5 Tips for Camping and Backpacking the Wainwrights Coast to Coast Walk in England

[@countertony]

Something that seems to be a respected part of American long-distance trails is the "zero day", (an ad hoc choice to just not strike camp for a day, whether it's to recover, or to avoid unpleasant weather over a difficult section, to do an unloaded day loop, or just to chill out and look around where you are). We don't have as long routes in Britain, of course, but there's a lot to be said (when your schedule is flexible) for knocking off for a day *if* it makes your journey more enjoyable overall.

[@cliffyhowe5233]

Great Vid... I've walked across the US and one thing I found that you mentioned is socks. I changed mine everyday and washed them when I could in the lakes and streams I passed along the way. Only had 2 blisters and that was first few weeks of the walk. Used Columbia walking shoes, not boots. Lighter and easier on the feet. Also, while I'm here, chafing, I used Udderly smooth body cream. If you can get it, get it, because its a brilliant cream to use long distance walking. There are so many trails here in the UK I want to walk cos once you do a trail no matter the size... you want to do more.....Cheers

[@Weferoz]

The Patterdale Post Office shop is run by such lovely people! I worked in the hostel in patterdale for 1 1/2 years! Love it.

[@maxflight777]

Your foot care tips are spot on ! Excellent advice Abbie. Thanks.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Glad you found the useful :)

[@worldcooking]

What was said is very interesting!

[@ellenlangford2209]

What terrific videos. This middle-aged trail-runner/hiker from Mississippi wants to get my pals to go over and enjoy one (some?) of these hikes. Thank you Abbie

[@bowiejudah1617]

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[@westinjesus1101]

@Bowie Judah instablaster ;)

[@bowiejudah1617]

@Westin Jesus I really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@bowiejudah1617]

@Westin Jesus it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thank you so much you saved my ass!

[@westinjesus1101]

@Bowie Judah no problem :)

[@russworrad]

Hey Abbie, I have just discovered your videos and am enjoying them very much. My wife and I are from Canada and just completed the Coast to Coast this past summer. Apparently we did it after you did, as we got the rain following the heat wave (started July 29). Too bad it would have been nice to meet you on the trail! We did it in 14 days which was a great pace. Keep up the good work as your videos are excellent! Blessings

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Nice one Russ! Sorry to miss you but hope you had a blast. Is a great route. Hope to see you out on another trail some time! Abbie

[@HJ-nh1wl]

Excellent video, Abbie! Did AW’s C2C ‘Back-in-the-Day’ in my youth: Backpacking (camping) in 1980 and again B&B in 1985 - still highly recommended! However, if you intend to tackle C2C - West to East: you must schedule at least 5+ miles per day walking about 2 months before you intend to take the challenge. It’s an unwritten rule ..... YOU MUST TAKE WITH YOU AW’s C2C GUIDE!

[@andyc3088]

When wild camping pack away all your kit you don't need or not using back into your rucksack and cover it with the rain cover. 1 it keeps your campsite tidy and 2 you don't lose items and with the rain cover on it stays dry if you can't keep it inside your tent. I also do this in campsites. I also follow your tips for your feet, remember 'look after your feet and they'll look after you'...i personally don't wear socks to sleep in, i believe by doing so allows the feet to 'breathe'...and make sure your boots fit collectedly this will also provide problems with your feet, i did LeJog this year without a single blister.

[@allwaysinquire6212]

Foot care tip get rid of the boots best thing i ever did! I use light trail running shoe without a waterproof liner( sealskin socks if its very wet) lighter feet breath better they dry faster cheaper and i dont speend my days stumbling along the trail. Next thing is slash your pack weight down to 6kg or less base weight then your almost at day walking weight. My wildcamping kit is under half the weight it use to be but my camp comfort has gone up ten fold.

