog of the walk:-
http://3day15hourcoasttocoast.blogspot.co.uk/ (http://3day15hourcoasttocoast.blogspot.co.uk/)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 16:56:44, 09/11/16
Now, Stedman book has been delivered and reading it O0 . excited with anticipation! There are lots of useful info, incl shops for supplies and Black Spots for getting lost :o He advises to be confident with own navigation, not to follow everybody else's wrong path. I suppose not all the walkers are doing C2C, and so, just following any walkers would not be the right thing ::)
So far, I noted 4 black spots in particular, as other bloggers also mentioned them and also warning by Mountain rescue:
1 after YHA Black Sail ( low route from Ennerdale), to take less obvious path, instead of going down to Great Gable
2 After 1 above, going up Loft Beck but not to follow all the way up to hit the fence in the north but to find the gate in Brandreth fence in the east.
3 end of Greenup Edge, to find the path to Far Easedale before it splits into high route and low route.
4 after Nine standard to Red Route - as we are doing it in MAY.


the book is good in many ways, but it does not always show other paths we might take in error ??? 
Anybody had any problems with these black spots, or any tips?  Thanks
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 18:01:55, 09/11/16
Mountaingirl - Do either of you subscibe to Trail or Country Walking? Or know anyone that does? Subscribers can now download OS maps for free. Theres a post about it in the General Walking thread (sorry I don't know how to show the link!)


For our Pennine Way walk a kind soul on here sent me the links to his files and we were able to print the pages out, much better than carrying loads of complete maps and you can just take the relevant sheets for the day. I'm a subscriber so may be able to help you out if it's possible, haven't looked into it yet. Will you be using a gps?


Re blackspots for getting lost, we found the right path after Black Sail but took the wrong one at the top of Loft Beck.  >:(




Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Rather be walking on 12:33:12, 10/11/16
Thanks SD.


So this is an outline of our plan, for anyone who is interested (or wants to join us for a stroll at any point O0 )
St Bees –Cleator        29/4         
Cleator-Ennerdale Br 30/4
Ennerdale Br – Rosthwaite 1/5
Rosthwaite – Grasmere 2/5
Grasmere- Patterdale 3/5
Patterdale-Shap 4/5
Shap-Kirkby Stephen 5/5
KS-Keld  6/5
Keld- High Flemington  7/5
HF – Richmond  8/5
Richmond – Danby Whisk  9/5
D Wh- Osmotherly N  10/5
N Osm- Clay Bank top 11/5
CBT –Glaisdale  12/5
Glaisdale-Littlebeck  13/5
LB – RHB 14/5

That's the exactly same as our itinerary back in Sept 2016.
If my wife can walk it (looks over my shoulder in case) ;)  :knuppel2:
She found the southern Ennerdale path and Anglers Crag and later Loft beck hard, but then it was hot and humid day.
We just did lots of hill walks for training. 
 
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 15:19:23, 11/11/16
Mountaingirl - Do either of you subscibe to Trail or Country Walking? Or know anyone that does? Subscribers can now download OS maps for free. Theres a post about it in the General Walking thread (sorry I don't know how to show the link!)


For our Pennine Way walk a kind soul on here sent me the links to his files and we were able to print the pages out, much better than carrying loads of complete maps and you can just take the relevant sheets for the day. I'm a subscriber so may be able to help you out if it's possible, haven't looked into it yet. Will you be using a gps?


Re blackspots for getting lost, we found the right path after Black Sail but took the wrong one at the top of Loft Beck.  >:(
So, the top of Loft Beck seems a tricky place. 
I hope alewife will get GPS for Christmas ;)
I am going to get mobile app with OS maps
 I would still like to see the large scheme of things ; eg in which valley each path will end up in the   place like Green up Edge. ... But like you say, I don't fancy so many maps :-\
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 15:50:48, 11/11/16
I hope alewife will get GPS for Christmas ;)

If she does I have a gpx file of the C2C ... just pm me if you'd like it.  I thought about doing it next year but am doing the Pennine Way instead now.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: mow1701 on 17:10:33, 11/11/16
The coast to coast is good but the Pennine Way is brilliant!!! :)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 20:04:55, 02/12/16
If she does I have a gpx file of the C2C ... just pm me if you'd like it.  I thought about doing it next year but am doing the Pennine Way instead now.

