Ennerdale Bridge to Rostwaite

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Long day today, but a great day. I am typing this on Wednesday night. The hotel we stayed at last night did not have any wifi. And I am finding it hard to remember what we achieved Tuesday.

Started off about 8:15 AM. The B&B in Ennerdale Bridge had been rather nice, although everything is pretty compact and there is just not a lot of space for two cases in the room. Breakfast was the "usual" huge "full English breakfast" that was really starting to plug me up.

The morning was heavily overcast but not raining. We headed West in full rain gear, prepared for the worst. After a mile or so our track took us along the South side of Ennerdale water for a few miles until we made it to the river that fed the lake, and we followed that river up to its source in the mountains.

Our path along the river started out as a narrow goat track partially hidden in 3' high wet bracken, so our wet gear served its purpose. I envied those with gaitors - especially the knee high variety. As the lake ended and the river started we began to climb steadily. The track connected us to a rough road and that made the going easier, but still up hill. The scenery was rather pretty with lots of photo ops. I was walking with Diane, who set a rather steady pace. She just did not stop.

Diane under way.

The road deteriorated into a track and we climbed further into the mountains. By about mid day we arrived at a 'shepherds hut" called "Black Sail" where we took a break and ate the brown bag lunches prepared at the B&B.

From Black Sail the track continued to climb ad was very rough. There were lots of little creeks running down the mountain and crossing the path. We were in a blind valley and discovered the way out was a 45 degree (not kidding) climb for about 1,000 feet. Our walking poles were no use, by and large we had to use our hands in the scramble up.

Creek crossing

Creek "up"

Creek "Down"

Adding a stone to the cairn at the top of THE CLIMB

We were all hoping for a down hill walk from the top, but we were looking at "Martian" plateau of bog and rock outcrops. The way forward was marked by cairns of stones. The bog was quite awkward to get thru. It was often covered with a very think matting of grass that tended to sink when you stood on it. Getting water in your boots is a bit of a death sentence for your feet - wet feet equals blisters.

It seemed to take an age to make it to the Hotel.