102 west

[Full Moon Addict]

I completed a rather unusual route on saturday - a line due west along northing 102 from shap wells through to a point near cleator moor. I allowed myself a deviation of 200m either side of the northing but apart from that it was due west all the way, except for a detour near grasmere where I would have had to climb many walls and caused a nuisance to the local farmers. I'll write it up, but it was tough! As you may imagine a straight line on a map is not the most logical route and crosses rough country, replete with mind-numbing ascents and brutal descents and lots of unstable scree and tussocks. Maybe one for Yiannis?

I suffered in the heat and limped to the end with traumatized feet, but it made an interesting journey through the Lakes of around 41 very tough, pathless miles (allowing for the twists and turns) and 19500 feet. One for the connoisseur.

[ydt]

John, an interesting idea. Did it involve lots of trespassing? Yiannis

[superflyguy]

an absolute inspiration!

[sw04]

I like the concept. I came across a similar challenge someone has done on the 5 degrees West line of longitude - which took him 30 days to walk. I like the thought of having a go at it fast-and-light style but the remoteness of the line may force a slow-and-loaded approach to be taken.

http://www.5degreeswest.co.uk/

Colin

[Full Moon Addict]

John, an interesting idea. Did it involve lots of trespassing? Yiannis

no - no trespassing as i went round the only bit where I would have to trespass near grasmere (a detour of about 1 km). if you look at the map its the longest route that you could possibly take in an east west or south north direction through the lakes. it doesn't take in many summits but gets near quite a few. the ground from below kirkstone to red pike is pretty unrelenting though with an especially 'unusual' section from around and over gable and kirkfell.

[Splatcher]

That sounds like a cracking idea. I'll put it on my "to do" list! Excellent effort given the conditions too.

[Full Moon Addict]

i've now updated my blog with an account and photos - hope it doesn't put you off!: http://longdistancechallenges.blogsp...-may-2012.html