Hi I am planning to organise the c2c walk Sept 2009 can anyone give advice on the following:
1. What is the best number of people to have in a single group, I was thinking of 4 to 6 people?
2. Is the last two weeks in Sept a good time to do the walk, thinking about weather, accomadation etc?
3. Will 12 days be enough time to complete the walk without having to Tab at a fast pace?
4. Do you advise taking a GPS as well as the good old map & compass?
I'm sure I will have any other questions but this will do for now.......I have already learnt a lot from this forum, so thanks to all who have provided info to others.

Shaun

1. 4 to 6 people is plenty, some would say 2 is a crowd,
2. last half of September is a good time, not too cold, not too dark, most accomodation is still open,
3. 12 days should be ample time if you're reasonably fit
4. no need for GPS if you've a decent map and reasonable map reading skills.

Thanks for your reply......still puting group together so not sure on fitness levels yet, but plan on starting training for the walk in the next few weeks.

Navigation skills a bit rusty....just trying to blow off the cobwebs, its been a long time since did any serious walking.

Any other advice will be welcome.....thanks

How far in advance will I need to book accomadation? Do the B & B's take bookings as early as January for a September walk?

Hello LW

I completed my third consequtive crossing in September (5th - 18th)

In the first two years, 06 and 07 we had a total of 4 days rain (two days in each year). This year, however, we weren't as fortunate, the first day being horrendous, the second a bit better, and then improving slowly as the week progressed.

The second week wasn't at all bad.

If you are B&Bing, you need to take into account that most small guest houses only have an average of around three rooms, which limits the number of your group who can be all housed in the same location. I have found it to be true that the the bigger the accommodation,i.e. number of available rooms, the steeper the price!!

Any larger group would have to be spread around in two or more B&Bs (having an unequal number of males and females would also present problems, in terms of things like single occupancy surcharges, for instance)

I am taking six people next year.

I have been careful to select close friends and work colleagues (four females, two males) who have known each other for years and who are all experienced long distance walkers. That way, if you have different walking paces, the slower ones will not be holding the quicker ones back.

I booked for next year as I completed each day this year and all the owners were glad to accept my booking.

I don't know if you are aware of it, but Julia Bradbury, of Wainwright's Walks TV series fame, has been filming the C2C this year and it is expected that this will generate a lot of interest in the walk from April 09 onwards, so I'd "get in" now were I you, I booked in November in '06 and '07

12 days is well within any reasonably fit and experienced walker's ability. However the availability of rooms at overnight stops will be the thing that inluences your mileages, unless you are camping.

Hi LW
My wife and I walked the C2C last year in October finishing a week before Sherpa stopped transferring the bag, so it was quite late in the season. We took 17 days, which we thought a good length of time to stop, take photos, admire the scenery and get in at respectable hours each day. Most of the walkers here would say this is a long time to take, but it suited our pace, both being over 60.
We had plenty of daylight, and the B&Bs were all operating.
We trained hard beforehand so each day walking the C2C was not hard, never had a blister or sore musceles, so the training paid off.
Cheers.

I've never done any training and doubt how effective it could be.
Either you're blessed with a body that's got the stamina for walking a good distance each day or you haven't.

My experience has been that's it's never too early to book accomodation.
Whatever type you are going for any proper business will want its accomodation diary filled as soon as possible.
Black Sail Youth Hostel is likely to be the one that'a booked earliest.

To anyone new to this forum don't take any advice that LL may give whether that be about training or not taking a compass. Training will obviously make you fitter, break in your boots and hopefully find out any parts of the boots or body that is a bit of an issue. A "slight niggle" on a training walk, even if that is only round the local roads, will be a bigger problem over a couple of weeks. Carrying an additional weight on your back also takes some getting used to so try it before hand. To best enjoy your walk, train a bit but no need to go overboard. LL talks from the point of being a postman and I suppose that he doesn't think that it assists him in keeping fit.

You could consider having your baggage transferred each day. This will obviously make the walking easier as no heavy rucksack to carry.

I always book early to avoid disappointment, especially since you may have a few to accommodate. I have booked 9 months ahead sometimes because I always walk with my dog so that I can relax knowing we have got somewhere. Training to get fit I think is essential but only in terms of going out for walks regularly and taking in some hill work. If you are starting soon, then you will be amply fit by next September, which is an excellent month to do it in. You don't need a GPS, just basic navigational skills.

Good luck and enjoy.