Sussamb, Mountaingirl pointed out that you had offered the gpx file on this thread, which I missed, so thank you, that would be great. Once I get my GPS, after Christmas, I'll be in touch. Cheers.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 21:16:50, 02/12/16
Yep, no worries ...  :)

Any idea which one you're getting?
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 17:38:49, 03/12/16
Probably the etrex 20, which seems to have most recommendations and easy to use once I get my head round it.  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 17:53:01, 03/12/16
Good choice  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 18:26:50, 03/12/16
Probably the etrex 20, which seems to have most recommendations and easy to use once I get my head round it.  O0

The only GPS I have used so can't compare it to a different one but it's a good choice and I find it easy enough to use and would certainly buy another one if it broke  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 18:58:00, 05/12/16
I am reading the final day and found out the last black spot at Greystone Hills  :-\
very boggy, indistinct and confusing :o
Some people opted out and went for road. Stedman's book says there has been a diversion or new route. And so, it differs from Wainwright book from 2010.
If anyone can share the experience  and the year walked, very much appreciated O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 20:01:09, 05/12/16
I am reading the final day and found out the last black spot at Greystone Hills  :-\
very boggy, indistinct and confusing :o
Some people opted out and went for road. Stedman's book says there has been a diversion or new route. And so, it differs from Wainwright book from 2010.
If anyone can share the experience  and the year walked, very much appreciated O0

If Greystone Hills are where I think they are, the bit you probably mean is just after the May Beck trail, you walk uphill and then after a farm you turn right and diagonally across moorland but now you turn off and follow a nicer newer path that soon leads to a wall and you follow that to the main road then cross it.

I've snipped a bit off my C2C route from last year to show you. If you follow my route from the bottom left, you'll see I cut off the road but also a red line goes diagonally (original c2c route), hope this helps.

(http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff515/arcticfox2096/c2c1.jpg)

Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 13:01:11, 06/12/16
Brian.
After the New May Beck Farm and crossing B1416, then C2C enter Greystone Hills. I read that between New May Beck Farm and B1416 is boggy. I guess that's what your map is showing. But after B1416, it's get even worse in Greystone Hills to the Hill Top and at some point, the pass disappears into the bog :-\ - that's what I read.

Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 13:26:43, 06/12/16
Path is marked on a couple of maps I use.  I've amended my C2C route appropriately  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 14:48:00, 06/12/16
right, I think I know where you mean now. What I'll say though is that it might be soggy but it wasn't boggy, if that makes sense? I did the walk in May the first time and I don't recall getting my feet wet, I just walked round any obvious wet patches.

If it's your last day, you may not care how wet it is as you'll soon be finished your adventure, lol. When you reach the busy road, look left and you'll see Whitby and maybe your first sighting of the coast. You may also see it on the very steep hill out of Grosmont but you'll be too bust swearing at the road...or is that just me?
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 16:21:28, 06/12/16

I will be taking train home when I finished on the last day. don't want to be sitting in the train with maddy wet boots. :P  In the blog I was reading, they did about the same time as we do and had fab weather, kept them pretty much dry until this point and they encountered deep bog.
As well as being boggy, both AW and Steadman say it is difficult to navigate.
Did you have any problem finding the path? or do you have any tips for finding the path? Once we reached the kissing gate leading to the 'stony wet path between the hedges'' before Rigg Farm, we should be alright ::)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 19:29:13, 06/12/16
I had no trouble finding the path when I did it in the May but it was a clear day. You can always take the road if the weather isn't favourable and it doesn't matter how you get from A to B. as I said though, I certainly can't remember it being boggy when I did it, I remember all the bad bits, lol

the stony wet path was quite slippy with mud when I did it in the May but it's not very long and then it's road to Hawsker and the caravan site then the coastal path or Cinder track for the final 3 miles.

If you think about it though, if your boots are muddy at the end, you can always clean them in the sea, lol
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 13:07:09, 07/12/16
yes, always the option to go on the road, which quite a few coasters have done ::)
and also, washing the boots in the sea :P ... hope the tide is in.
We will find out
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 15:08:03, 07/12/16
It's compulsory to wash your boots in the sea anyway!  The tide was out at both ends for us! 😅


Are you staying at Intake Farm in Littlebeck, that was one of our favourite B&Bs?
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 16:32:48, 07/12/16
Yes we are. No other option, but good to know it's a good one O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 07:46:22, 09/12/16
Mountaingirl, we will have access to our luggage on the last day once we get to RHB, I'm sure my OH will hang on long enough for you to change boots and socks. Must say, reading Bricams comment of looking left to see Whitby made me feel all excited again. O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 13:25:57, 11/12/16
Mountaingirl, we will have access to our luggage on the last day once we get to RHB, I'm sure my OH will hang on long enough for you to change boots and socks. Must say, reading Bricams comment of looking left to see Whitby made me feel all excited again. O0

I didn't see Whitby on my first c2c due to the haze, infact I didn't actually see the sea until I was in the caravan park at Hawsker and almost on the coast path. Seeing Whitby is nice but it lulls you into a false sense of nearing the end when there's still many miles to go.

