Status : Completed
Crossing Summary :
11/01/2013 W – E 10:08
01/02/2013 W – E 09:51
16/03/2013 W – E 10:14
06/04/2013 E – W 16:28
18/05/2013 W – E 09:30
22/06/2013 W – E 14:59
13/07/2013 E – W 10:55
04/08/2013 W – E 09:17
13/08/2013 E – W 16:10
05/10/2013 W – E 09:18
09/11/2013 W – E 09:44
01/12/2013 E – W 09:44
Well, one has to find ways of filling those long dreary weekends, so why not have a go at doing a Lyke Wake walk in every calendar month. After all, if one of the crossings is alone and unsupported, one can become a Doctor of Dolefulness in a year and be 80 % of the way to being a Past Master ( and 100 % of the way to being crazy ! ).
• The early features were the “interesting” crossings of Wheeldale beck in January and February – the water being fast flowing and well over the stepping stones …………and freezing. My strategy was to wade downstream of the stones using the stones as a “handrail” moving sideways gently like a crab ensuring that each foot is secure before moving on. It works well, but I would not recommend this approach on Health and Safety ground cos if one did get swept away, “it wouldn’t be good”. A similar wading incident happened in May, however, the water was much warmer and it didn’t require a blast up Simon Howe to warm up. ……………… still, the chilling has helped me reach those high vocal notes…………………. There are times that I wish that I was a whole load taller. On a more serious note, when the stones are under water, the safest way is to walk South along the Stape road, cross the bridge then aim towards Simon Howe.
• The chap who crossed with me in May has since emigrated to Switzerland……….. I seem to have that effect on people.
• The April, June and September crossings were assisting groups of various kinds – always spread one’s lunacies to others……………………….
• After all the appalling weather at the start of the year, the 1st December crossing was somewhat of an anti-climax with Spring like weather and conditions underfoot not bad at all. Met a man with large pack crossing West to East. Was amazed to find another person attempting a crossing on a Sunday in Winter – Sadly, I never heard whether he succeeded or not !………………… most likely sunk into one of the peat bogs…………………………..
Special thanks to my long suffering Julie who has been prepared to sit at the side of the road in freezing and anti-social conditions only to see a fleeting glimpse of a person who ungratefully gulped down refreshment before rapidly disappearing !
Will I repeat the crazy notion ?…………………….. rather unlikely……………………..