The van shuttled us back to Patterdale. Off we went, up the steep slopes of Place Fell and through the col (a pass) between Patterdale and Boardale. Today was the last of the high fells along a 2,500′ mountain ridge. We followed an ancient Roman road (the highest built by the Romans in England) past Angle Tarn, a small mountain lake to the top of Kidsty Pike. At Angle Tarn, Michael decided this would be a great place to strip naked and jump into Angle Tarn while we stood around and laughed. This certainly wasn’t the greatest day for an ice cold dip but if that’s what he wanted to do…be my guest. Psst — Has anyone noticed the complete lack of sunshine in any photograph? Pretty depressing…

Kidsty Pike was the last, and highest, vantage point to look back at the Lakeland fells. Got to tell the truth…not only do I take a pass on “exhilarating”…but vantage points on a miserable day are also anticlimatic. Dislike (no, I HATE) stopping, sitting or standing around in cold weather with sweaty, wet clothes on. Would rather just keep plodding on until it’s DONE..finished…kaput. Now heading towards Limestone Country made famous by James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small.

more gloom…on the Coast to Coast Hike through England

up the barren landscape… high fells of England
Making our way through the fells, Chris told about the “Yomp” that takes place around here. (The group did lots of talking and/or singing to take our minds off the dreary weather, aches and pains.) “Yomp” is an acronym that stands for “Your Own Marching Pace” (England’s Royal Marines slang). There are many yomps or fell races held all over England. This was a new one for us…

through nothingness…. on the Coast to Coast long distance hike through England
In June there is the ” Mallerstang Horseshoe and Nine Standards Yomp” which takes a strenuous route along the high ground along both sides of the neighbouring dale of Mallerstang, including Wild Boar Fell, and the summit of nearby Nine Standards Rigg. The full route runs south out of Kirkby Stephen, climbs above the Mallerstang valley to the summit of Wild Boar Fell, on to Swarth Fell Pike then down and across the valley by Aisgill Moor and Hellgill Force. It then takes a gradual ascent by Mallerstang Edge to High Seat and High Pike Hill before dropping down to the Swaledale road at the top of Tailbridge Hill. The final stage is the ascent to the Nine Standards before the last downhill stretch to Kirkby Stephen.

If that wasn’t enough, navigational skills are essential. Competitors must find their own way around the course even in poor visibility. No little race markers for these tough people. Can you imagine…”Excuse me…have I reached Wild Boar Fell?”… Note to self: Don’t ever, ever even think or consider doing this (or any) yomp…

Another yomp takes place in Borrowdale. This one is a challenging 17-mile race that also involves running up and down hills with 6,500 feet of climbing. There are checkpoints located at Bessy Boot, Esk Hause, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Honister, and Dale Head and the race route covers some of the roughest ground in England.. Held in August, with difficult and sometimes dangerous weather conditions. Any macho-masochists out there, you still have time to enter!
Chris is also a member of the Kirkby Stephen Mountain Rescue Team. These are the poor guys who have to get out and rescue those who are not fully prepared for the occasionally harsh conditions on the fell tops. We were walking parts of this route and the Borrowdale route and couldn’t even imagine running it.

Back on footpaths through fields and too many sheep to count. Shap Abbey Farm is one of the biggest sheep farms in Cumbria. There were hundreds and hundreds of little lambs bleating away and we developed our own routine to pass the time, singing the Whiffenpoof song and voting on who did the best imitation of the little lambs. We are poor little lambs…who have lost their way….baa…baa…baaa…. (I can really do a mean imitation. American Idol…here I come.) This drove some of our group completely nuts and, I must admit, Topo and I were the worst instigators…

Finally a descent to Burnbanks after a long 11 mile day and transferred to Kirkby Stephen, Chris’ home town.