Australian Hiker

299-The Crux

Show notes

Mike Railton is becoming a bit of a regular on the Australian Hiker podcast and in this episode, we talk about his hike on the UK walk known as the ‘Crux’. But what is the Crux? Listen to this episode to find out all about it.

Podcast overview

Introduction to Australian Hiker and todays podcast
- Podcast and Episode introduction (time index 0:01:36)
  - This is the third episode you have done with us having previously talked with us on episodes 256 and 283. Rather than providing an overview of your hiking credentials, what key hikes have you undertaken since we last talked?
  - Now let’s talk about the ‘Crux’. First up what is the ‘Crux and where did the name come from’? (time index 0:03:32)
    - Tell us a bit about it
    - What makes up the Crux
      - Pennine Way (431km)
        
        South – North
      - Coast to Coast Walk (305km)
        
        West to East
      - Logistics
        
        Requires some research for transport
      - From where to where?
  - What inspired you to do this walk? (time index 0:15:28)
  - What’s the trail tread like? (time index 0:16:58)
    - What were the elevation changes across the trail?
    - Was this a natural trail surface?
  - Now given this trail is in the UK and it snows, what time of the year can you do this walk from a hiking perspective? (time index 0:21:28)
    - Best travel time to do this walk
      - March-November
    - Average weather conditions on your trek
  - What sort of gear did you use for this hike (time index 0:23:36)
    - What were the key bits of gear?
    - eg. Pack, sleeping bag, tent
      - Other key pieces of gear
  - What accommodation options did you use? (time index 0:27:41)
    - Tent, bothys, hostels, or a mix?
    - Phone options
  - What were the food logistics like on this trail? (time index 0:34:12)
    - Did you carry your own food for this walk or rely on towns for meals?
  - Describe a typical day trail? (time index 0:36:28)
    - Did you carry your own food for this walk or rely on towns for meals?
  - Navigation options (time index 0:38:39)
    - Guidebook – worth carrying
  - How busy was the trail? (time index 0:44:02)
    - - How often did you come across other hikers?
  - What was the wildlife and vegetation like? (time index 0:45:25)
  - What were the trail highlights for you? (time index 0:48:20)
    - People
    - Trail Angels
    - Scenery
    - Historic sites
    - English pubs
  - Were there any lowlights? (time index 0:52:50)
    - Major negatives
      - Dog poo!
  - Who would you recommend this trail to hikers and if so to who? time index 0:54:52)
- One final question (time index 0:057:00)
  - What’s your next great hiking adventure?

Final thoughts Tim (time index 0:58:34)
Close (time index 1:06:59)

Mike Railton (Image by Mike Railton)

Crux Map showing the two walks (Image by Mike Railton).this is a bit of a ‘choose your own adventure’ by creating a car/crux on the map with two of Englands best known walks

Mike near the ‘Haystacks’ in the Lakes District, Cumbria panorama (Image by Mike Railton)

Start of the Coast to Coast at St Bees, Cumbri (Image by Mike Railton)

Pennine Way Sign (Image by Mike Railton)

Jennie at High Cup Nick (Image by Mike Railton)

Trail websites

Coast to Coast Walk

Pennie Way

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