Added more accurate mileage each day, and some elevation gain information too. Easier to read if you click on it so it opens up full size...
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Gosh this mapping stuff is hard....
I really thought I could quickly put together a map showing where we are walking and which parts we're driving. Turns out not to be easy (or maybe even possible!) to create such a map. So I'm starting with this aerial view:
Now off to Photoshop with the version that shows the roads, so I can manually add the stopping places and the parts where we're driving. How silly!
OK, here's the resulting map, which I've also used as the blog background for now...
Now off to Photoshop with the version that shows the roads, so I can manually add the stopping places and the parts where we're driving. How silly!
OK, here's the resulting map, which I've also used as the blog background for now...
Saturday, October 12, 2013
All accommodation booked for Cs and Ls, some for Ms
Here's the plan:
Stonehouse Farm...a working farm, where we'll spend the first night, walk a short 5-6 mile loop the next day, returning to the farm for the second night.
We'll then drive from St Bees to Ennerdale, and walk to Seatoller (anywhere from 10-12 miles, just depending where we decide to stop and take a ride). From there we'll get a ride (car and/or bus) to Grasmere, where we stay at the Grasmere Independent Hostel:
Next morning, my guess is that the party will divide into groups. One group will get a ride back to Seatoller (or more likely, Stonethwaite) and walk the 10 miles to Grasmere. One group will stick close to the hostel, maybe exploring Grasmere itself. Another group might head west to meet up with the group walking east. Lots of wonderful flexibility! Second night at the hostel.
From there, we walk the 10 miles to Patterdale. Would love to think I could do Helvellyn, especially Striding Edge, but I'm probably dreaming.
Then two nights at the Best Western Glenridding, spanning a rest day:
The hotel has a swimming pool and is close to Ullswater, where there's a steamer boat and other distractions. DC had the brilliant idea that we should have a formal night (in the tradition of cruises) and this will probably be when that will happen.
Suitably rested, we head out again for an 11 mile hike to Burnbanks, from where we'll hitch a ride to Bampton, where the 11 of us will occupy all of the Crown and Mitre's accommodations:
Next day, off to Orton, 12 miles if we walk it all, but my guess is that we might get a lift to Shap and walk from there, for a total of 8 miles. In Orton, we'll stay at the St George Hotel:
Then that last hike, 14 miles, to Kirkby Stephen. Though we'll have cheated so rampantly by then that who knows what we'll actually do! For sure, we get a ride north from Kirkby Stephen to Augill Castle for the last two nights.
The Cs will be in the Orangery:
The Ls in the Stable:
Ms TBD!
- Mon June 30th St Bees, Stonehouse Farm (C, L)
- Tue July 1st St Bees, Stonehouse Farm (C, L)
- Wed July 2nd...Grasmere Hostel (C, L, M)
- Thu July 3rd....Grasmere Hostel (C, L, M)
- Fri July 4th....Best Western Glenridding (C, L)
- Sat July 5th....Best Western Glenridding (C, L) FORMAL NIGHT
- Sun July 6th....Bampton, Crown and Mitre (C, L, M)
- Mon July 7th....The George Hotel (C, L)
- Tue July 8th....Augill Castle north of Kirkby Stephen (C, L)
- Wed July 9th....Augill Castle again (C, L)
- Thu July 10th....we scatter!
Stonehouse Farm...a working farm, where we'll spend the first night, walk a short 5-6 mile loop the next day, returning to the farm for the second night.
We'll then drive from St Bees to Ennerdale, and walk to Seatoller (anywhere from 10-12 miles, just depending where we decide to stop and take a ride). From there we'll get a ride (car and/or bus) to Grasmere, where we stay at the Grasmere Independent Hostel:
Next morning, my guess is that the party will divide into groups. One group will get a ride back to Seatoller (or more likely, Stonethwaite) and walk the 10 miles to Grasmere. One group will stick close to the hostel, maybe exploring Grasmere itself. Another group might head west to meet up with the group walking east. Lots of wonderful flexibility! Second night at the hostel.
From there, we walk the 10 miles to Patterdale. Would love to think I could do Helvellyn, especially Striding Edge, but I'm probably dreaming.