When you reach the coast path at Hawsker you have almost exactly 3 miles to the end at Robin Hood's Bay which you'll see in your last mile and a half and you'll see if the tide is in or if you have even further to walk  :D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 16:38:47, 27/04/17
I'm taking trains to st Bees to meet Deb tomorrow and off we go! If anybody is near us at any points, please come and join us :D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 16:48:39, 27/04/17
Good luck, I hope the weather keeps good for you both.

Enjoy your experience, even the bad bits  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 18:10:04, 27/04/17
Good luck to you both, looking forward to hearing about it
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 21:44:32, 02/05/17
We reached Grasmere. It's been fabulous weather, so we could clearly see where we were going O0  and it looks like the sunny weather continues.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 21:59:00, 02/05/17
 O0


Great.  Save some please for last two weeks of May when I'm on Pennine Way  ;)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 11:42:06, 03/05/17
Am glad you are getting the good weather as well, in previous years it would appear that late April and early May seem to be dry and not too hot, or it seems that way in my experience.

Doing the Lakes section in good weather is an added bonus, hopefully it stays dry because the middle section can be just a case of head down and get on with it as you trudge through field after field with little scenery.

I have 10 days holiday in June....must try and resist  ;D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 07:04:13, 08/05/17
Morning all. Today will arrive in Richmond. All good so far (I suppose it would be churlish to complain about the sun in my eyes when we set off each morning, so I won't ;D ).Weather has been pretty kind to us, have made some new friends along the way, and some new blisters (and blisters on blisters) but they don't seem to bother hurting anymore! Lakes area was stunning (my first visit-will be going back) but have also loved the moors, where I was appointed as chief bog-tester after we left 9 standards rig;at times I was worried that Kay might get blown away by the wind as well as the views. The sights and sounds of the Spring wildlife has added more interest too, and changes as we move along.

Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: C2C10 on 14:45:50, 09/05/17
Pleased to see you are enjoying the walk. My plans for the c2c fell through. However, saying that I'm cycling 300 miles on the Yorkshire moors, wolds, coast and dales, the week after you are finished and will be visiting Robin Hood's Bay, Lion Inn, Richmond and Reeth.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 15:39:55, 09/05/17
Morning all. Today will arrive in Richmond. All good so far (I suppose it would be churlish to complain about the sun in my eyes when we set off each morning, so I won't ;D ).Weather has been pretty kind to us, have made some new friends along the way, and some new blisters (and blisters on blisters) but they don't seem to bother hurting anymore! Lakes area was stunning (my first visit-will be going back) but have also loved the moors, where I was appointed as chief bog-tester after we left 9 standards rig;at times I was worried that Kay might get blown away by the wind as well as the views. The sights and sounds of the Spring wildlife has added more interest too, and changes as we move along.

Good to know it's going well  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 18:56:25, 09/05/17
Great to hear that you are enjoying it.  Glad someone gets good weather on their LDWs!  ;D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bricam2096 on 18:24:12, 11/05/17
The ladies should now be in a pub in Chop Gate with only 2 more days to go....  O0

I know this because amazingly enough I bumped into them between Carlton Bank and Clay Bank whilst I was having a circular walk. I wasn't sure if they had done this section yesterday so didn't expect to meet them anyway but saw 2 ladies and thought I recognised Deb from photos on here.

