BB1111 : Kentmere Parts 1 & 2

Kentmere Part 1

Thursday 5th May 2011

It seems that most years there is a period in Spring when the weather in the Lake District is remarkable, often counter to the rest of the country.  But all good things come to an end and the forecast suggested that today would be the day.  But just when that would be remained to be seen- would it allow us a morning up Kentmere?

I had my doubts about Kentmere for other reasons- some of us plan to be there again on Saturday as part of the Kentmere Challenge.  However John S came up with a suggested shortish route that had little overlap with the Challenge and John PL was almost lyrical in his enthusiasm for it so I relented.  Tony was just glad to get out!

It was a somewhat cloudier day than many we have known lately but still a fine morning as we parked near Browfoot.  Our route was to the north, alongside the Kent and the Kentmere Tarn (surely a tautology?), passing the footbridge used by Annabel Williams for outdoor family group photos, the Sawmill Cottage Gallery and the warehouses. 

At the south end of the tarn there used to be the end of an aerial runway but now there is little left other than a fine viewpoint and a derelict hut.

Approaching Kentmere

In contrast, the 14th century pele tower at Kentmere Hall is in remarkably good condition.  Here we turned south onto the higher path and after climbing around Whiteside End found a grassy knoll at the heady height of 1002 feet at which to take lunch.

Kentmere Tarn from the higher path

Thereafter it was a gentle stroll along bridle paths before dropping back down to the car.  There was the odd spot of rain in the air but nothing more than that.  The downfall is still awaited!

Don, 5^th May 2011

Kentmere Part 2

Saturday 7th May April 2011

Two days later, long awaited rain had fallen.  What’s more, the forecast for today, the Kentmere Challenge walk day, was for bursts of heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lighting.  However it now seemed that after heavy overnight rain, there was to be a calm period until the afternoon.

Seven of us were due to meet at the official start point in Staveley outside the beer hall for a 9 a.m. departure.  Margaret and I saw Ian as soon as we arrived and then noticed James talking to his Rotary buddies with Catherine nearby.  But where were Bryan and Liz?  It is not like Bryan to be late so eventually I phoned and discovered him at home. Yes, he and Liz were still planning to go on the walk.  Tomorrow!!  Oops!!!

So the five of us set off up Kentmere, following the road up the west side of the valley, up which we had driven on Thursday, having a team picture on the same bridge and then progressing along the footpath from Browfoot.

There are many houses in this valley that one might covet, although perhaps not the prospect of actually getting in and out in winter.  In their garages, there are no doubt many vehicles that one might equally covet but perhaps not this Morris Minor!  Not all the residences remain desirable, however.

At Croft Head we branched left to climb over Meadowplatts Plantation to rejoin Thursday’s route and the first checkpoint.

Looking across and down Kentmere

The view from the checkpoint

Dropping down into Kentmere, above the Tarn

In the reverse of Thursday, we headed north, dropping down into Kentmere and into the village hall for tea and biscuits.

After a quick look round St Cuthbert’s Church, we climbed to Green Quarter and then up to Birk Rigg.

Looking back to Green Quarter and across to Kentmere Park

Ian, James and I had a laugh hiding behind a wall to jump out at the girls as they approached a gate.  Ian reckoned we were acting out a scene shown in Last of the Summer Wine in 1975.  And 1982, 1989, 1997 and 2004!  Quite possibly but it was fun!

Reston Scar

River Kent at Staveley

Shortly afterwards it started to rain.  Not the heavy downpour that we half anticipated but more of a spitty drizzle.  For some strange reason we all put on our cags but none of us bothered about over-trousers which explains why we eventually rolled up at the Staveley Beer Hall with rather wet trousers.  Damp but strangely not feeling as if we had just completed a 10 miler.  

Must try a longer option next time!

Don, 7th May 2011

STATISTICS:

BOOTboys routes ares now being put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading BB1111 and BB1111b.

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see
Which Wainwright When?

For the latest totals of the mileages and heights see: BB Log.

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Archive

2011 Outings

BB1101 :
Wasnfell Revisited
Tuseday 11th January

BB1102 :
Recuperation Scar!
Thursday 17th February

BB1103 :
A Promenade of Pensioners
Thursday 24th February

BB1104 :
The B Team
Thursday 3rd March

BB1105 :
A Little Bit Of Wind
Thursday 10th March

BB1106 :
A Linthwaite Round
Thursday 17th March

BB1107 :
Home From The Pulpit
Thursday 24th March

BB1108 :
Taking The Brunt
Thursday 31st March

BB1109 :
Up The Spout
Wednesday 6th April

BB1110 :
Not The Royal Wedding
Friday 29th April

BB1111 :
Kentmere Parts 1 & 2
Thursday 5th, Saturday 7th May

BB1112 :
Five Unknown Tarns
Wednesday 11th May

BB1113 :
Gurnal Dubbs Revisited
Thursday 19th May

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

 Wainwrights

To see which Wainwright
top was visited on which
BB outing see Which Wainwright When?.

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