Top of Lining Crag

Top of Lining Crag looking back towards Rosthwaite, may be able to see Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.

About another 150 feet of ascent to reach Greenup Edge and then the decent to Grasmere.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Location:Keswick,United Kingdom

Day 3 Rosthwaite to Grasmere

When we left Ennerdale Bridge, at the start of day two, today's weather was set for rain and it is raining. After yesterday this might be welcome, as long as it doesn't hinder the passage over the top to Grasmere. On route yesterday we met a group that completed the Coast to Coast last year. They were very supportive, "it does get easier", "once out of the Lakes you will be able to tackle any ascent with ease". But day two for them was horrendous. There were 26 people at Black Sail doing the Coast to Coast. Due to low cloud and torrential rain only a handful made it over the top to Rosthwaite. This is the Lakes so we do expect rain at some point. We're just hoping it won't hinder us.

I've planned today as a short day. According to the books only 7-8 miles but with another 1740 feet of ascent. The idea being we could take our time and enjoy the route. Also I thought we would appreciate a slower day to help our legs adjust. We will see.....

One last thing, this is the last day with the big rucksacks. From day four onwards it will be day sacks all round. Excellent, as Chris's and my shoulders are starting to complain a little.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Top of Loft Beck

At last I have a phone signal. Time to catch up on blog entries. There should be two prior to this one.





View back over Ennerdale Lake with the Isle of Man in the far distance.

Then slightly to the right of the above photo.





View to Scotland over Crummock Water.

Absolutely fantastic, this is what fell walking is all about, the views, the isolation and the satisfaction that comes from aching limbs.

Doh .... lost signal, O2 & Vodafone signal is still available. Why did I change to crappy T-Mobile/Orange? I'll post this when I'm near a city that has high number of landlines with arms reach...... Honestly, I'm at 1800 feet, how can the signal be there with 3-4 bars only to disappear never to return....

-- Posted from my iPhone

End of 2nd Day

That day was tough... We all think mainly because of the weather. It was hot, clear skies, sun beating down, hardly any breeze in the valleys. Even over the top of the fells it was still tee shirt conditions. I know we sound like we are grumbling but we're not as it gave some fantastic views along the way. Views we will never forget.

We left Ennerdale Bridge at around 9:00am. In taking the southern route along Ennerdale Water we possibly added a good 30 minutes to the journey. This was due to just enjoying the route and taking in the beautiful scenery.


View up Ennerdale Water.

Once the end of the Lake was reached we stopped for a light bite. Afterwards we swooped to the northern forest track to continue to Black Sail YH. This was possibly the worst part of the day. With the heat and no breeze the track seemed to go on forever.

Eventually we reached Black Sail at around 1:30pm. Stopped for a good 40 minutes for lunch and took in the views of Great Gable, Green Gable, Kirk Fell and Hay Stacks rising around us.


Black Sail YH is the hut in the distance. In the distance can be seen Green Gable centre right with Great Gable top right.

After Black Sail we climbed out of the valley via Loft Beck. This exit cannot be seen on the above photo but the top is in the V above the hut. The climb was not as stiff as we thought and we reached the top in reasonable condition.

From there there was a little more ascent before the long decent via Honister Pass to Rosthwaite. Reaching our accommodation, The Royal Oak, for the night at 5:55pm.

14 miles, 1740 feet in 9 hours with two stops for grub and many stops for water along with dipping our heads in the many streams along the way to cool down.

Damage report;
Nicky's caught too much sun, and her shins hurt along with general aches; Chris has a blister along with aches in legs and shoulders; the old man just aches. A tough day.

Again we have no mobile signal here in Rosthwaite.
-- Posted from my iPhone

Day 2 Ennerdale to Rosthwaite

We woke to blue skies with scattered cloud, the forecast is for a fine, warm day. My knees were a little stiff first thing but soon loosened off. Nicky and Chris seem like they have recovered from the first day.

After a couple of pints, excellent pub grub last night a good kip, and a healthy hearty breakfast, we're set up for the today's trek. This could be a tough day in hot weather, approximately 14 miles with 1700 feet of ascent. It looks like most of the ascent is after Black Sail Youth Hostel, climbing out of Ennerdale.

Onwards and upwards!!!

-- Posted from my iPhone

Ennerdale Bridge

There was no reception on all our phones in Ennerdale so this has been posted ASAP.

We were bathed in beautiful weather as we decended down into Ennerdale Bridge. Arriving at The Shepherd's Arms at 4:50pm






View up the Ennerdale Valley, which awaits us tomorrow.

We all came through the day pretty well unscathed. Nicky suffered a slight pull on a thigh muscle on the Dent ascent, Chris's feet are a little tender but nothing to worry about. Surprisingly the old man feels good, I'll need a few stretches later but ankles and knees have survived. Oh that is apart from Nicky falling on her arse. Granted it was on a very steep decent from Dent but we did laugh...

There was a slight (Johnson) alteration to the route. Dare I say we took a wrong turn, nah it was planned. We picked up a cycle route that took us away from the road work leading into and through Moor Row.

-- Posted from my iPhone

-- Posted from my iPho
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Location:Riverside Dr,Egremont,United Kingdom