BB1407 : A Letter To Stan

Wednesday, 19th February 2014

Dear Stan

You have some catching up to do. It is all very well sunning yourself in Hispanic climes but some of us have been busy, despite the UK wind and rain, completing Wainwright climbs.

Another four today.

Having met up with Mike (who kindly supplied Waberthwaite kickstarters) and Martin at Rydal Mount, we left the cars at the Travellers' Rest, Grasmere and climbed up Greenup Gill.  The Comitibus photo was taken at the bridge as we there was a good chance we would soon be in the clag.

It was still clear when we reached the Alcock Tarn infinity pool but by Nab Scar we had disappeared into the mist. It swirled around us all along the ridge over Heron Pike and up to Great Rigg.  Sometimes the views were dramatic. Sometimes not.

Occasionally there was a bit of snow underfoot. Mostly not.  In fact the ground was surprisingly firm considering all the rain that we have been suffering whilst you have been sunning yourself.

We had fun with Tony.  We shocked him by calling a lunch stop at Nab Scar a full quarter of an hour before his noon moaning time. We thought we were being kind however he complained about it being too early. He was clearly rather distressed as he didn't finish his butties!

We called a second stop on the descent to Heron Pike where he polished them off.  D'you know, I think he might come to like the two stop strategy.

The views on the descent were quite outstanding with, under the heavy sky, the sun glinting first on Coniston Water and then on Loughrigg.

Just what Teresa and Dick had been up to on Seat Arthur we shall never know but apparently she was the Best.

Recognising the presence of heroes, the Travellers' Rest allowed us to use the board room for refreshments, a fine room somewhat spoilt by an unseemly banner advertising Macdonald Christmas activities.

I nearly posted this letter at their postbox, a fine old one near the reception desk, but you will remember the problems that we ran into many years ago, not fully appreciating that a Post Office postbox inside a building didn't have the same legal status as an external one.  At least there was a warning sign with a clue to that effect.

Anyway, we had further business.  Tony wanted us to call at Nobby Noblett's to see the Lady Anne Clifford 1664 fireplace that had mysteriously been transported from Appleby Castle.  It certainly is a masterpiece.  

There is little else to report.  I trust you have had a good time and will be home next week resuming duty as guide for the boys.  I am afraid I won't be with you. We're off to the Alps, oma & opa-ing whilst Emma and Scott go on the piste.

Have fun and hopefully see you in a fortnight

Don, Wednesday 19th February 2014

PS Mike recorded each Wainwright summit for John:

Nab Scar

PPS Although Bryan hasn't been able to get out with us much lately due to child-minding duties, he hasn't been inactive.  On Sundays he has been adventuring with a group that make us look like the wimps that some of us are.

Click here to get a feel for his adventure last weekend .

The Way We Were

It's 1989 and Mike with son Sam plus me, son Jamie and dog Biggles conquer Scafell Pike after camping at Sprinkling Tarn where we saw a terrorist.

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1407 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - see: Which Wainwright When?

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

 Photos have been gleaned from many sources although mostly from me!
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