BB1018 : The Kentmere Challenge

Saturday 24th April 2010

We had intended to rise to the full challenge- 20 miles and 4,750 feet of climbing but when Ian phoned me to say he had not been very well and was unwilling to risk the full round, I must admit I breathed a sigh of relief. I suspect Martin did too.

The challenge had been posed by the Rotary Club of South Westmorland in aid of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Families Association and the Motor Neurone Disease Association.  It must be said that they took their duties very seriously.  The way-marking made it pretty difficult for anyone to get lost.  On such a lovely day, it was impossible!

No mistaking the way!

Starting from Wilf's car park in Staveley, the route went up the west side of the valley first on road, then bridle path and finally onto open fell.  

We thought it was going to include Sallows but it passed over the shoulder.  We made a slight detour to contemplate adding in the summit but decided it was too much backtracking.

The "expert's" route continued over Yoke and round the head of the valley but we lesser mortals dropped down the Garburn Pass to Kentmere.

On the way, we passed a man carrying a bed on his back and, subsequently, a previously unnoticed climbing rock where he might have been using his bed as a falling-off protector (or to kip on whilst waiting his turn).

There is some lovely old property in Kentmere, most of it sympathetically restored or developed.  It is a lovely valley but I still wouldn't want to live there- so near to Kendal yet so isolated.

Lunch was taken at the Kentmere Village Hall where a man suddenly looked at Ian and said "It's Ian!"  Ian looked blankly back and the man said "See this scar below my eye?  You did that."  Ian eventually recalled that this related to an incident in a squash match some thirty years or more previously.  Fortunately there was no ill will remaining!

Kentmere village from Green Quarter

Upper Kentmere Valley

The route back was via Green Quarter (past an excellent display of washing for Margaret) to Cocklaw Fell, down to Skeggles Water then across Staveley Head Fell.

Shipman Knotts from Cocklaw Fell

Nearing Staveley, Reston Head to the right

Barley Bridge Weir, Staveley

Returning to the Mill Yard, we downed a well earned pint at the Hawkshead Brewery with its micro dray horses.

Of course on checking in we were challenged.  Were we going to do the full round next year?  Well, are we?  Watch this space!

Don, 24th April 2010

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STATISTICS:

If you have Memory Map on your computer, you can follow our route in detail by downloading BB1018.

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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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

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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!