Suggestions for Hiking: Wales, Scotland or Ireland

[ktmrider]

C2C September, 2017

C2C September, 2017

Well, after much hemming and hawing, I have decided on the Coast to Coast trail in Northern England starting on or about 13 September for 15 or 16 days.

My biggest concern had to do with my physical condition. I have done 90 miles on the West Highland Way followed a few weeks later by 70 miles on the Camino de Santiago in August, 2014. Well, I was a few years younger but several pounds heavier so things should equal out.

One camera and lens-Leica M2 or M5 with a 50mm and Ektar 100 film.

And since I have not purchased airline tickets yet, info on things to do before or after the hike would be appreciated. I think Manchester is the closest international airport to the C2C.

 

[Merumeni]

Just some suggestions:
1) 1 camera + 50: Portra 400
2) personally I would take a 35 / 90 combo
3) I did and do several long distance backpacking hikes (this is more than 1000 km). The few times I did not carry my own pack I felt less satisfied: you still have enough time to prepare for your hike. Think about carrying your pack (you will not need to carry more than 12 kg including 1 liter of water, backpack, one camera + 2 lenses + 15 film).

 

[ktmrider]

C2C September 13

C2C September 13

Again, I want to thank everyone who contributed information to this thread and to let everyone know my final decision.

I will be flying into Manchester on 13 Sept and starting the Coast to Coast hike on 15 Sept. I am hoping it will be fall foliage time with lots of color. I am taking 15 days to hike the 192 miles. And I am planning on spending a couple days in York after the hike.

Now, the camera debate begins: Leica M2 or M5 with just a 35 or 50, or a 35/90 combo. And just for fun I also have a Fuji X70 which might be the ultimate hiking camera as it is certainly lighter then either of the film Leica's.

 

[benlees]

Again, I want to thank everyone who contributed information to this thread and to let everyone know my final decision.

I will be flying into Manchester on 13 Sept and starting the Coast to Coast hike on 15 Sept. I am hoping it will be fall foliage time with lots of color. I am taking 15 days to hike the 192 miles. And I am planning on spending a couple days in York after the hike.

Now, the camera debate begins: Leica M2 or M5 with just a 35 or 50, or a 35/90 combo. And just for fun I also have a Fuji X70 which might be the ultimate hiking camera as it is certainly lighter then either of the film Leica's.

Sounds like an excellent trip! Enjoy!

 

[ktmrider]

I have finally locked in the dates for my C2C hike. I will be spending Sept 20 in St Bee's and walking the next day. Fourteen days later on Oct 4 I should be arriving at Robin Hood's Bay. I have also booked two nights in York between Robin Hood's Bay and traveling back to Manchester.

I sat on the fence for a long time not knowing if I really wanted to hike 192 miles by myself. Hiking in Scotland three years ago my daughter was along. Well, she is now in grad school and my wife is still working. I have been told September is pretty busy along the route so I hope to make new friends. I believe we have a common language.

So, for photography equipment I have a Fuji X70 for digital and a M2. I will not carry both during the walk but want to take both for tourist days in York. I am thinking M2 with 35f2.8 C Biogon and 90f2.8 Tele Elmarit M along with Tri X. I believe this may be the lightest and most flexible combo available. I know it is a hell of a lot lighter then the M5 with 35f1.2. I may throw a small 21f4 Skopar into the mix if I am feeling energetic .

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I think you'll get it right with the M2 and those two lenses. York tends to be wide vistas (the walls, around the Minster and so on) but not too wide. In the streets where the tourists go you'll not need wider than 35mm and the narrow streets mean exposure is more of a problem than lens width. And the 90mm will be good for detail.

There's a lovely museum for railway enthusiasts, if it rains. If it doesn't, walk the walls for views of the town and Minster. (Being a bit higher on the wall walk means less converging verticals too.) There's also the river but you may not find many running trips along it in October, although the weather should be OK; October tends to be fine in the UK; especially St Luke's Summer.

Regards, David

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

I mentioned exposure, the problem is narrow streets and deep shadows. These were taken in late September or early October and should show the problem. The camera was my trusty Olympus XA2.

As you can see you have to position yourself carefully and the exposure is tricky and not quite right in these cases...

Regards, David

 

[ktmrider]

David: maybe I should look at the M5 instead of the M2 for its spot meter. Since I plan on carrying the X70 for the hike, the weight difference of the two cameras around town is nil.

And thanks for the photos. I sat on the fence for over two months before committing to this trip. Both my travel partners are either working or in grad school so walking 192 miles solo was not something I was sure I would enjoy. Well, I decided to go for it.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

Yes, I'd take the M5 in your shoes as I know what the CL is like for nailing exposure.

As for going solo, perhaps a rota of RFFers to accompany you on each stretch of the walk and then all meet up in York...

Regards, David

 

[ktmrider]

I should finish in Robin Hood's Bay on 4 October and will be in York for the 5th and 6th of October. I will be traveling on to Manchester on the 7th and flying home 8 Oct. It would be a hoot to meet some shooters in England.

 

[Fraser]

I've done quite a few long distance walks and only ever take my iphone, if it was me I would just take the Fuji. Enjoy the trip and good luck!

 

[ktmrider]

Medium Format?

Medium Format?

So, toying with the idea of taking a Mamiya 645 with TriX for York and X70 for actual walk. Thought?

 

[ktmrider]

York Rendevous?

York Rendevous?

I will be walking the C2C trail from 20 Sept to 4 Oct ending in Robin's Hood Bay. I have booked a couple days in York on 5 and 6 October and was wondering if anyone from the forum and England would like to meet up to take a few photos or have a few beers.

Am still debating which cameras to bring as the possibilities include a couple Leica M film bodies, a Pentax 645 for medium format (way to heavy to carry for hiking 192 miles), or Fuji X70. And to add to the confusion, I have just ordered a bridge camera with a 20-1200 zoom (primarily for my daughter to use on safari in December).

Anyway, if there is anyone out there near York who would like to hoist a few, it might be fun.

 

[ktmrider]

Have to say that technology sure offers some tempting new toys. I just got a Lumix bridge camera with a 20-1200 equivalent zoom (purchased primarily for my daughter for a safari in Tanzania in December) but it has some nifty features which makes it tempting to bring on this trip leaving everything else at home. And it was cheap, only $330 from B&H.

Nope, I will be taking an M5 with 35/90 and ISO 400 film (color and b&w) and a Fuji X70 with fixed 28mm lens and large sensor. The X70 will be my hiking companion and the M5 for use in York although it may replace the Fuji on some days. We will see.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I may have to return to the UK next year with my wife for a different walk, perhaps next time in Wales.

 

[ktmrider]

C2C Update

C2C Update

Well, I am back in the US after walking the C2C and spending a couple days in York so I thought I would post a quick update.

First, I admit that the C2C kicked my ass. At 192 miles it was just too long for a fun hike. I should have found something of around 100 miles in length. Booking with Absolute Escapes in Edinburgh was great but having a fixed schedule prevented a couple much needed recovery days.

The Lake District is gorgeous and rugged. We hit the top of one of the fells with 40-50 mph winds and rain. Can you say hypothermia.

I carried the X70 each day and honestly it was great. I would have preferred a 35mm for vice 28 but you can't have everything. I agree with the comment on another site that this was a walking trip, not a photo trip. I did not see the sun for the first ten days and wore rain gear every day during that time frame. And at the end of an exhausting day, the last thing one does is worry about exposure and focus so full auto all the way.

The lighting sucked during the first ten days. Any landscape would have been flat as hell with nothing but green and grey.

Will post more later.