Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,súilóir
Date: 08 May 03 - 04:40 AM

re Lake District, take a look at "Hiking trails with silver linings" currently on line at www.nytimes.com (you'll need to register, no charge)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Hamish
Date: 08 May 03 - 03:22 AM

Umm... I'm sceptical about all this camping and cooking gear which is being suggested. It all adds significant weight which for an inexperienced walker could make what should be a fun walk into a gruelling endurance test. There are plenty of Youth Hostels and B&Bs (except for a little bit in the middle) and this can help keep the amount of gear needed down to a minimum. But you do still need some survival gear cos as has been noted, it can get inclement up there, even in mid-summer.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Grab
Date: 07 May 03 - 08:38 PM

Hmm, didn't notice you'd asked for more info in March, Antonia. If you're not used to walking, the first few days will be an eye-opener! Luckily the Lake District has a lot of shops for walkers, so if you find you're missing something important then you should be OK.

John's advice is pretty good. I disagree on the non-breathable overtrousers though - I don't like getting sweaty bits! ;-) Cheap breathable ones cost so little more that it's not a big deal, and overtrousers wear out fast so they're basically disposable anyway, so no point getting expensive ones.

On a safety issue, I have to disagree about way-marking and maps too. The Lake District section is quite badly way-marked in places so it's damn near essential to have maps of that bit. Besides missing the way-markings, there's also the issue of what to do if things go wrong and you need an escape route - even though the Lake District seems fairly tame, it's amazing how many people get into trouble through not being prepared for things going wrong. IIRC two 1:50,000 OS maps cover the important bits there, so it's not a major outlay. And if you're not in a hurry then you could stop an extra day somewhere like Grasmere or Patterdale and check out some hills off the route using the maps. Or that Stirling Survey map may be an OK alternative.

Stove-wise, you can get piercable Camping Gaz cylinders in just about any hardware store, and resealable ones are common now too. As John says, other gas cartridges can be a bugger to find. You might be better buying a cheap stove in the UK instead. Remember that airlines won't let you transport gas canisters or fuel.

A tent is obviously essential (unless you're stopping in hotels/B&Bs all the way). You don't need to spend a fortune, but if you can get a better one then it'll be an investment bcos it'll last. For long-distance walking, the best type are ones which rig outer first, so you don't get the inner tent soaked when you're pitching the tent in the rain. Don't forget to bring spare pegs.

More important than the brand of tent though is the ability to pitch it properly. Practise repeatedly until you can do it without any problems every time, and make sure there's no flapping canvas anywhere. Try going out into the country and pitching it on some typical rough ground to see how to adjust it for uneven ground or slopes. Put it up in the rain and see what short-cuts you can use to get yourself waterproof quicker. Lean on it from all directions to see which way it's not braced properly and may need an extra guy-rope (this advice would have saved me a very wet 3am incident when I found my brand-new Jack Wolfskin tent collapsed if the wind came from the wrong direction. Was I a happy camper? Not very!).

For emergency running repairs, don't forget a pack of needles, thimble and *strong* thread, and some Duck tape. The Duck tape is obviously to patch tent drips for comfort. The needle and thread though will allow you to keep going after major gear failure, like a peg point pulling out of your tent or one of the buckles snapping on your rucksack (both of which have happened to me in the same trip!) They're light, so it's easier to carry them than not to. The thimble doesn't seem obvious until you're trying to force a needle through four thicknesses of webbing tape, when you'll hate yourself for leaving it out. Once bitten and all that, I now tend to carry a spare rucksack shoulder-strap buckle as well, since it's light and it's easier to have than not.

On a running-repairs theme, two spare pairs of strong bootlaces. Besides tying your boots, you can use them to patch up guy ropes, tie stuff to your rucksack, temporary washing line, etc. And on the theme of washing, don't forget when you're walking that a rucksack has loads of places to tie stuff, which is great for drying your washing on sunny days.

Tin opener (unless you have a magic knife that does it) - there are few things more irritating to forget. BTW, tinned food is heavy but it's very convenient and it usually tastes OK too. Dehydrated food is only appetising for gerbils.

Feel free to PM me if you want any more info.

