The Pennine Way in 19 days

My wife and I completed our very first LDW this summer. We hadn't been hiking for over a year and we were unfit, but we decided to opt for the big one anyway - The Pennine Way. We walked it over 19 consecutive days and the accommodation was by B&B (but we were hardcore and carried all our gear everyday). We passed through some fantastic places throughout our journey and met some great people. It was an awesome achievement for us and we have definitely caught the bug and want to do more.
www.alfredwainwright.co.uk/

[@014london70]

Congratulations on completing it in one go. Great to watch 👍🏼

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks my friend. It is still one of my favourite walks to this day. I would do it again in a heartbeat :)

[@caahacky]

Did it in 2003 - brought back so many memories - thanks. And yes she is beautiful.

[@Chris-B.]

Congrats. What a great trail eh? I'd love to do it again.

[@paulwhitear4983]

Great film. Its nice to see how much beautiful countryside there is in the UK.

[@Chris-B.]

+Paul Whitear Thanks for commenting Paul. Yes it was a great walk through amazing countryside and we were so lucky with the weather with mostly dry sunny days.

[@williamheald6071]

Hi Chris & Pricilla, We stumbled across your great Pennine Way films (both of them) and the pics at Lothersdale came as a surprise ... and brought back fond memories. Also glad to see you did the C2C, Linda managed it camping all the way and carrying food for two collies. Now she is keen to complete the Pennine Way ... will do anything for a free drink! Hope you're both well. John & Linda (W is my Sunday name).

[@Chris-B.]

WOW, I cannot believe you saw the video. It is wonderful to hear from you. Give Linda our regards. We really appreciated your help so I had to feature you in the video. You are now both immortalised :) We spoke about you just recently when we walked the Dales Way. I hope Linda does take on the Pennine Way, she won't regret it. Things have really moved on in the last few years. I now have a popular Alfred Wainwright group on Facebook. If you use it, search 'Alfred Wainwright Books & Memorabilia' and join. It will be great to catch up. I also feature in this months (July) Cumbria Magazine if you can grab a copy. I am creating a Wainwright related website too which will feature much on the Pennine Way. I must now go tell Priscilla you found us....... :)

[@mok_uk6818]

What a lovely couple and video. Really enjoyed it. You were lucky to have lots of good weather. What an achievement. Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@philipgeorge2989]

You obviously joyed the experience and the scenery as much as you enjoyed each others company. Perfect combination for creating unforgettable memories. Appreciate you sharing it with us. Like the mix of still and video images. Brings back happy memories of my PW walk.

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks Philip for your kinds words. It remains to this day, our favourite long distant walk. I'm pleased to hear you walked this magnificent trail too 😀

[@DanielStaniforth]

Congratulations on hiking the Pennine Way, it's a great achievement to do. I'm amazed at how remarkably clean you stayed throughout the journey. Send me outside for 5 minutes and I'm usually head to toe covered in mud

[@simonpackham5780]

What a lovely record of a memorable walk. Love how Priscilla saved the tartan dress for the finish.

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for your kind comments Simon, it was a memorable journey and probably the best walk we have undertaken, even to this day. Well spotted, never noticed that about the dress :)

[@robert5140]

Thank you for taking the time to post pictures of your epic walk. I am encouraged to try it in 2016. This year, will journey to the UK and do the Cotswold Way, solo.

[@Chris-B.]

Your welcome Robert, thanks for your comment. I highly recommend this walk, hope you decide to take it on next year. I will be tackling the Coast to Coast in early Summer this year which I am also looking forward to. So hopefully I will upload a video for that :)

[@wildangus999]

look. prob the best film I seen on pw. no panning about. I did this in 2000 with my mate 11 days. due to work commitments. this film took me thro 2 cans of carling. I know the pain. I know the smelly feet and blisters. I know the pub and chilling. I know what u have done. done eva fall out.

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for your comment angus, I am glad you liked it. It's good to hear from other people who have walked it and share their experiences, i had everything you mentioned. You completed it in 11 days? Wow you must have ran the whole way lol. Initially we planned to do it in 2 weeks but we wanted to treat it as a kind of holiday so we added another 5 days on top. The film crew we met on Hadrian's Wall interviewed us and it was shown on Belgium TV just a few days ago. They sent a link to the program. My wife and I appear at 1:50secs into the show. Yep, it was definitely a surreal trip lol. www.een.be/programmas/vlaanderen-vakantieland/another-nic-on-the-wall-deel-2

[@sobek]

wildangus999 Was it tough to do it in 11 days?

