Day 12 Dufton to Alston

Day 12 19 miles

Ever since I started this Pennine Way walk I have tried to think of the days walk in front of you, nothing else, one day at a time, thats all. But, all along there was one thing I could not block from my mind, the climb of nearly 900 metres over Cross Fell. Not so much of the height gain, not so much the distance, the biggest fear was what the weather could be like. Thick mist, extra strong winds are notorious on this fell, it was always my biggest worry.
I woke around 6-00, looked outside the b&b window, yes yes yes, clear and dry, high clouds, no hot sun, thankyou oh thankyou. Daan and Inge were in the same b&b as myself so we arranged to walk together again. We set off at 7-45 walking down to pick up the PW trail, perfect ideal weather conditions, we could see straight away onto the top of Great Dun Fell, the large "golf ball" or the Civil Aviation Authority's air traffic control radar, take your pick. Passing by the impressive looking Dufton Pike, we made good progress along gradual ascending tracks up to the fells. There was only two short steep ascents, onto Green Fell then Knock Fell.

Dufton Pike

"Golf ball" on top of Great Dun Fell

It was then a easier walk than I was expecting, onto Great Dun Fell, Little Dun Fell then the huge expanse of Cross Fell. We sat and had a quick break on Cross Fell, taking in wonderful views of the Lake District peaks in the distance.

Down between the Dun Fells, Cross Fell behind

Looking back to Great Dun Fell

Cross Fell summit shelter

I take in views of Lake District skyline

After we had came off Cross Fell we took our lunch break at Greggs Hut, an old cottage converted into a mountain rescue bothy named after mountaineer John Gregory, killed in the Alps 1968.

Greg's Hut

Hard work all this walking

Once we had left here it was a long, very long walk to the village of Garrigill, a nice sleepy little place. This was followed by a riverside walk to the evenings accommodation in the small town of Alston.

Fantastic clouds, walking into Alston. (photo taken by Daan)