BB1701 : The Dozenth Visit

Wednesday 4th January 2017

This has often been a target for us at this time of year, mainly because it is so accessible. An added bonus is that if the sun shines, it has splendid views but sometimes we have been there in thick mist.  Also in real winter conditions- I particularly remember BB1503  in which John Hn and I plus a passing lady were throwing ourselves down the hill practicing ice axe arrests.  Also, less fun, BB0941 also in winter conditions when I was wearing the double skinned Alpine boots that I had bought on ebay and weighed a ton.

All in all we had, before today, been there 11 times.  This would make the dozenth Wansfell visit.  As an added bonus we would have the return of two BOOTboys who have been missing for too long- James and Sam.

I plotted the route- Ambleside, Wansfell Pike, Baystones, Troutbeck, Robin Lane, Jenkin Crag and back to the car.  Out of curiosity I checked back over the previous visits to see how many times we had done that particular, most logical circuit.

The answer surprised me.  Never.  It just shows that even if a target is on your doorstep, there is often a variety of different ways of getting there and back.  On the other hand, as scribe, it relieves me of having to do too much commentary.  Just check out one or more of these:

BB0612   BB0703   BB0941   BB1101  BB1123   BB1139
BB1304   BB1341   BB1345   BB1503   BB1633

If you were thinking that this must mean that it is our most visited hill.  It isn't There is one that is two ahead of it.  Can you guess what it is?  The answer at first surprised me. All will be revealed later.

It was a glorious day but cold on the north face of the hill where the sun had not yet arrived.

Approaching Wansfell Pike summit
 

Windermere from near Wansfell Pike summit

After reaching the Wansfell Pike summit we headed along the ridge to reach the Wainwright "Baystones" top.

 Red Screes and round to the Kentmere tops.  Can you see the Kirkstone Inn? 

Having warmed considerably last week to Memory Map on my phone, I could gladly have crushed it under my feet this time.  

The OS map suggests that the actual Baystones summit is on the north side of a wall you encounter immediately after what looks like the real top.  Boring techie paragraphs below- right.  Skip them if you like!

Our descent via Nanny Lane to Troutbeck took us to the Old Post Office which is now a friendly cafe where we had excellent panninis.

Comitibus: The Old Post Office Cafe

The route back from here was along Robin Lane, first to what is shown on the OS map simply as "Pillar" which may or may not have been a "Viewing Station" for Victorian Tourists.  I was once convinced it was but now am less certain.  But if not, I don't understand its significance.  

Robin Lane to High Skelghyll

All the way along here are fine views of the distant hills but there is another viewing point (but not, I am sure, a "Viewing Station") a short detour from the path at Jenkin Crag. It would be even better if the trees were cut back somewhat.

Don approaches Jenkin Crag

Finally we dropped into Ambleside.  We had completed the dozenth visit of Wansfell. Now it was time for another sort of visit.  This one totals many times more than a dozen. The Hawkshead Brewery in Staveley.

Don, Wednesday 4th January 2017

Panorama round from Coniston Old Man to Red Screes

The Most Visited Hill?

It's the Far Eastern Book's Harter Fell.  Were you right?

Map shown: Anquet Harvey's 1:25k

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1701 .

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 heightages (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.

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BOOTboys 2017

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