C2C Day 3: At the Top...

Stage 3: Rosthwaite to Grasmere

Technically we weren’t really at the top as we were now in a col (another term for the saddle between two peaks) and would still have to climb some more, but the views were fantastic.

And, of course, we had to take lots of photos.

We finally used the small tripod that Jimmy had been carrying around to get a group shot. This route was so rural that we didn’t see many other hikers. In fact, we often went hours on most days without seeing another hiker.

C2C Day 3: Water, Water Everywhere...

Stage 3: Rosthwaite to Grasmere

Just can’t resist posting lots of photos of the incredible waterfalls.

It should have been no surprise that we would eventually have to climb up above all those waterfalls. 

Little did we know that we would have to do a hand-scramble up this rock face (somehow our C2C Bible failed to mention this, but I guess that means I didn’t have to stress about it for long). I was scared, but Jimmy and Kent managed to talk me through it.

C2C Day 3: Incredible Waterfalls...

Stage 3: Rosthwaite to Grasmere

If I had thought there had been a lot of waterfalls on the previous day, in comparison there had been hardly any.

Looking back, I think that this stage had the best scenery.

Everywhere we looked there was water flowing down the hills.

Not a bad view from our lunch spot.

Once again, we had a lot of becks to cross. Luckily I managed to get across without ever falling in.

C2C Day 3: No Lack of Stones in the Lakes District...

Stage 3: Rosthwaite to Grasmere

After breakfast, we stopped by the TV room in order to get online as it was the only place in the hotel with WiFi...

...and we posed for a photo outside.

We were happy that it was dry. After a short walk, we turned off the main road and onto a path across this cool stone bridge.

There’s clearly no shortage of stones in the Lakes District as we saw plenty of stone walls.

These drystone walls are used as boundaries for farming and grazing lands, as they have been for centuries.

There were also a lot of stones in the many beck crossings that we encountered.

C2C Day 2: More and more hills...

Stage 2: Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite

I wasn't thrilled when I discovered that we had to take a series of rock stairs up the steep hill along Loft Beck. Luckily it wasn’t so steep that we needed to use our hands.

It seemed that Carlin and Kent were forever climbing ahead of us without ever reaching the top. What a relief when they finally waved from the top and then we eventually joined them.

It was still foggy, so we were thankful for the cairns pointing the way.

Eventually we came down a hill to Honister Slate Mine, but unfortunately we were too late for a tour.

A selfie of two drowned rats

Just past the slate mine, we followed a river down into the valley.

Not surprisingly, there were plenty of sheep in the valley. After walking 17.8 miles (28.7K), we finally made it to the Royal Oak Hotel; it had a very cute bar where we enjoyed a whisky, but otherwise was in much of a need of an update (we’ve since learned that it’s for sale). We were almost late for their strict dinner time. We had arranged to share a table with a 71-year-old retired Methodist preacher from Philadelphia and his son; the conversation was much better than the food. They ended up taking a taxi to the inn after abandoning the trail above the Black Sail. I know that hiking is not a competitive sport and that Garth was old enough to be my dad, but I was even more proud of myself after I heard that they’d turned back.

C2C Day 2: Into the Fog...

Stage 2: Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite

I was happy to finally be able to take my camera out to attempt to capture some of the beautiful surroundings covered in fog.

The path was very narrow and crossed a lot of becks.

The number of waterfalls around us was completely astounding.

C2C Day 2: The Black Sail...

Eventually we arrived at the Black Sail, England’s most remote youth hostel. In the fog, the building seemed to be guarded by what looked a couple of two-headed giant black cows. Just beyond them was the pot of gold: a bathroom! Not only was it unlocked, but it had toilet paper, soap and paper towels. Carlin and I were ecstatic. Not only were pubs a rare sight on the C2C, but so were toilets (at least for us girls).

As it was still raining, my camera was still staying dry in my backpack, but luckily Carlin took some photos.

We joined some other wayward hikers for a chat in the main room of the hostel. There were no staff members around, but there was a note that all hikers were welcome to warm up, which was much appreciated. While inside, Mother Nature finished up with the rain, so it was dry when we walked back outside.