[@jacobtaylor4258]

so what size pack would you recommend, i am looking at the kestrel 48,

[@DJOutdoors]

JACOB TAYLOR Osprey Exos 48

[@cherylstephenson3590]

Hi Abbie, thank you so much for your videos, you have really inspired me to do the Coast to Coast in 2023:) I'll be spending 2022 walking in my trail shoes, planning, planning and planning, and getting my equipment together ... hopefully, by that time we will have got to grips with Covid and I'll get to meet a lot of interesting people. Keep on trekking:)

[@effyleven]

What an intelligent young woman, with VERY good advice!

[@succubusstop]

Thanks Abbie.

[@johnpace5177]

Tip 5 is brilliant, take a guidebook and a good topographical map. I would further recommend taking a compass and know how to use it! Safe walking!

[@nigelmiller407]

Good tips on foot care some of which I use myself. I have walked many long distance footpaths throughout the UK including Wainwrights C/C. I use a different method of looking after my feet. I always make sure I use clean socks every day, next I use high absorbent none scented foot powder, rubbed on the feet and between toes then I put on a thin pair of liner socks followed by a pair of walking socks this minimises friction. I carry three pairs of each sock and alway make sure at any convenient stop to wash them then tie them to a strap on my backpack to dry. Like you I always carry a blister pack and if I ever do get a blister I aways pop them with a sterilised needle to stop them increasing in size.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Great stuff Nigel, thanks for sharing!

[@Yorkshiremadmick]

Well done Abbie. Great video excellent tips. Awesome 👏

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Thank you!

[@AndysEastCoastAdventures]

Good tips. I'm planning this trip solo for next spring. I'm already an avid wild camper & walking shouldn't be an issue as I'm a postie and have had plenty of hill walking experience too. One to look forward to after all this current crap.

[@Nobby77]

Loved that, thanks. Doing it in May.

[@alanwann9318]

I just done the weavers way norfolk. My tips ;l recomend KEEN sandels no socks no blisters no smelly feet.wild camp on the trail,constantly review what you carry and leave out unnessesary items.use a water filter( sawyers )and top up at passing streams.use cash machines on the way

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Great stuff!

[@assacoon]

Great tips. Thanks for this Abbie

[@abi2318]

Such great advice! Thanks for the feet tips :) and YES YES YES to wild camping :D

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Woohoo!!

[@angelakm6753]

Great video Abbie

[@anthonybaker2946]

Cool vid! Like some others just found your site. Over the past many may years I have done lots of LDWs (long distance walks) and on your points on looking after your feet, I always take nail clippers for the toe and finger nails and a small craft knife in case I have to sort out the corns (ouchie ouch ouch time) and hard skin when it gets a bit much. I also use the anti bacterial foot gel as well as letting the feet breathe as much as I can. Keep up the great vids! 👍👍👍 atb!!

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Thanks for this, great to hear how you look after your feet :)

[@NigelBaileyPhotography]

Great tips there. Subbed and Liked. I don’t tend to do the big hikes, but still useful for shorter hikes and wild camps.

[@davidwalker497]

Love your videos! Keep inspiring!

[@MyJazz66]

love the videos. this one especially.

[@esperoutdoors9421]

nice vid. thanks for sharing. looking forward to seeing how you get on doing the west highland way

[@johncritchley3644]

Love your videos, one comment , foot care . I Walked the pennine way in May/June this year and suffered from black toe from day 1. Later I discovered the importance of heel lock lacing....should be a no-brainer but I didn't know . If I had known I am sure that I wouldn't have suffered so much, especially on the down hills

[@jbradshaw4236]

Great video but! It's actually a criminal offence to walk this trail without a Wainwright guide.. ☺

[@YDX5224]

I’m just planning for the c2c now. incredibly excited about doing it in a months time. I’ve done the whw before but nothing this long so this is very useful. Thanks very much :)

[@simonhunt10]

Thanks Abbie, for me take cash is really important. I live in Hong Kong and when I went to the Lakes HSBC wouldn't give me cash at ATM! (even though I was using an HSBC card!). So this trip I'm going to take cash!

