Saturday 2 October 2010
Maybe...
I'm just about coming round to thinking that another attempt could be possible... it's all down to 'what went wrong?' and 'could I put it right?' Certainly this year's attempt has been the best yet, so something was working...
Friday 20 August 2010
Stubbed Toe...
Well after hobbling round for the past week with a suspected broken/dislocated toe - stubbed it on the kitchen table leg after returning from the 5 day attempt! yeowww!!! - I then put my back out... so what with one thing and another I've been trying to take it steady! Hopefully back will be right for the drive up to Blackpool on Sunday,
meanwhile I've been going over the 176 video clips of the last attempt...
meanwhile I've been going over the 176 video clips of the last attempt...
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Well that went well..not
Such a feeling of disappointment - with just 38m left to go!!!
I'd tended the blisters at Shap, (lovely Shap - with newsagent's, open toilets with hot water and a bus shelter out of the rain) to press on for Patterdale though down on schedule there was still a good chance of getting to St Bees within the 5 day time frame but the first Lakeland hills took their toll and I didn't make into Patterdale until 5pm. After refuelling at the shop there I set off renewed but with very sore feet and took two whole hours to get up to Grisedale Tarn (8.00pm) where I had to make the decision to either press on or put down. At this point I calculated that a 5day plus was still a possibility with a good early start and set the alarm for 4.15am. With a high pitch (1800ft) for the tarp tent wind took much of the warmth from the sleeping bag and with only 2 dry tops left I spent a shivering night with little sleep not helped with throbbing feet...
I'd tended the blisters at Shap, (lovely Shap - with newsagent's, open toilets with hot water and a bus shelter out of the rain) to press on for Patterdale though down on schedule there was still a good chance of getting to St Bees within the 5 day time frame but the first Lakeland hills took their toll and I didn't make into Patterdale until 5pm. After refuelling at the shop there I set off renewed but with very sore feet and took two whole hours to get up to Grisedale Tarn (8.00pm) where I had to make the decision to either press on or put down. At this point I calculated that a 5day plus was still a possibility with a good early start and set the alarm for 4.15am. With a high pitch (1800ft) for the tarp tent wind took much of the warmth from the sleeping bag and with only 2 dry tops left I spent a shivering night with little sleep not helped with throbbing feet...
Wednesday 28 July 2010
Off again...
It's been a bit hectic of late what with finalising the kit list. Extra phone memory hasn't arrived in time, but the 4gig card should be enough... Basic kit is just under 8.5 lbs with just 670g of food - mainly pre packed cereal/dried milk with on emergency meal of 100g dried mash pot. Less weight carried = more distance covered and less for the feet to bear, yet still better equipped for wet weather this time...
hoping to post on twitter this time - as 'lightweightmick'
bed time for me, phew...
hoping to post on twitter this time - as 'lightweightmick'
bed time for me, phew...
Monday 26 July 2010
The Uber Lite night...
...was fitful. Like the early Thermarests, the Uber (at least the one I've got) has no anti slip surface... and the poly-io groundsheet is slippery, so everytime I turned over, the pad went sideways... and in the night when you're half-asleep with chilly legs...
As I haven't used a self-inflating pad for some years now, I may have over-inflated it a bit too much though but that 1" of air filled foam does offer more for the hips fo'sure.
Yesterday I laid out the plastic film groundsheet on the kitchen floor. Placing 2 gel pads in the centres of the shoulder and hip areas of the Uber seemed to do the trick (the gel pads are from the footcare kit, so no extra weight is incurred) - for lower legs it makes sense to put the reflecting foil pad back on the list...
This puts the final choice 50gms over the original target of 250gms:
Uber Lite: 225
Foil Ins.: 39
Poly-Io : 36
Total 300gms
As I haven't used a self-inflating pad for some years now, I may have over-inflated it a bit too much though but that 1" of air filled foam does offer more for the hips fo'sure.
Yesterday I laid out the plastic film groundsheet on the kitchen floor. Placing 2 gel pads in the centres of the shoulder and hip areas of the Uber seemed to do the trick (the gel pads are from the footcare kit, so no extra weight is incurred) - for lower legs it makes sense to put the reflecting foil pad back on the list...
This puts the final choice 50gms over the original target of 250gms:
Uber Lite: 225
Foil Ins.: 39
Poly-Io : 36
Total 300gms
Friday 23 July 2010
Uber-Lite arrives at last
Lightest available self-inflating pad for ground insulation and the good news is, for me at least working on a sub 8lbs kit list is that the stated weight includes the stuff sac and a repair kit. Nice when something weighs less than you think on the scales! Rolls (or folds) up quite small and I think it will fit on the back of the pack like the Ridgerest, thus allowing room for some food inside, so the 15ltr Inov8 should be big enough after all.
Offers just that bit more for the hips - I'll be giving it a try tonight.
It was quite chilly out last night, so it'll be interesting to see how warm the bag is too...
Offers just that bit more for the hips - I'll be giving it a try tonight.
It was quite chilly out last night, so it'll be interesting to see how warm the bag is too...
