tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89649926989526629312024-03-13T21:26:31.113-07:00Coast2Coast UnpluggedAN ALTERNATIVE COAST TO COAST ADVENTURE.
The challenge is to walk Wainwright's twelve day, 190 mile Coast to coast path from St. Bees in the West to Robin Hood's Bay in the East and be self- contained, self-reliant and only require naturally sourced water along the way. Carrying all food and equipment, wild camping and receiving no outside support the walk becomes free or " unplugged ", with no external restraints.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-58103095287431593292009-07-02T09:03:00.000-07:002011-12-05T05:20:41.648-08:00Introduction<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Skih0bE1ngI/AAAAAAAAAIg/VOXCSl3LKwk/s1600-h/The+end+(1+of+1).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352706079123152386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Skih0bE1ngI/AAAAAAAAAIg/VOXCSl3LKwk/s320/The+end+(1+of+1).jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 10px; width: 240px;" /></a>On the 27th of June 2009 at 5.25 pm, a successful completion of the walk, made in the style described above, was made taking 12 days and 9 hours, walking East to West.<br />
Outlined in the following page is a detailed report on the planning involved and lessons learnt during the undertaking.<br />
Please use the links above to access further information.<br />
<br />
The purpose behind this venture could not be summed up better than by old A.G. himself, when reading afterwards in his guide, A Coast to Coast Walk -<br />
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<em>" Plan your own marathon and do something never done before, something you will enjoy, a route that will take you to the places often read about but never yet seen, you will be on your own, unhampered by human beings en bloc, relying on your own resources to complete what you set out to do. Preferably go alone and do it off your own bat, for it is the solitary walker, always, who most closely identifies himself with his surroundings, who observes as he goes along, who really feels the satisfaction of achievement "</em><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: 78%;">A.G Wainwright</span></em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-44509723988455962772009-06-07T16:46:00.000-07:002012-06-03T13:18:08.694-07:00The route<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201122758161624652304.0004b35782601637eddb4&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=54.629338,-1.966553&spn=2.225993,4.669189&z=7&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=201122758161624652304.0004b35782601637eddb4&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=54.629338,-1.966553&spn=2.225993,4.669189&z=7&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">EC2C</a> in a larger map</small>
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Be under no illusion that this walk is waymarked throughout. It is an unofficial route and as such suffers from a scarcity of signage that, depending on your outlook, will lead to a more or less enjoyable experience.<br />
However your preferences, you will be led on a quiz chase of contrived progress that for me added to the character of the trail and endeared me to its individuality.<br />
Ideally take a guide book, maps, compass and Gps and know how to use them, as crossing some of the remoter sections in bad weather could be interesting. There is a wealth of helpful information on the Web about this walk so don't be disheartened, knowledge is security and weighs nothing so pack as much as you can!<br />
I chose the East to West option, Robin Hood's Bay to St. Bee's. Walking this direction, chosen as the bulk of the food weight would be consumed by the time the Lakes was reached, proved to be a fortuitous decision. Contrary to the opinion that its better to have the weather at your back, the Westerly wind initially cooled and prevented excess sweating, consequently saving water. Luckily, during the Lakeland section, switching to an Easterly, gave much needed assistance up them hills!<br />
Having the Lakes, as the last third was indeed the "Jewel in the Crown" and I would favour this direction every time. The only downside seams to be that St. Bee's has not the historical finishing significance or character of Robin Hood's Bay.<br />
Wainwright's route was followed for the whole distance, taking the direct route between Rosthwaite and Patterdale and the High stile alternative between Rosthwaite and Ennerdale Bridge.<br />
I aimed to walk 16 miles a day but this varied in reality to between 14 -19 miles.<br />
Daily mileage detailed below.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SldACDmEz7I/AAAAAAAAAVY/oj1vcbS0mpM/s1600-h/The+route+(1+of+1).jpg"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Sl-YzyGqqbI/AAAAAAAAAYE/_azQ0iCTNb8/s1600-h/sign+(1+of+1).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359170096984664498" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Sl-YzyGqqbI/AAAAAAAAAYE/_azQ0iCTNb8/s320/sign+(1+of+1).jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 240px;" /></a>Day 1 - 15<br />
Day 2 - 16<br />
Day 3 - 14<br />
Day 4 - 16<br />
Day 5 - 17<br />
Day 6 - 17<br />
Day 7 - 19<br />
Day 8 - 14<br />
Day 9 - 16<br />
Day 10 - 15<br />
Day 11 - 15<br />
Day 12 - 16<br />
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See <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/07/navigation.html">Navigation</a> post for more info.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-54397883776344164592009-06-06T12:16:00.000-07:002011-12-05T05:31:15.831-08:00Food & Cooking System<em><span style="color: red;">Pre walk</span></em><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiZcQi9HKPI/AAAAAAAAACM/5C_pn8ab070/s1600-h/Food+System+(1+of+1).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343059447252461810" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiZcQi9HKPI/AAAAAAAAACM/5C_pn8ab070/s400/Food+System+(1+of+1).jpg" style="display: block; height: 268px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This is based on a no pan, no washup system and was conceived to require the least amount of water and effort possible. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Food is stored and hydrated, </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">via cold or hot water from the <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post.html">Stove System </a>and eaten in the same resealable bag <em>(1-5).</em> Hot water hydrated food is placed inside a thermal jacket<em> (9) </em>to preserve heat and aid in the cooking process, this also conveniently acts as a hand friendly heat barrier during eating.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">For more info on this cooking system see <a href="http://www.thealpineoven.blogspot.com/">The Alpine Oven </a>blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The daily menu includes:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Breakfast <em>(1)</em> - porridge with dried milk, sugar and freeze dried fruit. 658 Kc, 200g</span><br />
