This walk goes over some high and rather boggy ground, with patchy waymarking, so in conditions of low cloud or heavy rain it may be advisable to walk the tarmac B6270 road via Nateby and over the watershed all the way to Keld. This road carries little traffic at any time. If you take the 'normal' route over Nine Standards Rigg, be prepared for substantial seasonal diversions which are not shown or referred to on the published maps and books. These diversions are due to a combination of two factors - excessive erosion of the path on the original Wainwright route, and the presence of grouse-shooting butts close to the public footpath in Ney Gill. The various diversions and periods during which Coast to Coast walkers are asked to follow them over Nine Standards Rigg are indicated on notice boards at Hartley Fell (milepost 87). Up-to-date information should be sought from the Tourist Information Office in Kirkby Stephen. There is no shop or place of refreshment between Kirkby Stephen and Keld so carry a picnic with you. There is a supermarket open daily in Kirkby Stephen. A good place for a picnic on the Ney Gill route is at Coldbergh Edge during the descent from Nine Standards. 