Monday 5 July 2010
New Map of Route
This is a useful map of the Coast to Coast route that can be zoomed in to 1:50,000 OS map:
http://cms-stu-iis.gre.ac.uk/km44/map/
http://cms-stu-iis.gre.ac.uk/km44/map/
Superglue Update
Finally got some of the surgical superglue - there are several trade names - Dermabond etc. the one I got is called LiquiBand... I think... the bloomin' tube is so small I've gone and lost it already! No change worth mentioning out of a tenner either... and the pharmacist has had to order a box full of the stuff at collossal expense... I didn't have the heart to open it! - and will use it more to seal blisters than add a protective layer... if I can find it that is...
On this week's longer training run (13m +pack) I've again tried the gel type superglue - easier to apply..? Certainly less chance of any surplus running between the toes and sticking them together at least!
As super glue crazes, the idea is to find a more flexible type - next on list is Band Aid's Liquid Bandage...
On this week's longer training run (13m +pack) I've again tried the gel type superglue - easier to apply..? Certainly less chance of any surplus running between the toes and sticking them together at least!
As super glue crazes, the idea is to find a more flexible type - next on list is Band Aid's Liquid Bandage...
Midge Net Tent
Got this finished this weekend - final weight of 152 gms - though I've only left an overlap for the closure. A zip would be relatively heavy, but could be added to centre or to one side of the 'A' entry. I've enough left for a full floor - but I'm thinking that the 'skirt' will be enough under the poly-io groundsheet which I've cut to size with about a 2" overlap (36gms).
Considering putting some velcro or pop fasteners to the opening - but if it gapes then a zip may be the only option...
Considering putting some velcro or pop fasteners to the opening - but if it gapes then a zip may be the only option...
Tuesday 29 June 2010
Pack Choice
Over the past years I've used a very light extending bum bag with a mere 18ltr capacity. I upped the stakes a bit last year and bought an Inov8 15ltr which is tight... very tight. It's a comfortable sac suitable for running with too - designed for mountain marathoners. They also make a 20 and 25litre, so I'm preparing to upgrade this year.
I have bought a 'micro sac' - a Sea to Summit Ultra Sil a nifty 20litre affair that if you lit a tea light in would surely rise into the air like a chinese lantern!! Less it's tiny stuff sac (attached to it's tiny 'haul loop') it's a mere 68grams. It accepts all the kit (as is) but would not be suitable for running without the addition of a hip belt and sternum strap, so until time permits (it's like performing surgery on a butterfly!) I'm sticking with the Inov8 that I used on the recce for now...
I have bought a 'micro sac' - a Sea to Summit Ultra Sil a nifty 20litre affair that if you lit a tea light in would surely rise into the air like a chinese lantern!! Less it's tiny stuff sac (attached to it's tiny 'haul loop') it's a mere 68grams. It accepts all the kit (as is) but would not be suitable for running without the addition of a hip belt and sternum strap, so until time permits (it's like performing surgery on a butterfly!) I'm sticking with the Inov8 that I used on the recce for now...
Midge Netting...
...has arrived from Point North. The plan is to make a full 'tent' to fit beneath the tarp, then if nights are warm I've got more freedom... Though entry and exit is tricky without a zip (I've got a similar affair that's only really suitable to describe as mosquito netting - mossies are bigger than midges...), but adding a zip will add weight... so ' jury's out on that one.
I bit the bullet Saturday night and cut out the shapes ready for sewing...
I bit the bullet Saturday night and cut out the shapes ready for sewing...
Saturday 26 June 2010
It's all Kicking Off...
After such a comfy night then, I was off for a 'kit trial' run this morning. It's a nice route from Creswell down to the Boon Hills and I stopped for a peek into 'Robin Hood's Cave' at Langwith Basset around the 6m point (the gate was open...) Cows use it for shelter these days, but it certainly would have been a good hide-out! There are many Robin Hood references around here and as far North as the Coast to Coast route... interesting!
The main item on trial today was the brolly - as sun reflector this time: went well - certainly worth it's weight (140gms) and the effort of fitting the canopy to the stronger frame!
Who knows - with a UV50 umbrella on last year's attempt maybe I wouldn't have arrived at the Lion Inn with early signs of heat stroke... (but then, of course water consumption played a key role too)
The main item on trial today was the brolly - as sun reflector this time: went well - certainly worth it's weight (140gms) and the effort of fitting the canopy to the stronger frame!
Who knows - with a UV50 umbrella on last year's attempt maybe I wouldn't have arrived at the Lion Inn with early signs of heat stroke... (but then, of course water consumption played a key role too)
Cloud Nine...
Just borrowed this from the Pacific Outdoor Uber Lite info:
"Our Uber series are quite simply the lightest self-inflating mats available. They provide bare bones insulation and comfort, because your core will be supported, padded and insulated. After a long day you will be thankful for any postage stamp you can park your tired worn out body on and if it is an Uber, well then, you'll be on cloud nine."
well, just maybe I will, combined with the PHD Minim at least...
"Our Uber series are quite simply the lightest self-inflating mats available. They provide bare bones insulation and comfort, because your core will be supported, padded and insulated. After a long day you will be thankful for any postage stamp you can park your tired worn out body on and if it is an Uber, well then, you'll be on cloud nine."
well, just maybe I will, combined with the PHD Minim at least...
PHD Minim Down Bag
This lightweight sleeping bag arrived very swifty this week! Ordered it on Monday and told it would take three weeks as they are made to order. Told to send an email if I would like it sooner - so I did, and lo! it arrived by carrier Tues afternoon.