It was a pleasant ending to a good days walking for me and as usual when I walk on some of the C2C route I get the urge to do it again, lol
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: TinTin on 22:28:29, 11/05/17
Arrived in Shap tonight, 4 days in and weather has been superb, looking a bit more changeable going forward but glad I got the best of it in the Lakes.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 06:43:35, 12/05/17
We are indeed in the Buck inn in Chop gate, enjoyed the game casserole last night. Great to meet you Bricam O0  Hard to choose but I think yesterdays walk may have been my favourite day, phenomenal views all through the morning, including the North sea. Nice to put in some effort after 2 days of low level walking (and cows!). Early start today for a 19 miler. Eek. ;D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mick wmexile on 08:13:49, 12/05/17
Travelling up from Derbyshire today ready for my 12 days C2C starting tomorrow. I know you've no control over the weather but, you do look at the forecasts don't you. First few days seems to be a bit showery, never mind, still looking forward for some great walking. If anybody else is starting it this weekend and you see a short grey haired fella in his mid 60's say hi, it might be me  8)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 20:49:07, 12/05/17
Tintin and WM exile, hope you get the good weather we have enjoyed throughout. It was grey and very windy for us on the day we walked to Keld over the moors and some misty claggy stuff today but the threatened rain held off today, so fingers crossed for tomorrow too. Today was a long one, the first 12-14 or so miles seemed like only 6 or 7 as we chatted, watched the birds, saw an adder (baby one), met some Lyke Wake walkers. The final 5 ish miles seemed never ending on road and horrible lumpy track. But we made it in good time in the end. 7 or 8 tomorrow, 12 on Sunday when we reach 'the end'. I hope you and any other c2c-ers enjoy it as much as we have. O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: TinTin on 20:11:28, 13/05/17
Just having my first pint of Black Sheep in Reeth.
Found it hard today, the forecasted patch of bad weather arrived on cue just as I arrived at Nine Standards 😡though by mid afternoon it improved and the last few miles this evening into Reeth, weather was stunning.
Good luck wmexile and hope you get the weather I've had for the first 5 days - well apart from this mornings blip.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: TinTin on 20:46:14, 13/05/17
Whoops that should be first 6 days.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mick wmexile on 22:21:24, 13/05/17
First day over, nice meal and couple of pints in the Shepherd's Arms to round off a good first day. I was expecting a rather nondiscript day but it turned better than I thought. Pleasant cliff top walk, bit of a cross country drudge before the ascent of Dent Hill. Climb up to the top wasn't too bad, very misty on top, no views. A VERY steep descent off the end but, then a lovely short walk through Nannycatch, by this time the sun had broken through making it a pleasant walk into Ennadale Bridge with the Lakeland hills bathed in sunlight. Looking forward to a sunny days walk to borrowdale tomorrow  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 07:35:12, 14/05/17
Final day today, currently raining but hoping it will clear a bit before we set off, be a shame to unpack my neat parcel of waterproof gear at this stage. Nice to re-live it through others' updates. There are 10 0f us at Intake farm, all finishing today so might be a tad crowded at RHB this afternoon ;D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 08:22:33, 14/05/17
Keep the good weather coming  O0  Looking okay for the start of my PW trip according to the forecast, though possibly a few showers on Day 1 ...

Hope your GPS kept you on track  :)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: TinTin on 19:26:42, 14/05/17
Just arrived at Danby Wiske, sat in the White Swan trying to ignore tomorrow's weather forecast 😟

Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 08:24:30, 15/05/17
Well, we made it! Arrived in RHB around 4 ish yesterday in the most beautiful sunny weather. Its been amazing, as I wrote in the log book at the pub. Mountaingirl was ace navigator for the whole trip and was great fun to walk with, lots of laughs, lots of interest along the way.


For anyone thinking of doing it I would say don't undersetimate the challenge but go for it! If I can, so can you. Looking forward to getting home and reliving it all when I go through the photos (of which there are many).



Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: DevonDave on 08:46:05, 15/05/17
Congratulations Deb (and Mountaingirl of course) on your achievement.  Well done!   O0
Hope the blisters are OK.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 08:50:22, 15/05/17
Cheers Dave. Blisters gone now;you quickly learn to make the effort and not ignore the hotspots when you realise you still have a long way to go.  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 10:10:13, 15/05/17
Well done Debs, and MG, looking forward to a full TR once you've recovered  ;)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: pleb on 11:02:40, 15/05/17
When is this one?
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 11:05:36, 15/05/17
When is this one?


