Geo and Jack camp it up on the Coast to Coast

[Geo the Sarge]

From Ennerdale Water we followed a path through Ennerdale Forrest, a beautiful walk which allowed us to really take in some of the breathtaking views. The sheer size of these hills is really something and on every one there is someting to catch your eye.

A waterfal, a strange shaped rock or one that is in the shape of a known object. Dry stane dykes abound, which sets me thinking of the amazing work and commitment required to build these things at such heights and I have no doubt, in some atrocious conditions. When men were men I suppose. And every now and then a whole cluster of slate buildings would appear atop some of the highest peaks showing signs of an old slate mine, with all the slag (sp?) down the hillside being the main indicator for this and again gets you thinking of the days when they were in use, how did they travel there, what conditions?

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

[technolog]

We then settled down to some Chicken curry with a chilli and tomato couscous - lush.

Geo's chicken curry is absolutely gorgeous! It was all I could do to not stuff the leftovers down me straight away. I'm glad I was able to resist though as it made a fantastic breakfast for our assault on the first fells of the Lake District.

[technolog]

From here we have a lack of pictures for day 1 as the weather really deteriorated and we had entered into Cleator and up Dent Hill which was 350m in ascent over 2 km. A steady incline which was completed in the most awful weather. We the started a descent towards a large hill called Raven Crag. At this point we met up with a father and daughter (Tony & Emma) both Jack and I were impressed with this old guy, probably 60ish with Parkinsons which hinders obviously his movements but they have been completing each day and we have always met up so far each day.

This proved a really difficult climb for Jack which he will post about himself in the next post. With bad conditions underfoot and a rain filled gale blowing against us on the ascent with it pushing us on the descent which seen Tony in particular take a severe tumble with 3 rolls and a Korbutt finish. He merely laughed it off as we assisted him to his feet and carried on.

Once we got to the bottom it was a fairly flat last 3kms to Ennerdale Bridge which was our bivvy point and start point for day 2.


Geo

It's just occurred to me, I'm so grateful to my friend & neighbour Whelly for offering to lend me a walking pole at the twelfth hour for this trip. If I'd have attempted the descent from Dent Hill without it I would have definitely fallen and probably not stopped rolling till I reached home in Leicestershire 

[Geo the Sarge]

After Ennerdale Forrest we travelled another 1km or so to the Youth Hostel at the bottom of our next big climb. This was the climb that would take us over the hills and onto the famous Honister Pass.

What a climb this was to a height of 560m over approx 2kms distance, following the Loft beck, the sun was at it's hottest but we couldn't care, we trundled on, continuosly looking back at the sights we had just left. We have adapted a sort of tortoise and hare method of walking. Jack leading as he takes bigger steps and tends to cover the ground quicker, however does need more breathers. I plod along with the wee short steps afforded me and as jack is just recovering and ready to go again I reach him and off we go. Every 400/500 metres or so on these climbs we would always stop to get a decent breather and usually a top up on water.

All the photos here are from my mobile. We are currently in the library at Penrith getting this down for you guys, unfortunately the machines won't seem to load my actual camera photos to my photobucket account.

[outragous76]

Great reporting

[cambridgealex]

Great pics Geo.

Alex

[technolog]

Day 2 was deffo my favourite of the three days walking so far (I suppose today can't count can it?). As Geo has said, the weather was by and large gorgeous, though it did get a bit chilly up the mountains in the afternoon.

After the debacle that was Dent Hill, I was greatly satisfied with my much better efforts climbing up from the Black Sail Youth Hostel, following Loft Beck. My longer legs and relatively smaller burden allowed me to push on ahead before stopping for a blow. By the time I'd got my breath and legs back, Geo was with me again. Rinse, repeat. Full of admiration for Geo - he just keeps going. I'm 16½st and finding the 4st pack a struggle, God knows how he's managing with his slighter 12½st frame.

[Geo the Sarge]

From the top of Loft Beck we began the descent down into Honister Pass. Again the scenery was just magnificent. We had passed Tony and Emma again on our way down and we had been told of a tea shop at the Slate Mine on the pass. We promised them we'd have a brew ready for them.

The descent again at times was pretty scary, especially right at the end were you are almost looking straight down 300m. We got down that and entered the tea shop where we had a nice brew and heart shaped shortbread and once joined by Tony and Emma, as promised we got them up a brew and biccie too.

The day was topped off by Jack appearing with a couple of giant 99 cones which made the final 4 km jaunt into Rosewaithe all the more easier. We quickly found a basha area which we set up against a large dry stane dyke and this time it was more of a long Lean - To chamber we put together. Tea consisted of Potato and bean and Chicken with Dahl (halal)


Then followed the disaster of yesterday which I started with. Times up for us. One blessing is apparently due to the conditions yesterday, quite a few walkers stopped at Grasmere and did not continue to Patterdale. Next big update will be from Richmond on Sunday

Geo

[technolog]

That's our 3½ hours of PC time done - see you in Richmond! Might sneak on before, coverage willing!

[technolog]

Sat in The Crown at Shap now (drinking tea) and we has signal!

Geo's got a dicky tummy and from the rumblings I'm experiencing, I'm about to follow suit. We're watching the rain lash down as we contemplate another night under canvas (without walls ). An easy trip this isn't.

Still, onwards and upwards but perhaps with a bit more onwards and a bit less upwards.

[Laxie]

Two Lads camping in the pissing rain with dodgy rumbling tummies... sorry, but - LMAOOOOO!!!  Could ye run any worse?!

[Geo the Sarge]

Could you rephrase that last part please

Geo

[technolog]

We've made a tactical retreat to The Bull's Head some 300 yards up Shap high street. We've paid the £10 for camping in the beer garden to the rear rather than risk getting our lovely dry clothing wet again, while trying to find somewhere to pitch-up on the outskirts of the village.

[The_duke]

Much repect lads (I obviously repected you two before - but this is epic and awsome)

[technolog]

The weather is starting to make it personal. Currently sat watching constant, torrential rain :-). The bar maid kindly took it upon herself to see if there was space in a bunk house up the road. There is. Negotiations are currently ongoing as to whether we take them up on the offer.

If I was a betting man I'd say I was getting wet tonight