Today’s hike from Ennerdale Bridge to Stonethwaite was quite the hike. First we went by (Lake District National Park) and it was rock after rock after rock. The path got rockier and rockier. We even ended up scooting down a particularly precarious section. The entire time I was thinking, “I’m stupid. I’m going to kill my injured calf self.” :D Brian, Jr. announced, I can’t imagine anyone shorter than me doing this. Ummmm. That’s me! The Lake District Park section was absolutely beautiful, a little terrifying at times, and absolutely beautiful. It went on at least three miles and we crawled along like snails. It was so rocky at times, I felt like we were maintaining a one mile per hour pace across the park on the side of the lake. It was a big lake and beautiful. Eventually, we made it to the other end.

Once we finished the lake section, we got a little lost, crossed rock after rock, and then ended up at a Youth hostel. We continued this steady climb up hill – not totally steep – but just a constant grind for quite a while.

We finally ended up at another youth hostel at the bottom of a steep hillside. Up we headed. It went on for at least a half a mile to a mile at a very steep incline. Between going by the lakeside cliffs and up this incline – I was not feeling wonderful about it. :D I think those were the two places where I thought “If my calf cramps up or gets a tear, I’m going to scream in agony – take one misstep – and end up at the bottom of this rocky formation with a smashed head. Those are the type of thoughts I was having today because it seemed pretty precarious to me.

We finally scaled the summit, with me feeling quite pukish and started going downhill. Guess what was downhill the entire way? Rocks, rocks and more rocks. Our feet ached badly! I slipped one time and totally bruised my hip on a rock. Purple. ☺ So after we went several miles down rock after rock slipping and sliding, we finally hit more of a gravel path (still very hard underfoot) and went on another I don’t know how many miles until we trudged into Stonethwaite.. Holy Hell. This walk is making me think that anytime I think we are at the end of our walk, to at least add three more.

We’re having fun. :D The scenery is beautiful when I’m looking up at it and not watching where I’m stepping next.

I’ll upload photos from this day as soon as I can given the very sketchy Internet connections.

Injuries today:

Blisters – at least five.
A raw spot under my arm where it was rubbing against my shirt.
Another raw spot on my boob, where my arm was rubbing against it.
Sunburn.
Tender spots on my hands from the trekking polls.

I think that’s it.


Dinner was absolutely delicious at the Langstraith. Beyond delicious. I had a salad, lasagna and some wine. Slurp.

Another steep incine tomorrow. :o