It's going to be sooner rather than later for me, for another crossing.
I was going to go next week, but an infection and on antibiotics till next Monday has put paid to that. Probably put it back a week or two, it may be a bit warmer by then anyway.
Ive got a sort of direct line worked out, not the most direct as I don't want too many road sections and want to keep it interesting.
However LWM has a totally different line worked out through the Lakes, which looks feasible but as I like to do previous routes the opposite way, I'll probalby stay with the line I took last time.
It will work or it wont.
Dave.

Standby, Sgt James reporting for duty...........

Ha, ha , just what I was thinking.
Dave.

Just out of interest my new 1st day has a total of 5.08 miles of road...
This includes Bridge Holme Lane (1.61), Ellerbeck Bridge (.08), Raisdale Rd (.24), Past Scugdale Hall (.56), Piper Road (more of a quiet lane? but included adding 1.23),Arnecliffe to A19 (Wainwright anyway) (1.0), and (omitting Long Lane and Deighton Lane again WW's route) Oaktree Hill .36 to bunkhse.
Be interesting to compare this to a standard Wainwright and your last route sticking to the road to Littlebeck.
However, choosing to follow the LWW to Round Hill, thus missing WW's road sections could have it's problems after prolonged wet weather of course not to mention the prevailing wind on the day...
I'll check out the rest as time permits as some sections have been chosen deliberately with the sole purpose of more direct westward progress. Other sections (ie. Ambleside) because there is no other direct alternative...
cheers

How light you intending on Dave?

My route includes a bit more road than last time but no more than 5 mile, I would think. As you know when theres a path going off in loup, but a road going straighter with your intended line, it's tempting and obvious to use the road. All depends on how direct you want to make it.
I wanted to include the villages of Gromont to Glaisdale as I particularly liked that stretch and the AW route across the Vale of Mowbry. Any part of the Lakes would do for me but I am going with my last route there apart from using Deepdale rather than Fairfield summit.
The HS problem we discussed, I have decided (unless it's really wet) to go the South side of the summit.
I intend going W - E this time.
As for weight I'll have to carry a bit more than last time possibly, as I am thinking of going self sufficient.
Looking back at last time, I reckon I can get across on 10,000 cals provided by 2.6 KG of carbs, plus isotonics.
probably looking at a starting weight with 1 Litre water of around 24 - 25 Lbs.
Any idea of when you may go.
Dave.

'tempting'? ...why tempting? The whole point of the 72 hr idea is to get across as directly as possible surely? - that's what I've aimed for, after all we aren't 'cheating' on Wainwright's suggested route anyway or anyone else's for that matter, but devising our own, which is a damn site more challenging than following a guidebook. As you know it takes forever to plot a route and compare that section with an alternative esp. when trying to keep elevation to a minimum at the same time.
No date set for me yet - concentrating on building up still. Got round a 20m on Sunday in under 5hrs (4:56:49) with 9lbs pack, struggled from 15m with hip pain though which slowed me down. I couldn't see me adding another 24m, which I need to acheive to match day 1's 45m. If you remember I plan to use bunkhouses on this one with bivvy for back up or emergency.

In an effort to discover the status of the stepping stones I rang the post office at Tebay. The lady I spoke to had no idea...

Lightweight

So you are aiming for a 72 hour crossing despite your disbelief that highly trained service personnel can complete the walk in only 7 hours less.

I hope that you succeed. Then perhaps you will believe that 65 hours is achievable, if not by yourself, but by others younger and fitter.

I think that you must harbour some ideas, however small, that I might after all, be genuine.

Not arguing Mick. I like your route, but think it's good that we have chosen slightly different lines in places, especially through the Lakes.
I haven't set a deadline as such, but obviously inside of 5 days, however I will aim to get across as fast as I can this time, within the confines of enjoyment, which is the most important thing for me.
I'm not interested in head down keep going simply to get across in the shortest possible time, Ive done too much of that sort of thing in the past, so my route has been chosen with this in mind too.
After this success or failure, I will switch my attention to other things in the pipeline, like the Cambrian Way, which I have been researching lately. There is so much out there and so little spare time.
Dave.