Then two nights at the Best Western Glenridding, spanning a rest day:
The hotel has a swimming pool and is close to Ullswater, where there's a steamer boat and other distractions. DC had the brilliant idea that we should have a formal night (in the tradition of cruises) and this will probably be when that will happen.
Suitably rested, we head out again for an 11 mile hike to Burnbanks, from where we'll hitch a ride to Bampton, where the 11 of us will occupy all of the Crown and Mitre's accommodations:
Next day, off to Orton, 12 miles if we walk it all, but my guess is that we might get a lift to Shap and walk from there, for a total of 8 miles. In Orton, we'll stay at the St George Hotel:
Then that last hike, 14 miles, to Kirkby Stephen. Though we'll have cheated so rampantly by then that who knows what we'll actually do! For sure, we get a ride north from Kirkby Stephen to Augill Castle for the last two nights.
The Cs will be in the Orangery:
The Ls in the Stable:
Ms TBD!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
First accommodation booked, plans taking shape...
The walk gets ever shorter! In order to not be trying to book accommodation in Grasmere over the weekend, we're going to skip a section between St Bees and Ennerdale Bridge. We'll do the coast portion, then loop back to St Bees. Then drive to Ennerdale Bridge (or more likely, to the western shore of Ennerdale Water). We'll walk to Seatoller (12 miles) then another 12 miles to Grasmere on Thursday. 8 miles to Patterdale (Glenridding) where we'll spend two nights. 11 miles to Burnbanks, drive to Shap, 7.5 miles to Orton, then a final 12 miles to Kirkby Stephen.
So we were at 82 miles, now we're subtracting about 10, so probably 72 miles or so?
I've booked two nights for the C family at Best Western Glenridding:
https://plus.google.com/102065772183112106415/photos?hl=en
And a night at The George Hotel Orton:
http://www.thegeorgehotelorton.co.uk/
And booked the last two nights at this awesome place....
http://www.stayinacastle.com
Enquiries out for Stonehouse Farm the first two nights, Seatoller house night 3, Grassmere Hostel night 4, and Brookfield House night 7. Taking shape, taking shape!
Training program? Er....
So we were at 82 miles, now we're subtracting about 10, so probably 72 miles or so?
I've booked two nights for the C family at Best Western Glenridding:
https://plus.google.com/102065772183112106415/photos?hl=en
And a night at The George Hotel Orton:
http://www.thegeorgehotelorton.co.uk/
And booked the last two nights at this awesome place....
http://www.stayinacastle.com
Enquiries out for Stonehouse Farm the first two nights, Seatoller house night 3, Grassmere Hostel night 4, and Brookfield House night 7. Taking shape, taking shape!
Training program? Er....
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Flights booked....
C family flights booked! L family flights booked! M family still on the fence.
Some more realistic plans for the walk itself. Instead of the whole way across, now planning just to tackle the Western part over a realistic 9 days including 1 rest day, a total of 82 miles in 8 walking days.
So let's see where we are:
Maps? Purchased
Guidebooks? Purchased
Walking boots? Purchased
Flights? Purchased
Training program? Er....
Some more realistic plans for the walk itself. Instead of the whole way across, now planning just to tackle the Western part over a realistic 9 days including 1 rest day, a total of 82 miles in 8 walking days.
So let's see where we are:
Maps? Purchased
Guidebooks? Purchased
Walking boots? Purchased
Flights? Purchased
Training program? Er....
Monday, May 13, 2013
In comparison, the C2C is a stroll...
Look what this guy's planning to do! Round the world hike, totally 18,000 miles over 3 years carrying a 50lb pack. Wow.
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/hiking-around-the-world-what-to-eat/#more-36509
http://www.marksdailyapple.com/hiking-around-the-world-what-to-eat/#more-36509
Sunday, May 5, 2013
So, how's the training going?
Define "training"!
If training means logging the miles I promised to log, it's been a dismal failure.
If training means doing something other than sitting in front of a computer for hours on end, it's been a roaring success.
The last two weeks have been, er, understated in terms of miles logged. I think I maybe did 2 miles the week before last and 3 miles last week. But I've done a ton of digging. It's like hiking for the arms! I've shifted 2 yds of sand and 2 yds of garden soil. I've schlepped barrels and planters. I've washed a car. I've chased chicks (the feathered variety!) All in the most glorious spring weather imaginable...70s and 80s in sunshine. Astonishing! I wonder if our cross country hike will be blessed with even one day like that.