[@simonoliver1597]

Well done Chris. Did it myself and solo in May 2014. Its a long, lonely and horribly boggy route. Leaves you wondering if you could really face doing it again.... Your video diary brings back so many memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for the comments Simon. Had a good read of your Blog, really enjoyed your thorough account of your journey and it brought back memories for me also. I hope to walk it again someday, although I don't think I would be as lucky with the weather as it hardly rained on our walk. I am also walking the Coast to Coast in June and I cannot wait. I will hope to give it the same KZbin treatment :)

[@Ofarim]

Beautiful landscape. One day I will walk this way or part of it, as well. Thanks for uploading.

[@ultimateoutdoors4659]

Great photos. Did it in 1973 and part of it again this year. Hardcore is really carrying all your gear, including tent, cooking equipment and food and camping but still well done. Carrying a 40 + pound pack is the way it has to be done to claim you’ve done it ‘hardcore’.

[@Chris-B.]

Wow, that is hardcore. Probably not many people do that now compared to the amount of people did it back in those days :)

[@ultimateoutdoors4659]

Chris B You did a great job with the video and editing. The music perfectly matched the film and context.

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks Michael. It was a fantastic walk and we were so lucky to have so many sunny days. I recommend it to everyone :)

[@johnmoss2582]

What a lovely memory you both have. Extremely well done

[@Chris-B.]

Thank you, this is one of our favourite walks to date :)

[@Aaronbailey69]

It was interesting to see what this route looks like in the summer! I solo walked it in the winter earlier this year and I was a completely different place. I spent the last four days walking through thick fog, so missed out on the awe inspiring views around places like Hadrian's wall. I hope you have some more adventures lined up soon.

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks Aaron. Winter and solo? You are a hardened walker, that must have been a tough one to do. I think we were quite lucky, although I nearly passed out from exhaustion and heat on Cross Fell. That was the toughest day with hardly any clouds and the hot sun hammering down on us all day. The next one lined up is the Coast to Coast. Just starting to plan it now.

[@48plaster]

excellent video - great coverage of a stunning and challenging trip.

[@Chris-B.]

alan kelsall Thanks Alan, loved every minute of it. Hope I have the same weather on the Coast to Coast in July :)

[@physicsAmbler]

Great FB site! Hiking and cameras - the perfect combo!

[@Chris-B.]

Cheers pal for spurring me on to do it with your own videos. I think the cleanliness was down to luck with the weather rather than skillful bog trotting lol.

[@picnz1]

Your photos tell a story photogenic as well thank you for sharing your view of the pennine way gorgeous

[@mrcolin2u]

I think i want to do this walk after watching your video. Thanks for sharing !

[@Chris-B.]

Your welcome. I highly recommend this walk, I hope you get to walk it:)

[@jumpedupchimpanzee]

Lovely video. Looks like you had a great trip and for the most part great weather. I didn't realise how beautiful much of the route is. Hope to do it someday.

[@Chris-B.]

jumpedupchimpanzee Thanks for the comment. I highly recommend it, especially with all the buzz around the walk lately because of it's 50th Anniversary. I think we were lucky because I can imagine it being rough if it had rained solidly for days. Hoping to do it again sometime soon, but it is the Coast to Coast this year for us.

[@vmaxerv4]

Awesome video really captures the feeling of the walk. We have done it three times now North to south but yearn to do it again thanks for the vid! Really inspiring

[@Chris-B.]

vmaxerv4 Hey thanks for the comment. Three times is an awesome achievement, congrats to you. I hope to walk it again sometime again soon as It was a wonderful experience. I hope it brought back some of the memories of your three mammoths journeys :)

[@scooby2142]

Great video. Rarely have I seen photographs and video work so well together to tell the story. I enjoyed it very much - especially the Hebden Bridge to Gargrave section as you came very close to where I live. Thanks for sharing !

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for the kind comments Scooby. It was a great trip for us and looked back upon more fondly than the Coast to Coast walk we did last year. I preferred the solitude of the Pennine Way. Oh and I also enjoyed the Hebden Bridge section and onwards, as I was going into familiar territory because I lived in Mytholmroyd for a few years in the early 90's and that's what got me into walking :)

[@rowen3648]

Chrisdid you make a video of ....I THINK it was demonstrating either erecting a tent or an overnight camp?(I mainly ask because I KNOW I have seen at more of your video diary-things.).

[@Shazza20111]

I did it back in 1997 - one of the most physical challenges I've ever done and I'm so proud I finished it.

[@Chris-B.]

Well done Sharon. It must have been very difficult back then, especially as much of it wasnt flagged 😀

[@ericharkness1862]

Beautiful. Well done!

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks Eric. Yeah it was a trip of a lifetime for us :)

[@daytripsuk1]

Cool video Chris, music is very fitting too

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks, it was my first KZbin video and also my first proper long walk. The Pennine Way was an itch I wanted to scratch for years.

