BB2009 : Preventing the Spread of the Virus

Wednesday 26th February 2020

For the avoidance of doubt, I am not talking about Coronovirus.  This one is arguable more virulent and the steps taken for its prevention are more drastic. Fortunately, though, it doesn't affect humans.

I refer to Phytophthora: from Greek futon (phytón), "plant" and fqora (phthorá), "destruction"; "the plant-destroyer".  It is a genus of plant-damaging oomycetes, whose member species are capable of causing enormous economic losses on crops worldwide, as well as environmental damage in natural ecosystems.

Phytophthora Ramorum is a fungus-like virus which causes extensive damage and death in a wide range of trees and shrubs.  Unfortunately it has been discovered in the Larch trees at that well known beauty spot, Tarn Hows.

We hadn’t intended to visit Tarn Hows today.  Our original objective was another visit to Latterbarrow.  Yes, I know it is only two weeks since we were last there BB2007 but Mike B, who had not been on that outing, had found a route that had little in common with that visit other than, obviously, summiting at the same place.

To follow Mike’s route would involve the Windermere Ferry.  I knew it had been closed yesterday due to high winds but, as it was now relatively calm, I anticipated that it would be open.  Wrong.  When we arrived we found it was closed due to high water level.

Our back-up plan was to visit Tarn Hows.  The sun was shining brightly when we arrived and the snow-capped hills looked splendid.

However it was clear that intensive forestry work was in progress.  A sign explained that the National Trust is working with the Forestry Commission to fell infected Larch trees to prevent the spread of the disease.  It is required by law to fell all Larches within 100 metres of each infected tree. Parts of the woodland will look quite different for a while.

The National Trust website contains much more information about the disease, what is happening and why.  It was sad to see the effect of the clearance but the action is understandable.  Hopefully it won’t detract from the beauty of the area too much or for too long.

Our initial objective was Tom Heights.  The view from the summit was spectacular, both down Coniston Water.....

..... and over to the Lakeland hills round from The Old Man of Coniston, past Wetherlam, the Crinkles and Bowfell to the Langdales shimmering in their snow coverings.

From there, we dropped down to the forest tracks until we reached the climb through open fields to the Black Crag summit.  It's one of only a very few summits that actually tells you where you are!

The weather to the west of us was changing seriously.

There was a bitterly cold wind.  We thought we might get caught in rain, sleet or snow flurries but fortunately they kept missing us, enabling us to have our lunch, sheltered behind some rocks and enjoy the still fine views up the Troutbeck valley.....

.....and over to the Howgills.

One purpose of our outing had been rehabilitation for Martin after his surgery so we didn’t extend the expedition.  Instead, we returned to Tarn Hows by a different route and enjoyed a leisurely stroll along the path back to the car.  It would have been idyllic had it not been for the sound of the chainsaws doing what had to be done.

Later, in the Eagle and Child, we reflected on what would happen if the remedy for Coronovirus were the same as that for Phytophthora.  The destruction of all within 100 metres of the affected source.  There was only one way to banish the thought.

Same again please, Landlord!

Don, Wednesday 26th February 2020

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Bryan's Patagonia Photos

Bryan is busily compiling the many photos that he took on his South American expedition with Liz and Terry.  Meanwhile here are some Patagonian tantalisers:  

And after all that good weather and spectacular scenery, click on the picture below to see what conditions were like on Wansfell to greet their return, battling 52 mph gusts:

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STATISTICS

BB2009 : Preventing the Spread of the Virus

Date:

Thursday 27th February 2020

Features:

Tom Height, Tarn Hows, Black Crag

Comitibus:

Don, John, Martin, Mike B, Tony

Distance in miles (Garmin):

5..3

Height climbed in feet (OMN):

902 (Garmin said 1,322 which shows how the air pressure dropped when the bad weather came through)

GPX track

BB2009.gpx

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