DAY TEN-IT’S ALL GOING UP!

 DAY TEN - SHAP TO PATTERDALE (LAKE DISTRICT)

Today and for the next few days we are in the Lake District, one of the most beautiful regions of the British Isles. We had another long day ahead of us and we needed to save enough energy this afternoon to climb Kidsty Pike, the highest elevation along the Coast to Coast at around 2500 feet.  The morning started with a steady rain as we navigated our way out of Shap, past Shap Abbey, across several farmers fields and finally along Haweswater Beck until we reached the village of Burnbanks.  After stopping for a quick bite to eat and gear change, we headed up and along the banks of the Haweswater Reservoir, a huge body of water that you will see in many pictures below.  It is one of the main sources of water for the city of Manchester.  Nearly 2 hours it took to hike the entire length of the Reservoir which brought us to the base of the trail up to Kidsty Pike.  And now….hiking straight up another 1500 feet of steep trails, often scrambling over rocks to reach the summit.  Spectacular panoramic views of the Pennines and Lake District from all directions.  We had lunch here and chatted with other hikers before starting our trek down the other side to Patterdale, our destination for tonight.  It was a long day as we finally reached our accommodations, Old Waterview Inn at 6:00.  Pints, ciders and G&T’s for recovery, then a rather basic dinner and off to bed.  Stats for today; 17 miles, 3800 feet total ascent and 46,000 steps.

Best breakfast yet at our B&B



The ruins of Shap Abbey, our first milestone in the morning.

Heather and Shelagh, finally on top of Kidsty Pike, the highest point on the Coast to Coast hike.


Heather, part way up to Kidsty Pike with Haweswater Reservoir in the background










Red Squirrel at our Inn for the night
More pics from Kidsty Pike


Packhorse Bridge, still early in the day
Kidsty Pike in the distance




Selfie halfway up to Kidsty Pike

Finally coming into the village of Patterdale



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