[@daytripsuk1]

You can tick it off your bucket list now, unfortunately i can't attempt it, 30 years of carpet fitting has taken its toll, is it possible to bike it :-)

[@michaeltaylor3068]

best walk in Britain, looked like you had good weather as well as a good time

[@viggyist]

you make this long walk look like a stroll in the park guys!!! Really enjoyed your post. I would love to do this one day! Well done x

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for your kind message. I thoroughly recommend walking the Pennine Way. It was an itch I had wanted to scratch for years. I am so glad I completed it. Don't leave it too late :)

[@cehaddunebuggy3899]

This was a great video! I'm thinking of doing the West Highland Way in Scotland in the summer of 2015. I was originally going to do El Camino de Santiago in Spain, but I figured I would start off with a smaller walking tour first. This one looks interesting though!

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks Chadwick. The West Highland Way is on my to do list too. I highly recommend the Pennine Way if you ever get the chance, and the weather lol

[@physicsAmbler]

Brings back memories - you seem to have had much better weather than I did!

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks Philip, yes we were quite lucky with the weather overall. When did you walk it?

[@allieandmaria]

Cracking vid! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 I'm guessing you lost a few stone too?

[@speedcaferacer]

Like you, me and my girlfriend also caught the bug of long trails this year. We have done the French way of St. James, I never heard about the Peninne Way until I see your movie. Next year we are going to do The West Highland way and the Great Glenway in Scotland. It will be from Milngavle to Fort William and after that to Inverness. We will get a flight from Portugal to Glasgow and the train to Milngavle. What about you? Do you have any plans for 2015? Have you done anything this year? Regards!!!!

[@Chris-B.]

Hi Nuno, thanks for your comment. The French way of St. James sounds awesome. I have heard of it, I hope both you had a fabulous time. The West Highland way is also on my radar to walk very soon. Let me know what you thought of it. 2014 has been a series of day walks in the Lake district and the Yorkshire Dales so I haven't had chance to complete more any long distance walks as yet. In 2015 we will be walking the Coast to Coast walk (192miles and comprises of 3 National Parks) which I am really looking forward to. We are looking to do it over a 2 week period so we can have a couple of sight seeing days during the journey. I will be booking all the accommodation very soon :)

[@Chris-B.]

My main inspiration for walking the Pennine Way was reading Alfred Wainwright's Pennine Way Companion. This has since led me to create a growing Facebook Group following the work of the master Fellwanderer himself. If you are interested in the life and work of Wainwright, please click the link below and take a look facebook.com/groups/134562813817039/?ref=bookmarks

[@redivan44]

Great footage. Congratulations on completing the Pennine Way. Did you use a camera stabilizer for your video footage? You have a smooth touch on your pans and tilts.

[@Chris-B.]

+ivan crowther Thanks for the comment Ivan :) The camera had built in Stabilizer. I used the Sony RX100, small and light for the journey. The original video is even smoother as it was uploaded before youtube played 60fps videos (the upload here is 30fps I think). If I uploaded it again it would play at 60fps so it would be even smoother. I currently use the Sony A6000.

[@Wriggs74]

I've always wanted to walk the great Pennine way but don't know if I should walk it alone or even if I should camp along the way or use lodgings?

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for the comment Steve. It is all down to preference I guess. Alone you will get through it quicker but then there is no one to share the special moments with, although you will meet many people en route. Having used lodgings all the way, I have no regrets and would do it the same way again. It is nice to have a bit of luxury at the end of long day and treat it like a holiday experience. It is much cheaper camping and I hold my hat off to all the people who camp everynight, they are as hard as nails. I love camping but decided against it for the Pennine Way in case we had days of rain.

[@emilywhite2610]

love this. my dad and I are considering walking the pennine way, would you recommend hostelling or camping? we think that hostelling would be expensive but then camping means you have to carry a lot more! thank you :)

[@Chris-B.]

Hi Emily, thanks for your kind comment. I hope you have a fabulous time walking the Pennine Way. It was one of the most memorable things I ever did. Regarding the accommodation, it depends if you are willing to pitch a tent every evening with possible rain etc. It is a bit of a gamble, but if the weather is fine, you will have a great time and save lots of money. Personally, I would prefer a roof over my head every evening so that during the day I can concentrate on walking and look forward to a hot shower and bed at the end of a long day. I completed the Pennine Way using B&B's etc but I didn't regret it. It is all down to personal preference and money. It can be quite hard booking every consecutive night for up to 3 weeks, so bare that in mind if you don't camp. And like you say, you will have more to carry when camping. I'd go for the hostelling option if I were you :)

[@emilywhite2610]

perfect! thank you! we were thinking hostelling too.