[@sdnalyam]

If you are continually getting hot spots you need to change your footwear and or socks.

[@thenorth-facewanderer6965]

What a great vid, well done

[@Adventures_with_Sog]

Great advice, thanks 🙂👍

[@angelakm6753]

Some good tips there Abbie :)

[@skaterdan4ever]

awesome video! great tips aswell :D love wild camping and hiking and aim to do more this year

[@richbuilds_com]

I'm setting off from St Bees in 2 weeks! Can't wait! :-)

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Enjoy!!

[@jeetts59]

Hi there, I’ve just found your channel, very interesting and educational. I’m in Australia but so love the walks in England.

[@MeggiesMovies]

HOLY MOLY does that cinnamon bun look good! Thank you for the video! I really want to try wild camping but not really sure of what I need to prepare differently vs. just being at a campsite

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

It WAS good! Do it! Not a lot really, just be on the case with ensuring you have enough water :) Enjoy!

[@MeggiesMovies]

Abbie Barnes | Song Thrush Productions here I am thinking I need to prepare for wild animals haha thanks for the tip

[@mikebradford2651]

Good tips Abbie!

[@tictachikes6156]

Great tips. Hoping to hike the Coast to Coast soon (got the A to Z, gotta get a guide!) and great to know an idea of trip length! Thanks!

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Enjoy it Meg!!

[@davejobling1998]

Hi Abbie, I have just discovered your channel a few days ago (Gritstone Edge vid). I have seen a few now and really like the quality and enthusiasm you put into them. I have been thinking about the C2C for sometime and this vid might have just tipped me into some serious planning for this year. I like the idea of backpacking which would allow me to bring my trusty hound on the adventure....however, sharing a tent with a wet dog does have it's downside!

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Wet dogs!!! Have fun with that!!

[@EHughes0658]

Hey Abbie. Second time I've watched this video now. I'll be heading off on the C2C 5th September and I will be walking for thirteen days and having a rest day in the middle (I decided on Reeth as Richmond would be too busy for me ;) ). Like you, I could do it in ten or even less days, but I want to enjoy it and take my time; why rush through beautiful countryside!? I will be wild camping in two or three spots, but generally I am booked in to most camp sites and in the back of the Lion Inn for a bargain £2.50! (I should add to others reading this that all the camp sites I contacted have been very quick in getting back to me). I am trying to budget cash though. I've watched your C2C video but may watch again to see how much you spent on pubs etc en route; I was kinda thinking £300 but now that may be excessive, but I guess I don't want to run out although cashpoints in Richmond. As far as guides go; I'll be using the A to Z 1:25 plus Cicerone book, I will likely carry the two Harvey 1:40s too as they give a good overview of the whole route. Anyway, I am super-excited to get on with this walk! Cheers Abbie :)

[@georgeclarke163]

As ever a great video. Abbie I am sure that you have read ‘Never Mind the Quantocks’ by Stuart Maconie and his section on wild camping!

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Never heard of it! I recommended read?

[@georgeclarke163]

Abbie Barnes | Song Thrush Productions Hi Abbie, If you have not found this book then it is a must read for you! Also the films by Terry Abraham on KZbin - ‘Life of a Mountain Scafell Pike’ and also Blencathra. Thank you for your inspiring videos!

[@TheDaflad]

Great vid, Would love to take the plunge and do a hike/walk camping experience, done a few overnight wild camps but never anything more than that.....maybe one day

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Do it!!

[@jhankri]

Oh. Just found the reviews. Thanks.

[@Whisky_Four-Three]

Hi Abbie great advice 👍

[@diedertspijkerboer]

While on the C2C, i put vaseline on hotspots. That reduced friction and worked really well.

[@cliffyhowe5233]

Try udderly smooth cream... I find its better...only thing I find vaseline good for is to rub over a cotton wool ball and use to start a fire...

[@leapark01]

If walking an English trail, best to take English banknotes. I've had Scottish banknotes refused occasionally south of the border.

