BOOTboys

BB0912 : John's Comeback

Monday 6th April 2009

As far as I can recall, this must be the shortest BOOTboys outing on record. John even suggested that it might more properly be described as a slipper stroll. No way. Perhaps the other John, (S), had it right when he described the plan as BOOTboys LITE before disappearing off to his native sod in order to avoid having to join us. Whatever, today was a significant event and a not insignificant climb.

For those who do not know him, I need to add some background. John L is a powerfully built man. In his youth he played a lot of rugby at a serious level, mainly at full back because, he says, you could hurt people there, legitimately! However, this and other activities took its toll on his body. John was a founder member of BOOTboys but became increasingly distressed with descending. His last outing was on 6th April 2006- BB0606 A Bit on the Side......- not long after which he went under the knife to receive a new knee. Sadly, it went wrong, thanks to a deep infection in the joint. After many months of frustration and pain, the surgeons had another go- taking the new joint apart for deep cleansing then rebuilding it with even more titanium. This time the operation was a success and John has diligently been following his physiotherapy programme to regain his strength and fitness. Regular readers may have read of his efforts on the Comeback Trail in CBT01 : Helm, direttissimo and CBT02 : Cunswick Fell and back in the dark!

Some time ago, John set 6th April as his target date to tackle a real hill and his objective was Side Pike, three years to the day from his last BOOTboys experience and the same destination.

It was not because of lack of faith in John but as a precaution that I asked for as many support crew as possible- he is a big lad to carry off the hill!

Fellow founder members Pete and Stan answered the call.

Side Pike from Langdale

Side Pike from the Bela Tarn road

To minimise the road slog we parked at Blea Tarn and took the path up from the high point of the pass. After last week’s photographic extravaganza in more or less the same locality, I had vowed not to take any panoramic shots today but John insisted that I record the Oxendale and Mickleden view so how could I refuse?

Oxendale and Mickleden

A short climb Side Pike might be, but there is no doubt it is a real hill in miniature. The terrain is often rocky and at many points almost a scramble. For a man with two sticks and a newly acquired bionic knee, it was an awkward test, to say the least.

Nevertheless he made steady progress and comfortably achieved the summit. Indeed you can tell from comparing the team photos that he was in much better shape than three years go. Flushed with success, he even suggested that we carry on to Lingmoor Fell but the rush of blood subsided and common sense returned. One victory at a time.

John powering up the hill

Team photo 6th April 2006

Team photo 6th April 2009

We pioneered a new route down, rather grassier than the ascent but, if anything, steeper. Lunch was taken at 11:55 (that will upset Tony) overlooking Blea Tarn. We then completed the descent and circumnavigated the lake.

Blea Tarn from lunch stop

Pike o'Stickle, Harrison Stickle and Side Pike

Mission accomplished, we stopped off at the Three Shires Inn on the way back to celebrate. Welcome back, John.

Don 6th April 2009

Afternote

Why is it that other folk's misfortune often provokes a reaction of laughter? It seems an integral part of the human condition, which goes part way to proving that, contrary to the view of some who knew him in his working life, Pete is human. My first attempt at a team picture ended with me getting tangled up with my camera strap as I tried to dash back to get in the frame. I quite failed to make it but did capture the look on Pete's face!

STATISTCS

BB0912	Monday 6th April 2009
Distance:	3.0 miles
Height climbed:	691 feet
Wainwrights:	-
Other Key Features:	Side Pike

If you have Memory Map on your computer, you can follow our route in detail by downloading BB0912.

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

If anyone wants to claim other peaks, please let me know and I will submit them to the adjudication committee!

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BOOT boys

This page describes an adventure of BOOTboys, a loose group of friends of mature years who enjoy defying the aging process by getting out into the hills as often as possible!

As most live in South Lakeland, it is no surprise that our focus is on the Lakeland fells and the Yorkshire Dales.

As for the name, BOOTboys, it does not primarily derive from an item of footwear, and certainly not from any skin head associations or other
type of social group,
but is in memory of
Big Josie,
the erstwhile landlady
of the erstwhile Burnmoor Inn at Boot in Eskdale,
who enlivened Saint Patrick's Day 1973
and other odd evenings many years ago!

If you want to contact us, click on

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2009 Outings

BB0901 : A Gordon Day Out
Thursday 8th January
BB0902 : Thank You,
Aunty Ethel!
Wednesday 14th January
BB0903 : A Wicked Hike???
Wednesday 21st January
BB0904 : Take a Mug With You
Sunday 25th January
BB0905 : Down in the Forest
Thursday 29th January
BB0906 : Not How But Where?
Thursday 5th February
BB0907 : Binsey Can Wait
(but Uncle Monty Can Not)
Thursday 12th February
BB0908 : Badgers on the Line
Thursday 5th March
BB0909 : It's not a W!
Thursday 12th March
BB0910 : Up on the Roof
Thursday 26th March
BB0911 : Not the Blisco Dashers
Thursday 2nd April
BB0912 : John's Comeback
Monday 6th April
BB0913 : Two Churches, a Pulpit and a Cherry Picker
Thursday, 23rd April
BB0914 : Companions of the BOOT
Thursday 30th April
BB0915 : The Gale Force Choice
Thursday 7th May
BB0916 : The Comeback Continues
Thursday 21st May
BB0917 : BOOTboys Encore !
28th May - 2nd June
BB0918 : Hello Dollywagon
Thursday 11th June
BB0919 : Has Anyone Seen Lily?
Thursday 18th June
BB0920 : Ancient Feet on the Greenburn Horseshoe
Thursday 25th June
BB0921 : The Tebay Fell Race Walk
Thursday 2nd July
BB0922 : For England and St George
Thursday 9th July
BB0923 : The Coniston Outliers
Friday 31st July
BB0924 : Little To Be Said In Favour?
Thursday 6th August
BB0925 : The Third Night of the Rescue
Thursday 13th August
BB0926 : Long Wet Windy Monty Bothy Fun?
Thursday 20th August
BB0927 : Dear Mrs Scroggins
Friday 11th September
BB0928 : An Ard Day's Hike
Thursday 17th September
BB0929 : A Canter of Convalescents?
Thursday 24th September
BB0930 : BOOTboys International Autumnal Expedition
Wednesday 23rd to
Sunday 27th September
BB0931 : A Bit of an Adventure
Thursday 1st October
BB0932 : Paths of Glory?
Thursday 8th October
BB0933 : When Yorkshire Was Welsh
Wednesday 14th October
BB0934 : Unlocking the Whinlatters
Thursday 22nd October
BB0935 : A Tale of Crinkley Bottoms
Thursday 5th November
BB0936 : Aye Up What?
Thursday 12th November
BB0937 : Where Eagles Wade
Tuesday 17th November
BB0938 : After the Floods
Thursday 26th November
BB0939 : The Mystery of the Missing Glove
Thursday 10th December
BB0940 : A Too Short Walk
Thursday 17th December
BB0941 : One Hundred and Onesfell
Tuesday 29th December

BH0901 : Back to the Beginning
Thursday 13th August
BSKIB09 : BOOTskiboys in Saalbach
14th - 21st March
BB09XX : Los Chicos y las Chicas de la Bota
11th - 14th May
BB09Bav01 : Peaked Too Soon
1st September

Click on the photos for an enlargement or related large picture.

Wainwrights

To download a log of which Wainwrights have been done by which BOOTboy in the "modern" era, i.e. since the advent of BOOTboys click on Wainwrights.

If anyone wants to claim other peaks, please let me know and I will submit them to the adjudication committee!

BOOT boys