C2C: Ennerdale Bridge to Borrowdale

 

Today started dry and we fuelled up with an egg and bacon sarnie and cuppa before setting off. Fairly easy going for the first few hours, mostly along Ennerdale Water. We were planning to take the southside path but were warned off it by a couple of locals who said all the recent rain has very probably made it impassable. So we took the other path and it was lovely, gravelly and with regular viewpoint benches. We were even treated to some sun, and immediately put shorts and sun cream on, but it wasn’t very long-lived.

Enjoy it while you can

We eventually reached Black Sail Youth Hostel, a lovely wooden building that was warm and peaceful inside. Sat and had an apple in preparation. 

As we approached the big hill that we were due to conquer, it was half hidden in cloud, and as we went up it turned out to be fairly windy rain, getting into all the crevices. All the paths were little streams, so it was impossible to keep your feet dry really. We had a couple of tricky river crossings to make early on, then an ascent up rocky paths to the top. 

Yikes

Success!

We got to Honister Slate Mine, where there was a nice warm cafe. We had a tea and ate our sandwiches - it was about 3 o’clock by this time and we were pretty hungry. Then another few miles to YHA Borrowdale, which is a lovely wooden building with a very hot drying room full of socks, pants and hiking gear, and great showers and generally a good atmosphere. Currently sitting on a big sofa, having eaten a hearty steak pie and chips. Clean clothes, full tummy, devices charging up and tents already pitched. Nirvana.

Tonight’s pitch. We think it might have stopped raining!!!