Here's a photo as evidence of my endeavors:
If training means logging the miles I promised to log, it's been a dismal failure.
If training means doing something other than sitting in front of a computer for hours on end, it's been a roaring success.
The last two weeks have been, er, understated in terms of miles logged. I think I maybe did 2 miles the week before last and 3 miles last week. But I've done a ton of digging. It's like hiking for the arms! I've shifted 2 yds of sand and 2 yds of garden soil. I've schlepped barrels and planters. I've washed a car. I've chased chicks (the feathered variety!) All in the most glorious spring weather imaginable...70s and 80s in sunshine. Astonishing! I wonder if our cross country hike will be blessed with even one day like that.
Here's a photo as evidence of my endeavors:
Next week, my digging tasks will be behind me, the weather will still be glorious, so hike I must!
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Equipment: Maps and Books
The 8 ordnance survey maps that cover the route arrived this week from the UK. Quite a nostalgia-trigger...first time I've handled an OS map in probably 20 years. They were such a fixture in my home growing up. I still remember the day when daddy finally bought the last OS map to complete his collection. He sure loved maps!
Funnily enough, though, I think maybe these Harvey maps will be more useful than the OS maps:
Two of these Harvey strip maps cover the whole route.
Finally, the best descriptive resource I've found so far is Henry Stedman's "Coast to Coast Path". It's a good read, with snippets of Wainwright's original, lots of good advice, and information about facilities along the route.
The April 2013 Planning Meeting (First in a Series?)
Fun evening at the L's yesterday. RL, FL, CL, MM, IM, NM, LM, LC, DC, MC, KC. And Maisie (who hid her disappointment admirably after being immediately excluded from the adventure.)
With Julia Bradbury's Coast to Coast DVD playing as a backdrop, we discussed the trip. Current thoughts:
With Julia Bradbury's Coast to Coast DVD playing as a backdrop, we discussed the trip. Current thoughts:
- Take 3 weeks to do the hike, so it ends up more like 10 miles a day rather than 14 miles a day.
- US schools are out June 17th, UK schools July 19th. So probably some time during that 4.5 week span. Most important thing is to clear the Lake District before the UK summer holidays begin.
- Maybe book in the early fall?
- Is LM (eight by then) able to walk this? The youngest walker ever was a 6 year old girl, so possible, but surely challenging.
- Meet monthly for trip planning (including comparing mileage logged?!!??)
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Equipment: Boots
There is one part of any new obsession...er, I mean hobby...that I am quite talented at, and that's acquiring stuff. I am determined that my Coast to Coast focus will remain mostly on actually walking rather than shopping for walking accessories, but I've made some purchases already. Today's acquisition: boots.
In my day to day life, I wear "minimalist" shoes almost all the time--zero heel lift, very thin soles. I was hiking in the most minimalist ones: "toe shoes"...those lizard-like Vibram Five Finger shoes. But some intensive Googling couldn't find any evidence that people have walked super long distances in those shoes.
I was not feeling very enthusiastic about switching up to clomping traditional hiking boots, with thick soles and heel lift. I really enjoy the sensation of feeling the trail beneath my feet. Then I found that Vivobarefoot has come out with a minimalist hiking boot, the "Off Road Hi". I found it for sale online and took the risk.
They arrived today and were comfortable right out of the box. I walked 6.5 miles in them and they remained comfortable. So I'm thrilled with the purchase....perfect compromise between true minimalist and foot protection on a long hike.
In my day to day life, I wear "minimalist" shoes almost all the time--zero heel lift, very thin soles. I was hiking in the most minimalist ones: "toe shoes"...those lizard-like Vibram Five Finger shoes. But some intensive Googling couldn't find any evidence that people have walked super long distances in those shoes.
I was not feeling very enthusiastic about switching up to clomping traditional hiking boots, with thick soles and heel lift. I really enjoy the sensation of feeling the trail beneath my feet. Then I found that Vivobarefoot has come out with a minimalist hiking boot, the "Off Road Hi". I found it for sale online and took the risk.
They arrived today and were comfortable right out of the box. I walked 6.5 miles in them and they remained comfortable. So I'm thrilled with the purchase....perfect compromise between true minimalist and foot protection on a long hike.
