Coast To Coast Walk: April 2013

The Facts

We had planned to wild camp most of the route, although we new that this may not be possible in places, so we will use official camping sites. we needed to average 14 miles a day to complete this challenge in 14 days. Some days were going to be longer, anything up to 22 miles so that we can either finish Early or have a rest day mid walk. This has been a lifetime wish of mine, ever since i read " A walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. We had no idea if we could complete this as so many factors come into play, my fitness being one but the weather can also play a big part in dashing our hopes of finishing. All i know is that I believe this will be my only chance to attempt this (not getting any younger), also it would not be fair on my lovely wife Michelle to expect her to put up with me gallivanting out for weeks on end in the countryside, while she is stuck at home. Sadly due to a Fall i had and a suspected Cracked rib, we had to end our attempt at Richmond. we do plan to finish it off though.

Friday 26 April 2013

Sorry

Sorry for the delays in postings but been unable to get a data connection for the past 2 days.
Accident
I had a fall yesterday and think I may have damaged my rib. I am in quite a bit of pain and may have to stop my walk. We are heading to Richmond and I will see how I am when we get there.

Day six

Today we travelled 13 miles from Kirkby Stephen to Keld via the Nine Standards in the Yorkshire Dales. We climbed 2000 foot to be engulfed in mist, so the view was not so great. The descent was a nightmare, very wet boggy marshland which made for difficult walking. At one spot I sank up to the top of my legs in this bog and could not move, james had to pull me out, if I was on my own I would still be there. It was a scary situation to find myself in and not something I wish to repeat. James is soldering on determined to complete this walk but moans that there are no Starbucks. This guy loves his coffee. Lol

Nine Standards Rigg

James enjoying the view that should have been there, if only it wasn't so misty.

Wednesday 24 April 2013

Rain again

Not a good start to the day. More rain for today. Would be nice to have dry socks for a change.

Tuesday 23 April 2013

Kirkby Stephen

We arrived at Kirkby Stephen at about 6:40 this evening. It was a good long walk and the weather stayed dry. The whole route was 22 miles in the the end, due to a slight navigational error on my part. (Not a lot in the way of paths to follow up here ). We still got wet feet as there is a lot of marshland to cross.

James showing me the way

Orton

Taking a break at Orton before we carry on to Kirkby Stephen. 8 miles done, 13 to go.

21 miles

Today we are off to Kirkby Stephen, a distance of 21 miles. As there are no major mountains to climb, we think we can do this in time and therefore make up some of the time we lost during the lake district section.

Monday 22 April 2013

Say bye bye to the lakes. We finally leave the lake district, this has been a very hard day for both me and James. My knees have taken a battering going over and descending Kidsty pike. The wind was so strong it at one point lifted me of the ground, thats 251 pounds in total, ( I will let you guess how much I was carrying and how much was me).The wind caught James of guard and he took a fall, cuttings his fingers. First aid provided and he's ok. We are both totally worn out with 5 miles to Shap, our resting town for tonight.

Sorry for not updating yesterday. We got caught out by some really bad weather and had to camp down in this hut. We are on our last hill of the lakes " Kidsty pike". And hope to make it to shap. I will update more then

Saturday 20 April 2013

Well after a hard days walk a few tumbles, a malfunctioning rucksack, blisters, sore shoulder! . We have decided to treat ourselfs to a night in a youth hostel. Thorny Howe, a bit expensive but I think we deserve it.

Day 3

Day 3. On route to Patterdale.
Really heavy going and its taking it's toll on the legs and shoulders. At least the weather is holding out.

Friday 19 April 2013

At Black sail YH. Having a coffee break

Ennerdale water. Woke up to this this morning.

Wednesday 17 April 2013

Well I'm off. The long journey by train, 9:09 from Whitstable arriving by 16:29 at st Bees. Rain forcast for today and tomorrow, so not a promising start.

Monday 15 April 2013

All Ready to Go

All Ready To Go

Rucksack packed, a bit on the heavy side really at 28lb but I like a bit of creature comforts, namely my inflatable mat and Gelert sleeping pod . Just checked the weather and looks like Rain for Thursday and Friday up the North West (not really surprised). Going to be sunny down south though :-). Just started to get a slight pain in my left leg upper buttock from training?, lets pray it don't hamper my walk.