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BB1441
: It's Brim Up There
Tuesday
18th November 2014
It
was that word again. "Interesting".
Only this time it fell from the lips of Andrew,
not Bryan. Worse, it was an invitation to Bryan
to find us an "interesting" route. Which,
of course, is what he did.
The
morning was much better than expected as we parked at
the Walna Scar Road. And it continued fine as
we set off up the tourist route to Coniston Old Man.
The
tourist route begins
It was at Crowberry Haws that we slipped into
"interesting" mode by turning off for
Boulder Valley. What you get is what is says on
the tin. Or the map. Boulders.
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The
Pudding Stone
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Later,
looking back down Boulder Valley
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Having passed
the intriguingly named "Pudding Stone" and
crossed Low Water Beck, Bryan decided it was time to
get really interesting and to climb the hidden path
up to Low Water. "Look" he said. "It's
Brim up there". That was our objective: Brim
Fell. One along from Coniston Old Man and nearly
the same height.
However, our way was obstructed. Not
by boulders but by shepherds. They say it about
policemen but when shepherds are starting look young,
you know you are getting really old. They and
their pack of Border Collies were rounding up the hefted
sheep. Martin asked Shep the names of the dogs.
"These here are Dido, Bendigo, Bonnie Lass
and Rover and," he said pointing, "with him,
Jim, it's Trim up there."
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BB1441 (8).jpg)
Dido,
Bendigo, Shep, Bonny Lass and Rover
It took them
quite a while to accomplish their task before
our way ahead was clear - a steep but not dangerous climb.
It was not quite a scramble but plenty of hand-on.
A feature en-route was a mining cave entrance
with its rails still more or less intact.
We explored
it for some way until we reached an old cart which seemed
to be strategically placed to warn folk not to go further
into the hillside any
further so we didn't.
We returned instead
to the climb.
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BB1441 (7).jpg)
Trim
with Jim
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The
mine track
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Before
long we emerged at Low Water, a small tarn within the
arena created by the flanks of the Old Man.
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Bryan
consulting the map at Low Water tarn
Bryan
found the escape route that led us to Raven Tor where
we had lunch. The clag obscured the sun and prevented
us from seeing the tops but Bryan reassured us. "It's
Brim up there". It's dim up there would
have been more appropriate. There was now a strong and
cold easterly wind so I was keen to get moving and the
blood circulating as soon as we could.
Although
it was in cloud, we soon reached the summit of Brim
Fell.
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A
glimpse of Brim Fell summit with Coniston Old Man behind
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Dow
Crag
From here we had several choices but the
day had changed. In fact it was grim up there.
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On
top of grim Brim Fell
We could see that the surrounding tops,
many of which were still
enshrouded. Of course, as made our way to Swirl
How, the cloud started to lift!
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Looking
back to Brim Fell, Levers Water to the left. Raven
Tor is the bump between them.
Our
descent was via the Prison
Band. Andrew asked why it was known as Prison
Band so I told him. It's because there was once
an escape of musicians who had been incarcerated at
Haverigg Jail (Porridge). Still playing their
instruments, the wardens found more than one crim up
there. Ok, ok, that's enough silliness of 'im
up theres!
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Comitibus
: Levers
Water in front of Brim Fell
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We
joined the track to Levers Water that those of
us on BB1434
: The BOOTboy's Bare Botty
had trodden recently.
Likewise we stopped at the
dam for a coffee and Comitibus photo.
Although the weather had changed for
the better, no-one
went skinny dipping this time.
Instead,
we resumed our descent, passing the old
mine shafts and the larger, lower workings
where some activity was still taking place.
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It was turning into
a lovely late afternoon and you could see the hills
clearly again.
"Oh look," I said. "It's
Brim up there."
Don,
Tuesday 18th November 2014
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Coniston
Water from Boulder Valley
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Pike
o'Blisco and the Langdales from Swirl How
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Levers
Water
The
Most Humbling and Uplifting Day of my Life
That
is how Philip described his first full day in Khiraule.
To follow his blog, click on:
Khiraule:
The Trail and the Tale.
| STATISTICS:
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BB1441
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| Date:
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Tuesday
18th November
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| Distance
in miles
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8.3
(Garmin 62s)
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| Height
climbed in feet
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2,787
(Memory Map)
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| Features:
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Brim
Fell, Swirl How
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| Comitibus:
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Andrew,
Bryan, Don, Martin
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BOOTboys
routes are put online in gpx format which
should work with most mapping software. You can follow
our route in detail by downloading bb1441 .
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 totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) see: BB Log.
Photos
have been gleaned from many sources although mostly
from me!
Likewise written comment.
Unless stated
otherwise, please feel free to download the material
if you wish.
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