<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Drinks pack <em>(2)</em> - tea, coffee, fruit tea, soup, cocoa. 492 Kc, 158g</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Lunch <em>(3 & 6)</em> - assorted nuts, dried fruit, two seed bars and oatcakes <em>(6)</em> 1803 Kc, 402g</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Dinner <em>(4)</em> - pot noodle. 561Kc, 124g</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Pudding <em>(5)</em> - angel delight with added dried milk and freeze dried fruit. 420 Kc, 115g</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This equates to just under 4000 calories for a packeted weight of 1kg per day. Total weight of food to be carried for twelve days equals 12kg.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Drinking vessels <em>(7)</em> are cut down Pot Noodle pots 17g and hold 300ml, for tea and coffee.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A <a href="http://www.light-my-fire.com/230-147-spork.htm">Spork</a> <em>(8)</em> 10g completes the</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> system which has been proven on a 3 night acclimatization camp above 3000m, on the Allalinhorn glacier above Saas Fee in Switzerland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 85%;"><em><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342460876260618418" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiQ73IPvsLI/AAAAAAAAAB8/VYPka7KDqkE/s400/Allalihorn+glacier+camp+(1+of+1).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></em></span><br />
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Pictured below are the meals packaged into 12 daily packs, (gas canister for scale) and view inside of rucksack, protected from heat by metallic bubble wrap. Not much space left!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiqtT2ciaXI/AAAAAAAAADs/yihA1FdP-44/s1600-h/Food+Packs+(1+of+1).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344274464372844914" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiqtT2ciaXI/AAAAAAAAADs/yihA1FdP-44/s400/Food+Packs+(1+of+1).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 316px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Siq0X3bVGAI/AAAAAAAAAD8/WDXavR-rDD4/s1600-h/Pack+showing+food+(1+of+1).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344282229937084418" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Siq0X3bVGAI/AAAAAAAAAD8/WDXavR-rDD4/s400/Pack+showing+food+(1+of+1).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 295px;" /></a><em><span style="color: red;"> </span></em><br />
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<span style="color: red;"><em>Post walk</em> </span><br />
Thrown in at the last minute were 12 Mars Bars 720g and 4 tubes of Primula squeezy cheese 660g ( for the oatcakes ), taking the total weight of food to 12.4kg. The Mars Bars were a heavy addition but worth their weight in gold for that extra boost when needed. The squeezy cheese was also essential as I could not have eaten the dry oatcakes on their own.The food as a whole worked well, the only drawback being the lack of water effecting the processing of dry food. Nuts were un appetizing in a dehydrated state and being heavy, I would reduce the amount in future. 100g of porridge was a lot to eat first thing in the morning so I would do likewise, down to about 70g. Pot noodles were good but I wish I had taken more flavours as I got a bit tired of curry every night! I did carry out 1.43kg of food that I had not time, inclination or water to eat, my appetite was effected by trapped wind, dehydration, exhaustion and the heat. I could have comfortable left out a days food over this period but who's to say these conditions are typical. Here's a short video showing the simplicity of food preparation in the field, a Pot Noodle shown in this example -<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw1BN4W9Mklgu2iOPCi1Jo-WEsr4jTZO0TuovMxkBeoYgYTXN7khbHwGZ4s3L5qc8UuElOMBLlbFC_nrlUKTw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
The pre-prepared fast, no fuss meal preparation really paid dividends at the end of a long hard day. <br />
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<span style="color: black;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-3611330533738810282009-06-06T09:03:00.000-07:002009-09-28T07:42:35.881-07:00Hydration System<span style="color: red;"><em>Pre walk</em></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjGXOJcq_jI/AAAAAAAAAFw/WOnUys_qV9g/s1600-h/Hydration+System+(1+of+1).jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346220501975629362" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjGXOJcq_jI/AAAAAAAAAFw/WOnUys_qV9g/s400/Hydration+System+(1+of+1).jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 268px;" /></a><br />
<div>Water is purified in one of four ways in this system. The first by boiling on the <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post.html">stove</a>, the second <em>(8)</em> by <a href="http://www.katadyn.com/chen/katadyn-products/products/katadynshopconnect/katadyn-micropur-micropur-forte/micropur-forte-mf-1t-deefnldk/">Katadyn</a> tablets 7g, the third <em>(9)</em> by <a href="http://www.pre-mac.com/PWP_SWP.HTM">Premac's Travel Well Pocket</a> pump 47g and the fourth <em>(3)</em> by my own designed gravity filter 48g (wet). <br />
</div><div>Water requirement for hot food and drinks works out at 2 litres a day, this will be drawn at camp or taken from a supply shortly before and is purified by heat. If time and weather allow, this water can be preheated in a pop bottle <em>(7), </em>half covered in sticky back plastic to aid solar absorbtion and therefore save on gas. Katadyn tablets will be used to treat cold water stored in a 2 litre <a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/hands-free-hydration/hoser/product">Platypus</a> bag <em>(2),</em><strong> </strong>which then has the option of being filtered through my own gravity fed widget which is basically a short piece of hose filled with <a href="http://www.brita.net/uk/cartridges.html?&L=1">Brita</a> water filter granules, obtained from a spare cartridge. Its a slow process but left over night it will fill a 2 litre container <em>(4) </em>hung from a walking pole <em>(1).</em> Hopefully this will reduce heavy metals and eliminate any bad tasting water but this is as yet untried and I'll report on it's effectiveness later. Another option to top up on the go is the Travel Well pump, kept handy I can fill a small container<em> (6)</em> as and when water is available on the trail. Lastly, Isotonic drinks powder <em>(5)</em> 395g is added to any drinking water as an alternative taste and also offer a quick energy boost.<br />