On unpacking, the MX fabric oozes quality, though their stated weight of 345gms must be for the smaller size - I ordered a 'standard' (no zip) and with some modification (swapped their elastic drawstring for some thinner stuff, but hadn't the heart to cut the labels out...) it tips the scales at 399gms. So it's half the weight of the Rab, but lofts as well, due to the higher quality down used.
The temperature dropped to 12 degrees last night (back garden - 2 degs above average) and the only cover was the roll-out awning of the van and a mosquito net. Still using the Ridgrest for ground insulation had a very comfy night. It helped to get the 'pillow' set-up right. Best 'pillow' so far has been to turn the sac inside out with what few spare clothes and socks to hand inside - I did add a half-inflated platypus bottle but don't think it's really necessary - being plastic it was a bit 'crinkly' as well.
A small lightweight sleeping bag that compresses really small is a major step to a small light overall kit sack.
With the bag's minimum temperature rating of 8 degrees I slept well in the buff, but did use the RAB silk liner (65 gms - could be less...)
(from the above I would say that the large size would come in at around 450-460gms)
On unpacking, the MX fabric oozes quality, though their stated weight of 345gms must be for the smaller size - I ordered a 'standard' (no zip) and with some modification (swapped their elastic drawstring for some thinner stuff, but hadn't the heart to cut the labels out...) it tips the scales at 399gms. So it's half the weight of the Rab, but lofts as well, due to the higher quality down used.
The temperature dropped to 12 degrees last night (back garden - 2 degs above average) and the only cover was the roll-out awning of the van and a mosquito net. Still using the Ridgrest for ground insulation had a very comfy night. It helped to get the 'pillow' set-up right. Best 'pillow' so far has been to turn the sac inside out with what few spare clothes and socks to hand inside - I did add a half-inflated platypus bottle but don't think it's really necessary - being plastic it was a bit 'crinkly' as well.
A small lightweight sleeping bag that compresses really small is a major step to a small light overall kit sack.
With the bag's minimum temperature rating of 8 degrees I slept well in the buff, but did use the RAB silk liner (65 gms - could be less...)
(from the above I would say that the large size would come in at around 450-460gms)
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Doh... umbrellas!
Well, more for sunshine than rain - I'd bought a trekking umbrella... by EuroSCHIRM (£25 eek ! )- it has a metallised coating rated as UV50... well I broke it in the 1st umbivvy trial didn't I... The name of the umbrella should have given me a clue to its durability though: Dainty... hmm...
Umbivvy? Don't ask... imagine combining a bivvy bag with an umbrella...
As my cheapo Factory Shop 'Grant Barnett' umbrella (£5) hasn't broken yet (though there was an issue with the handle) I bought another and am in the process of attaching (24 hand sewn points, phew...) the silvered canopy to the sturdier frame.
Sod's law dictates that it won't rain - then neither will the sun shine. Could be ideal then: cool and overcast.
Umbivvy? Don't ask... imagine combining a bivvy bag with an umbrella...
As my cheapo Factory Shop 'Grant Barnett' umbrella (£5) hasn't broken yet (though there was an issue with the handle) I bought another and am in the process of attaching (24 hand sewn points, phew...) the silvered canopy to the sturdier frame.
Sod's law dictates that it won't rain - then neither will the sun shine. Could be ideal then: cool and overcast.
Saturday 12 June 2010
Balloons... argh!
I've been in possession of the Balloon Bed for over a month now...
An attractice proposition at 100gms and very small pack size.
For £20 you get a sewn ripstop nylon base for holding the 260q modelling balloons supplied - you also get a small hand-held pump and a safety pin for bursting the balloons next morning...
My intention was to see if it could be adapted for multi-day use, after all balloons don't weigh much. Do they?
To be fair it's designed for mountain marathoners for a single night's use and not intended to rival a Thermarest.
It soon becomes apparent that mountain marathoners - OMM and KIMM etc. - have time on their hands, as you have to blow up 7 balloons (original version) with a small plastic pump provided, one at a time of course, and feed them into the sleeved ripstop nylon base.
As the balloons are intended for single use only, my first thoughts were for re-using the balloons and instead of knotting them, I tried other ways of sealing them so that they could be undone as it's reported that some thrifty MM's undo their balloons next morning...
Wrapping a few times around a curtain hook and tying off with a burst balloon were the most successful, though this can 'stress' the latex, creating a weak spot...
It has to be noted that the idea is quite ingenious and if you don't tend to move about much it's very comfortable for it's 100gms but I found that the the tendency was for the seven balloons to narrow beneath my body weight - in that they 'migrated' closer together reducing the width of the support.
I made an improved version out of taped-together Mylar sheet (Emergency 'Space' Blanket) that kept the balloons in place under tension. But this new design required 8 balloons and I added a shorted sleeve either side to beef up the shoulder/upper arm area requiring yet 2 more albeit smaller balloons - 10 in all.
Well I gave it a proper trial last Friday night... only to have 2 burst within the first 20 minutes, and had to get up again to pump up 2 more...
All was okay till around 4-5am when my hips felt chilly, but it was still relatively comfortable...Well it must've been 'cos the neighbour was going to work when I finally ducked out from under the home-made tarp.
Under pressure the balloons had gradually gone down - they deflate from the end opposite the blowing-up end - hence the cold hips. Though this would help get you up early...
