BB1737 : A Model BOOTboy

Thursday 9th November 2017

With others dropping like flies, the three BOOTboys left standing were Mike, Robin and me.  We wanted to keep standing.  Or at least not falling over.  So the gale expected on the tops ruled out going high (as did a forecast -7°C windchill factor).

Lang Howe called.  The mini-Matterhorn that is a relatively easy climb from Grasmere.  As I think I have said before, I can’t understand why this isn’t a Wainwright- there are far less deserving causes that won the accolade.

From the top you can see a wide panorama of Lakeland Hills and the small tarns at its feet.  

From the lower tarn you can see why I call it the mini-Matterhorn.

To the south-east and lower is Silver Howe which is awarded Wainwright status. I suppose its visibility from Grasmere and Rydal Water is in its favour.  It is an easy walk from Lang Howe and a good vantage point for Grasmere and Rydal Water. Also for the two Lions and Lambs of Helm Crag.

Continuing south-east, but this time rather further away is Loughrigg.  However, this demands that you drop down to touch the Loughrigg Terrace before climbing the steep stone staircase to the summit.

North-east now and the descent, via lunch stop and much sliding in the mud, to Rydal Cave.  I have never seen so much water in it.  Fortunately the slate stepping stones secure a surprisingly safe way into the cavern.  

Here we met a man with some very serious looking photographic equipment.

On reflection (no pun intended but the reflections in the cave are always interesting), we should have taken the path that led to the lake shore rather than returning by the Terrace.  Instead, we had to double back down through Red Bank Wood before we could wash the mud off our boots.

Back at Grasmere, I was sad to see that the Red “forever flowing” Lion was no more; the building is now gentrified and imaginatively retitled as, wait for it, "The Inn".  The church also has been somewhat transformed with its new and startlingly coloured render.  Tweedies, however remained as I remembered it.  A decent pint to be had and then back to the car.

“Hang on,” I hear you ask.  “What was that about a model?”

Well, that’s me!  The photographer in the cave was looking for someone to provide a contrast to the rock formations in the cave.  He had tried and rejected a younger candidate and for some reason chose not to use Mike or Robin.  I was just the handsome model he was seeking.  My fee?  Well, although impressively equipped, he was a hobbyist so it was not a situation for money to change hands.  Simply a copy of his photo to be e-mailed to me in the near future. In the meantime, here is Mike’s equivalent.

I'll let you into the secret.  It was my red jacket that attracted him to me.  Not my good looks!

Don, Thursday 9th November 2017

Comitibus : Mike, Robin, Don, Photographer

The Dangers of Methane Gas

If you ever doubted the Global Warming problem caused by cattle producing methane, just have a look at the photo below, taken recently on Orrest Head:

Would you like to add a comment to these reports?
Please click on
to contact us.
We look forward to hearing from you.

If you do NOT want your comments to appear on this website,
please say otherwise we will assume that we have your permission for publication in whatever responsible manner we consider appropriate.

 

BOOTboys

If you want to join
T
he BOOTboys
Inter-Galactic
Fan Club
let us know and
you will receive
automatic
notification
of new
BOOTboys reports

Click on
to contact us.

For the Index pages
of our various outings
click on the relevant
link below:

Home Page

BB04

BB05

BB06

BB07

BB08

BB09

BB10

BB11

BB12

BB13

BB14

BB15

BB16

BB17

 

Archive

The photos & maps
on these pages
will normally retain
reasonable quality
if you expand
your screen
to view them.

Map shown: Anquet Harveys 1:25k

STATISTICS

BB1737 : A Model BOOTboy

Date:

Thursday 9th November 2017

Features:

Land Howe, Silver Howe, Loughrigg

Distance in miles:

10.3 (Garmin)

Height climbed in feet:

2,753 (OMN / OS 1:25k)

Comitibus:

Don, Mike, Robin

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software.
You can follow our route in detail by downloading
BB1737 .
 
To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing or f
or the totals of the mileages and heightages
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.

BOOTboys 2017

E-mail addresses on this web site are protected by Email Riddler

Spam Trawlers will be further frustrated by  Spam Blocker: help fight spam e-mail!

 BOOTboys© is a Lakeland Enterprise production brought to you by

Comitibus Communications©