</div><div>The envisioned way this will work is that I shall be carrying 2 litres for that days consumption. As I drink this, any chance to top up with the mini pump will be taken, still carrying no more than 2 litres. Nearing the days projected end, it will be seen on the map whether the desired stopping point might have a water source. If it does I carry on and have no problem. If it does not then at a preceding source, I shall top up my 2 litre day container, plus fill another 2 litre for my cooking allowance. I then walk hopefully only a couple of miles with 4 litres. The day 2 litre then will filter overnight ready for the next day and so on.<br />
</div><div><em>Last minute changes have led to the 2 litre bottle (4) being replaced by a 2 litre Platypus. With all the air removed this becomes a sealed system preventing possible spills and contamination. </em><br />
<div></div><br />
</div><div></div><div><em></em><br />
</div><div></div><div><span style="color: red;"><em>Post walk</em></span><br />
</div><div><br />
The main lesson I have learned is that the value and importance of water cannot be under estimated. I did exactly this and paid the price by being dehydrated. Sourcing water in upland areas was least problematic but lowland farm land and populated areas had the possibility of high levels of Nitrates and microbiological content and seemed too risky.<br />
I walked long distances with limited water during these times and developed a steady walking rhythm, breathing in and out through my nose, which greatly reduced usage by limiting evaporation surface area and recycling exhaled vapour. keeping cool and therefore limiting sweating was helped by thin cloud cover and windy days during the first week. As the weather warmed, water availability increased also allowing more uptake. <br />
</div><div>Problems occurred in limestone areas where water containing carbonic acid reacts with limestone and becomes hard. Calcium and magnesium bicarbonates are formed. I did suffer from trapped wind in these areas which made me feel slightly sick and off my food. The chemistry of the body is not my forte but their was definitely a PH imbalance going on here. <br />
</div><div>Heavy metal's including lead were a danger after leaving Richmond so I carried a surplus through this danger area.<br />
All of the water I drank was treated in the ways outlined above, no untreated water was consumed and no upset stomach experienced. In hindsight I would have taken a more capable hand pump filter to allow for more reliable sourceing. <br />
</div><div>The plastic pop bottle was invaluable as it allowed filling from streams, which was not possible with the Platypus reservoirs. I did not find time to use it as a solar heater, however it did produce warm water on the odd occasion it was left full on my sack. <br />
</div><div></div><em>What do you know! Platypus got there </em><a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/filtration-and-storage/cleanstream-gravity-filter/product"><em>first</em></a>. <br />
<div></div><br />
<div><span style="color: red;">Measand Falls, Haweswater</span><br />
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</div><div></div><div></div><div></div>A semi religeous experience, I cried, transfixed by the amount of fresh cool clean water at this beautiful spot, I literally couldn't believe it.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy_hykgcXJqD1_uj7Zah0gbJI0F5D-62rkgWmcaV9sY_PQhLzlvYIr3mnNSysW5dZ-4umKmcf_52fz6YSyy' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<em>Video</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-3193982919973210722009-06-05T15:27:00.000-07:002009-07-02T10:25:46.303-07:00Electrical system<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SimcJ76LgHI/AAAAAAAAAC8/idQDfVCwgAQ/s1600-h/Electical+System+(1+of+1).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 360px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343974127366275186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SimcJ76LgHI/AAAAAAAAAC8/idQDfVCwgAQ/s400/Electical+System+(1+of+1).jpg" /></a><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Pre walk</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></em><br />The "SILVERPOINT Solar Trio" Solar Charged LED Torch <em>(1)</em> will be used as my light source, saving weight on carrying a separate torch. It will be positioned on top of my sack and will charge its own 7oomAh/4.8v internal battery in daylight hours. It's power, via lead <em>(6),</em> can be used with adapter <em>(4)</em> to charge my phone <em>(3)</em> which is also my MP3/radio. It can run my GPS <em>(2)</em> direct via USB connection or charge spare AA batteries <em>(5)</em> for its use.<br /><br />Whilst never an ideal energy source ( power to weight ratio ) compared with taking quantities of high capacity batteries, I am persevering with the "alternative technology" tack as it potentially offers the benefits of longer periods of autonomy. This will inevitable lead to investing in lightweight thin <a href="http://www.powerfilmsolar.com/">Powerfilm</a> technology.<br /><br /><em>Shortly before leaving I adapted the Solar charger into a higher capacity more adaptable unit. The casing was taken apart and the batteries substituted for four removable high capacity AA rechargeable. The bare unit was then placed in a small water proof pouch. The benefits being the obvious higher capacity storage, the charged batteries could be used in my GPS and it was possible to make sure the unit was fully charged before leaving by using a mains charger. The whole thing weighed no more than the cased original , achieving a better power to weight ratio. The total number of batteries taken were 6 AA's.</em><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Post walk</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">There was always going to be a shortage of power using this system but I admit I did not perceive to run out so drastically towards the end. The GPS batteries lasted till about day 6 where they had to be rotated regularly as they were not charging thoroughly. Charging my phone took it's toll on the batteries and during the last 3 days my phone was dead and the GPS would stay on for about 2 minutes, before cutting out, every battery rotation. As I lost my map on day 10, navigation proved problematic and it's a miracle I made forward progress but I love a challenge and this made it thrilling to the very finish! A better more reliable power system is needed for any future outing.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-1538900990937026612009-05-31T15:20:00.000-07:002009-07-04T03:45:42.528-07:00Shelter System<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiWfDxC88wI/AAAAAAAAACE/jISX0pC_eHg/s1600-h/Sleeping+System+(1+of+1).