Graham.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: smallpiper
Date: 07 May 03 - 07:25 PM

Give us the dates you are coming over and I'm sure that some one will pick up your fiddle and any extra stuff you bring and will transport said stuff to Whitby for you.

Oh and a mobile phone would be a usefull piece of equipment to bring along (just incase).

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 07 May 03 - 11:26 AM

Noreen, They must still have old stock, the information I put on was gleaned from Ottakars Bookshop less than a hour previous, the staff showed me the promotional poster etc

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 07 May 03 - 11:04 AM

Antonia-You'll need your usual back-packing kit.

Apart from the obvious, I take:

Down Sleeping bag (light & warm)
Sleeping bag liner....I think this important, especially after a week!
Self-inflating airbed (lightweight luxury: a comfy night's sleep)
Waterproof (breathable) socks (I use Porelle Dries) for occasional use
LED head torch
Waterproof overtrousers (Don't waste money on breathable stuff)
Waterproof top (DO spend money on breathable stuff)
Hat...I use a Lowe Alpine hat, it's light, warm and waterproof
Gloves, you may want to consider waterproof overmitts too.
Water carrier
Water purification stuff. English lake / river water can be fairly clean, but you never know! I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Toilet roll + a small lightweight trowel.
Map & Compass, and know how to use them. Forgive me for preaching, but so many people go up into the hills with map & compass and don't have the first idea how to navigate.
It's probably worth getting hold of at least one of the Ordnance Survey maps for the route so you can get familiar with them. I'll let you know the details of all the maps if you don't know.

What sort of cooker do you use? Various types of fuel are available on the route, but if you've got an odd-ball stove you may be in trouble. Let me know and I'll check it out for you.

The route is fairly well way-marked generally (with little 'CC' signs), but there are times when it's downright confusing!

Do you have an idea of how long you want to take doing the route? I'll give you some idea of stopping places & walking times which may help.

If you want to email me: [e-mail] or just PM me. I've got the Wainwright book, all the maps, I think I've got an accommodation guide somewhere.

The C-C is a very sociable walk. There will be loads of others walking it at the same time as you, some at similar pace, some faster, and many slower.

Cheers,

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Bagpuss
Date: 07 May 03 - 10:17 AM

Antonia - re essential walking equipment. The only thing that springs to mind is to make sure you have a good breathable waterproof jacket. The weather can change so quickly in the lakes, even in the middle of the summer, so you need to be prepared for the famous Cumbrian rain.

Bagpuss

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 07 May 03 - 10:11 AM

They're already available, I've seen them in Waterstones in Manchester, Raggy.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 07 May 03 - 09:44 AM

Antonia,
I'm not a home at the moment so cannot access my messages, The Coast to Coast book by Alfred Wainwright, who devised the walk, is going to be reprinted in June, should be available by about the 26th. I may be able to trace a copy before then, but if not will this date be OK for you or will you be in England by then. All books have a ISBN number the number for this book is 0711 222 363 and the cost is £11.99.
Let me know when you are thinking of coming over

Cheers

Raggytash

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 31 Mar 03 - 02:39 AM

Diod you manage to get a Wainwright book, if not I will try and find one and post it over the pond.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 30 Mar 03 - 07:25 PM

Hmmmm... I submitted a thread a few weeks ago and it didn't get posted. Oh well.
You are right Ray and Hamish -- I need to get outside. When I've been out on walks lately I notice that the gym training is not enough to carry me longer distances. So when it's over 35-40F or so I will head for the hills; it's so hard to get up the motivation when it's
-7F with wind chill...
Thanks for the tips Raggytash and John, great idea about the fiddle transport as I was dreading that! I will be camping or hostelling due to lack of $$, and have an inquiry in to H.I. for all the sites along the route; apparently they have some sort of unofficial guide to hostelling the C2C.
Query to anyone who's done this walk: Was there gear you REALLY needed and didn't have along the trail? Anything you'd consider vital, beyond the basic sleeping bag, boots, etc? I'm assuming all that would be the same here, I'll be doing a few practice packs in the Gravelley and Spanish Peaks ranges before I go so I should be able to whittle it down to the bare bones, but any advice would be welcome.
Thanks again to everyone,
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 12 Mar 03 - 10:43 PM

Thanks, Gnomad. There's no telling what old bones I'll stir up.

