BB1210 : Tony and the Monster

Wednesday, 14th March 2012

Tony managed to get within touching distance of a Monster today.

It’s true.  I am not making it up.  A real Monster.

Roger had suggested we visit Angle Tarn- the Westmorland one near Ullswater, not the Cumberland version. I knew that would be fine by Stan and Tony as it is one their favourite tarns, as it is mine.  Also the forecast was for extensive mist on the Lakeland hills, albeit clearing in the east  If the clag were down, this would be a safe outing.  Stan and I hoped we might have a bit more of an adventure but didn’t let Tony into the secret for fear of deterring him.

After parking at the top end of the Low Hartsop hamlet, we set off up Hayeswater Gill. The swirling lifting clouds gave rise to some dramatic views.

We generously allowed them to pass then the old competitive spirit set in.  I set off with their leader (or supervisor would be a better expression as he was at the back and leaving the others to undertake the navigation).  The pace uphill was brisk but not excessive and I engaged the bossman in conversation.  I casually mentioned to him that I hoped I wasn’t holding him up but, for training purposes, my rucksack was heavy as it had seventy pounds in it weighing me down.  Quick as a flash he enquired whether it was in fivers or tenners? Clever sod!

Anyway, I maintained the BOOTboys honour up the steep bit and then, on a level stretch, bade him farewell, explaining that I had to wait for the others to catch up.  A useful excuse.  Regrouped, we continued up to Hayeswater.

Is that where we met the Monster?

No.

After a photo opportunity at Hayeswater, we turned left to head up to The Knott.  Funnily enough, we were once more in front of the squaddies but only because they kept stopping for navigational consultation and instruction. They had with them a boxer dog with an interesting trick of sliding down the hill on its back.

The dog sled!

I thought they would take the direct (and very steep) route up to their High Street destination (up which Stan took a rather shaken Pete and me in the early days- the day of Gardiner's Grind and the Brocken Spectres).  To my surprise they came the same way as us albeit they didn’t climb The Knott, I think they wimped out to use the Coast to Coast path.  We hardy lads pressed on up to the summit.

Is that where we met the Monster?

No.

The way to High Street

It was good walking weather, clouds and mist still swirling about but not threateningly, so Stan and I proposed that we should continue up to High Street.  I know we had been there only a few weeks back, but it is a good place to visit and we were approaching from a completely different direction.  After reassuring Tony that it was not that far and didn’t involve too much climbing, we followed the motorway to the summit.

Is that where we met the Monster?

No.  

But it is the place where we had lunch, donning extra layers and ducking behind a wall as there was a cold breeze blowing.

Reversing our steps, a remarkable thing happened.  Nothing to do with the Monster.

Without any prior consultation, as we looked down the steep drop into Riggindale, Tony and Stan simultaneously burst into song.  And it was the same song, albeit at different parts.  It was the tale of Lakeland's most celebrated Huntsman.  Offcomers, like me (I've only been here 43 years), might assume that to be the ubiquitous John Peel.  But true locals will tell you that it is Joe Bowman (1850-1940), Huntsman of the Ullswater Foxhounds for 41 seasons between 1879 and 1924.

So, was he the Monster?

Certainly not (unless you were a fox).

Looking back to The Knott and Hayeswater

We bypassed The Knott and followed the Coast to Coast to Angle Tarn.  Sadly, the sky was darker now and we didn’t see it in full sunlight.  Not as spectacular as it had been on BB00605 with its cracking ice.

First sight of Angle Tarn

Nevertheless, it still looked a splendid sight with its twists and turns and small islands.

Roger's initiation to Angle Tarn

Wainwright chose Innominate Tarn for his ashes.  Angle Tarn for mine, I think.

Last view of  Angle Tarn

Is that where we met the Monster?

No.

After continuing along the C to C, round a slightly exposed section that excited Tony, we regrouped at the col where we pretended to him that we were thinking of continuing up to Place Fell.  Discretion prevents me from typing his two word response, so we dropped down by the track to the valley.

Misty view of Ullswater

Is that the Monster?  No. It's Deepdale.

Part way down, we came across two cyclists pushing their bikes up the hill.  Stan went into a rage about the disgrace of people cycling on the hills.  I asked him if he intended to say anything to them but he indicated he would remain schtum.  Well, I thought, if my wise and experienced friend thinks so strongly about the matter, something should be said.  So, after a friendly greeting, I suggested to the two amiable cyclists that they ought not have their bikes on the fells.  “But it is a bridle path”, they responded.  They were correct; like it or not they had every right to be there and I had fallen into the trap of not knowing my song well before I started singing.

Is that where we met the Monster?

No, be patient.

Comitibus : Angletarn Beck

It was a short stroll back to Low Hartsop but the Monster was nowhere to be seen.

So, where did we meet the Monster?

?

?

?

?

Answer: before we set off up the hill!

He was so saddened not to see her / it again on our return that we had to call into the Brotherswater Inn to cheer him up.  This time, probably more out of sorrow than lost ability, he failed to down his drink before the first round had been paid for (see BB0614) but it did take a second pint before his spirits were sufficiently restored for us to return home.  

Tony, no doubt, will be dreaming of his encounter with the Monster every night now.  

Let’s hope they are not nightmares!

Don, Wednesday 14th March 2012

STATISTICS:

 BOOTboys routes ares put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading BB1210.

To see which Wainwright top (excluding Outlying Fells) was visited on which BB outing see Which Wainwright When?

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

E-mail addresses on this web site are protected by  

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

BOOT boys

If you want to join
The BOOTboys
Inter-continental
Fan Club
let us know and
you will receive
automatic notification
of new BOOTboys reports.

Click on
to contact us.

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

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

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

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