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342851419999105794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiWfDxC88wI/AAAAAAAAACE/jISX0pC_eHg/s400/Sleeping+System+(1+of+1).jpg" /></a><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"> Pre walk</span></em><br /><br />The tent <em>(5)</em> is a <a href="http://www.robens.de/TentMeasure.aspx?b=Robens&bid=1&lid=1&l=en-GB&TentId=696&catID=&pid=1">Robens Summer Wind</a> 1.4kg, which is single skin and and the lightest I own, so lets hope for good weather! It has been packaged it in such a way that pitching and striking will take the minimum of effort. The tent, groundsheet and <a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/prolite/product">Thermorest Prolite</a> mat <em>(6)</em> 460g are folded together and bundled into a grey <a href="http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43HomePageE?openframeset">Exped</a> dry bag (photo 1). Unpacking takes place in photo's 2, 3 and 4 and erection, using two walking poles (not shown) and pegs, completes the shelter. The intention is to strap this to the outside of my rucksack as most of the space is taken up by food. The sleeping bag <em>(7)</em>, which is a down <a href="http://www.alpkit.com/">Alpkit</a> Skyhigh 400 (no longer made) weighs 1.06Kg including orange Exped dry bag (photo 1). Totalling 2.866kg, this is not the lightest combination but for now it will have to do.<em> </em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">Click on picture for higher resolution.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Post walk</span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#ffffff;">The experience with the tent was very positive. Quick and easy pitching at the end of a late day, being tired, hungry and besieged by midges, was a blessing. Single skin tents usually suffer with condensation and this was no exception, despite the high amount of ventilation. This led to packing away and erecting a wet tent which added to the overall weight carried and was unpleasant to enter. Having said that, the wet interior allowed for the effortless killing of midges which easily stuck to the wet side walls.<br />The sleeping bag gave mixed results, during the first half, I was slightly cold at night at higher altitudes, during the second and warmer half, it was adequate. I neglected to take a silk liner bag, due to the extra weight but this would have solved the problem and also kept the bags interior cleaner.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-78591319890724444922009-05-31T08:15:00.000-07:002009-07-04T04:44:23.119-07:00Stove System<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiKfmXeXDqI/AAAAAAAAABs/L_uNRmMWH5Y/s1600-h/Stove+system+(1+of+1).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342007589500030626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SiKfmXeXDqI/AAAAAAAAABs/L_uNRmMWH5Y/s400/Stove+system+(1+of+1).jpg" /></a><br /><div><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Pre walk <div></div><br /></span></em></div><div></div><div>The stove system I have settled on is based on a cut down <a href="http://www.jetboil.com/products/cookingsystems/personalcookingsystem">Jetboil</a> pot ( 106 g inc. windshield ) and a <a href="http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/fast-and-light-stoves/pocketrocket/product">MSR Pocket Rocket</a> ( 89 g inc. striker ) , total weight including Primus 450 gas canister is 863 g.</div><div>The Jetboil pot is sawn off just above the max fill mark, safely holds 425ml and weighs 106 g with the bottom guard cut off. The wind shield is made from an aluminium can and slips behind the neoprene cover when not in use. The stoves pot rests locate into the veins on the underside of the Jetboil pot resulting in a secure coupling. Ignition is by striker and steel ( 3g ) which are cut down to one Inch, the latter being a junior hacksaw blade, both are connected to the stove via accessory cord. </div><div>Trials with this system have resulted in consistant boils of 425ml of water with the usage of 5 g of gas. Using a 450 gas canister should give me 90 boils or just over 7 boils a day based on 12 days, this being more than enough for my needs.</div><div><em>Click on picture for higher resolution. <div></div><br /></em></div><div></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em>Post walk</em></span></div><div><br />The success of the stove system is born out by the fact that only 314g of gas was used, leaving 136g or 30% remaining. This works out, at the used average of 5 boils per day, as an extra 5 days supply being available. </div><div>The only addition in future being a large tube of relective bubble wrap, as an outdoor wind shield<em>.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-18214291846874668582009-05-29T07:36:00.000-07:002009-07-16T15:56:47.905-07:00Equipment Used<ul><li><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SldCu4hqztI/AAAAAAAAAVg/t3JhNU9JDDc/s1600-h/equipment+(1+of+1).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356823654995513042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SldCu4hqztI/AAAAAAAAAVg/t3JhNU9JDDc/s320/equipment+(1+of+1).jpg" /></a>Tent - <a href="http://www.robens.de/TentMeasure.aspx?b=Robens&bid=1&lid=1&l=en-GB&TentId=696&catID=&pid=1">Robens Summer Wind</a></li><br /><li>Sleeping bag - <a href="http://www.alpkit.com/skyehigh/">Alpkit SkyHigh 400</a></li><br /><li>Sleeping mat - <a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest/mattresses/fast-and-light/prolite/product">Thermorest Prolite</a></li><br /><li>Bothy bag - <a href="http://www.terra-nova.co.uk/Product_Type/Tents/Bivi__Bothy_Bags/Bothy_2_Orange.html">Terra Nova Bothy 2</a></li><br /><li>Stove - <a href="http://www.cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/fast-and-light-stoves/pocketrocket/product">MSR Pocket Rocket </a>and <a href="http://www.jetboil.com/products/cookingsystems/personalcookingsystem">Jetboil</a> Cup</li><br /><li>Rucksack - <a href="http://www.grivel.com/Products/Dettaglio_zaini.asp?ID=20">Grivel Alpine 55</a></li><br /><li>Trekking poles - <a href="http://www.alpkit.com/carbonlite/">Alpkit CarbonLite</a></li><br /><li>Footwear - <a href="http://www.newbalance.co.uk/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=en_UK%2FNewBal_ProductCatalog&cid=0&p=0&packedargs=apptype%3Dallprod%26catname%3Dshowall%26collid%3D0%26locale%3Den_US%26pt%3DFootwear%26wn1%3DOutdoor%26wn2%3DTrail%252FOff-Road&pagename=NewBal_Wrapper">New Balance Trail</a></li><br /><li>Hydration - <a href="http://cascadedesigns.com/platypus/hands-free-hydration/hoser/product">Platypus Hoser</a></li><br /><li>Water Filter - <a href="http://www.pre-mac.com/PWP_SWP.HTM">Travel Well Pocket</a></li><br /><li>Gps - <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=310&ra=true">Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx</a></li><br /><li>Camera - <a href="http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/equipment/compactcameras/524/1/olympus-stylus-1030sw.html">Olympus Stylus 1030SW</a></li><br /><li>Solar Charger - <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverpoint-Solar-Trio/dp/B001M1750E">SilverPoint Solar Trio</a></li><br /><li>Dry bags - <a href="http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage.nsf/b43HomePageE?openframeset">Exped</a></li></ul><p><em><span style="color:#ff0000;">Notes on equipment</span></em></p><p>Choice of foot ware, played a major part in fatigue. Trail running shoes, all very well for an ultralight approach, were inadequate when burdened with a 28kg pack. Every stone underfoot painfully felt, prevented comfortable sleep. Feeling like they had been beaten with sticks at the end of the day became a dreaded curse.