3 Riggs in Scarborough ain't so bad. Good enough for opening verse:

I was up to the Riggs,
Down to the jiggs,
Up to the Riggs in Scarborough Town!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: gnomad
Date: 12 Mar 03 - 02:39 PM

Charley Noble: Local phone book shows only 3 Riggs, all in Scarborough rather than RH Bay.

I'll have a go at a clicky for the Whitby Gazette site, this local paper covers the Bay and could be the place for an appeal for info if you want to try it.

Whitby Today

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Mar 03 - 05:33 PM

Must have been a major scandel. Their lips are still sealed!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Charley Noble
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 08:54 AM

Nice images of Robin Hood's Bay, Nutty.

I have wondered about this thread for some time without bothering to read it through. But that was probably because I grew up in a small coastal village in Maine on the shores of Robinhood Cove. We were always told that the Cove was named in honor of a local Indian chief who's real name no one troubled to pronounce. But maybe there was a deeper connection among the early English settlers to your Robin Hood's Bay. I don't suppose any of old Benjamin Rigg's family still lives there? He was our village founder, shipowner and dockmaster, and we've always wondered what dreadful deed he had done before he settled here.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble, whose family farm is still on Robinhood Cove

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 04:48 AM

Antonia,
Whitby is very busy during Folk Week and accommodation will be hard to find. Are you camping, Youth Hostelling or Bed & Breakfast. If you let me community know I am sure someone can help you find a place to rest your weary head after a days singing, playing & drinking. (Poke your head into the Plough or the Black Horse as well as numerous other venues to find sessions. If camping Stoupo Cross the nearest site to town, it is normally packed over the first weekend but slackens off after that. The owners tend to give up collecting rent after they've handed out all their keys to the shower/toilet block !!
Cheers
Raggytash

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Hamish
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 03:02 AM

"Most of my training is indoors for the time being"??? Ummm... I don't mean to be discouraging, but that's not ideal. Some of the days will involve a bit of a grunt (technical term for steep climbs). The best you will manage to average on most days will be 2 miles per hour: and on difficult terrain it'll drop to 1.5: so you could find yourself working pretty hard for 7 to 8 hours per day to cover the required distance. As BanjoRay says - you need to get out on real ground with close to realistic conditions (i.e. some luggage, some hills, rough ground, longish days) and do a couple of full weekends. With suitable fitness levels you'll have a great time; without, you could get seriously miserable.

Good luck! (But you can help that luck along a bit by preparation!)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Willa
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 05:35 PM

Thanks for the pics, Nutty; I love the Nycam 030400 ones. Must do that walk one day!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 01:59 PM

Re: your fiddle, why not see if any 'catter is going to Whitby festival and leave the fiddle with them to bring along. I'd offer, but I can't do Whitby this year.
You might find some C-C relevant stuff on: www.ldwa.org.uk and also on the Backpacker's club website (I don't have the address to hand).
I'm a member of both and can thoroughly recommend them.

Good luck!

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: BanjoRay
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 07:03 PM

Indoor training won't do it - get out with a map and compass as often as you can and walk a lot, practicing and honing your navigation skills. Build up from say 5 miles to 15 in a day, to the extent that 15 steady miles doesn't wear you out. The first couple of days of a long distance walk are never too much bother, but after that the quality of your training really starts to tell. Put your wuss uniform into a cupboard till it's over - go for it!
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: nutty
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 04:44 PM

HI Antonia ...... using the 'images' search in Google might give you an idea of what you are taking on.

Feast your eyes on the finishing post here .....
Robin Hood's Bay

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 06 Mar 03 - 03:46 PM

August is sounding better with my schedule anyway; a good excuse to miss the wretched (albeit brief) Montana heat, and what great fun it would be to see the Whitby festival! I will have to work out bringing my violin, food and clothing and gear are already going to be a lot to pack...
And as for being an inspiration Thomas, I thank you, though I'm anything but, it takes much to convince me to walk 10 blocks in the weather we're having now! Most of my training is indoors for the time being, so in that I admit that I'm a bonafide wuss. If I can stick to the training plan, I might make it to Robin Hood's Bay without completely giving up the ghost when I stick my boots in.
In that vein, any advice for training, all those hardier than me with a few moderate distances under their belts?
Thanks so much again, it feels great to be a part of this community.
Antonia
:)

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Hamish
Date: 14 Feb 03 - 08:28 AM

Superb walk. At 190 miles, it's a perfect length for a fortnight's holiday. If you're fit before you start! There's a longish day in the middle which has very few places to stay, and requires about 24 miles of level walking - that's a toughie. If you're not purist about doing it all in one stretch you could do well to miss that bit out (i.e. take a bus or taxi). But the Lakes are superb, and the Clevelands were quite a revalation to me.

