Is Blacksail Hut still open?

Yes, see online booking:-

http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/the-lake-district/hostels/Black-Sail/index.aspx

Very much open. Just don't want the loo unless you are staying overnight. You can't. Septic tank restrictions.
Go at Ennerdale YHA or take a trowel.

People should be able to err... hold it in via Ennerdale Bridge and Borrowdale, or at least until the slate mine visitors centre.

Anyway I was in blacksail about a week and a half ago and they had a sign on the table with plans on it for an expansion of the building. Basically expanding it to have more rooms, but keeping in the style and character that black sail currently has. They must do good business.

The present wife and I first did the C2C in 1992 and arrived at BSH in the pissing rain, totally soaked. I tried the door but it was locked so we had our soggy butties in the coal/wood shed, which was a 'lean to' at the far side. This was clearly pre the 'Bradbury' effect as we hadn't seen anyone all day and no sign of life at BSH. Managed to get up and over loft beck in very poor visability.

We next the C2C 8 years later. Arrived at BSH in persistent light drizzle. Quite a few people drying/steaming off inside. Realised that the door I had tried 8 years earlier was probably a bedroom door and not the entrance, which I assume would have been open - doh!

I did like where they put the boots.
And that teapot...was a TEAPOT.

Here's an interesting read....

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2003/ap...aytravelsection

midgetarget

Here's an 80th Birthday celebration of YHA at Black Sail:.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRG8GMKGuKU&feature=related

just great and I liked the way the dog joined in the celebrations as well

I enjoyed watching it, but it would have been nice to see more than one corner of the building.