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The second stage of the Coast to Coast walk from Keld to St Bees started off in high spirits and a
cloud of midges trying to eat our leader David Craddock. Shirley had even brought her own blisters,
not wanting to wait to acquire them on route to our first stop, the Kirby Stephen Youth Hostel,
located in a Methodist chapel. Tuesday saw a long hike across the moors to Shap, via the chocolate
factory in Orton where Gill stocked up on supplies, and onward to cross the M6, leaving the
Pennines behind with the Lake District in front. A pleasant evening at Shap set everyone up for
the long walk around Haweswater with Mike keeping an eye out for Golden Eagles and then a hot
tiring slog up Kidsty Pike, but worth it for the views back to the Pennines and Lakeland summits
near and far. All down hill then to Patterdale, passing the near naked rambler by Angle Tarn.
Traditional Lake District weather for Wednesday, low clouds, poor visibility, rain, wind and
slippery paths with some tackling Striding Edge and Helvellyn and others taking the route via
Grisedale Tarn to Grasmere. Here the group demonstrated their team crossword puzzle solving skills.
Onward then up to the Lion and Lamb, Helms Crag towards Flour Gill and Greenup Edge where some
tested the depth of the streams and the bogs by stepping into them! before descending the waterfall
to the tea shop at Roshwaite. Thursday saw us climbing past Honistor slate mine, giving
encouragement and directions to the coffee shop to DOE award students as we headed towards Grey
Knotts and Haystacks where Wainwrights ashes are scattered. Once down to Ennerdale, where Mike
once again tested the depth of the boggy bits, we soon reached Ennerdale Bridge. The final day was
completed in bright weather with the first sight of the Irish Sea after climbing Raven Crag to
Dent.
A short stop at the pub in Cleator enabled the last leg to St Bees to be made in style. Here the
pebbles gathered at Robin Hoods Bay were ceremonially hurled into the sea before all retired to
the tea rooms to celebrate the completion of this classic walk.
Richard Warr
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