So until I can find a better way of sealing 'em - it's back to the Ridgerest (now further trimmed down to 180gms)
The Balloon Bed does have potential for multi-night use though (if balloons stay inflated that is) but if a supply of balloons has to be carried for each day's use the 100gms (includes base, 7 balloons, pump and pin) starts to become nearer 200gms...
Meanwhile a self-inflating Pacific Outdoor Uber Lite is on order (241gms stated weight)
An attractice proposition at 100gms and very small pack size.
For £20 you get a sewn ripstop nylon base for holding the 260q modelling balloons supplied - you also get a small hand-held pump and a safety pin for bursting the balloons next morning...
My intention was to see if it could be adapted for multi-day use, after all balloons don't weigh much. Do they?
To be fair it's designed for mountain marathoners for a single night's use and not intended to rival a Thermarest.
It soon becomes apparent that mountain marathoners - OMM and KIMM etc. - have time on their hands, as you have to blow up 7 balloons (original version) with a small plastic pump provided, one at a time of course, and feed them into the sleeved ripstop nylon base.
As the balloons are intended for single use only, my first thoughts were for re-using the balloons and instead of knotting them, I tried other ways of sealing them so that they could be undone as it's reported that some thrifty MM's undo their balloons next morning...
Wrapping a few times around a curtain hook and tying off with a burst balloon were the most successful, though this can 'stress' the latex, creating a weak spot...
It has to be noted that the idea is quite ingenious and if you don't tend to move about much it's very comfortable for it's 100gms but I found that the the tendency was for the seven balloons to narrow beneath my body weight - in that they 'migrated' closer together reducing the width of the support.
I made an improved version out of taped-together Mylar sheet (Emergency 'Space' Blanket) that kept the balloons in place under tension. But this new design required 8 balloons and I added a shorted sleeve either side to beef up the shoulder/upper arm area requiring yet 2 more albeit smaller balloons - 10 in all.
Well I gave it a proper trial last Friday night... only to have 2 burst within the first 20 minutes, and had to get up again to pump up 2 more...
All was okay till around 4-5am when my hips felt chilly, but it was still relatively comfortable...Well it must've been 'cos the neighbour was going to work when I finally ducked out from under the home-made tarp.
Under pressure the balloons had gradually gone down - they deflate from the end opposite the blowing-up end - hence the cold hips. Though this would help get you up early...
So until I can find a better way of sealing 'em - it's back to the Ridgerest (now further trimmed down to 180gms)
The Balloon Bed does have potential for multi-night use though (if balloons stay inflated that is) but if a supply of balloons has to be carried for each day's use the 100gms (includes base, 7 balloons, pump and pin) starts to become nearer 200gms...
Meanwhile a self-inflating Pacific Outdoor Uber Lite is on order (241gms stated weight)
Sunday 6 June 2010
The quest is on...
The quest is on for a light pack-weight, but still allowing for a good night's sleep.
Bivvy bags are fine when it stays dry - a delight even on starry nights, but when the rain clouds gather and the midges suddenly swarm on unpacking it's another story...
So now it's down to seeing where I could make weight savings on the kit list.
Bivvy bags are fine when it stays dry - a delight even on starry nights, but when the rain clouds gather and the midges suddenly swarm on unpacking it's another story...
So now it's down to seeing where I could make weight savings on the kit list.
Wednesday 2 June 2010
Monday 17 May 2010
Final Recce Weekend
Friday: Arrival on Site
There are two sites at Stonethwaite... and they both share the same postcode, so I've pulled the van into a space near the chapel to drop the car for a driven recce. The favourite for caravans is possibly the one off the B road as I find another motorvan on there before parking the Panda and walking back for the van. Er, yeah, this is where I should have taken a bit more notice of who runs the site and called in to mark my arrival, but time's getting on and I haven't had anything to eat yet... (then the sign doesn't say to 'call at house before siting van' as many sites do)
I'd planned on a takeaway, but, thinking ahead, had stopped to refuel for the St.Bees car drop tomorrow so sausage and mash it is then...
Saturday: Shap to Stonethwaite (30m)
There's free parking beside the toilets in Shap - and they're very open and very clean - a credit to the council - and come in very handy....
Thereafter it's off up the road at 6.20 and the morning is cold, dry and bright, with frost across the fields to Rosgill passing the delightfully named nearby 'Thunder Stone'.
From Haweswater, the route choice today is to cut up the hill at Measand End and head for High Raise.
The low sun gains strength and the brolly helps as it's not too breezy and there's time for a Snickers on a comfortable wayside stone to take in the view too, then farther up the hill those sheep look very much like deer... and indeed are, it turns out.
High Raise makes a great early coffee stop and at 2634 ft is a little higher than the original route summit of Kidsty Pike. Low cloud swirls and comes and goes on the descent to Angle Tarn where the first walker of the day approaches - he's a coaster and wants to know if the path will take him to Kidsty...
Dropping in to Patterdale for an early lunch I meet up with another forum poster who is up for the weekend. She kindly donates to my cause as we part company - she for the High Street with a Hartsop descent - me for Grisedale Tarn and Dunmail Raise.
So far the day has been kindliness itself but the rain begins to fall and I miss the gate for the lane and end up at the back of a wood peering down through dripping branches on to where I know I should be...
I find a path of sorts, boggy in places, skirting the hill on the north shore of Grisedale Tarn and the descent to Dunmail Raise is straightforward and pretty, even in the rain, with it's crashing waterfalls.
