The New Lyke Wake Club

Crossing 05th April 2021

Ready for the orf’

Just a quick report on our latest crossing. As a family we’ve always had a love of the Lyke Wake Walk and my nephew is no exception. He’s done it twice himself in the past, the first time was as a young lad with my Dad (his Grandad) some years ago now. His Grandad completed it many years ago in under in 10 hours so it’s almost become a family challenge to get across in under the 10 hours. I did it last year in around 9 hours 40 so my nephew thought it was time he had a go and with it being almost a year to the day that my brother passed away after losing his fight against Covid we couldn’t think of a better way to mark the sad day than our own personal wake.

So the day was set and preparations began. Support would be minimal due to Covid restrictions but thanks to my Sister and Fiance we had all we needed. We decided on an 8 am start from Cod beck and to cross West to East



So with out little dog in tow we headed off straight up to Scarf Wood Moor to join the Cleveland Way. I know a lot of crossings start along the road to the cattle grid but taking in Scarf Wood Moor up towards Beacon hill is another family tradition that couldn’t be ignored.

We set off at a steady pace on what had turned out be a sunny, but cold morning, with a slight dusting of snow.

LWW a cold Day

The miles passed and we crossed the Cleveland Hills meeting our support at the top of Clay Bank. After a very short stop and dropping the dog off, we set off again to climb Carr Ridge up towards Round Hill and then onto Bloworth Crossing. The predicted weather hadn’t really arrived and the sun continued to shine, albeit the wind was getting stronger, but thankfully in the right direction. The next section along the old railway line to the Lion Inn passed quickly enough and we turned up the Castleton Road into a strong head wind, before meeting our support again at White Cross for a pot noddle the food of champions.

I always find the next section interesting especially in wet weather but today it was glorious. Whilst boggy in places, with the unavoidable calf deep standing water we made good progress across as most of the section was holding our weight. We met our support again very briefly at Shunner Howe and continued across to White Moor and passing Blue Man-i’th-Moss on thought the Raven Stones as we crossed Wheeldale Moor.

Blue Man

Following Wheeldale we made good progress up Howl Moor to Simon Howe but by now tired legs were setting in, but we crested the top none the less and pushed onto our next support point at Ellerbeck Bridge.

Blue Man

Following another pot noodle and hitching the dog up again we were off in a matter of minutes to start the long drag to Lilla Howe. This was a tough section, with boggy paths which had been churned up by motorbikes so the going was tough.

Dan at Lilla

Graham and Friend at Lilla ……………

Arriving at the Cross on Lilla Howe the end was now definitely in sight but the wind had turned and the sky’s were darkening with snow clouds on the horizon. But we pushed on and apart from a slight flurry at Jugger Howe the weather once again held as we crossed the Scarborough Road. Up the final climb into what was a now headwind and we had made it home in 9 hours 10 mins.

The End

Stats

So another crossing done and already thinking of the next one.

Best Regards

Graham N