Striding Edge (coming down off the top of Helvellyn) is a bit tricky - it's a fairly serious bit of what we call scrambling (i.e. not really rock climbing, but you do need to use all four limbs to manage it) but well worth it.

I did it about 15 years ago in September and had two weeks of non-stop sunshine - so that helped, but nevertheless do it!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: John J
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 08:28 AM

Yes, the walk does go through Orton.
I'm fairly sure there's an accommodation guide for the C to C route. We stopped at some tremendous places some years back, even having a sing at one of the pubs in the North York Moors. I can't recall the place name, but it's at a point where the route crosses a railway which should help narrow it down.

John

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 08:07 AM

Antonia,
Me again, hope I don't upset anyone in Robin Hoods Bay with this, but the festival, which I attend every year (cept last cos my beloved was ill)is a tiny event. Two venues, one in a hall another in the Dolphin are great as far as they go, but please do not get the impression that this is a major festival, it's not. It's a very pleasant gathering and the "Bay" is beautiful. During Whitby Folk Week, see my earlier thread, they have "half a day at the Bay" for either 4 or 5 days when artists from the main festival go down the 5 miles to R H B and perform in the Dolphin. Local telephone number of the Dolphin which may prove useful to you is 01947 880 337 (Is that international 00 44 1947 880 337)
Hope you have a great time whenever you go

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 06:36 AM

Antonia,
Whitby Folk Week is the biggest, best, most beautiful festival in the UK season (apolgies to those who prefer Sidmouth) It starts this year on Saturday 16th of August and continues until Friday 22nd August. There are about 800 hours of organised events ranging from Street Threatre and Morris Dancing through every type of Britsh Folk music, please note it is British and not world music, a point the organisers stress.
The events take place in numerous venues round the seaside tourist/fishing port. It is still a working town in many ways with a fascinating ecclesiastical history, the date of Easter was decided here at the Synod of Whitby in 665 AD. Captain Cook discovery/ explorer sailed from here .............I could go on.
In addition to the organised events at the folk week there is also the "fringe" which are free events which probably outnumber the festival itself, starting in small ways on the preceding Thursday and often lasting until the Sunday afterwards.
There are loads of catters go to the festival who will gladly show you round ...........keep in touch with us all

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,The Fantum
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 04:52 AM

Tig, Badger, Magician and Gillie
It is inconceivable that we don't know of each other. Folking is not so big in the area that four of us are strangers.
What night what pub?
Lets see who is who
I do comrade olga and my name above is descriptive

The Fantum

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Thomas the Rhymer
Date: 13 Feb 03 - 12:21 AM

Wow Antonia! You are sure an inspiration to me... I went walking today up a nearby mountain, and I had all but forgotten how much I love to get out and hoof it... What a great idea! Whitby has been mentioned so many times, that I'm certain it would be a fine crecendo for a once in a lifetime trip! Good luck, and happy trails! ttr

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Tig
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 05:28 PM

Fantum, The Badger and I will be in Guisborough one day next week visiting Magician and Gillie. We might already know each other and fancy meeting up for a drink :-)!

Join and PM me!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Les from Hull
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 03:56 PM

You could hardly have had a better welcome to Mudcat, Antonia.

June's good for music but August (Whitby Folk Week 16th-22nd) is even bigger and better. Certainly the biggest Folk Event in the area, with anything you could wish for. Whitby is a short bus ride (buses every 2 hours, I think) from Robin Hood's Bay - or a very nice walk. Several of your compatriots have experienced Whitby Folk Week and are usually planning return visits.