It has to be said that Steel Fell looks mighty steep from Raise Beck and not much less from the stile at the bottom... Is that really a path up there? I've been watching another walker ahead as I'd come down - noting that they kept stopping... also that they were to the right-hand gully near the crest of the hill. The path at the bottom peter's out on the ascent and there are patches of scree or rather, loose stone on grass - it becomes steeper at the top and after a few airy minutes on greasy wet grass trying to decide on the best option I find myself in a situation I'd rather not be... I work my way slowly... very slowly towards the gully to the left and feel much relief in finding some well-kicked boot holds...
Once up it's plain sailing, but this is not a route I'd recommend to coasters and one I'd think carefully about in the future fo'sure.
It's hammering down on the approach to the infamous Greenup Edge and this turns into more of a climb than I remember. A misplaced footing sends me reeling before Lining Crag and I'm wishing I'd remembered to get some jelly babies at Patterdale as the descent into Borrowdale seems to go on and on... and on, until I arrive back at the van quite literally soaked to the skin at 6.57pm.
Collecting and Delivering Support Car:
After a failed hot shower - the water heater had turned itself off for some reason... - food takes priority - there's a tin of stewing steak and more mash, and a tin of carrots and so it's after eight when I pull off the site to collect the car from Shap... and though it's a straightforward run it's well after midnight before I get back from St.Bees... so it's straight to bed.
With the help of some free-to-download software I've been able to piece together the short video clips:
(...hope this works Julie! - fingers crossed...x)
Sunday: Stonethwaite to St.Bees (28.5m)
After a 6.20 start it's 7:20am up at Honister - and there's me in search of water... it's dawning that the Slate Mine staff will have to be pretty damn keen in hoping to sell slate at this hour - ideed the place is well locked. But lo, there is a fine toilet next door at the back of the youth hostel and I've just walked straight past it...
After the tramway, there's activity at the spoil heap bothy - I sneak in for a peek - hmm, a good reason to use the Haystacks route - basic but dry, and then again, unfortunately, not in the right place... and the family filling their flask tell me that there is another just down the track with a chimney and all, but as it's cosier it gets busy and they met lads carrying coal yesterday...
There are good views down into Buttermere and a leisurely 20mins beside Innominate Tarn before descending to Scarth Gap in search of the narrow path cutting obliquely down to into Ennerdale and somewhat nearer to Gillerthwaite. The path crosses Scarth Beck just below a rocky outcrop and is a good 'un with new stiles and well-used.
Once down on the broad track through Ennerdale I'm reminded of my condition on the first attempt and become aware that I could well be in a similar state on a further continuous five-dayer. Today though, all is right with the world and nothing is troubling in the locomotion department... yet, being well aware that with 20 miles yet to go anything could happen...
There's another missed path from the last effort back in '06 - a nice soft field path to the footbridge that is not shown on the Footprint map (drop left after the YHA - there's a public call box here too) and the Liza is crossed - clean and pure. The shore line sloshes and the feet begin to complain with the ups and downs and rocky footfalls. The many walkers disappear at the car park and the road turns this way and that, but at 11.55am there's time enough for a bowl of chips from the pub, and yes they do serve tea. Oh, but look you - there's San Miguel on draught... nice cold... no, argh! - pot for one sir..?
It's here where I should apply more Superglue... but it's back at the van. Do I dig deep and fettle out plasters that won't stick? Second skin? No, I air the socks and get back into them wet and head off for the last climb - Dent.
The council have made every effort to improve the safety of coasters out of Ennerdale Bridge, but hey, this is rising more than the road...
Trotting down Nannycatch is very pleasant with much to please the senses, and so too is the well-defined path rising up the hillside and with just 10m to go from the summit there's a pull that encourages some more downhill running after taking in the view.
At the Moor Row memorial Alf has a sting in the tail for the East to Wester - St.Buzz is a mere 2m that way (points to 9 0'clock), but we have to go to Saltom Bay (1 o'clock) and add a useless and painful three miles...
I'm not fond of the the cliff path, certainly not for coming up through the quarry, but I ease myself into the last few miles and wave at passing pleasure sailors... though no one waves back and to me the Irish Sea doesn't look much different up here from the North Sea and my feet are definitely telling me: enough!
Busy busy St.Dismal eventually appears around the cliff head, and as the tide's in I head off down the pebbles for a paddle.
It's 5:40pm now - five minutes down on schedule and just twenty minutes under the overall five-day time. There's time enough yet to reflect on just how possible this would be on a consecutive five-day effort - 'Never said this would be easy' indeed...
Winding-up:
As it's seven quid and more to park overnight on the foreshore, the car's at the station - free parking... as is though, to be fair, on the road outside the station, yet this is not easy to gauge on Google.
It's an hour's drive back to Stonethwaite where I'd planned on another night for recovery before the four hour drive back home, but on return, even with seized legs, the pull of a cooked brekky at home and a lazy Bank Holiday spurs me on to hitch up and head off. But who's this mildly irate-looking lady hot-footing it towards the van? Ooops, oh yes, there's time yet then to pay for the pitch... For all she knew, I could have been dead in there she tells me...
