BB0723  The Dove and The Deep Dales Round

2nd August 2007

Gary Lineker said recently that he always knew if he was going to play well from how he felt in the warm up.  I understood that today.   Perhaps it was that extra round of toast, I don’t know, but I was feeling good.  So were Stan and Tony and, without Bryan to slow us down (there you are, Tony, I’ve put it in for you- now await the retribution), we kept a cracking pace going all the way round a long and challenging day in which we circumnavigated the combination of Dovedale and Deepdale.

High Hartsop Dodd and Dovedale

It was a grey day but we had high hopes that it would improve eventually. We parked at Cow Bridge, Hartsop and set off along the side of Brothers Water and past Hartsop Hall. High Hartsop Dodd was tackled by its nose; steep but taken at a steady lick.  There are a lot of false summits here.  The guide is that if you don’t see a wall, it is not the summit. If you do see a wall, then it is still not the summit but it is the last rogue.

Onwards then to Little Hart Crag where we missed the regular path so had to improvise a direttissimo approach. Dove Crag, via High Beckstones, and Hart Crag followed in quick succession and, although T-time had been challenged, we kept Tony motivated by pointing to the top of Fairfield where we guaranteed he could eat.

Windermere from Link Hause

When we stopped at the summit shelter, Tony spotted an enormous beetle and for a moment I thought he was going to add it to his cheese buttie!

The way back from Fairfield, around Deepdale

After lunch, Stan insisted on taking us over Cofa Crag, which, although only a minor bump, I do find a little daunting with its steep drops.  However the greatest danger was from Stan’s boot, which nearly ended in my mouth as he tripped!

The climb up to St Sunday Crag, in improving weather, was long and again with several unkind falsies.  On the other hand Birks was a breeze.  

Ullswater and Place Fell from Birks

Then we had to make a decision.  Was Arniston a Crag too far?  We were still going well and it would cut a corner and save a mile of road slogging so we decided to include it. What a splendid little peak in a superb position overlooking Patterdale and Ullswater.

The descent was a challenge.  

Arniston Crag from Deepdale

We pioneered a new route down through steep bracken to emerge close to Deepdale Hall. All that remained was a pleasant stroll through the cool of the woods back to the car in what was now a glorious afternoon.

I have made little mention of the views.  That is simply because it would double the length of the report with multiple repetitions of statements to the effect that the views from here were tremendous. But if you want to see a 360 degree panorama from the top of St Sunday Crag, click on the photo below.

Don, 2nd August 2007

Distance: 10.6 Miles (Harveys / Anquet))

Height climbed: 3,947 feet (Harveys / Anquet)

Wainwrights:  High Hartsopp Dodd, Little Hart Crag, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, St Sunday Crag, Birks, Arniston Crag

Afternote:  Bryan was not entirely idle this week.  He was out on Monday on a 9W stroll in the North Western Fells!  For the latest totals see: Wainwrights.  If anyone wants to claim other peaks, please let me know and I will submit them to the adjudication committee!

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Wainwrights

Bryan has kindly produced a log of which Wainwrights have been done by which Bootboy in the "modern" era, i.e. since the advent of Bootboys.  

To download the Excel file click on Wainwrights.  

If anyone wants to claim other peaks, please let me know and I will submit them to the adjudication committee!

BOOT boys

This page describes a 2007 adventure of BOOTboys, a loose group of friends of mature years who enjoy defying the aging process by getting out into the hills as often as possible!

As most live in South Lakeland, it is no surprise that our focus is on the Lakeland fells and the Yorkshire Dales.

As for the name, BOOTboys, it does not primarily derive from an item of footwear but is in memory of Big Josie, the erstwhile landlady of the erstwhile Burnmoor Inn at Boot in Eskdale, who enlivened Saint Patrick's Day 1973 and other odd evenings many years ago!

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