I'm in agony and can't sit down without wincing. I don't think I broke anything, but I must have one hell of a bruise. Unfortunately I can't see without a highly complex arrangement of mirrors. And the weather forecast isn't good. Rain and high winds for most of the day, with only a small chance … Continue reading Snowdonia 2011 – Day 4
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Snowdonia 2011 – Day 3
Cnicht Today I met up with sunnysky from the LFTO forum. We parked in Croesor and took the path up onto the ridgeline above the village. The summit of Cnicht stood out against the background of cloud enveloping the other mountains. We made good progress and despite a strengthening headwind very quickly we reached the … Continue reading Snowdonia 2011 – Day 3
Snowdonia 2011 – Day 2
The Hebogs Despite being up just after 7, I still only made it to the bus stop right outside the hostel in time for 9:05. Minutes later I was in Beddgelert dropping off my big rucksack at the B&B. I strolled through the village and onto the bridleway alongside the Welsh Highland Railway, crossing the … Continue reading Snowdonia 2011 – Day 2
Snowdonia 2011 – Day 1
Llanberis to YHA Snowdon Ranger I was greeted in Bangor by grey skies and a few spots of rain. The bus turned up late and took nearly an hour to wend its way to Llanberis. After a quick lunch, I headed up the road to the youth hostel, although I still hadn't chosen my route … Continue reading Snowdonia 2011 – Day 1
Snowdonia 2011 – Planning
In a mad rush just before I disappeared to the North York Moors, I managed to make travel and accommodation arrangements for a week-long trip to Snowdonia taking place in early May. Now all I've got to do is work out what walks to do. After my recent 10 day Cumbria Way trek, I fancied … Continue reading Snowdonia 2011 – Planning
North York Moors
A family holiday in the week before Easter gave an opportunity to visit an area I'd not really explored. Greeted by a blue sky over the moors, we decided to knock off Roseberry Topping on the Saturday. Parking just south of Newton-under-Roseberry we walked up the lane and into Newton Wood and then slogged up … Continue reading North York Moors
South West Coast Path 2011 – Planning
This is phase 4 of a multi-year project to walk the South West Coast Path from east to west with my father and, sometimes, my brother. This year's section will be from Dartmouth to Plymouth in mid-May, taking 5 and a half days to cover about 65 miles and 15,000ft of ascent. This phase has … Continue reading South West Coast Path 2011 – Planning
Cumbria Way – afterthoughts
A week after the end of the trip, I can now look at what went well and what didn't..... The route Overall, I did all of the key elements that I had planned except Black Fell and Blencathra & co, both of which were abandoned due to conditions. Although at the time I wrote that … Continue reading Cumbria Way – afterthoughts
Cumbria Way – The End of the Walk
So that's it. As I limp away from Carlisle Castle through the urban ugliness of the city centre, I'm not feeling any sense of achievement. That came about 4 miles out from Carlisle, when I knew I'd make it (somehow), but completely evaporated on the slog over the tarmac. If the Cumbria Way finished in … Continue reading Cumbria Way – The End of the Walk
Cumbria Way Day 10
Today's mission is simple - get to Carlisle. I'm ditching Fauld's Brow. It looks rubbish. I reckon this might save me up to 3 miles. It's still going to be bloody hard going though. If need be it'll be on with the MP3 player for the duration. And so it proved. Day 10 turned out … Continue reading Cumbria Way Day 10
Cumbria Way Day 9
The wind was howling around the bunkhouse throughout the night and was still doing so at breakfast time. Meanwhile a mist had descended. Marie summarised the weather forecast as "not much respite". That did imply some level of respite though! All my wet kit had dried, and just as importantly, warmed up by the stove … Continue reading Cumbria Way Day 9
Cumbria Way Day 8
Last night the warden told me that the forecast was for two days of rain, which probably meant loads of wind as well. But I woke to clear weather with a good view towards Carrock Fell from my bedroom window. Having steeled myself for a day kicking around the hostel, it now looked like it … Continue reading Cumbria Way Day 8
Cumbria Way Day 7
Skiddaw House is the highest youth hostel in England, and I took advantage of a 1,550 feet head start today. Today I'm not strictly doing the Cumbria Way. Today and tomorrow I am doing some side walks to take advantage of the location, and I will continue the trek itself on Tuesday. A similar start … Continue reading Cumbria Way Day 7
Cumbria Way Day 6
I woke to the news that we'd had hail in the night and it was still raining solidly throughout breakfast. The forecast was for it to clear by 10 so I took my time. But strong wind up high was also forecast so I may need to miss out the top of Skiddaw if it … Continue reading Cumbria Way Day 6
Cumbria Way Day 5
A big dose of inertia, justified as "giving the weather a chance to calm down", meant I didn't leave the barn until 10. I set off along the Cumbria Way across the fields towards Castle Crag, gradually rising up the fell, as the wind picked up. I didn't linger there and carried on down towards … Continue reading Cumbria Way Day 5