Wainwright01 – Exposing The World

Exposing The World

UK: Wainwright Day 1 – s St Bees to Ennerdale

Full English Breakfast

R: This classic fare was our calorific start for each day. This first day took us from Fairladies, over Dent Fell at the beginning of the Lake District, and then up a bucolic valley to the town of Ennerdale.

Pick a stone

After assembling at the Albert Hotel near the railway station, we pass by the beach where we each pick up a small stone. By tradition this is thrown into the North Sea at the end of the hike.

A final look back on the town as we track north along the Irish Sea coast.

Black guillemots nest by the thousands along the cliff, while seagulls cruise by, hoping to steal their eggs.

KIssing gates vary a lot in size; some of them are difficult to negotiate with a pack on.

St Bees Light, as we approach the westernmost point on the Head.

We turn inland

After St Bees Head, we move away from the coast and head east toward the Lake District.

A cast iron directional sign

The village of Moore Row

The brilliant yellow tells us it's a canola field

These Canadian larches originally planted for mine timbers will have to be cut down because they harbor phythophthora fungus, which can infect other trees and bushes in the area. They will be replaced with native deciduous trees.

.Climbing Dent Fell, our first big glacial hill of the Lake District

Lunch atop Dent Fell

Down the other side into Nannycatch Valley

Up the valley toward Ennerdale

Ennerdale

The proprietors at Thorntrees B & B prepare tea for us. This is where we will spend our first night.

Bottom: Time to get ready for hearty dinner and ale at the Shepherd’s Arms pub

Tea to unwind after our first day