If you are using the Wainwright Coast to Coast guide make sure that you have the 2010 edition. There have been a number of changes since the OS strip maps were published and these are not reflected in earlier editions of Wainwright's guide. Most recently the guide has removed the route over a dangerous section just south of Midge Hall, but this is still shown on the OS maps.

(After passing Midge Hall you should now turn left along the unmadeup road, cross the bridge and then turn right to follow the path through the trees on the eastern side of the river)

We successfully used Steadman and (Martin) Wainwright, no GPS. Steadman has a very helpful section on potential "hot spots" - it is worth studying them the night before. A Wainwright was good for his entertainment value, rather than for navigation purposes.



I am curious re the above speadsheet, what is the purpose?

I used them in planning the stops. It makes it easy to see roughly how much walking is needed to get to a certain point. For example when planning my may trip I wasnted to ddo the crossing in about 8 days and used the spreadsheet to decide where to stop to make this happen. There was the option to stop at patterdale, but having put down all of the mileages and timings decided to stop at Haweswater and then stop at Sunbiggin Tarn next. Having the sheets printed out (small print so easy to carry) also helped last time in making on the fly changes to my schedule.

I hope to do my 3rd crossing in July with two other 70+ year olds. I didn't take a UK cell phone the last two times but I will this time and at least one of the others will. I will also take a Spot locator - my new toy.

Does anyone know which are the best service providers for different sections of the route - if we use different providers for the two (or 3) phones will we get a more complete coverage.

Oops sorry this should have gone under a new topic - another senior moment

The Stedman worked well for us.


The OS maps are out of print but they are produced by Harvey and are water proof and a helpful aid.

Saw the Martin Wainwright guide book in Waterstones for £12.99
All OS mapping.
If I had seen that before the Stedman I may have been tempted.
Mrs RT said........NO.PUT IT BACK.
I think she was a tad annoyed...

The OS mapping is a smaller scale than the Stedman though I think.

Come on lad, use your nous. Buy it and post it to yourself Then tell Mrs RT you found a copy on Ebay for a couple of quid. (For a nominal fee I could pose as "Ex-walker of Slaithwaite" for you and be the seller).

That would have worked had Mrs RT not happened o come across thisthread five minutes before I came home...