As YouTube allows 10 min clips only Day5-(Sunday) is split into two parts:
[Just to remind me!-to make vids fit: set manually in HTML: height="285" width="340"]
There are two sites at Stonethwaite... and they both share the same postcode, so I've pulled the van into a space near the chapel to drop the car for a driven recce. The favourite for caravans is possibly the one off the B road as I find another motorvan on there before parking the Panda and walking back for the van. Er, yeah, this is where I should have taken a bit more notice of who runs the site and called in to mark my arrival, but time's getting on and I haven't had anything to eat yet... (then the sign doesn't say to 'call at house before siting van' as many sites do)
I'd planned on a takeaway, but, thinking ahead, had stopped to refuel for the St.Bees car drop tomorrow so sausage and mash it is then...
Saturday: Shap to Stonethwaite (30m)
There's free parking beside the toilets in Shap - and they're very open and very clean - a credit to the council - and come in very handy....
Thereafter it's off up the road at 6.20 and the morning is cold, dry and bright, with frost across the fields to Rosgill passing the delightfully named nearby 'Thunder Stone'.
From Haweswater, the route choice today is to cut up the hill at Measand End and head for High Raise.
The low sun gains strength and the brolly helps as it's not too breezy and there's time for a Snickers on a comfortable wayside stone to take in the view too, then farther up the hill those sheep look very much like deer... and indeed are, it turns out.
High Raise makes a great early coffee stop and at 2634 ft is a little higher than the original route summit of Kidsty Pike. Low cloud swirls and comes and goes on the descent to Angle Tarn where the first walker of the day approaches - he's a coaster and wants to know if the path will take him to Kidsty...
Dropping in to Patterdale for an early lunch I meet up with another forum poster who is up for the weekend. She kindly donates to my cause as we part company - she for the High Street with a Hartsop descent - me for Grisedale Tarn and Dunmail Raise.
So far the day has been kindliness itself but the rain begins to fall and I miss the gate for the lane and end up at the back of a wood peering down through dripping branches on to where I know I should be...
I find a path of sorts, boggy in places, skirting the hill on the north shore of Grisedale Tarn and the descent to Dunmail Raise is straightforward and pretty, even in the rain, with it's crashing waterfalls.
It has to be said that Steel Fell looks mighty steep from Raise Beck and not much less from the stile at the bottom... Is that really a path up there? I've been watching another walker ahead as I'd come down - noting that they kept stopping... also that they were to the right-hand gully near the crest of the hill. The path at the bottom peter's out on the ascent and there are patches of scree or rather, loose stone on grass - it becomes steeper at the top and after a few airy minutes on greasy wet grass trying to decide on the best option I find myself in a situation I'd rather not be... I work my way slowly... very slowly towards the gully to the left and feel much relief in finding some well-kicked boot holds...
Once up it's plain sailing, but this is not a route I'd recommend to coasters and one I'd think carefully about in the future fo'sure.
It's hammering down on the approach to the infamous Greenup Edge and this turns into more of a climb than I remember. A misplaced footing sends me reeling before Lining Crag and I'm wishing I'd remembered to get some jelly babies at Patterdale as the descent into Borrowdale seems to go on and on... and on, until I arrive back at the van quite literally soaked to the skin at 6.57pm.
Collecting and Delivering Support Car:
After a failed hot shower - the water heater had turned itself off for some reason... - food takes priority - there's a tin of stewing steak and more mash, and a tin of carrots and so it's after eight when I pull off the site to collect the car from Shap... and though it's a straightforward run it's well after midnight before I get back from St.Bees... so it's straight to bed.
With the help of some free-to-download software I've been able to piece together the short video clips:
(...hope this works Julie! - fingers crossed...x)
Sunday: Stonethwaite to St.Bees (28.5m)
After a 6.20 start it's 7:20am up at Honister - and there's me in search of water... it's dawning that the Slate Mine staff will have to be pretty damn keen in hoping to sell slate at this hour - ideed the place is well locked. But lo, there is a fine toilet next door at the back of the youth hostel and I've just walked straight past it...
After the tramway, there's activity at the spoil heap bothy - I sneak in for a peek - hmm, a good reason to use the Haystacks route - basic but dry, and then again, unfortunately, not in the right place... and the family filling their flask tell me that there is another just down the track with a chimney and all, but as it's cosier it gets busy and they met lads carrying coal yesterday...
There are good views down into Buttermere and a leisurely 20mins beside Innominate Tarn before descending to Scarth Gap in search of the narrow path cutting obliquely down to into Ennerdale and somewhat nearer to Gillerthwaite. The path crosses Scarth Beck just below a rocky outcrop and is a good 'un with new stiles and well-used.
Once down on the broad track through Ennerdale I'm reminded of my condition on the first attempt and become aware that I could well be in a similar state on a further continuous five-dayer. Today though, all is right with the world and nothing is troubling in the locomotion department... yet, being well aware that with 20 miles yet to go anything could happen...
There's another missed path from the last effort back in '06 - a nice soft field path to the footbridge that is not shown on the Footprint map (drop left after the YHA - there's a public call box here too) and the Liza is crossed - clean and pure. The shore line sloshes and the feet begin to complain with the ups and downs and rocky footfalls. The many walkers disappear at the car park and the road turns this way and that, but at 11.55am there's time enough for a bowl of chips from the pub, and yes they do serve tea. Oh, but look you - there's San Miguel on draught... nice cold... no, argh! - pot for one sir..?
It's here where I should apply more Superglue... but it's back at the van. Do I dig deep and fettle out plasters that won't stick? Second skin? No, I air the socks and get back into them wet and head off for the last climb - Dent.