[@garyhertswildcamper8958]

Good call on the AtoZ map idea, one page of the AtoZ is a fraction under a mile horizontally , so you can see surrounding towns, or nice bits of woodland for camping. Not many people would think of that. whens the full coast to coast vid coming on youtube? Gary.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Exactly :) Ummm, hopefully around Christmas, maybe the new year!

[@garyhertswildcamper8958]

@@AbbieBarnesWILD Hello again Abbie. Please take a look at the bushcraft dads latest attempt at youtube. You should like it, as it involves one of the National Trails. Gary.

[@leothelionalexcade5709]

me and y dad are walking on it soon and i'm only eleven

[@stephenwalder5888]

Wow! Did you do it? How did you get on?

[@seshelbow336]

I’m going to ask my 10 year old son if he wants to do it. How did you get on?

[@ronnieg6358]

Sorry the C2C is not a patch on the Pennine Way. Having camped both recently on the PW we had no problem wild camping and only used official sites twice in 19 days mainly to use the showers. On the C2C apart from limited spots in the lake district wild camping is difficult and we could only wild camp on 3 occasions in 12 days. On the North York Moors few of the streams are drinkable, one sample looked more like Guiness! They are also heavily patrolled by game wardens jealously protecting their vast grouse moors. Some of the camp sites we were forced to use had poor facilities and charged only a little less than a Travelodge. I can recall several highlights on the PW - Stoodley Pike, Malham Cove, Pen y Ghent. High Force, Caldron Snout and best of all High Cup. Nothing comparable from the C2C has stayed in the memory except 9 Standards Rigg. The best highlight of the C2C was finding £25 in the road at Ingleby Arncliffe!

[@kenhenley7599]

Great video. Absolutely spot on. Any other tips - generic or specific - for long distance trails?

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

So many...!!

[@kenhenley7599]

I think that you are going to be busy! Can't wait.

[@bigearedmouse17]

Hi Abbie any suggestions for people who cannot afford £200 or even £100 who would like to take part in the Coast to Coast Walk ?

[@jhankri]

Lot of good info. I would want to do Wainwright's Coast to Coast if in UK. What tent are you using in this video?

[@goeth89b]

jhankri looks like her Hilleberg AKTO from another video

[@kevinfenton7043]

Ive tried this walk twice now. Failed both times. Just ran out of energy. Maybe 3rd time lucky this coming april . Thanks for the tips

[@cliffyhowe5233]

Did you do it ??

[@alanathoms8447]

Hi Abbie, fab videos always love the content! The foot cooling gel you use; is that branded or homemade. Could do with some more info on this? My feet always seem to suffer on the trails

[@MrQuintonia]

Great tips Abbie.. like the tent, is it a Hilliberg?

[@bombingbloke]

Awesome tips abbie! With sock brand do you recommend? Greetings from holland

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Whatever works best for you! I use Bridgedale quite a lot :)

[@desrynne2720]

Hi, Abbie Can you say where you get the peppermint cream and tape from. And have you done the Kerry way yet Des

[@stetomlinson3146]

Hi Abbie, I've just discovered your blogs as I'm researching doing the C2C later this year, (May 2019). I'm deciding whether to take my tent or whether my hammock & tarp might be better. Any suggestions gratefully received! Ste T

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

I would take a tent. There isn't many places to put up a hammock once you are out of the wooded areas.

[@stetomlinson3146]

Thanks Abbie, much appreciated @@AbbieBarnesWILD

[@edwinagetty1345]

Please Abbie what is your tent. Ta

[@Braapncamp]

Thanks for sharing! How many day rations of meals do you bring at a time? I understand that it could vary, but typicaly. Me and my dog walked a couple of routes at our close by trail Bohusleden last weekend. Rough terrain and harder than i thougt. But we had a good time. (Nothing professional but ofc documented on YT).