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-62700751842367932272009-05-28T16:00:00.000-07:002009-07-21T17:13:29.064-07:00NavigationThe majority of navigation, made by following a downloaded GPS track, was planned to cut out time wasted in way finding. This approach, while not recommended, allowed all energy to be channelled into forward progress as any mistakes, however small, were keenly felt. Maps were used as a backup and to aid day, route and water planning logistics, no guide book was taken due to weight saving. The downside being that no historical, cultural or factual information could be added to the experience, although this was a calculated compromise from the offset.<br />My Gps, a <a href="https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=310">Garmin Gpsmap 60CSx </a>was loaded with waypoints, obtained from the Web, which allowed me to accurately follow and correct any errors in my orientation along the way.<br />Two <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coast-Walk-Guide-distance-walks/dp/1871149649/ref=sr_1_2/275-7921912-7974829?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248093553&sr=1-2">Footprint Coast to coast strip maps</a>, East and West, were used and found to be very good on the whole, although a frustrating lack of detail in certain areas was experienced.<br />I downloaded a copy of the strip maps onto my phone as a backup but on losing my map days before the finish, I also ran out of power, so this redundant backup was of no use to me but maybe to a future "unplugger".<br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-5038137036553080302009-05-28T15:51:00.000-07:002009-05-29T04:46:55.259-07:00Preparations<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Things are coming together nicely, the food which is going to be heaviest item looks like it will weigh in at one kilo per day, providing a daily target of 4000 Calories. That's 12 Kilograms of food, the only saving grace is this will reduce by 1 Kilogram for every new day.<br />I'm setting myself a total weight of 25 Kilo's, thats including clothing worn but this is looking optimistic at the moment.<br />The weather has been the determining factor as to when to leave and at present, around the second week of June looks like a probable start date.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-85218054623264044572009-05-28T13:30:00.000-07:002009-07-08T16:11:08.863-07:00Daily mobile blogs<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjmDFgLPHFI/AAAAAAAAAHY/OWGUDWVY3Ys/s1600-h/picture-794542.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348450163038821458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjmDFgLPHFI/AAAAAAAAAHY/OWGUDWVY3Ys/s320/picture-794542.jpg" /></a></p>Day1.................................. Going west!<br />Leaving RHB in drizzle, carrying 28Kg sack weight dried it off tho! Lunch with the skylarks o/looking Whitby abbey in sun. System working as planned altho cant say same for me, hard work today! Passed loads of c2c'ers going East, none my way, bliss!<br />Early night for a early start with the company of black faced ewes and curlew like birds, the end of a great day.<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjqyhjID4YI/AAAAAAAAAHg/jiW9LgUp_f8/s1600-h/picture-774755.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348783796890362242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjqyhjID4YI/AAAAAAAAAHg/jiW9LgUp_f8/s320/picture-774755.jpg" /></a></p>Day 2................ Entering Glaisdale.<br />After an early start, heavy going with plenty of ups and downs. A couple of nav errors due to small scale map, little signage, not calibrating my gps and me being a numpty. These errors are dispropotionally magnified by the weight ...... note to myself. Good Progress till noon when the heavens opened which put me in my bothy bag ( emergency shelter- which i thankfully threw in at the last minute ). I felt the reality hand brake slip as i spent 7 mind numbing hours with a chinese water torture pitter patter relentlessly drumming around me, untill the forecasted break at 7pm. More than a physical challenge!<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Sjv5xL8Lo-I/AAAAAAAAAHo/Avy71aR8or4/s1600-h/picture-748648.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349143605846713314" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Sjv5xL8Lo-I/AAAAAAAAAHo/Avy71aR8or4/s320/picture-748648.jpg" /></a></p>Day 3 ..... Castaway-the descent into madness!<br />My new freind says hello and has told me that he would like it if people would stop shooting at me. Yes believe it or not, whilst sheltering last evening for a few minutes, i was a victim of a drive bye shooting! A car drove by some way off, stopped and two shots were fired from a high powered air riffle, as if life isnt hard enough! Good going the other side of the lion inn on old railway, never liked level ground so much! Broke my own rule about always carrying water, ending up dehydrated, thinking about eating raw fishies and grovelling round puddles like some gollum creature.<br />On course for twelve day finnish albeit through grit and determination, whos idea was this?<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Sj04Z55x3SI/AAAAAAAAAHw/eJDy8Cn_tY8/s1600-h/picture-719418.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349493950077066530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Sj04Z55x3SI/AAAAAAAAAHw/eJDy8Cn_tY8/s320/picture-719418.jpg" /></a></p>Day 4 .... Last of the hills for a bit.<br />Awoke today with the sun pouring through the tent and into my bones which flowed to my brain, forming a little pool of enthusiasm. Whilst finnishing off the hills in the morning, guess who i bumped into on his bike, only chris the barman of the Bay hotel in RHB! Nice to see you chris but you took me back to the night before i left with a pint of guinness in my hand. Ill be after a freebie, next time i see you for the torment you put me through. ;-) Entered african bushman mode across the monotanous see of flatness as unsure of water flowing thru farmers fields. Camped under a squirrels drey who was heard to say on the way to bed, your nutkin mad mate! squirrels dont sit on the fence in yorkshire!