The council have made every effort to improve the safety of coasters out of Ennerdale Bridge, but hey, this is rising more than the road...
Trotting down Nannycatch is very pleasant with much to please the senses, and so too is the well-defined path rising up the hillside and with just 10m to go from the summit there's a pull that encourages some more downhill running after taking in the view.
At the Moor Row memorial Alf has a sting in the tail for the East to Wester - St.Buzz is a mere 2m that way (points to 9 0'clock), but we have to go to Saltom Bay (1 o'clock) and add a useless and painful three miles...
I'm not fond of the the cliff path, certainly not for coming up through the quarry, but I ease myself into the last few miles and wave at passing pleasure sailors... though no one waves back and to me the Irish Sea doesn't look much different up here from the North Sea and my feet are definitely telling me: enough!
Busy busy St.Dismal eventually appears around the cliff head, and as the tide's in I head off down the pebbles for a paddle.
It's 5:40pm now - five minutes down on schedule and just twenty minutes under the overall five-day time. There's time enough yet to reflect on just how possible this would be on a consecutive five-day effort - 'Never said this would be easy' indeed...
Winding-up:
As it's seven quid and more to park overnight on the foreshore, the car's at the station - free parking... as is though, to be fair, on the road outside the station, yet this is not easy to gauge on Google.
It's an hour's drive back to Stonethwaite where I'd planned on another night for recovery before the four hour drive back home, but on return, even with seized legs, the pull of a cooked brekky at home and a lazy Bank Holiday spurs me on to hitch up and head off. But who's this mildly irate-looking lady hot-footing it towards the van? Ooops, oh yes, there's time yet then to pay for the pitch... For all she knew, I could have been dead in there she tells me...
As YouTube allows 10 min clips only Day5-(Sunday) is split into two parts:
[Just to remind me!-to make vids fit: set manually in HTML: height="285" width="340"]
Tuesday 4 May 2010
Feet In the Irish Sea...
Well, the weekend went well and to plan - Shap to Stonethwaite in Borrowdale on Saturday, then on to St Bees on Sunday arriving with just 20 minutes to go - as I started the recce from Robin Hood's Bay at 6pm. Good weather overall though it began to rain in Patterdale and arriving soaked through back at the van on Sat left me wondering what it would be like in that condition with only a very basic bivvy bag to bed down in (as opposed to the comfort of the motor caravan) though there are showers on the site. As I would have 2 hours remaining on the last day (with a usual start from RHB of 8pm) it would certainly be more feasible to get under 5 days on a consecutive attempt but it still presents an enormous challenge to get to Shap in 3 days and have enough left for the two 30m days through the ups and downs of the Lake District.
Monday 26 April 2010
Green light for this Weekend!
Plan is to travel up Friday. No Support available this weekend so I'll have to manage. Should take about 4 hours to collect the Panda from Shap though and deliver it to StBees before returning to the site at Stonethwaite in Borrowdale. So, travel up, site van (not sure which site it is...), next morning - early start - drive to Shap in Panda. Walk/run back to van (28-30m). Once back at van - after a nice cup of tea :) - set off for Panda as above and return to site.
Early doors Sunday set off on foot once again for StBees (30m). There are two variations on the route of the 2006 attempt: Saturday - from Grisdale Tarn pass N. side for Dunmail Raise, Steel Fell rejoining original route for Greenup Edge. Sunday, keep on tramway from Slate quarry and head for Haystacks - from Scarth Gap a feint path cuts down to rejoin the main track. Hoping to arrive in St.Bees around 6pm - may stay on site and travel back Monday.
Early doors Sunday set off on foot once again for StBees (30m). There are two variations on the route of the 2006 attempt: Saturday - from Grisdale Tarn pass N. side for Dunmail Raise, Steel Fell rejoining original route for Greenup Edge. Sunday, keep on tramway from Slate quarry and head for Haystacks - from Scarth Gap a feint path cuts down to rejoin the main track. Hoping to arrive in St.Bees around 6pm - may stay on site and travel back Monday.
Monday 19 April 2010
Bloomin' thing
Well, the reassembled 'A'frame wouldn't fit the 4x4 yesterday. Had to give up on it as I needed to get a run in (7m - 1.12) and were going out for a family meal.
Anyway it fits now so it's a step nearer - found the Hunka bivvy bag too - not that I'll need it for the recce mind...
Anyway it fits now so it's a step nearer - found the Hunka bivvy bag too - not that I'll need it for the recce mind...
Sunday 18 April 2010
Birthday Weekend
Today I'm reassembling the newly painted A frame...
58 tomorrow... I passed someone when doing a 3m morning run this week who shouted out 'you look too old for that job.' People seem to delight in shouting out to runners - I was up at Edale Cross a few years back and as I headed up on to Brown Knoll I heard 'You shouldn't be doing that at your age.' Again a few years back doing the CalDerLime (Cal-Der-Went Walk linked to the Limestone Way) a walker coming the other way offered: 'Are you late?'
Thanks to customers these last few weeks (inc. Louise, Glynis, Candy and Andy) I'm getting closer to reaching my target for CP.
