Coast to Coast Sept 2010 Day 3

Rushup Edge

Day 3 Rosthwaite to Grasmere 7miles 2000’ ascent


Weather warm and sunny



An easier day today. I’d practised this section before, from Rosthwaite to Patterdale in one go, and it proved a hard 15 miles. I’d already made the decision to break it up at Grasmere, if we could find an overnight camp. It seemed a shame to rush trough the Lakes, and I don’t think I’ve ever spent much time in Grasmere. So two easier days in store. Probably as well, because yesterday’s enthusiasm in the high hills had taken its toll on knees and feet! Couldn’t face my boots today, and opted for trainers.

Beautiful walk up alongside Stonethwaite Beck and Greenup Gill, with delightful views back to Borrowdale. You can’t help feeling quite sad that you’ll not be seeing these sights again. This is a one way journey, and you’re leaving Borrowdale behind. But not for long. Ian and I both like coming up here for a couple of nights, in the van, to do some walking. Round Eagle Crag and a little scramble up Lining Crag, over Greenup Edge and down to Easedale. With hindsight, and a better pair of boots, I wish we’d gone over Gibson Knott and Helm Crag (the Lion and the Lamb0 and would definitely do that next time. It looks like a more pleasant route than the direct scramble down Far Easedale.

We landed in Grasmere nice and early, and this was like Shangri-la for three reasons. Firstly I managed to get my feet measured and bought a new pair of Meindl, light-weight walking shoes in the sale for a bargain price of £45. Not being waterproof, they would have been risky, but lucky for me this was to be the driest 13days walking ever. Interesting that I had been wearing a pair of boots at least one whole size too small, so no wonder I was single-handedly supporting the blister plaster industry! Secondly, Ian managed to find a club site in a playing field in the centre of Grasmere. The Caravan Club were having a rally, which they do a couple of times a year, and we were so lucky to be able to stay. Ian returned later. They’re having another rally at Easter, so we’ll be back for that. Thirdly, a hotel/bar five minutes walk away were holding a beer festival, with 30odd guest beers! Wow- one guess where we ended up that afternoon and evening. BBQ outside by the van, in the evening sunshine. Later that night, standing in a beer test with a live, blue grass band playing and the prospect of more good weather to come. It doesn’t get much better than this! We’ve only been to the Lakes a few times this year and nearly every time has been great weather, but I never expected it to be this good.