<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkEhsCh8onI/AAAAAAAAAH4/50s-6PO432g/s1600-h/picture-748088.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350594872770077298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkEhsCh8onI/AAAAAAAAAH4/50s-6PO432g/s320/picture-748088.jpg" /></a></p>Day 5 ...... Gollum, Gandalf, now Frodo.<br />Starting the day well, hydrated and refreshed even enjoying walking up lovely Swaledale in the sun carrying 5 litres of water as there were lead mines ahead. However the relentless uphill took its toll, Passing one mine working after another there was a Tolkienesque Moria look about the place and I became Frodo for the day, feeling the weight of my burden greater as moved closer to Keld my quest. I was tempted to go through the moumtain rather than up it but im afraid of the nasty little orc'sies, so i didnt. Hitting a new low as i spent 45 minutes killing midges in the tent i was boosted by the fact i had acheived the 96 mile half way point. mentally, the top of the hill for me.<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkXPl_yYHkI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/g-CkeBlF1XQ/s1600-h/picture-711243.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351911983884541506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkXPl_yYHkI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/g-CkeBlF1XQ/s320/picture-711243.jpg" /></a></p>Day 6 .... Nine rings, riders and standards.<br />Walking through keld, the half way village, i met a chap called steve G. Who told me had completed 15 C2C's, some record in itself and said, if i was to complete my exploit it would be an impressive acheivement, cheers steve you renewed the faith. Some half way stats - Money spent since leaving RHB - £0.00., water from natural sources - 100%, public buildings entered or any other - none, help received - none.<br />The walk up to the nine standards rigg was a peat boq nightmare and the summit reached in swathes of mist, adding to the mystery of these monumemts, more LOTR analagies here, sorry! The plod dowm to kirby stephen was easy but again i struggled up the high street with all its forbidden pleasures and onward to another late midgy camp.<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkE1Y9efC0I/AAAAAAAAAIA/etpYBdbD3J0/s1600-h/picture-791088.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350616535228418882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkE1Y9efC0I/AAAAAAAAAIA/etpYBdbD3J0/s320/picture-791088.jpg" /></a></p>Day 7 ......... Fizz, bubble and squeek!<br />Are you getting confused yet? I am!<br />Up to now this blog has been a day behind for security reasons but i am getting confused and no signal half the time doesnt help. So here we are on the 23rd of june and you are live and i am half dead!<br />I spent most of last night in agony, my stomach is not well, not off but with wind, i know dont laugh but im in bits. Ive realised that ive become closer to nature than i thought and am in close contact with this planets long term carbon cycle. In short co2 reacts in the upper atmoshere and forms a mild sulphuric acid which in turn causes acid rain. The rain falling on limestone dissolves it and becomes and alkali in the form of calcium carbonate which washes to the sea and is used to by sea creatures to make shells, which die and over time become limestone and over we go again. Bored yet. Well heres where i fit in, ive been drinking water loaded with carbon so acid in my body is making co2 causing no end of pain. The acid in the fruit tea and iso powder causes the water to fizz. So i thought lay off that but no, acid is the answer, bringing the co2 out of solution, hence the squeek!<br />Anyway lovely walking today and not 1 East'er seen all day. The only person ive seen was Harold, a former Belfast, now local man who was a fountain of knowledge and just like me he fizzed, popped and overflowed with information for the best part of an hour. God bless you harold you livened up my day!<br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkNaupVMP1I/AAAAAAAAAII/9C5WB74yBNI/s1600-h/picture-722939.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351220539661500242" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SkNaupVMP1I/AAAAAAAAAII/9C5WB74yBNI/s320/picture-722939.jpg" /></a></p>Day 8 ................The garden of Eden.<br />Last night was another stop before you drop, no water, little food. Today felt not bad, m6 crossing a milestone. The route from shap and along haweswater was sensorary overload, fresh clean water gushing everywhere! I will never forget the joyful pleasure having water around me as if for the first time, magic! Nice to talk to the last of the summer wine crew - jeff, malc and kieth, who were lunching with coffee and wine and beer after, an approach i will be adopting next! Met also dave, out on a 3 day wild camp, a fellow West'er of 20 years ago, good to see ya there dave and west is best!<br />A hard but enjoyable day in the hills. <blockquote></blockquote><br /><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SlJp9Ij_VjI/AAAAAAAAAVI/iK5k6mhZfHk/s1600-h/picture-760021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355459405888312882" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SlJp9Ij_VjI/AAAAAAAAAVI/iK5k6mhZfHk/s320/picture-760021.jpg" /></a></p>Day 10 .............. Helm Crag map flap<br />Setting off from above Patterdale in early sun put me on route and lunch half way up helm crag, near Grasmere. From here to the top i made the school boy error of losing my map, oh dear two and a half days to go and no map. All is not lost i have my Gps and i downloaded all the maps to my phone, so hope for sun cus im gonna need the juice!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-33450218345916299052009-05-24T14:45:00.000-07:002009-07-04T04:59:16.904-07:00Notes on wild campingIf you decide to wild camp in England or Wales, generally you will be breaking the law. I do not condone anyone doing this but you have the right to make this choice for yourself. If you choose this then please act responsible and follow some common sense guide lines . Here's what I've found on the subject from different sources.<br /><br />Wild camping in England and Wales is generally only legal with the prior permission of the landowner, but a polite request is unlikely to be turned down in most cases. However, it is generally recognised that making such a request is not always practical, particularly in more remote areas, and wild campers tend to be tolerated if they are out of sight, far from any livestock, do not build open fires, are not in large groups, respect their environment, stay for one night only, and follow the wild camper's mantra: "pitch late, leave early." If you follow these guidelines, the worst that is likely to happen is that a (possibly irate) landowner will ask you to move on. You should also avoid high fire risk areas, such as the North York Moors, where your presence (particularly in summer) is unlikely to be appreciated by the fire services.