14.6 miles and a 2000 foot vertical gain--Killer Day

After a difficult vertical climb over rough and rocky terrain, we were thrilled by the views.  In my typical klutz fashion, I fell in the mud, thus the black stain on my knee. 

Bill, a retiree from the local nuclear power plant, walked with our group as sweep, the last in line to make sure no one fell behind. He and his wife had prepared hot tea for our lunch.

Today was TOUGH so the blog will be short. Our walk began easily enough as we hiked around Ennerdale Water to Ennerdale Bridge, made famous as the spot where William Jefferson Clinton proposed to Hillary Rodham. We were soon in the forest and finally had lunch at a youth hostel where our friends from the local community were waiting with pots of hot tea and sponge cake. Unfortunately there were no "facilities" and since the Sierra Club's motto is "leave not a trace," I was presented with a plastic trowel and told where there was a rock sufficient enough in heft to afford me some privacy. Folks, this was a first and one that makes me appreciate even more all the four and five star hotels I've had the privledge of staying in. But I digress.

After lunch we began the climb. Although the storm clouds threatened, rain stayed away and with encouragement and promises from our leader Aurora that amazing vistas lay ahead, we struggled to the top of Honister Pass. At the top we were awed by magnificent views of Pillar (2927 feet) and Great Gable (2949 feet) and in the far background we could even see the coast of Scotland.

The rocky path then lead down to Honister Quarry, one of the oldest slate mines still operating. We continued our descent into Borrowdale, where we were surrounded by forest and moss -covered boulders, a scene taken straight out of Tolkein's hobbit village. I expected fairies to hop from behind the rocks and tickle our noses and had it been closer to nightfall, they probably would have.

With sore feet, stiff muscles, and complaining backs, we were grateful to arrive at our accommodations for the night and enjoyed another gourmet meal prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

Tomorrow: Grasmere, famous for Wordsworth and gingerbread cookies! I can do this if the rewards are great enough.

Part of the "fairy forest"

This concrete bridge is where Bill proposed to Hillary. No wonder she said yes. The scenery is beautiful in all directions!