Page 18 - LBV 2024

Dragon
Coast to
Coast Blue
The UK Coast to Coast walking route promises not only a physical challenge, but also incredible views weaving through 190 miles (306 km) of rugged terrain and picturesque landscapes. Starting in St Bees in Cumbria and finishing at Robin Hoods Bay in North Yorkshire, most people take 16 days to conquer this challenge, averaging 19 to 23 km a day. We are not most people.
We covered 316.4 km in just 9.5 days - 68 hours and 43 minutes of walking, averaging an impressive 31.64 km a day. Our goal? To push our boundaries, improve our leadership, teamwork, resilience, and navigation skills, and
to complete our Summer Mountain Foundation qualification.
From the outset, we knew this journey would be “difficult, but so worth it,” as OCdt Bailey reflected. Still, this did not stop our group - 6 OCdts, 1 Instructor and 1 Support Driver - from setting off from St Bees on July 24th with high morale and pleasant weather. Yet, we had only scratched the surface of what the Coast-to-Coast route had in store
for us. Ahead lay some of the most rugged, windswept, and undulating terrain in England. We would soon experience remote wild camping in the mountains of the Lake District; endure relentless winds, navigate through disorienting thick fog, and tackle slippery
18 THE LIGHT BLUE VOLUNTEER
river crossings. The true test was just beginning; and as we continued our way through the Lakes, the Yorskshire Dales, the North York Moorsending at Robin Hoods Bay, our long-awaited destination, we knew that this was not a walk for the faint hearted.
Reflecting on these experiences, OCdt Calenti said “I didn’t think I’d be able to get up to the peaks I have done, and I really pushed myself,” capturing the sense of accomplishment shared by the group.
Reaching the bay, we could not help but feel a deep sense of pride and satisfaction. To celebrate our hard-earned achievement, we enjoyed scampi and chips, making sure to put a candle in OCdt Rodriguez’s meal to celebrate his birthday. This moment of triumph and celebration was the perfect culmination of our unforgettable adventure.
Special thanks to Captain Hutchings, our ML, and all the staff who made this expedition possible.
OCdt K Black