BB1016 : The Ten Lake Tour (+5Ws)

Thursday 15th April 2010

I could have been intimidated today.  My two companions, Bryan and Stan, completed some 22.6 miles and 8,000 feet of climbing in a very respectable time on Sunday (see BB1015).  What we had planned for toay's outing was a doddle in comparison.  They could leave me for dead!  However, I don’t think they had quite fully recovered.  It was strange to hear Bryan, normally so enthusiastic whatever the conditions, saying that if the sun hadn’t been shining in a cloudless (and vapour trailless, thanks to the Icelandic volcanic eruption) sky, he would have stopped at home.

Although it was an early pick up, they actually had another hour and a half rest as I drove them right through the heart of the lake district, passing Windermere, Rydal Water, Grasmere, Thirlmere, Derwent Water, Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Half way up the Honistor Pass, Bryan suddenly asked, “Why have we come this way?  It’s much quicker via the Whinlatter Pass.”  That, I found hard to believe but at least secured agreement that it had been a magnificent drive.  So by the time we parked at Maggie’s Bridge, we had already travelled the length of seven of the country’s finest lakes.

Not that lake spotting was our goal.  We were back on the Wainwright trail, with Stan and I aiming to make meanigful inroad into the deficit.  Objective number one was Mellbreak, the hill that stands dramatically alone at the side of Crummock Water.  

Mellbreak across Crummock Water

We were going up via the northern nose.  As we approached, it seemed impenetrable but closer inspection revealed a steep path winding in and out of the scree with some quite serious drops to the side.  

Mellbreak, Hen Comb, and Gavel Fell

As we climbed, lake number eight came into view- Loweswater.

Mellbreak has two tops, each of which looks the lower from the other, and a dip between but it is actually the second top that is the summit.  Visibility was very good and the views were superb from both.

Looking to Mellbreak's higher top from the lower

It was slightly dispiriting to look east and see our way forward- the steep drop down to the valley and equally steep climb up to Hen Comb and then again beyond that to Gavel Fell.

The drop to Hen Comb with Gavel Fell behind, Mellbreak lower summit to the right

Actually the descent was quite straightforward, noting en-route what I am told is the only tree to be named on the OS map- the Mosedale Holly Tree- and the ascent was, well, direttissimo.  A bit of a long grind- more so for those whose legs hadn’t fully recovered from Sunday!

Mellbreak from Hen Comb

We took first lunch in the lee on Hen Comb.  The sun was still shining strongly so I thought it prudent to tempt fate and for the first time this year apply a little suncream. Bryan was enjoying the sun and wishing that Tony were with us so he could have a long snooze.  Stan, however doesn’t like to rest too long in case he stiffens up.  So Bryan’s sleep was interrupted and off we dropped to the boggy area that is Whiteoak Moss before turning north west for the third serious climb to Gavel Fell.  

Gavel Fell from Hen Comb

From Hen Comb there hadn’t seemed to be enough drop between Gavel Fell and Blake Fell for them to warrant them being classified as different tops.  From Gavel Fell it was a different story.

Blake Fell from Gavel Fell

Blake Fell definitely had a climb. And the sighting of the ninth lake- Ennerdale Water (plus a bonus large tarn or small reservoir- Cogra Moss).

Once on Blake Fell, it was tempting to think that the final objective should be Carling Knott- it looked distinct and definitely more interesting than the nondescript and much lower area named Burnbank Fell.  But AW’s eccentricities have to be respected so it was Burnbank Fell that enjoyed the passage of our feet thereover.

Brunbank Fell left, Carling Fell right

By now, the sun cream had its traditional effect: the sky had greyed over and there was a wickedly cold wind.

Another steep grassy descent led to seat overlooking Loweswater where we stopped to take second lunch, out of the wind.  But it was only a two-seater.  I did the honourable thing and allowed the two Sunday superstars to rest their weary limbs whilst I squatted on the grass.

Our path went down through the woods to the shores of Loweswater and then a short distance further on to the car.

