No
rush this morning, I had decided 8:30am would be a good time to start giving me
plenty of time to reach Rosthwaite by 4pm to meet up with Jan & Eric, who would become my support team for the next few days. Note
to oneself, for future reference, the time to walk 17 miles in the Lake
District is different to 17 miles in Kent! The weather was kinder today with more sun
than rain and the walk was magnificent along Ennerdale Water. A fact that I did
not realise was there is only one Lake in the Lake District that being
Bassenthwaite Lake. The rest are Waters, Meres or Tarns. Ennerdale Water was a
mill pond, the reflections of the surrounding mountains a perfect mirror image.
Along to Anglers Crag and Robin Hoods Seat. I did notice a path heading upwards just before,
which I ignored, not realising this was an alternative route to miss out the
excitement of the rocks and the scrambles (mountain climbing) of the waterside
path. The lake complete, it was on to the forest track following the river Liza
heading further up the Ennerdale Valley. Pillar and High Stile flanked the
route with Great Gable at the head. Eventually I reached my lunch spot at the
Black Sail youth hostel, behind which stood Haystacks that I conquered last
year nearly to the day. It seemed that every Coast to Coaster had converged all
at once. The three ladies were there, a group of eight who I had seen in the
Shepherds Arms the night before and some guided tours. The break prepared me
for what I knew would be a difficult section, the route out of the valley via
Loft Beck and it was as hard as I expected, 1000ft straight up, or so it seemed.
I followed the Americans who were quite happy to let me pass, but I politely
resisted. Good move as it allowed me to pace the climb and not rush, it was
tiring and though at one stage I had no choice but to overtake, it was not long
before they passed me when I needed a 'view' stop. At the top, Haystacks came
into full view and I could just glimpse the Innominate Tarn where Wainwright's
ashes were scattered. I gave a nod to the creator of this route, cursing him
slightly for putting me through the pain of Loft Beck. Then it was on to the
tramway overtaking everyone that had been snaking there way to the top of Loft
Beck ahead of me. So it was now obvious that I could not climb but once on the
flat there was no catching me. On down to the Slate mine at Honiston where
quick refreshments were taken. Then down into the Borrowdale Valley to Rothswaite
following the river Derwent to meet up with Jan & Eric. I was late, the
time being 5pm.
For the next two nights I would be staying with Jan &
Eric. For Day 3 they would be joining me on my walk.
That evening we finalised the plan of how to arrange the transport to the start
and end of the next section, a simple task one would think!