C2C Day 2 - Ennerdale Bridge to Rossthwaite

Cool, but sunny start at 8.00 am. I needed shooting for allowing the GPS to run out of power within an hour of the start – thankfully AW's book was with us and there was always another group of walkers in front. Our natural pace resulted in a lot of overtaking!

Ennerdale Valley is simply magnificent, Red Pike and High Crag to one side, Pillar to the other. The Lake was our companion for the first 2 hours. Our first rain was just after reaching the head of the Lake but it didn't last long or dampen our spirits. 

As we neared the end of the valley, Black Sail Hut came into view. Ross was even able to get a mobile signal to talk to his wife. How on earth is there a signal in this remote location? Didn't stay there long as it was thronged with people, eating, drinking, etc. Not a good decision on their part because the ascent out of the valley up Loft Beck was brutal. One of our cardinal rules is not to eat before a climb!

We "owned" Loft Beck, overtaking everyone ahead. A nice gentlemen sowed the seed when we asked him what he was listening to on his ipod and he told us, Pink Floyd. In went the earphones and Ross climbed out of the valley listening to the likes of the Foo Fighters, AC/DC, etc. Graham was listening to a Genius Mix based on ABC's Look of Love.
A traverse at high level brought us to Honister Mine where L and her parents were waiting with a welcome cup of tea. A short break then final goodbyes and a descent into Borrowdale. By now it was predominantly cloudy. We rolled into our accommodation, the YHA at Borrowdale just after 4.00 pm.

Final thought for the day. Ross summed it up when he said “Eh, Graham, you know what, that was a great day, I'm happy”.

We went for a short walk after dinner and saw a just born lamb taking its first steps to suckle. Mom was licking it dry. A fine end to the day.


Accommodation Report – YHA Borrowdale

Comfort – 1 Stars (out of 5)
Hospitality – 2 Stars
Food – 3 Stars
Facilities – 4 stars

Overall – 2.5 Stars

Ah, youth hostelling – it's changed you know! First impressons very good until we walked into our cell …...I mean room. Bunks (Ross got the top one!). Too short – Graham said; too hard; too lumpy. You couldn't swing a cat in the room. Dinner was OK, breakfast gave a lot of choice, Overall, we don't think youth hostelling has changed that much. A first black star for the beds.