BB1641 : Sunrise, Sunset

Thursday 24th November 2016

As we climbed out of Ambleside up the aptly named Struggle, we were greeted by the sun rising over Wansfell.  It was a beautiful, clear day.  Cold but not viciously so- just around freezing.

Sunrise over Wansfell

Leaving the road, we set off up the gentle(ish) ridge path to Red Screes.  The distant hills looking splendid in the morning glow.

The western panorama

There was soon snow underfoot- slightly crispy on top, of unpredictable depth underneath if your step broke through.  It became increasingly hard going, with or without microspikes- John, Robin and I preferring with.  Bryan and Martin without (though how they remained upright on the sudden icy patches perplexed me).

Naturally we kept well away from the Red Screes edge with its precipitous drop to the Kirkstone Inn.  We weren’t yet so desperate for a drink!

Looking down on the Kirkstone Pass and the Inn

Approaching Red Screes Summit

Middle Dodd and Brotherswater from Red Screes

From the top of Red Screes we dropped down to the Scandale Pass col, some by the direct route struggling at times through the increasing slush, John and I by traversing to the wall then dropping down keeping to its east side where the snow had been protected from drifting and from the sun so was still frozen- on top at least. Adjacent and opposite versus hypotenuse. No Pythagoras needed.

The Hypotenusers

The col was the decision point.  Bale out down the pass or press up to Dove Crag then down the ridge to complete the Scandale Round.  We decided on the latter but took lunch before setting off.

Initially it was easy but we pioneered a new route through the snow to the High Beckstones cairn.  That was very hard going.

After the cairn it was much less steep so Robin, Bryan and I pressed on to Dove Crag whilst John and Martin had a relax by the wall.

The descent along the ridge to High Pike then Low Pike was at times a little tricky but much easier going down than up. 

Approaching Low Pike

By this time, in a still clear sky, the sun was setting behind Wetherlam.

Sunset behind Wetherlam

Eventually we left the ridge and dropped down to the rather ugly track installed to serve the Hydropower turbine. 

Looking back up to the Scandale Round

It was dusk by the time we completed the Scandale Round and reached the pub in Ambleside.  It had been a glorious day and we could have quite happily lingered longer in the Golden Rule but common sense prevailed.  After all, some of us would be on child minding duties before sunrise and then again after sunset the following day.

Don, Thursday 24th November 2016

Thanks to Bryan for some of the photos

Tony and Marlin

Yes, it is hard to believe that the slim guy in the photos is Tony.  It's also hard to think of him behind the wheels of a kit-car as opposed to a motor-bike but once upon a time his pride and joy was his Marlin that he built himself.

Of course, it was the building not the driving that interested him.  Once complete, he sold it.  To see it and Tony, in action click on Marlin.

Map shown: Anquet Harvey's 1:25k

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1641 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - or for the totals of   the mileages and heights (ditto) see the Excel file: BB Log.

You can navigate to the required report via the Home Page

Photos have been gleaned from many sources
although mostly from me and other BOOTboys. Likewise written comment.

I apologise if I have failed to acknowledge properly the source or infringed
copyright.  Please let me know and I will do my best to put things right.

Unless stated otherwise, please feel free to download the material if you wish.
A reference back to this website would be appreciated.

Wainwrights

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see Which Wainwright When? This may or may not be up to date!

For the latest totals of the mileages, heights and Lakeland Fells Books Wainwrights see: Wainwrights.
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BOOTboys 2016

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