BB1715 : In Praise of Tattoos

Wednesday 10th May 2017

Stan told me some time back that he wanted to visit Ullscarf.  I thought his intention was a catch-up on the current Wainwright round of John and Terry  So I devised a route that would take us there and throw in the dreaded Armboth Fell as a bonus (if the boggiest fell in the Lake District can be called such a thing).

Bryan told me long ago that the best time to visit Armboth is in mid-winter when it is all frozen.  However, given the surprise drought we have been enjoying (apart from the bitter wind) I though this could be as good an opportunity as ever.  I planned a route accordingly.

Stan immediately threw that out of the car window.  He might as well have thrown my maps out as well.  It became clear that he wanted to put daylight between himself and John & Terry.  Complete the range he demanded.  Add in High Tove, High Seat, Bleaberry Fell and Walla Crag.

I wasn’t that bothered about not having the maps for that area as I do have the 1:25k map on my phone.  Or so I thought.

Logistics were solved by leaving my car at the south end of Thirlmere and Mike’s way past the top, nearly in Keswick.  Had Tony realised what was coming, he probably would have headed straight for the nearest pub.  But he didn’t although there was a clue about the punishment Stan had in store for us when tackling the first climb.  We had laughed in the car when we passed Steel Fell, remembering its steepness.  There was no laughing now as we climbed the Whythburn Fell.  Fortunately the struggle was relatively short and there was a good view across Thirlmere to the Helvellyn range.

The Helvellyns

It then became a normal sort of climb over to Ullscarf.

It was supposed to be a lovely day but that was late in arriving- the sun was just starting to come out as we had lunch there.  I was glad I had my tattoos to keep me warm.

Comitibus: Mike, Stan, Don, Tony

The traipse to Armboth was certainly better than it would have been a month back but there were still many boggy bits and occasionally, as on the rest of the walk, parts where the depth could take you by surprise.

Oh dear (which reminds me, we had seen some deer) the map on my phone was now pixellated and I couldn’t get a signal.  Why, why ,why when I have bought the maps and have them legitimately installed on my phone does Memory Map force me to unlock them over the internet every time?  Don’t they know that you can’t get a signal on the hills?  Rant Over.

Onwards along and across the relatively firm terrain past Blea Tarn.....

Blea Tarn

..... and on to the rather boggy terrain to High Tove, High Seat and Bleaberry Fell we traipsed.  These hills themselves are rather a trudge but the do offer spectacular views.

Borrowdale Fells

At last we had terra firma as we dropped down to Walla Crag.  This is a modest bump but a fine viewpoint over Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite and a myriad of Lakeland hills.  

Walla Crag.  Oh, no.  It's Brown Knotts!

Only it wasn't Walla Crag.  It was Brown Knotts.  Walla Crag came a little further down!

Skiddaw

Across Derwent Water to the Newland Fells

The day had really started to warm up so I rolled down my tattoos to just below the knee to let the air cool my legs.  

Blencathra

It was now getting late now so there was no opportunity for us to conclude the day in the normal style.  Just as well, really as the boys didn't want to be seen in public with me with those tattoos; rolled down or not.

Don, Wednesday 10th May 2017

Kendal Mountain Search & Rescue Appeal

My thanks to all who have made donations to my Kendal Mountain Search & Rescue Appeal. The amount we have raised so far through the Charity Choice website is £800. To this are to be added the gift aid tax relief amounts and some direct donations plus the money to be collected from the mystery benefactor who is going to match the total raised. Total to date: £2,205.  The money is going to be put towards replacing an aging rescue vehicle.  If any reader would like to add to this, the appeal remains open until 29th May.  For details see 47DON=70 .

Map shown: Harvey's Anquet 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 bb1715 .

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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