The weather thoughout the June to September period is what we like to call 'variable'. It could do anything except (probably) snow! But at least the rain is usually warm. Anyway, the Whitby area seems to have its own weather system and rarely conforms to what the rest of the country is doing.

When you know your dates, come back here to Mudcat and your new friends will be glad to let you know what is happening at that time.

Les

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 03:06 PM

Welcome to the Mudcat, Antonia. It is good to see that you have arrived!

Alice

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Antonia
Date: 12 Feb 03 - 02:55 PM

Hi all,
Thank you so much for all the advice and encouragement! I am making lists and ordering maps and trying to figure out all the gear I'll need, so all the suggestions have been helpful. Can I maybe get a picture of the weather in this region from June through September? I'm still unsure of the dates (based on work), but by the sounds on all the fesitvals and whatnot in Robin Hood's Bay in June, I'm hoping to shoot for that.
Thanks again,
Antonia

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 10 Feb 03 - 01:15 AM

This information is very helpful. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From:
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 06:54 PM

Give me a shout if she's planning a session in Bay...

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Bardford
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:48 PM

I might be a little off the path here, but a geographical query - does this walk go anywhere near Orton?

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: nutty
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:37 PM

Link to website of White Hart Folk Club, Mickleby

White Hart FC

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: nutty
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:33 PM

Folk Club in Whitby (just down the road) on Wed. evening and session Sunday evening.

Folk Club at Mickleby (15 miles) on Saturday nights. Lift to the club for free if you stay B&B with the club organisers. PM me for details.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Les from Hull
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 12:54 PM

Actually the fish 'n' chips in there are pretty good. Don't just smell 'em!

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 08:18 AM

True there is a (very Friendly) Folk Club at the Dolphin on Friday night, true the Hosts of the Dolphin Dave and Ellen are great .............True the Folk Club smells like a chippy because it also doubles as the restaurant until they stop serving food. It also gets very crowded, a mixture of folkies and diners who remarkably get on very well together. If you want a comfartable seat get there early.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: BanjoRay
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 08:17 AM

Actually it looks like the map I mentioned is a brand new one, not out until the end of March. Even better.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: BanjoRay
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 08:01 AM

Stirling Surveys make a pair of Footprint maps that cover the whole route as a long thin strip. I used their pennine way map and found it excellent. They also make the event maps for the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon - they know what they're doing.

Waterproof - £4.50
Coast to Coast West (St Bees to Swaledale) ... ISBN 1 871149 63 0
Coast to Coast East (Swaledale to Robin Hood's Bay) ... ISBN 1 871149 64 9
Stirling Surveys
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Sibelius
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 07:04 AM

I'm sure there's an Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 map of the whole route, laid out in sections.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 07 Feb 03 - 05:00 AM

check out bunkhouses along the route. these are similar to the YHA hostels but you do not need to be a member. The site is " the independant backpackers hostel" or something .if I find it I will Post again.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:04 PM

Worth using the Coast to Coast Packhorse. They run a bus which picks up baggage each day and takes you back at the end of the walk. They will also book accomodation for you.

http://www.cumbria.com/packhorse/

Enjoy the walk.

Andy

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:27 AM

Fairy nuff.

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Alice
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:25 AM

Hey, Fantum, my grandmother was born in Guisborough. I wish I could go on this tour with my friend Antonia.   

Smallpiper, you are right about relative distance. There is a hammered dulcimer player who drives from a town 158 km away to attend our session.

Antonia has joined the Mudcat and will probably post to this thread as plans develop.

Alice in Montana

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,Smallpiper -missplaced cookie
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 09:03 AM

Noreen I was basing my "withing easy travel distance" on the idea that any where withing the UK is within easy travel distance of anywhere else in the UK as compared to the US

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: GUEST,The Fantum
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:57 AM

I live at Guisborough which is 30 west of Robin Hoods Bay and some 12 north of the coast to coast walk at its closest point.
If you want information about the North Yorks Moors end of the walk let me know.
Pubs, Folk Clubs, places to stay, sights local interest and so on let me know and we can arrange to get you the information.
The interesting point is there is a F C at Robin Hoods Bay every Friday night in the Dolphin Hotel

The Fantum

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Noreen
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:56 AM

There are plenty of catters in easy travel distance who I'm sure would relish an excuse for a session in the bay.
Yes, smallpipes, and some catters not in easy travel distance too!

