August 1, 2023 11:13 am
Published by Richard Jennings
One man laced his boots and stepped onto a path that had never fully been walked. This is the story of that first journey — one of discovery, solitude, and deep connection to the land. A walk that turned a route into a legacy. Introduction“I happened to come across this walk purely by accident, but within minutes of reading all the information provided I was “hooked”. There was no way that I was not going to take on what I perceived to be a wonderful challenge in Lakeland. After a number of e-mails and telephone conversations with Richard, the walk devisor, it became apparent that I might just be the first person to take on and complete the walk in a continuous loop. Not wanting to miss the chance of “being that person”, on Saturday 22nd July, I began what I hoped would be a superb adventure. Why don’t you come along with me and find out how it went? Oh, you might just want to bring a coat!” Saturday 22nd July 2023Day 1Ravenglass to Wasdale Head – 14.5 miles “Leaving Ravenglass station at 1:00pm, the first few miles to Boot are relatively flat through woodland tracks. It left me feeling a bit complacent and I even stopped for a coffee break at Dalesgarth station. It was here that the rain decided that it should join me on my walk. Leaving Boot and crossing Eskdale Moor, any complacency you may have felt is suddenly shaken from you, and you’re reminded that you need to respect the fells and hills as they can be wild and unforgiving. Eskdale Moor was very challenging, with lots of rainwater coming off the tops and you certainly had to keep your wits about you trying to cross the becks. Some parts of the path were like streams and circumnavigating the end of Burnmooor Tarn was fun; even the duck board was underwater. Worse was still to come though crossing the stream near the campsite in Down-in-the-Dale, as there was no choice but to go straight through with water at calf height. I arrived at Wasdale Head very wet at around 6pm. I set up my tent in the small field opposite the pub; you have to book in at the pub first and pay a very reasonable £6, and they give you a tag to tie onto your tent along with the code for the...
June 1, 2023 7:08 pm
Published by Richard Jennings
For as long as I can remember I always wanted to develop a long-distance walk, either a long linear route along the gritstone edges and the steep-sided limestone valleys of the Peak District, or a circular route traversing the Cumbrian Mountains of the Lake District. It was in those early years of walking in my back garden, the Dark Peak, that I first became acquainted with OS maps, and realised the joy of joining the popular routes and creating longer days out in the countryside. This was very rewarding for me, mentally and physically. From an early age, I was very creative and full of imagination, which is probably the reason why I was good at Art in my school years, and had a successful career as a cabinet maker. However, it wasn’t until I was well into my 30’s that I truly embraced walking and found a way of escaping life’s dilemmas. Although exploring the hills and escarpments of the Peak District was the beginning of a new pastime for me, and one that would eventually take over my life, it would be a lovely calm September day in 2009 that completely changed my life forever. I skipped off the train at Ravenglass donning a new waterproof jacket, walking boots and a rucksack, and headed for the youth hostel in the valley of Wasdale. This was the Lake District, a whole new landscape for me to explore and stories to discover. While descending from Irton Fell, I looked ahead and witnessed something quite breathtaking. A patchwork of greens dominated the valley floor, but my eyes were soon drawn towards a long expanse of blue surrounded by shielding giants. Yewbarrow, with the appearance of the arched back of a diving whale, receives most attention across Wast Water, while a vigilant Great Gable, seated at the head of this amphitheatre like a Cumbrian king on his throne, invites you to enter its secret kingdom. This is Lakeland, and I am amongst new friends. The next morning I headed back to Ravenglass by following the course of the River Irt, and taking with me an overwhelming sense of spiritual and forward-thinking enlightenment. I wasn’t sad to be leaving, but instead I was already planning my next adventure. I returned to the Lake District the following year, in September 2010, to walk Alfred Wainwright’s Coast to Coast Path. To walk across the country...
