C2C Day 3 - Rossthwaite to Patterdale

Raining before breakfast, plans were to start in waterproofs but a shaft of light hit us in the bedroom just as we were about to start dressing. Instead Ross went for the ubiquitous shorts. 

Start of the walk was through Stonethwaite then up to Greenup Gill to Greenup Edge, passed nearly all of the walkers in front of us during the ascent. Over the top and towards Grasmere we decided on the high level alternative which takes in Calf Crag, Gibson Knott and Helm Crag. A magnificent ridge walk with tremendous views over Grasmere (see main image) and as far as Windermere. Snow had settled on the Hellvellyn Range from the night before. The descent into Grasmere from Helm Crag was truly awful, very steep, causing severe discomfort to my knees.

A well earned break in the village, we bought sandwiches and goodies from Heidi's. Sat on the green watching the world go by.

Too soon we had to start the second part of the walk to Grisedale Tarn before descending into Patterdale. We started and immediately felt the biting cold wind in our faces. Gloves on (Ross was still in his shorts!).

The drag up to the Tarn was never ending – we resorted to walking sticks and ipods to help in the climb. Our reward was coffee and nibbles sitting with our backs to a rock next to the Tarn.

At this stage Ross said he wanted to get to the post office to buy a Coast to Coast t-shirt. The GPS said it would take an hour and a half, just after the scheduled close of the shop. We made it with half an hour to spare.

We rolled in to the YHA in Patterdale and realised that if anything it was worse than Borrowdale. Don't expect a high score! The room is larger mainly because we are sharing with 6 other men!

We showered and went to the White Lion pub for a meal. Good meal, plenty of other C2Cers around sharing stories. Our first two Australians were there. Now sitting typing this with absolutely no way of posting it until at the earliest tomorrow!. No phones have a signal. It's 9:15 and we are ready to go to bed. Unfortunately we met three of our room mates who are just off to the pub.

The distance covered was 18 miles crossing two mountain ranges, definitely the most challenging day of walking so far.

Accommodation Report – YHA Patterdale

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

Overall – 3 Stars

Communal room with 5 other gentlemen to share with – at various times I reckoned there were 3 of them snoring at the same time (Obviously when I was a sleep that increased to 4). Beds were marginally more comfortable (based on a better night's sleep). Much busier.