??
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: pleb on 11:17:45, 15/05/17
Oh I see its been and gone!
I'm not very well organised................... ;D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Jac on 13:16:48, 15/05/17
Well done, both. Looking forward to the TR
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 13:17:11, 15/05/17
Oh I see its been and gone!
I'm not very well organised................... ;D


Wakey wakey. Yes, finished yesterday. Not sure about the TR, but I expect we'll post a few (of the very many pics once I get home tomorrow). Just enjoying a couple of days post-walk pampering in a spa hote in York; feel sorry for the person who is due to give me a pedicure tomorrow, I hope they enjoy a challenge  ;D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: White Horse Walker on 16:24:28, 15/05/17
Brilliant, very well done.  8)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 22:24:19, 15/05/17
Well done alewife and mountaingirl.  :)  Have you got the bug now and planning your next one? When we sat in Keld Lodge in 2011 on the C2C chatting to other walkers, I commented to my husband that he'd have to do the Pennine Way on his own as that was too big a one for me. So last year we were both in
Keld again - walking the Pennine Way. I couldn't sit at home while he walked it.  ;D
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: alewife on 23:01:36, 15/05/17
Interesting question. Not sure about doing another. I am thinking of doing the southwest coast path, but planning to do it in small chunks, maybe 4 or 5 days a month. I live in the SW so its easy enough for me to do it. I have realised that maybe the flaw in forming LDPs is that they all have quite boring bits. So I will probably just pick and choose places to walk. But, never say never.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Innominate Man on 23:51:59, 15/05/17
Well done to you both, sounds like you had a brilliant time.


To be honest ( :-[ ) I've only just spotted this post and wished I'd picked up on it a lot earlier: But, I was wondering how come things were so quiet on here & beginning to wonder where you'd skived off to: thought perhaps you'd gone searching for AB  ;D


Have a good rest then start thinking about doing it backwards.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: pleb on 10:22:16, 16/05/17
How do you "rest backwards"?
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 12:02:45, 16/05/17
Belatedly... to say Hello I'm back  :D   I was busy unpacking and sorting my life back home yesterday.
I can't believe we had such sunny C2C in the lakes and moors, only had a couple of cloudy days but no rain except the last day before we set off but it stopped as we started walking. We had clear view of hills and mountains incl Nine Standards and all other paths. What are supposed to be wet and boggy fields were dry;  only the last day at Graystone hills, it was boggy, but I managed to avoid my boots getting wet.
My favourite... ::)   it is hard to pick one, but I do like mountains, hills and lakes. When I go up hill, it motivates me and gives me purpose to get there, lifts my spirit, looking forward to seeing the new scenery. On flat ground, I get bored, especially when it is too straight and grey in moors, not much changes. One of my favourites would be at Angle Tarn off Patterdale.
I imagined I would be hobbling into RHB on my last legs, but no.   No blister, just the tip of one of my toes was hurting. If I had to walk another day, I would have happily walked.
Do I want to do it again from opposite direction?... We had such a great weather, and difficult to beat it on the next one. Maybe the wind could blow in favour :P   What was supposed to be 'prevailing wind behind' didn't happen. It was always against us :o
Detailed TR could be at later date when I sorted my life, (or Deb could do it for us  ;)  but for now, I put a photo link for the evidence. Can anybody see it? If not, somebody can tell me how to upload google photo to this website.


https://drive.google.com/file/d/16XfJXHplKSWolc1ZrHAjWqF5Ox2AvRh8dw/view?usp=sharing








Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: sussamb on 13:11:30, 16/05/17
Yep, nice pic of you and Debs, and her Etrex 20  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mick wmexile on 18:26:28, 16/05/17
Well done ladies (Alewife, Mountain girl), nice to know you enjoyed your walk. The thing I would like to ask you though, why didn't you leave nice weather in the Lake District. I've just arrived in Shap after two of the hardest walking days I've ever done. The weather yesterday (Borrowdale to Patterdale) was relentless rain throughout the day, fells were shrouded in mist, no views whatsoever, the flat section past Greenup Edge was a swamp, dozens of walkers wandering around aimlessly trying to get over water channels gushing everywhere. Reaching the White Lion in Patterdale I spoke to a number of people who reached Grasmere, gave it neck  and got transport to Patterdale. I was seriously giving thought whether to abondon today's walk, no improvement in weather, but I arranged to walk with two walkers I met. Today we also had very high winds at times on the tops. Most disappointment of cause was missing wonderful views, oh well, some you win some you lose. Roll on tomorrow😎
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: rural roamer on 23:19:47, 16/05/17
Mick that sounds exactly like our C2C weather. Alewife and mountaingirl were very lucky, I doubt there's many that don't need their waterproofs at least once on the walk! Just remember it's your C2C, you don't need to follow a specific route so you can always change it depending on the weather. From Patterdale we walked up Ullswater and over the moors to avoid Kidsty Pike in extreme high winds rather than have to abandon during the day.


Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 10:31:19, 17/05/17
I can only imagine, doing C2C in bad weather.  I've been to the lakes at least 8 times, and only this one was sunny all the time. 8th time lucky! The last time I went, the whole week except the first day was wash off, lower paths were flooded and impassable, higher paths were shrouded in fog and mist. And so, I had a fare share of bad weather.
On the way up to Greenup Edge, I saw several paths and veered off track a bit. If it was wet, as you say, they could be all streams. Because it was clear, I managed to see the fence posts to where we should be heading. Lucky for us, we sat for lunch reaching Greenup Edge and went on to have fantastic views on the ridge walk. Next day, (we divided into 2 days to make it even easier :P ) as we approached from Grasmere to Grisedale Tarn, the wind picked up and over the Tarn, it was rrrrrreally windy :o . I wanted to stop and put more clothes on, but if I stopped, I would have been blown off.  I would have liked to go over St Sunday Crag, as I have been to Helvellyn twice already. But it didn't look safe to do so in that wind. I was glad it wasn't raining, or it would have hurt! Same for Kidsty Pike. It was very windy. But as it was clear, I had the last look of the Lakes to say goodby.


Hope the weather improves a bit for you. At least you have 2 companions. Nice thing about C2C is that you keep bumping into same people again and again on the path and at accomo, and built such comradely.  Especially, at this time of year, usual tourists may wait until a little later. And waterfalls would look better in the rain ;)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: TinTin on 10:29:18, 18/05/17
Reached RHB mid afternoon yesterday. Was very glad to see it even in the pouring rain, the last 5 or 6 miles each of the last 4 days had started to grind. Weather gods certainly turned against me for the last 3 days, heavy rain and mist right across the Cleveland Hills and North York Moors, no views whatsoever, no photo opportunities but sadly that wasn't an issue as the rain also managed to kill my phone which probably will mean all my photos from the previous 7 days are also lost  :(
Even so had a fantastic 10 days, met some great characters and if I had been given the option of 7 days glorious weather through the Lakes and Dales (well 6 1/2 had a bit of rough weather on Saturday morning at 9 standards) followed by 3 days of dismal weather at the end, I would have taken that no question  O0
 Congrats to the ladies and glad you enjoyed it as much as me, fingers crossed for Mick, hopefully weather improves.   
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mountaingirl on 11:52:42, 18/05/17
Well done Tin Tin, congrat! O0  Nine Standards was very windy for us too. Hope your camera will dry up and come back to life again.
 First sunny day back home today. I might go for an afternoon walk with local group to wind down - very flat and tame.  I bet sun is shining on Mick too. 8)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: TinTin on 12:10:54, 18/05/17
Thanks mountaingirl - I'm not walking anywhere today  :)
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: White Horse Walker on 15:32:04, 18/05/17

Have a good rest then start thinking about doing it backwards.


How can you see where you're going?
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Innominate Man on 23:23:51, 18/05/17

How can you see where you're going?


The new generation rucksacks with wing mirrors on the shoulder straps   :D  Trouble is you never know whether you are coming or going.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: Mick wmexile on 18:18:18, 19/05/17
Things are getting better weather wise, just finished 2 nice days walking, Kirkby Stephen to Keld and Keld to Reeth. Being only short distances had plenty of time to take in views. Took the high route from Keld, loved the climb after Crackpot Hall but until you dropped down back into Swalesdale it gets a bit monotonous. Short walk to Richmond tomorrow, meeting up with friends for a night out then on Sunday a long walk to Osmotherley  O0
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: C2C10 on 10:18:38, 20/05/17
I'm staying at the Lion Inn, this Monday. If, I see you, I'll buy you a pint. Just doing a bit of cycling, so probably see a few coast to coast walkers on my way to Reeth.
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: bobdole on 16:51:28, 16/10/17
Will be doing the C2C May 18. Can you please share your stopping points each day? and where you stayed? Just starting to plan my trip. Thanks
Title: Re: C2C in 2017
Post by: gunwharfman on 20:56:42, 16/10/17
For me, off the train, started walking, first night camping outside pub in Ennerdale Bridge. Second night in Rosthwaite, third in Patterdale, fourth in Shap, Kirkby Stephens. I'm doing this from memory so hope I've spelt it all correctly. At the moment, can't remember the rest, it will come to me later.