[@kenwbrenner]

Hi Chris. I watched this wonderful video again after 2 years, and enjoyed it even more. I'm impressed the quality of your production skills and the very appropriate music chosen. As mentioned 2 years ago, I am working my way north on the Appalachian Trail, and have put my videos into a playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLqMAUhnDoVYltarXskQjaFYznlYFiSJv2 As of this writing, I've reached the 900 mile point, with 1300 remaining. I have recently retired and hope to complete the trail in the coming 5-7 years, Lord willing. Thanks for making this video available for us, it is inspiring for a variety of points... Hope you and your wife are well. God Bless, Ken

[@Chris-B.]

Hi Ken. Wonderful to hear from you again. You have more videos uploaded since I last looked, I shall grab a coffee this evening and watch them. What a mammoth task you have set yourself. It will be so rewarding though, with memories to last you a lifetime, I hold my hat off to you. Thanks also for your generous comments. I told my wife and she also wanted to thank you. The experience of our whole walk was unforgettable and will stay with us forever. It is always difficult to describe to others your experience, but I tried to show a little taste of our journey with sound and vision. If that came across, even just a little, then that is good. We also have more adventures in the pipeline. Keep in touch :)

[@kenwbrenner]

Hi Chris. I appreciate the reply, and wanted to share more comments. First, I think it is wonderful that you and your wife do this together. It is a real "marriage builder", and I am thankful to see couples like you doing something so good and decent in the Lord's beautiful Creation. We have been married for 42.5 years, and have 3 married children (and 11 grandchildren), so I understand these things. Regarding your efforts - you did an excellent job in giving us a "feeling" of what it was like. First, the way you produced the film, it really gave one a sense of the variety of what you two saw. In addition to viewing the wonderful scenery, the added touch of your showing your involvement as a couple was very nice. Next, your selection of music was very well done - and enhanced the experience. Very soon, I will be watching your "Coast to Coast" video and will reply with comments there. God Bless to you two, hoping the Lord will bless you in all of your efforts as a couple. Ken

[@ontherunplmr1218]

ChrisVery nice video and can I ask what to many might seem a bit of a stupid question !Having lived in the Middle East for many years I am looking to take up some long distance walking when I retire hopefully next year ! also I will be looking to stay in BB/hotels because to old to carry all the camping gearNow for the silly question !! 19 days or what ever how do you manage with clean clothes ? can you have them cleaned along the way or is down to smelling a bit by day 19 ! seriously it must be difficult to carry underwear, sock, shirts etc for 19 days plus I guess if only staying say 1 night in a BB not that easy to get cleaned ?interested in how any body manages these issues on long walks ?take care out there

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for the comments. As it was my first long distance walk and it was all guess work on deciding how much stuff to take. The clothes thing was pretty easy to work out, the mistakes I did make, was carrying too much food and toiletries the whole way, which really weighed me down. I carried 2 pairs of trousers/shirts etc (more sets of underwear) and alternatively washed them at the B&B's. So it was quite simple because having good amenities at the end of the long days really helps. For people who are camping with tents the whole journey, then I guess it is even harder, as they have to compromise even more. So yeah, having a roof over your head at the end of the day makes it pretty easy as you can get freshened up every evening ready for the following day. We had many warm days which helped, and we weren't drenched very often, so we were quite lucky in that respect. On our 'Coast to Coast' walk in 2015 we travelled even lighter still. I hope you do decide to take the plunge and plan your own walk when you retire, you won't regret it. You will have fabulous memories to last you years :)

[@ontherunplmr1218]

Many thanks for your reply and yes I hope to carry out a lot of walks in the UK when I finally retire walking in the Middle East in Summer in 48C is a great way to lose weight ! but not the same as walking in the UK. I also try to get to South Africa every year or so walking in the Drakensberg can be spectaculartake care out there

[@Chris-B.]

On The Run Plmr A small world? I have a South African friend who recently moved to the UK and he lived quite near those mountains. They do look spectacular and I would love to go hiking there one day. I have been recently showing him the delights of the Lake District over here.

[@ronnieg6358]

It is possible to wash out underwear and socks and dry them on your pack in the day, as long as it.s not raining. We managed the whole way using 3 wicking teashirts and 3 pairs of wicking pants which dry out very quickly.

[@viggyist]

Chris there is a Pennine Way group on Facebook... Pennine Way walkers. Please join.

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks viggyist. My invite request has already been sent :)

[@ilonaserwicka]

Amazing! I've seen 'your' documentary recently! (you come in at 1:53 here: www.een.be/programmas/vlaanderen-vakantieland/another-nic-on-the-wall-deel-2). There is also part 1 here: www.een.be/programmas/vlaanderen-vakantieland/another-nic-on-the-wall-deel-1. You're famous in Belgium now! :)

[@Chris-B.]

Thanks for your comment IIona. I still cringe when I see myself on the Belgium Program lol, but it was all part of the journey and I'm glad we had a small part :)