Im starting on 3rd july. 1st time doing any pack packing and thought this would be a good walk to start! Only thing is Im carrying everything, tent etc and it aint light and i aint put it up before, slept in it, or used any of my brand new kit! I think I will learn alot along the way, like how to use a compass and map gps and stove!

In case youre wondering I will be the one asking which way to go and how to work certain things ! Still should be a laugh.

Hi, Big Mamma
I am just reading through all the posts looking for C2C walkers starting Sunday 10th May. Your itinerary looks wonderfully relaxed with time to take in everything on the way. We are fitting the C2C in the usual two week holiday finishing on the 22nd of June followed by two decadent nights in Whitby before travailing back home.
If we are lucky we may meet up in St Bees we should be there by 16.00hrs, we are staying a Stonehouse farm.
To keep the cost down we have elected to camp except for two nights in Youth Hostels and for the first time using Sherpa to transport the tent, sleeping bags etc.
Our itinerary is as follows:
10 June St Bees to Enerdale Bridge
11 June Enerdale Bridge to Borrowdale
12 June Borrowdale to Grasmere
13 June Grasmere to Patterdale
14 June Patterdale to Shap
15 June Shap to Kirkby Stephen
16 June Kirkby Stephen to Muker
17 June Muker to Reeth
18 June Reeth to Brompton on-Swale
19 June Brompton on-Swale to Osmotherley
20 June Osmotherley to The Lion Inn
21 June The Lion Inn to Little beck
22 June Little beck to Robin Hood's Bay.

Surely, before you start, you will be able to try everything out. Put the tent up, try your equipment etc etc.

Assuming that this is a genuine post (we do get some doubtful ones), why on earth are you starting with a heavy tent? Look through the earlier threads for advice on cutting down weight.

You should enjoy the walk .... if your equipment is unsuitable this will severely limit the ability to do so.

"followed by two decadent nights in Whitby"


You've been watching too much "Heartbeat" ........ unless you have inside knowledge denied to the proletariat.

slow coach.

Yes I will test my kit first in the garden. Tent is not too bad vango tempest 200. Im taking a 65litres rucksac which will be full no doubt. Im not on a time limit or schedule so am just going to take it at a leisurely pace. Ive worn my boots a few times and will wear more before I start. I dont do walking but am generally very fit, swimming, football and gym work a few times a week. So it will be getting used to walking with a back pack and climbing hills etc that will test me.

I set my self this challenge to start a week after I retire so as to focus on something other than the fact Im retiring and to give me some 'me' time to do the psycho analysis thing! and come back with a plan.

One question is there such things a wicking underwear? !

YES indeed there is. But it ain't cheap.

19th July getting very excited now can't wait just hope i don't make too much of an idiot of myself and get lost continually.

If you wake up one day,and see the sun coming up in the West.Turn your compass over and walk towalds the sun.
You can't go far wrong.
When your feet get wet.
You have arrived.
That is the point where you either turn into a blubberball like I did, or jump for joy and scream your head off.
At this point, you may stop walking,otherwise you will end up in Holland.
Whilst that jouney may be relatively flat, your tent will most assuredly sink.

Follow this advice at your peril, the wrong boot choice could lead you to believe you have arrived a little early !!

Me and kieran booking up soon , left it v late this year! Starting 14th september and getting to robin hoods bay the 21st .was wondering if any of the old hands on here know if the route goes anywhere near pocklington ? Have some friends there . many thanks !