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Good question. It depends, as you said. I will carry them if there is no where to stop on route to get more calories in, or if I have a day over 20miles usually. I used the more on the Coast to Coast than the WHW as it was more challenging terrain :) Hope this helps!

[@Braapncamp]

@@AbbieBarnesWILD So If You expect to find restaurang or stores along the trail You take like a couple of days meal rations on a longer trail walk. Then fill up along the way?

[@keithkennedy3144]

hello Abbie when did you hike the C2C. i'm planning starting on april 1st ( not a joke) what are your thoughts. great vid

[@paddyrynne6241]

Hi Abbie Can you say where you get your plasters and your foot cream

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Foot cream is from amazon actually! And plasters from any supermarket :)

[@antje8303]

Hi Abby, is wild camping allowed in England or could you face a fine when discovered? Thanks!

[@Mordred478]

Do you often have no mobile service due to the lack of cell towers? I've always wondered if these journeys you take are part of a spiritual path you're on. If so, I totally support it. ;-)

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Often there is no signal but I don't use my phone much other than to take photos in order to save battery. And every day is a spiritual journey! Chasing wholeness.

[@cliffyhowe5233]

@@AbbieBarnesWILD Thing is with phone towers is it drains your phone battery as its continualy searching for a signal... turn it off and use a map if you have one or plan ahead and turn on phone once your near your days end journey...

[@desrynne2720]

What make of socks do you wear

[@rogerwebb1248]

7

[@Richz2]

How did you find the kt physio tape?

[@Ben--Samsara]

I've always loved the idea of wild camping but I can't get past the fear that I'll get "moved on" as I'm not really supposed to be there.

[@richbuilds_com]

Set up late - move on early. So long as you're not lighting fires or busting stuff up you'll be fine :-)

[@Ben--Samsara]

Richard Allsebrook thanks for the tips. Wish me luck.

[@richbuilds_com]

No problem :) If you fancy 'wetting your feet' with the wild camping experience without the worry of getting turfed out (never happened to me in years of wild camping :-) ) There are 'designated wild camping' spots throughout the country. Some may have a chemical toilet but that's about it. I stopped at some really nice ones along Loch Ness :-)

[@jbradshaw4236]

Hi , what was the black plaster material you were using please?

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

KT Tape :)

[@rayfraser5537]

Why do most people feel that the walk has to be done in less than a fortnight? Why not take your time and take as long as you like ?

[@TheMrsKKB]

Ray Fraser possibly because some people don’t have more time than a fortnight or less (in one stretch) 😉

[@gerardwhittle8941]

Hi Abbie Love the videos! However, your kit and food descriptions appear a bit 'corporate'! It is clear that you have sponsors and need to promote their stuff - but this sometimes seems to get in the way of your explanations of what works. Much of your advice is brilliant! Thanks.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

My kit isn't sponsored :) It is just stuff that works for me and all designed to be food for thought for viewers, not direct 'facts'. Hope this helps! Abbie

[@Esrom_music]

Hmmm i guess this wont be applicable for planning my 3000 mile coast to coast.

[@Esrom_music]

Also i change my socks twice a day. But my feet are the worst.

[@gerardwhittle8941]

Trailblazer... take GPS and download route!

[@oldbatwit5102]

I wish I had £20 a day to live on.

[@petealder9389]

Can you tell me whether one can ride the coast to coast by mountain bike?

[@graemebailey2046]

yes

[@petealder9389]

graeme Bailey Could you please expand on that. Is it manageable for someone who is not so young and has lots of paniers? Are there many styes? Thank you.

[@gerardwhittle8941]

'On the trail...' - it's not what we walk! Just a bit irritating! Wild camping... used to be just camping! Water is the key!

[@willsy5164]

what?

[@TheMrsKKB]

???? What are you talking about?

[@cliffyhowe5233]

Camping use to be camping... but times have changed... now there's wild camping... free and away from people...and just camping...in a campsite full of noisy people drinking all nite... not that its a bad thing lol...