<br /><br />Lake district National Park: In the past, camping has often been tolerated as long as people:<br />camp above the highest fell wall, well away from towns and villages<br />leave no litter - this includes not burying any litter and removing other people's<br />don't light any fires, even if there is evidence that fires might have been lit<br />stay for only one night<br />keep groups very small - only one or two tents<br />camp as unobtrusively as possible with inconspicuous tents which blend in<br />leave the campsite as you would want to find it<br />carry out everything you carried in<br />carry out tampons and sanitary towels. Burying them doesn't work as animals dig them up again<br />choose a dry pitch rather than digging drainage ditches around a tent or moving boulders<br />perform toilet duties at least 30 metres - 100 feet - from water and bury the results with a trowel<br />at all times, help protect the environment<br /><br />Keep groups small, Camp as unobtrusively as possible - Leave camp as you found it - Remove all litter (even other people's) - Carry out everything you carried in - Carry out tampons and sanitary towels (burying them doesn't work as animals dig them up again) - Choose a dry pitch rather than digging drainage ditches around a tent or moving boulders - Toilet duties should be performed 30m (100ft) from water and the results buried using a trowel - At all time, help preserve the environment and if you are in any doubt about what you're doing, find out more.<br /><br />Arrive Late, Leave Early - Avoid Agricultural land - Stay out of sight - Leave no Trace - No Open Fires - Do not wild camp on the North York Moors (fire risk)<br /><br />Access rights extend to wild camping. This type of camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place. You can camp in this way wherever access rights apply but help to avoid causing problems for local people and land managers by not camping in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals and by keeping well away from buildings, roads or historic structures. Take extra care to avoid disturbing deer stalking or grouse shooting. If you wish to camp close to a house or building, seek the owner’s permission. Leave no trace by: taking away all your litter - removing all traces of your tent pitch - not causing any pollution.<br /><br />Ramblers Association says of England and Wales: "In England and Wales you have no general right to camp and if you do so you may be trespassing, unless you use an official site or first obtain the landowner’s permission. In practice responsible “wild” camping may be tolerated in upland areas, particularly when you are a long way from alternative accommodation, though strictly speaking you are still trespassing and could be moved on. Some upland areas have particular sites where camping is informally tolerated. The best approach is to enquire locally or contact information sources such as national park authorities in advance.<br /><br />Wherever you pitch, the landowners or their representatives have the legal right to order you to de-pitch and move on, and you must comply!<br /><br />Ive summarised most of the points above into an easy to remember Mantra:<br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>W</strong></span>.aste out<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>I</strong></span>.ndividual nights<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>L</strong></span>.eave as found<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>D</strong></span>.efacate 30M from water and bury<br /><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>C</strong></span>.amp unobtrusively<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>A</strong></span>.rrive late<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>M</strong></span>.ove early<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>P</strong></span>.ollute nothing<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>I</strong></span>.ndoubt ask<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>N</strong></span>.o fires<br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;"><strong>G</strong></span>.roups smallUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-40888883772516912452009-05-23T09:07:00.000-07:002009-07-04T05:01:35.801-07:00Ethics<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Skjnv8OnbNI/AAAAAAAAAIw/NUFf_g-LVwE/s1600-h/Waste+(1+of+1).jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352782967937133778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Skjnv8OnbNI/AAAAAAAAAIw/NUFf_g-LVwE/s400/Waste+(1+of+1).jpg" /></a> 1.97kg of packaging and waste was collected and packed out at the end of the trip. Absolutely no waste was left behind, tea bags and coffee bags were collected, opened and the contents dispersed over a large area at the time of use. One toilet roll and twelve wet wipes were used and buried in deep holes, over the entire trip, all other wet wipes and tissue being packed out.<br /><div>Codes of conduct were adhered to ie. countryside code and the informal wild camping code, which is outlined <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/06/notes-on-wild-camping.html">here</a>. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-62950692319861963152009-05-22T04:27:00.000-07:002009-06-29T11:06:19.971-07:00Statistics<ul><li>Route: Robin Hood's Bay to St. Bee's</li><li>Distance: 192 miles </li><li>Time taken: 12 days 9 hours </li><li>Starting weight carried: 28kg </li><li>Finishing weight carried: 17.6kg </li><li>Food weight uneaten and carried out: 1.43kg </li><li>Water from natural sources: 100% </li><li>Money spent: £0.00 </li><li>Buildings entered: none </li><li>Support received: none </li><li>Waste packed out: 1.97kg </li><li>Waste left: 1 toilet roll and 12 wet wipes over the 192 miles </li><li>Fuel used: 314 grams of gas </li><li>Items lost: 1 hat, 1 map, 1 towel, 1 mini tripod</li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-70166889284158527752009-05-21T10:14:00.000-07:002009-06-30T10:17:03.738-07:00Initial reactions on arriving homeLooking back from the other side of this self-imposed challenge leaves me with the satisfaction that I have achieved an incredible journey of freedom of movement that is very rare in this day and age. Constraints such as time and place were reduced down to two, water and miles. To complete in 12 days I had to walk 16 miles, on average, every day and I needed water to live. Easy I thought, sitting at home fully fit, hydrated and fed, not so easy in reality.The importance