to go on a 10 mile walk today?

[joshandjamie]

I had it all planned. No kids this week. Two days to myself. I decided that I'd walk from Scarborough to Whitby, stopping at a youth hostel on the way overnight. Perfect way to get some exercise, clear my head, have thinking time with no-one to talk to or distract me. Bliss.

But the Met Office has a warning in place for Yorkshire with 40mm of rain expected. It is tipping it down and I worry that the path is going to be pure mud, making it hellish to walk, possibly dangerous.

Am I being mad? Should I do it or is it just stupid? Incidentally, I don't mind getting wet. Walking in the rain is quite liberating. But walking in a deluge where the path is complete mud making every step a challenge - is that just daft? Has anyone walked the Cleveland Way along the coast this week? What was the state of the path?

I have booked my hostel, have bought new boots and am all ready to go. But I just don't know whether it's just plain dumb.

Sounds like a lovely thing to do, but the mud sounds dangerous. I wouldn't go.

Many years ago, before I had a mobile phone, I got caught on a snowstorm on a lonely common while walking the dog. I slipped and fell. ... I wasn't hurt but, as I hit the floor, I realised that if I broke my leg I would die of exposure before anyone found me.

Maybe you could arrange with a friend that you will check in by phone every now and then. .. But then that kind of defeats the object because it would interfere with your solitude?

I'd worry more about the new boots, not the fact they'd get muddy but more that they may hurt my feet. If you phoned the hostel before setting out, they may be able to advise you as to the state of the footpath.

If you have new boots have you worn them in a bit? I'd get terrible blisters doing ten miles on my first trip out

Boo to the weather too!

Mud etc fine - I'd do it providing it wasn't on a coast part next to the sea - that's dangerous.

Do you have waterproof trousers etc?

I walk in atrocious conditions quite a lot though so may not be the best person to ask

Can you take a slightly different route that perhaps involves a more suitable path? I think if it were me I would have to do something even if it wasnt exactly the original plan.

Ooh we walked from robin hood's bay to Whitby last year which is about 7.5 miles along the same path! It was lovely - but it was a lovely sunny day...

The hardest bit for me (being unbelievably unfit) were all the steps up and down where the coast line has eroded - so rather than the path following the outline of the coast exactly, there are lots of places where you go down one bit and back up the next. If you're fairly fit you'll be fine - I suppose the steps might be a bit slippery if it's raining but I think there were rails so it'll be fine.

Great views and lovely last bit along the top into Whitby!

it is all along a coastal path next to the sea - the path runs along the cliff top (not right on the edge). It is a very well used path but I have walked bits of it in the past when there has been rain and the path does get very muddy.

just googled to see if I could find more info on what the walk was like in rain and found this in a blog. Not sure if it's made me more or less keen. Sounds fab but slightly dangerous.

'Rain it did. The wind on top of these cliffs was a lot worse. For five hours I had to battle against these twin elements of untamed nature. The wind often threatened to blow me off the cliff, the path being no more than three feet from the cliff’s edge. The wind sometimes blew from the sea in unexpected directions. While every step was hard work, every step had in it excitement and exhilaration. The feel of the wind, the roar of the sea, the crash of the waves against the stoical cliffs, the pelleting of the rain against my face were all memorable elements of this superb walk. The great forces of nature take little effort to make human endeavours insignificant. It is the same nature that brings out man’s fighting spirit. We cannot possibly compete against nature but we may yet learn to survive.'

Two things would worry me. New boots and phone reception.

I'd be careful of the wind tbh. More than one person has been lost off coast paths this year (taking photos of the storms in the main).

They do keep getting the weather wrong locally this week though ( not near you). I would maybe start the walk but make sure I had exit routes & I wouldn't be going 3 feet from the cliff edge in a storm!

I'm in North Yorkshire and it's pouring down, with black skies and no sign of stopping.

I am not looking forward to the 100 yard dash to the car later, let alone a 10 mile walk! So I'd say a definite no!

I am about 35 miles from Scarborough. It is pissing down and I am not looking forward to walking the dog around the village!

Wear an extra layer on top and shorts. Rub a bit of olive oil on your legs to make wet bounce off. Ski poles to stop you falling over. Job's a good 'un.

Think I am going to amend my route and just drive to Whitby, walk from Whitby to Boggle hole, then return tomorrow. Shorter distance so better for boots and if it's atrocious I can turn around and go home. I did look at doing the Cinder route from Scarborough but although it is less dangerous re cliffs/wind, it's also more dull and much longer. Wish me luck!

Was thinking of going on a run, looked out at the rain and had second thoughts. I wouldn't make a trip like that alone if it is goung to be windy and risky.

Cross post. A well thought out amendment theee OP. Have a great time!

Its hoying it down in N Yorks atm.
Driving to One end, and maybe towards the youth hostel, or maybe pottering round the town sound like a good alternative.
You could drive back tonight? Or drive to the YH after wandering round one of the twons, and see what the weather is like tomorrow? Runswick bay to Staiths is lovely, if being further north is attractive - but its another cliff path. Don't do it in the wind.

There's some nice inland walks at falling foss with a cafe. More sheltered for today. It's about 4 miles south of Whitby.

The Whitby to Scarborough route is peppered with odd pubs close to track. Ravens car hotel is nice for coffee/meal. Robin hoods bay has refreshments also.

If you did have problems with rain or wind being to heavy, you could just walk inland and get a bus/taxi. If your boots hurt you could also taxi. Think signal might be intermittent at its worst. I've always managed a signal though.

But I love it when the weathers less settled. Have a look and see if the locals are out and about on the route. If they are its probably fine.