Walking Coast to Coast across England
A young man walked passed me on the ascent to Nine Standards Rigg just east of Kirkby Stephen in the Yorkshire Dales and chatted briefly. He was clearly relieved and happy as he had discovered the art of sending your backpack by carrier so he was left travelling light and feeling the benefit of £10 well spent. We had seen each other at the campsite the previous night and after confirming with me that I was carrying all my gear in one compact rucksack commented "... this isn't your first rodeo then?". I nodded my confirmation trying hard, but unconvincingly, to look as wise as my years. No, this wasn't the first time I had walked, camped and been largely self-sufficient though the last time had been 40 years ago. I had regained some of my camping know-how and - as you cannot regain your youth - on this seventh day of walking out of fourteen was grateful I'd set a realistic daily mileage. But would I last the course?
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| Grisedale Tarn |