Spent Friday night on the back lawn trying out the bivvy bag again (this 1st since last June and that awful night on Sneaton Low Moor) - was a starry night and not too cold, though I couldn't find my new Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag and used the Rab Survival Zone bag. Since found the new one which looks as if it will be more easily adjustable with a toggle at each side with an additional sleeve sewn on for the draw string - looks a good well thought out piece of kit, though won't know how breathable it will be till I try it in the rain...
58 tomorrow... I passed someone when doing a 3m morning run this week who shouted out 'you look too old for that job.' People seem to delight in shouting out to runners - I was up at Edale Cross a few years back and as I headed up on to Brown Knoll I heard 'You shouldn't be doing that at your age.' Again a few years back doing the CalDerLime (Cal-Der-Went Walk linked to the Limestone Way) a walker coming the other way offered: 'Are you late?'
Thanks to customers these last few weeks (inc. Louise, Glynis, Candy and Andy) I'm getting closer to reaching my target for CP.
Spent Friday night on the back lawn trying out the bivvy bag again (this 1st since last June and that awful night on Sneaton Low Moor) - was a starry night and not too cold, though I couldn't find my new Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag and used the Rab Survival Zone bag. Since found the new one which looks as if it will be more easily adjustable with a toggle at each side with an additional sleeve sewn on for the draw string - looks a good well thought out piece of kit, though won't know how breathable it will be till I try it in the rain...
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Getting close!
Well, for the next recce anyway... needs to be as soon as - no later than May Day w/end me thinks. Electrics now sorted on support car - currently giving the A-frame promised coat of paint. This is dismantled and each painted section hangs from the garage roof supports. Had to spend an hour this morning freeing one of the brake calipers that was sticking on yesterday though (why didn't I buy that pair on eBay for £20..? - long gone now...) The other Pandas have never suffered from seizing calipers - anyway seems sorted now...
Getting near to running 3-5milers at 10 m/m pace now which proves that the training is paying off - other than a few niggly aches now and again all seems well, so thumbs are UP!
Getting near to running 3-5milers at 10 m/m pace now which proves that the training is paying off - other than a few niggly aches now and again all seems well, so thumbs are UP!
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Towing Eyes...
Fitted bracket to the other side without incident this Sunday. Borrowed the actual 'eyes' from the other Panda, so now we got something to tow for the up-coming recce weekend. Finished in time to get an 8m run in as well this week. Looking good.
The 'A' frame has been stood in the cat pen since new years day (as it came back with the 4x4 -ie. with the arms and chains that attatch to the front suspension underneath the car) and as it's rusty a coat of paint is called for... then there's the electrics to sort on the car so there's no need for the towing board... getting there though...
Felt a bit tired since the Sunday run (was pushing all way round) but otherwise no injuries.
I'm preferring the Stonethwaite site and with no hook-up here I might just have to 'go it alone'...
The 'A' frame has been stood in the cat pen since new years day (as it came back with the 4x4 -ie. with the arms and chains that attatch to the front suspension underneath the car) and as it's rusty a coat of paint is called for... then there's the electrics to sort on the car so there's no need for the towing board... getting there though...
Felt a bit tired since the Sunday run (was pushing all way round) but otherwise no injuries.
I'm preferring the Stonethwaite site and with no hook-up here I might just have to 'go it alone'...
Monday 29 March 2010
Blood shed...
Spent yesterday afternoon fixing the first bracket for the towing eyes on the 4x4. Definitely more difficult to fit with the sump guard in place and managed to nip the end of my finger trying to lever it back into position - ouch! A plastic bush on the tie rod kept popping back out making the job a tad frustrating. She's back on now though complete with bracket to accept one of the eyes and at least the hole in the end of my finger looks clean. With all the surface skin gone I was worried it might get infected as hands were black and oily at the time.
Missed planned 8m long run yesterday too as the job took longer than anticipated.
With the weather unsuitable for work today spent the afternoon preparing 2nd bracket for attachment to the other side and once the towing eyes are in position she'll be ready to tow once the electrics are sorted to work the car's lights (though I can always use the towing board)
Plans are under way now for the next two days Lakes recce. Claire has offered to support, but will want a site with electric hook-up. My preferred site (on route) at Stonethwaite has no hook-up and can be noisy, apparently. The CC Borrowdale site is fully booked so it looks like being a CL somewhere also off route.
MayDay weekend is a possibility - but I'm keen to get there a bit sooner...
Missed planned 8m long run yesterday too as the job took longer than anticipated.
With the weather unsuitable for work today spent the afternoon preparing 2nd bracket for attachment to the other side and once the towing eyes are in position she'll be ready to tow once the electrics are sorted to work the car's lights (though I can always use the towing board)
Plans are under way now for the next two days Lakes recce. Claire has offered to support, but will want a site with electric hook-up. My preferred site (on route) at Stonethwaite has no hook-up and can be noisy, apparently. The CC Borrowdale site is fully booked so it looks like being a CL somewhere also off route.
MayDay weekend is a possibility - but I'm keen to get there a bit sooner...
Monday 8 February 2010
Getting back on track...
Having caught a cold sometime before Christmas, and suffering a lingering chesty cough I'd let fitness slip a bit but a few short runs this week seem to be giving the green light to start building up again - so there's hope on the horizon. Hopefully I'll be fit enough to get longer routes in as the weather warms up - when it does begin to warm up a bit that is. After a lay-off it's always better to start as a beginner again to avoid injury, but 4 weeks on now and all seems well. Fingers crossed!
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