BB2128 : Life Understood Backwards?

Thursday 15th July 2021

Halfway up Whernside, Stan started quoting a Scandinavian proverb

Life can only be understood backwards,
but it must be lived forwards

“That must be Kierkegaard,” said Robin whose knowledge of matters Danish outweighs that of Stan and me.  We have only worked for Danes; Robin married one.  

John was silent but nodded sagely.

If, like me, you were unaware of Søren Aabye Kierkegaard, let me enlighten you with an overview.  Born in 1835 in Copenhagen, he is regarded as the Father of Existentialism.  

If, like me, you haven’t a clue what that means, perhaps The Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy might help.

Now what has all this got to do with the price of cheese?  I hear you thinking.  Or with a BOOTboys walk for that matter?

Well, just a few weeks since climbing Ingleborough (BB2124), we had returned to Ribblehead.  It is a long gentle approach to tackle Whernside along by the railway line and the site of the Locomotive Depot.

The Ribblehead Viaduct was a constant companion but in the distance, where the line traveled north, two more, smaller viaducts could be seen.

To the south, far off stood Pen-y-Ghent and just across the valley its big brother Ingleborough.

To the north were the Howgills and the scene of last week's adventure (BB2127).

On such a bright summer’s day, as we climbed the now well-flagged path towards the summit, it was almost inevitable that thoughts would turn to existential philosophy.  Well, wouldn’t yours?

Shortly after the summit, when we stopped for our butties, Stan explained more of Kierkegaard’s theories.  We might have debated them earnestly but the steep descent ahead of us made us focus on more pressing matters.

Back at the car (and after a thought-provoking 99 ice cream) was the big decision of the day.  We decided to live forwards to Thornton in Lonsdale.

Perhaps the greatest claim of the hamlet is that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle married his first wife there at St Oswald’s Church in 1885, crossed the road for his reception at The Marton Arms then set off to Ireland on honeymoon

We had a happy time in the pub, living life forwards with our drinks whilst looking back on the day.  We thought we understood the pleasant time we had had on the outing.  

I returned home to hear Professor Jim Al-Khalili on the radio explaining how time had no direction at the quantum level and that matter could be in two places simultaneously. Backwards and forwards in time have no meaning.   

Ah!  That explains why, as I sit in my room typing, I find that we are simultaneously still in the pub.  I don’t pretend to understand it and I suspect that Kierkegaard wouldn’t either.  Perhaps another beer would help.  

Over here, please, Landlord!

Don, Thursday 15th July 2021

Comitibus: Don, Stan, Robin, John

Bryan's Freedom Day

Weather forecast was good so I thought I would try two things I’ve not done since Covid arrived – a ride on a bus (to Grasmere) and a night in the tent (on the summit of Steel Fell).

The 1,400ft climb up the south ridge was hard going in the evening sunshine with the big pack. But I got there eventually.

Frustratingly cloud cover shut out the sun just after I arrived, whilst frustratingly I could see it was still beating down in Kendal.

After dinner I had a good night’s sleep, only woken a couple of times by the strong wind rattling the tent. Awake at 6am for breakfast and the bus home.

That’s ‘Freedom Day’ for me!

Bryan

Comments:

Do you have any comments or questions?

If so, please click on .  We look forward to hearing from you.  If you do NOT want your comments to appear on this website, please say so otherwise we will assume that we have your permission for publication in whatever responsible manner we consider appropriate.  Alternatively you can leave a comment on Facebook.

If you would like to become a BOOTboys Follower click on to let US know and you will receive automatic notification of new reports.

 Route:  Map: OS 1:50k

STATISTICS

BB2128 : Life Understood Backwards?

Date:

Thursday 15th July

Features:

Whernside

Comitibus:

Don, John, Robin, Stan

Distance in miles (Garmin):

8.7

Height climbed in feet (MM):

1,685

GPX track

BB2128.gpx

If you want to follow The BOOTboys let us know and you will receive automatic notification of new BOOTboys reports.   Click on to contact US.  BOOTboys are also on Facebook

For the index pages of our various earlier outings click on the relevant link below:

Home

BB04

BB05

BB06

 BB07

BB08

BB09

BB10

BB11

BB12

BB13

BB14

BB15

BB16

BB17

BB18

BB19

BB20

BB21

Archive

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

BOOTboys 2021

E-mail addresses on this web Site are protected by Email Riddler

Spam Trawlers will be further frustrated by  Spam Blocker: help fight Spam e-mail!

 BOOTboys© is a Lakeland Enterprise production brought to you by

Comitibus Communications©