BB2223 : An Even Harder 'Ard Day's Hike

Today’s revisit was for similar purpose, namely reducing the number of outstanding Wainwrights for Stan and me.  I remember saying at the time that I’ll be back for the next round.  I should have known better than to think that it would only a couple of years!

Bryan was with us, as per last time.  This time, we were also joined by TV Mike and Brian who hasn’t been with us for ages.  When I saw him the other night I asked him to tell me why.  He explained that he had taken advantage of Covid lockdowns to complete his Wainwrights solo and is now blasting through the Outlying Fells book.  

He was travelling in the front seat with Stan’s dog between his feet.  "She’s beautiful," he said "and I love her".  "She’s a he," said Stan as Brian fed Pedro a biscuit.  Pedro looked at Brian as if to say you can’t buy me love but if you don’t give me one, I’ll cry instead.

When we got out of the car at Newlands Hause I realised I had made two mistakes.

Firstly I would have to abandon the intended song for this report-  Garmin & Si Funkel’s Hello Misty Robinson.  It wasn’t.  We could see Robinson and all his pals clearly; the earlier cloud had lifted.

Second, and more importantly, Bryan and Stan were in their running shoes.  I had opted for my heavy boots as I knew we had a big bog ahead of us on Robinson.  If only I had re-read BB0928 when we were all wearing running shoes!  Your feet get wet, your feet get dry.  Anyway that is what I am blaming for my slowness.  It’s nothing to do with age or lack of fitness.

To be fair (to me) the initial climb up to the boggy area didn’t seem so bad.  Bryan had a cunning plan that would by-pass the bog but unfortunately it didn’t by-pass as much as I would have liked.  On the other side thereof it was a straightforward climb to the top.

It is an undramatic summit area but it makes up for that with its views.

Had I read BB0928 I would have picked up on the word “challenging” for the ridge down.  There were indeed a few places where ingenuity was needed to descend. What if I fell?  Actually there was nothing particularly dangerous- just very awkward.

Rather than continue along High Snab Bank, we dropped down to the small and delightful Scope Beck reservoir.

What followed was the long trek back to civilisation.  And how civilised.  A house that would put many of the “grand design” programme properties to shame.  I made a mental note to see if I could find anything about it when I get home.

This was our turning point.  Should we stop for lunch?  Should we press on?  I wasn’t bothered.  Any time at all would do for me.

We debated whether to reach Ard Crags via the nose of Aikin Knott or by taking the long and seemingly gentle path above Rigg Beck, around the side of the Knott where there was a not too severe or long climb up to the summit. "Please don't make me go up by the nose," someone said.  "You can't do that to me."  As a result, we chose the latter which might have been a mistake.  I was not the only one to find the unrelenting loose stone path to be hard work.

The ridge walk via Knott Rigg was much more pleasant.  We could see our car with the Moss Force waterfall not far behind the parking place.  It was a simple descent even though the legs were tiring.  Sad to think that thirteen years earlier we had been fit enough to have taken in two more hills before calling it a day.  Stan and co. probably still are.

Celebrating later at the Brewery at Staveley, Stan made comment about the music that was playing.  "Stan," I said, "I’m happy just to dance with you."  " What?"  he responded, taking a step or two back.  "Beatles, Stan," I said. "That’s what they are playing.  It’s off that LP."   "Ah, I know which one you mean," he replied.  "It’s Been An Even Harder Ard’s Day’s Hike."

And that's my record of the things we said today.

Don, Thursday 4th August 2022

PS Did you spot all the Hard Day’s Night song titles?
Thanks to TV Mike for sveral of the photos.

Comitibus: Bryan, Stan, TV Mike, Brian (with Pedro), Don

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STATISTICS

BB2223 : An Even Harder 'Ard Day's Hike

Date:

Thursday 4th August 2022

Features:

Robinson, Ard Crags, Knott Rigg

Distance in miles:

8.3

Height climbed in feet:

3,064

GPX track:

BB2223 GPX

Comitibus:

Brian, Bryan, Don, TV Mike, Stan

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