Day 7 Thursday Aug 22, The Crown & Mitre, Bampton Grange

Hiked 12 miles, 58 down, 134 to go

We knew today would be a very long day. It had 4400 ft. of elevation gain and loss. We left the Lake District via a pass on a peak called Kidsty Pike which is the high point of the original Coast 2 Coast Trail at 2572 ft. The weather was spectacular, the views were breathtaking, and the trail was tough. According to my GPS we hiked 14.2 miles today. The trail at the top is called High Street.

A local hiker said the Romans had chariot races up there. I actually find that hard to believe since I descended on all "fives" part of the way down since it was so steep. After we finally made it over the pass we dropped way down to a huge reservoir called Haweswater. But the 3.5 mile hike around it was discouraging as we had to climb up over rock outcroppimgs and by then it was very sunny and hot. Our guide book says, " Be prepared to feel very tired indeed at the end of this day." It is "enough to curse the very name of Wainwright." Today had the biggest descent on the entire trail. I don't know if going up or coming down was worse. I know I dragged myself the last mile to our B&B. A hot shower and good food are reviving me and a good sleep tonight will prepare Kathy and me for our hike tomorrow which is fairly flat.

We are so thankful that we hiked this section after a layover day and on a day with no rain. We met hikers on the trail that had hiked yesterday and they said the conditions were horrible. It sounded as bad as our 2nd hiking day. We would prefer not to repeat a day like that. Even though it was a tough day we are thankful for the good weather, the beauty we saw, that we stayed up-right all day, and also that we arrived safely at our B&B. All guide books say the hike in the Lake District is the hardest on the entire trail. Now that we have finished the hardest part we are hoping for more relaxed hiking days. There will be long hiking days but at least the high passes are fewer. Tomorrow is a 14 mile day but no passes. Yea! - Nancy