Next equipment post will be on books I'm reading about the hike.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
The Training Schedule
Only 64 weeks to go now.
Training so far:
Week 0 (3/30-6/5) (LC: 10.5; DC: 6; MC: 12)
6 mile round trip hike via the top of Squak Mountain. (LC, DC, MC)
3 round trip walks to the bus stop (each total 1.5 miles) (LC both ways, KC/MC one way)
1 4 mile walk home from school (MC)
Week 1 (4/6-4/12) (LC: 13.3; DC: 2.8; MC: 10.5)
4/6: 2.8 mile brisk walk around Green Lake (LC, DC)
4/8: 4 mile round trip to Starbucks at Redmond Ridge (LC, MC)
4/11: 6.5 mile to Starbucks at Redmond Ridge (back the long way) (LC, MC)
The Coast to Coast requires an average of 14 miles a day. They say you're probably ready if you can feel OK doing two 10 mile days back to back. Hope to achieve that mid-summer. Between now and then:
GOAL--miles per week:
6 miles a week in April with bonus points for 8 miles.
10 miles in May with at least one 6 mile walk
15 miles in June with at least one 10 mile walk
20 miles in July made up of two 10 mile walks
30 miles in August with at least one 10 mile walk
That feels far enough out to be useful.
Training so far:
Week 0 (3/30-6/5) (LC: 10.5; DC: 6; MC: 12)
6 mile round trip hike via the top of Squak Mountain. (LC, DC, MC)
3 round trip walks to the bus stop (each total 1.5 miles) (LC both ways, KC/MC one way)
1 4 mile walk home from school (MC)
Week 1 (4/6-4/12) (LC: 13.3; DC: 2.8; MC: 10.5)
4/6: 2.8 mile brisk walk around Green Lake (LC, DC)
4/8: 4 mile round trip to Starbucks at Redmond Ridge (LC, MC)
4/11: 6.5 mile to Starbucks at Redmond Ridge (back the long way) (LC, MC)
The Coast to Coast requires an average of 14 miles a day. They say you're probably ready if you can feel OK doing two 10 mile days back to back. Hope to achieve that mid-summer. Between now and then:
GOAL--miles per week:
6 miles a week in April with bonus points for 8 miles.
10 miles in May with at least one 6 mile walk
15 miles in June with at least one 10 mile walk
20 miles in July made up of two 10 mile walks
30 miles in August with at least one 10 mile walk
That feels far enough out to be useful.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Public Declaration of Intent
Summer 2014, I will walk across England.
Should be a piece of cake, right? I'm not the fittest I've ever been, but there are 65 weeks between now and then, so it's entirely doable.
FAQ
Why 2014?
I turn 50 in December 2013. So summer 2014 is my 50th summer. I'll have to do a whole blog post on where I was all the other summers.DC will also be 50. DC & I will have been married for 25 years. My in-laws will have been married for 60 years. My stepfather will be 80. My niece will be 10. It's just a significant year. And not one I'm willing to just loll through.
What Route?
Wainwright's Coast to Coast. It's a hike across a reasonably narrow part of the UK, from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay. A total of approx 200 miles through some stunning areas of England...the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors. About 14 miles of hiking per day, with enough terrain that it's the altitude-equivalent of hiking up and down Everest.
Oh goodness knows! How the heck did the idea even occur to me? It's in my DNA--daddy did crazy stunts like this. As a teenager, I was dragged along for one of them--walking the length of the Kennet and Avon canal, while it was mostly a disused, nettle-infested museum to industrial Britain. He, at least, had some sense of pacing. We did chunks of it a weekend at a time. I have no such sense. I will do the Coast to Coast in one gloriously blistering trek.
I have no recollection right now of why I thought of this specific expedition. There must have been a TV show or a blog post or a dare-after-a-couple-of-glasses-of-wine. I will mine my email archive for the truth.
On Your Own?
Well, not ideally. At this point I'm sure DC will join me. MC says he will. KC is saying no way. RL & FL are threatening (FL in a team support role, meeting us for lunch, bringing us supplies, cheering us in at the end of each day). DC's friend ChCh is saying he's interested. MM & IM are interested. VS maybe? The idea of an American mob marauding across the UK is very attractive, but I suspect in the end it may come down to mostly DC and me.
Are You NUTS?
Yes
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