BB1520 : It Takes A Little Longer These Days

Wednesday 2nd June 2015

In his pomp Stan could tackle the Fairfield Horseshoe in just over an hour and a half.  Other BOOTboys (not us!) might have managed it a wee bit faster but it is still no mean achievement.  Today he thought it might take just a little longer. Five hours was his target.

We tackled the circuit clockwise, the race route direction, starting from Rydal Hall.  Nab Scar, the first hill, is a brute.  I remember it from years ago and thinking then I am not bothered if I never have to do it again.  I still feel the same. To be fair, the views are good.

Windermere, Rydal Water and Grasmere from Nab Scar

The next tops are, in comparison, a doddle. Heron Pike, Great Rigg and Fairfield itself followed in relatively quick succession.

Looking up to Fairfield

It was colder than expected so James excited us by reaching into his rucksack and revealing his... well, let's tell it in verse:

James had Goretex waterproof boots on.
James wore garters and a baseball cap.
James flashed his brand new bright red anorak.
"There," said James "Top that!"

Next stop Hart Crag and lunch.

In the distance we could see a group of guys heading off down in the Dovedale direction. That is all I thought about them.

After that excitement it was a gentle stroll back but around the Sweden Bridge area there was an awful lot of awful ground disturbance where large machinery had been doing things and blue pipes were in abundance .  We guessed, rightly as it turned out, that a water turbine was being constructed.

The beauties of Scandale Beck

Cut myself?

What a mess.  It did however provide a bit of a short cut down to the track through Rydal Park and back to the Hall.

Later we met the four guys we had seen earlier.  They had been to inspect the Priest's Hole Cave.  That's something I had never heard of.  Must go up from Dovedale one day to see it.

Did Stan achieve his five hours? Yes, of course, when time-adjusted for stoppages.

Where to celebrate?  We needed a decision.  Now that's something that doesn't take a little longer these days!  To the Badger Bar!

Don, Wednesday 3rd June 2015

Afternote:  Bryan has referred me to AW's page 2 of Low Pike, clearly showing the Rock Step, as he calls it, 400 feet below Low Pike.  He also describes an alternative way round.

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1520  .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - or for the totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) see the Excel file: BB Log.

You can navigate to the required report via the Home Page

Photos have been gleaned from many sources
although mostly from me and other BOOTboys. Likewise written comment.

I apologise if I have failed to acknowledge properly the source or infringed
copyright.  Please let me know and I will do my best to put things right.

Unless stated otherwise, please feel free to download the material if you wish.
A reference back to this website would be appreciated.

Wainwrights

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see Which Wainwright When? This may or may not be up to date!

For the latest totals of the mileages, heights and Lakeland Fells Books Wainwrights see: Wainwrights.
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BOOTboys 2015

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