It felt like it had been quite a hard day at 10.5 miles and 3,758 feet.  It was a sobering thought that this was less than half what Bryan and Stan had done on Sunday. Respect! I certainly would not have wanted to go round again.

On the way home, I humoured Bryan and drove over the Whinlatter Pass.  Not only do I have to concede that he was quite right- it was much faster, an easier and shorter road saving about half an hour- it offered us our tenth lake of the day as we drove alongside Lake Bassenthwaite.  Of course, pedants will tell you that in fact this is the so called Lake District’s only lake- the rest being Waters or Meres.  But for Stan and me, the more important count was the Wainwright deficit- now down to only 26 and falling fast.

 Don, 16th April 2010

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STATISTICS:

If you have Memory Map on your computer, you can follow our route in detail by downloading BB1016.

Steve G advises: "For those who like to look at your meanderings but use Tracklogs or other software then your logs can be converted using the freeware utility GPS Babel."

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 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!

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Home Page

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Archive

2010 Outings

BB1001 :
The Most Perfect
 Winter Day
Thursday 7th January

BB1002 :
Snowcumabulating
 Potter Fell
Thursday 14th January

BB1003 :
A Snowy Equipment Test
Thursday 21st January

BB1004 :
Leave It To The Professionals
Thursday 28th January

BB1005 :
That's A Lyth Record
Sunday 31st January 

BB1006 :
Reasons To Be Cheerful
One, Two, Three
Thursday 11th February

BB1007 :
Can You See Clearly Now?
Thursday 18th February

BB1008 :
In Memory Of
Thomas Williamson
Thursday 25th February

BB1009 :
Almost a Mountaineer!
Wednessday 3rd March

BB1010 :
The Beginning Of The End
Thursday 11th March

BB1011 :
The Free Men on Tuesday
Tuesday 16th March

BB1012 :
We'll Get Them In Singles,
Stanley
Thursday 25th March

BB1013 :
The Fools on the Hill
Thursday 1st April

BB1014 :
The Windmills on the Moor
Wednesday 7th April

BB1015 :
By Lake, Ridge and Wainwright
Sunday 11th April

BB1016 :
The Ten Lake Tour (+5Ws)
Thursday 15th April

BB1017 :
The BessyBOOTboys
Thursday 22nd April

BB1018 :
The Kentmere Challenge
Saturday 24th April 

BB1019 :
Winter in Springtime
Thursday 14th May

BB1020 :
Red Screes and Sausages
Thursday 20th May

BB1021 :
The Mile High Club
Thursday 27th May

BB1022 :
What A Difference A Day Makes
Thursday 3rd June

BSB2010 :
BOOTSKIboys in Zillertal
Saturday 30th January
to Saturday 6th February

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!

Round, like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel.
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
Like a snowball down a mountain
Or a carnival balloon
Like a carousel that's turning
Running rings around the moon

Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on its face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind

Like a tunnel that you follow
To a tunnel of its own
Down a hollow to a cavern
Where the sun has never shone
Like a door that keeps revolving
In a half forgotten dream
Or the ripples from a pebble
Someone tosses in a stream.

Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on its face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind

Keys that jingle in your pocket
Words that jangle your head
Why did summer go so quickly
Was it something that I said
Lovers walking along the shore,
Leave their footprints in the sand
Was the sound of distant drumming
Just the fingers of your hand

Pictures hanging in a hallway
And a fragment of this song
Half remembered names and faces
But to whom do they belong
When you knew that it was over
Were you suddenly aware
That the autumn leaves were turning
To the color of her hair

Like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
As the images unwind
Like the circle that you find
In the windmills of your mind

Pictures hanging in a hallway
And the fragment of this song
Half remembered names and faces
But to whom do they belong
When you knew that it was over
Were you suddenly aware
That the autumn leaves were turning
To the color of her hair

Like a circle in a spiral
Like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning,
On an ever spinning wheel
As the images unwind
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind