50km, Three Days and a Lot of Rain: Our Fjällräven Classic UK
Holly and Beth swapped Scotland for the Lake District to take on the Fjällräven Classic UK: 50km over three days from Great Langdale to Muncaster Castle. They carried everything on their backs, camped each night and got very, very wet. Here's how it went.
Day 0: Great Langdale
The adventure started at Great Langdale campsite, in a light drizzle that set the tone for the week. After registering, each hiker got a trekking passport. It's stamped at checkpoints midway through and at the end of every day. They also got a map and a stash of freeze-dried meals. Luckily, Holly had remembered to bring a compass, though whether either them could read it was another question!
The first night comprised of a pint in the pub accompanied by some traditional Cumbrian music before it was back to camp for hot Nalgene water bottles to stash in the sleeping bags and Beth's brief battle with a daddy longlegs. With rain drumming on the tent, it was a long night but a warm and dry one, nonetheless.
Day 1: Great Langdale to Borrowdale
Day 1 started with packing up in the rain and only just thinking to get their bags weighed - definitely a step best done before leaving Scotland! But on the plus side, map reading wasn't needed in the end as a steady line of fellow trekkers showed the way.
The weather swung between downpour and sunshine with the sun making an appearance for the summit of the day's only real climb, meaning glorious lunchtime views of the Langstrath Valley. The route then dropped past Black Moss Pot to the second checkpoint, and onto the Borrowdale campsite after 9.5 miles in 6.5 hours where hot meals, hot chocolate and a much-needed early night were had.
Day 2: Borrowdale to Wast Water
Day 2 brought with it another rain-soaked pack-up, possibly the worst of the trip. Early miles were gentle and the blister plasters went on at the first sign of trouble. Holly and Beth noted the brilliant advice of the organisers: "be bothered"; if there's a stone in your shoe, stop and take it out. If you feel rubbing, deal with it before it becomes a blister, and so on. Crucial advice to have.
The climb to Styhead Tarn was beautiful despite the wet and windy weather and morale took an inevitable dip, though it was rescued by a heady lunch of beans and a well-deserved scone retrieved by Holly from the organiser's tent!
The descent that followed was on the precarious side, requiring the girls to tap into their bouldering skills at some points to get down the slick rock face, but after a slight detour and wetter feet, they finally reached the most beautiful camping spot of the trip: the remote shores of Wast Water, England's deepest lake. Despite the tricky day, it was a jovial evening with a real sense of community throughout the group.
Day 3: Wast Water to Muncaster Castle - the final stretch
The final day spanned 20km that started with a river crossing. The first hill and 5km were done early and in the dry, moving faster than on the previous days. They headed for Burnmoor Tarn, which was stunning and where wet shoes had become a permanent fact of life.
After a snack stop and the checkpoint at Stanley Ghyll, the route passed through mossy woodland - Holly's favourite section of the trip, made even better by the cheerful volunteer at the top of the last climb. Then came the glorious gates of Muncaster Castle, welcoming Beth and Holly across the finish line where they earned their last passport stamp, a finisher's badge and the most satisfying step of the trip, across that finish line!
The Finish Line
What better ways to celebrate completing 50km across the Lake District than with a hog roast, a pint and ceilidh dancing with new friends? When both reflected upon their experience, despite the hardships, it was easy to pick out a favourite moment and even though they were a little exhausted and emotional, they were super proud of what they'd achieved. The verdict is a 100% recommendation, with praise for the organisers and volunteers!
Thinking of doing it yourself? Here's Beth and Holly's tips:
- Weigh your pack before you leave: every kilo counts over 50km.
- Deal with hotspots early: blister plasters work best before the blisters form.
- Plan for wet kit: packing your sleeping bag in a dry bag, so it's kept away from a wet tent.
- Eat properly: under-fuelling on the last day made it harder, so eating well and properly is a must for every mile.
- Bring something to look forward to: hot chocolates, scones and even peanuts can rescue a bad afternoon!
At Tiso, we're proud to stock of range of Fjällräven kit, whether it's jackets, trousers or packs, so shop now online or in-store and get geared up for your own trekking adventure!