of water I underestimated, having it, saw me continue happily safe and able to enjoy the journey, not having it consumed my thoughts, like some hooked junkie in search of his next fix. Sometimes I overcompensated and carried too much, which made me tired, sometimes not enough, which made me tired, overall, I was tired most of the time. Dehydration has a big effect on human physical and mental output, as is well known and with this I suffered, increasing the demands on my body and requiring a strong will to overcome. It's effects on appetite I also overlooked, less able to process food in this state, especially dry foods, energy levels decreased, compounding my situation.Why put yourself through this? An understandable question, I have long been fascinated with the psychology of survival from the great explorers, mountaineers and sailors throughout history who have weathered adversity, to those that just give up without a fight. Potentially pushing myself out of my comfort zone, albeit in a safe environment, was one reason for this trip and in this respect I succeeded and was pleased with my mettle.Navigating by following a GPS trail, allowed for the most part, a free flow of movement through the landscape that was quite surreal, in that it was constantly unfolding before me and I was eager for it and able to move through it with little fuss. I realise that this may be not every bodies cup of tea but I wanted that unexplored feeling, not the feeling of reading from an explorers book and I got that in buckets.I now feel assured that, using this system, I am able to go to the remotest places, for at least this length of time, preferably without the constriction of a daily mile count and be confident and comfortable, there-by achieving my desired goal.<br />Hi to everyone I met along the way and thanks for your encouragement.<br />The C2C is a very good walk and I would recommend it to anyone, combining physical challenge with diverse scenery, historic locations, friendly people and a quiz chase of navigation but if you want to enjoy it, don't do it my way!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-19229829753928384362009-05-21T03:18:00.000-07:002009-07-02T09:39:16.654-07:00Mission complete!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Skih0bE1ngI/AAAAAAAAAIg/VOXCSl3LKwk/s1600-h/The+end+(1+of+1).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352706079123152386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/Skih0bE1ngI/AAAAAAAAAIg/VOXCSl3LKwk/s320/The+end+(1+of+1).jpg" /></a><br />At 5.25pm on the 27th of June 2009, I dipped my toe and tossed my pebble, after taking 12 days 9 hours to complete the walk. Swollen blistered feet hobbled me agedly into sunny St. Bees to see all my goals achieved and finish what was for me a punishing physical, mental and surprisingly spiritual adventure.<br />Challenging to the end, after losing my map around Grasmere and a power shortage, hence no blog for the last two days, it can safely be said, i am not the same person who left the East coast over 12 days ago, hopefully a better one but certainly more self-enlightened, a couple of kilo's self-enlightened for a start!<br /><br />More when i get back but for now, some missed indulgencies to catch up on!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-83644164823838700502009-05-13T16:18:00.000-07:002009-07-02T09:45:48.964-07:00Departure Imminent!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjWSHCIFFkI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/oOTOPFsZ8A4/s1600-h/ready+(1+of+1).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347340782099830338" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_VfBEv1JnptY/SjWSHCIFFkI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/oOTOPFsZ8A4/s200/ready+(1+of+1).jpg" /></a>This trip is not about the route for me , albeit it's one I have wanted to do for some time, but more about the autonomy I can obtain using the ideas I have outlined in this blog. I shall not be trying break any records but conversely trying to achieved my predicted 12 day itinerary and if possible extend this time, if my rations allow for me to do this. Hopefully my plans and preparations have been enough to achieve a successful result but now its time to put theory into practice. I have decided to go East to West and this is for two reasons, firstly I have a habit of going against the flow and have a natural draw to the west. Secondly, because of the initial weight of my sack, by the time I get to the Lakes I should be much lighter, making life easier. I would like to thank all who have helped in my preparations including <a href="http://www.escape2.co.uk/LS/index.php">Escape2</a> who have been most supportive. I shall be sending daily blogs via my mobile, so look out to see how I'm getting on.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8964992698952662931.post-90343947304510793262009-05-12T01:48:00.000-07:002009-09-02T09:40:40.236-07:00Latest News2/9/09 <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged-ireland.blogspot.com/">Irish C2C</a> blog added to blog list<br />
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5/7/09 - <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Paul.G.Briscoe/Coast2CoastUnplugged02#">Gallery</a> tagged<br />
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4/7/09 - <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/05/sleeping-system.html">Shelter</a> & <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post.html">Stove</a> systems edited<br />
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2/7/09 - <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/06/hydration-system.html">Hydration system </a>& <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/06/electrical-system.html">Electrical System </a>edited<br />
- <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/07/equipment.html">Equipment </a>added<br />
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1/7/09 - <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/06/food-cooking-system.html">Food & cooking system </a>edited<br />
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30/6/09 - <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Paul.G.Briscoe/Coast2CoastUnplugged02#">Photo gallery </a>added.<br />
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29/6/09 - My <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/06/initial-reactions-on-arriving-home.html">initial reactions </a>on arriving home.<br />
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25/6/09 - <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/06/mission-complete.html">Mission complete!</a><br />
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13/6/09 - <a href="http://coast2coast-unplugged.blogspot.com/2009/06/departure-imminent.html">Departure imminent</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com