Thanks for the good wishes everyone, sadly it didn't quite go to plan but I had a good time. I reckon doing it solo makes it difficult! I didn't talk to anyone until last night so spent a long time talking to myself, and only having two pairs of socks in wet conditions was perhaps not the best plan. Much more sensible with a bit of support!
I'll write a full thing up with pictures on the blog sometime, but for now:
Day 1: Kirk Yetholm to Greenhead (~63 miles)
- 5am start, 10:30 finish, weather pretty good but very wet underfoot, follow border for a while then south into Northumberland. Lots more midges in Scotland! Disaster finding place to stay (first campsite non-existent, second campsite closed, youth hostel full), ended up in bunkbarn at half 11.
Day 2: Greenhead to Low Force (~57 miles)
- 4:30 start, 11pm finish. Feet a mess, still very wet underfoot (a few bog monster incidents), strong climb up Cross Fell but downhills starting to hurt. Nice run through Teesdale, Cow Green area in the evening. Wet and cold overnight. Shin starting to hurt by evening.
Day 3: Low Force to Horton (~60 miles)
- 3am start, 10:30 finish. Wet all day, 3 mins emergency sleep under A66 underpass, into the Dales, very tempting to warm up by fire at Tan Hill after crisps and chocolate! Good climb up Gt. Shunner, slow descent. Long boring tracks last 8 miles. Shin painful and feet a right mess by the end.
Day 4: Horton to... Horton
- 90 miles to go, planning 50 mile (Colden) and 40 mile days. Set off this morning 6am, up Pen-y-Ghent. Wet. Took far too long for 3 miles, can climb fairly well but any descent now really painful, need to have right food sideways! Don't have time to finish at this speed so decided to call it a day... Back to Horton
Having been on the route I definately agree that Mike Hartley's record (2 days 17 is it?) is incredible!