Account of the Lyke Wake Walk crossing on the 7th July
Beginning at 1:07 am I set out from the west stone by Osmotherly in the dark, following the Cleveland way through the night and up into the tops of the moors where there was a constant fog. I found it better to have lights off for this section as on the tops of the moors the white stone path shone out against the black of the moor.
I kept a steady pace climbing all three hills coming upon the impressive rock formations just as light was starting to arrive. I then walked without break until I came upon the Lion Inn where I was met with bacon and drinks, not from the bar as that was sadly closed, but from my dad who completed the walk with me last year.
I then walked with him for a mile or two where he turned back and I got lost trying to find the path. Once I found it I got lost again when it faded away in the valley by the long grass only to spot the marker stones on the horizon.
I followed them over the moors sticking to the trench I am debating calling the “bone road” or “ash road”. Due to the white rocks on black soil. The rest of the trip was largely uneventful, I listened to my audiobooks and waved my stick around only taking a couple 20 minute breaks throughout.
I reached Fylingdales and still could not find the military road’s start so I trudged up the bog path. Eventually however I got onto it and once I reached the concrete road I jogged the rest of the way to Ravenscar radio mast for a time of 17 hours 31 minutes.
One thing to note is that my good experience was caused by my lack of gear. I had only a 3L water pack and a waist pouch with first aid kit attached, and os course a wooden walking stick I found on trail. Thus I could travel fast and light.
Overall pleasant if hot, would walk again