Robin Hood's Bay is one of my favourite places in the world; I thought you'd love it, Joe!

Lots of catters who may be not exactly on the route, Alice, but not far off it, including me. Let's know more about your friend's plans and we'll surely arrange something.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Walking Lake District - Robin Hood's Bay
From: Grab
Date: 06 Feb 03 - 07:40 AM

I did that walk about 8 years back. It's a good route. I had a first go at it the previous year, but I picked up a stomach bug and had to drop out just after Shap.

First off, buy the Wainwright book - it goes into more detail than the OS maps, and has interesting info about the places you're walking past. Second off, DON'T just rely on the Wainwright book to guide you, as it is sometimes unclear and may be out-of-date. This is mainly the case for the section through the Lake District, where it's quite easy to pick the wrong path. Most of the rest of it you can get away without OS maps, but it's *essential* to get the maps for the Lake District. There's one bit in particular for going up to Grizedale Hause (between Helvellyn and St Sunday Crag) which is very poorly laid-out in the book, which caused me to take the wrong turning the first time I tried the walk. Remember that this is an "unofficial" walk, ie. there is no-one who officially has to label the route unlike "official" UK paths like the Pennine Way, and it doesn't have the same support as some of the Trails do in the States. As Raggytash says, the book is about to go out of print so grab a copy quickly.

Tthe Ordnance Survey maps (the standard government-produced maps) are very good and can be relied on 100%, which according to Bill Bryson isn't the case with US maps! The best choice is usually the 1:50,000 series, which cover the ground in pretty good detail without getting bogged down in it. The 1:25,000 series tries to show walls and fences and stuff as well, but this tends to change and make the map obsolete, which screws up your route-finding, besides being at such a scale that you need to refold the map every hour or so which is a total pain in the arse. The UK is pretty well covered with footpaths, and the terrain can often be difficult if you leave the paths (besides getting angry farmers on your tail!) so try to stick to the paths.

One of the problems with the walk is that the toughest section is the bit through the Lakes, and that comes first! :-( The first day from St Bees to Ennerdale isn't too strenuous, but after that it gets more difficult. So do at least get yourself fit before you start.

Make sure you've got YHA membership. Youth Hostels are vital for getting clothes dried and regrouping, if it turns out to be a wet walk. If you've got more money then B&Bs will serve the same purpose, but they won't have the same "community" feeling of Youth Hostels - you often meet up with other walkers, which is nice.

Unofficial campsites are usually cheaper and more fun than the official ones. You'll sometimes find ads pinned to trees as you approach towns/villages, or see signs when you get to the villages. Often pubs will let you put your tent up in their back garden. The OS maps show official campsites, and you can also get guidebooks of British campsites which are useful. IIRC the campsites on the last third or so are awkwardly spaced, so you tend to have to either do several short days or a fewer very long ones.

If you can spare the time and your legs will take it, go up Helvellyn on the way. It's a helluva trek up Dollywagon Pike to the top of Helvellyn, but it's a great view. You can then (carefully!) go down Striding Edge, which is one of the classic British ridge-walks. Unfortunately I did this in Easter and it snowed pretty comprehensively the week before. I made it up Dollywagon OK, but Striding Edge and Swirral Edge were impassable sheets of ice! :-( It'll be fine in summer though. Do be warned that Striding Edge is a bit of a scramble, so if you're not 100% confident with a big pack on your back then maybe avoid this. It's easier to do this if you wild-camp at the top of Grizedale Hause, but wild-camping is generally frowned upon by the Park authorities, especially in summer when the idiots turn out in force.

There's a valley in the middle which is 30-ish miles of boring flatlands. This is a fast but tedious day of lowland walking on paths and roads - as Wainwright says, just get it over with quickly.

Oh, and don't forget the free half-pint (courtesy of Wainwright) at the pub in Robin Hood's Bay! It used to be a pint (as a challenge, he said when he originally published the route that anyone doing this deserved a pint on him! :-) but it was costing him too much money when the route took off in popularity!

I can try and dredge my memory for more useful info if you like. If you've got any specific questions, fire away.

Graham.