BB1335 : Rubber Sole

Thursday 10th October 2013

Whenever I think of Bowfell, I can't help morphing the Beatles Michelle song:  

Bowfell, ma belle, sont des mots qui vont très bien ensemble.......

It is a fine hill.  The highest non-Monro in England, dominating the upper Langdale valley, the tops of which we are progressively visiting to fulfill John Hn's objective.

A few months back, the logistics of reaching the start point might have been challenging for a largish and disparately dwelling BOOTboys group but now that I can drive my car, it is less of a problem.  It was great to be back behind the ferrying wheel, taking the troops to the Old Dungeon Ghyll National Trust Car Park.  Unfortunately my card for free parking was out of date but luckily John had a spare. Note to self- check date next time.

The Band; Crinkles to the left, Bowfell peeping to its right

After passing a new project for Tony, we set off up the Band only to be overtaken by a lady fell runner and her dog.  James took one look at her and stated "I think she's Norwegian.  Would anyone like to bet on it?" Seeing as there was no chance of catching her it seemed a rather redundant question.

A bit further up we saw a shepherd sat with his four dogs.  He explained that he was waiting for his sheep.  They were being brought back from the other side of the fell.  We saw quite a large flock being driven by a girl.  "Is there anybody going to listen to my story?" he asked.  Most of us made a hasty departure but Martin indulged him for a while.  until he realised that he would be there for the duration if he didn't catch us up fast.

All about the sheep who came to say!

Stan led us to the climber's traverse where a decision had to be taken.  Whether to proceed to the Great Slab or take the simpler, less exposed route directly upwards?  Stan explained the difference and told the group "You have to think for yourself which you would be happier doing".  I have been on the Great Slab previously.  That was not the problem.  It's the traverse that I don't like so was quite happy to go directly upwards.  "If you're at all uncertain," I told the others, "Just say the word and be like me".  I added that although the weather was so fine, it's sunshine but the wind was gusting strongly.  Roger and James joined me.  John and Martin followed Stan.

Our route was more bouldery than I had anticipated.  Awkward but not dangerous.  It was a bit of a surprise to me that we summitted first.  What a viewpoint it is especially of the two Scafells.  And Blackpool Tower, of course.

Scafell and Scafell Pike

Looking south to Blackpool.  Can you see the tower?

The Langdale Valley down to Windermere

We lunched behind rocks out of the wind just below the summit then debated where to go next.  The consensus was to drop down to Ore Gap then past Angle Tarn and up Rossett Pike to claim a second Wainwright, albeit a relatively minor climb from the tarn.

My eyes tend to water up in the wind and in such circumstance, if have remembered to bring them with me, what goes on are my balaclava and my goggles.  Bryan, were he accompanying us today, would have despaired  and said "You won't see me wearing anything like that".  But he wasn't with us and today's team were more understanding.

With my eyes now non-watery, I had to thank my goggles.  "I'm looking through you and thanks to your orange tinge the world looks hot and summery".

I think some of them were actually secretly jealous.

Flying without Wings!  Geddit?

Bowfell across Angle Tarn

Langdale Valley from  Rossett Pike

Once we had claimed Rossett Pike, Stan, who doesn't like to retrace his steps, suggested we continued north-east to drop down to the Stake Pass watershed.  When I pulled out my map, Stan asked what was I doing?  I explained "I'm looking. Through you, we will be going a longer way round.  Also you have to be a bit careful here not to venture directly east as there are steep drops involved".  At this point we met a youth who also had his map out but seemed confused, saying " I seem to be going nowhere, man".  I explained where he was and the safe way off, suggesting he came with us.  Stan suggested a more exciting route and somewhat to my surprise and concern the youth chose that way.

Meanwhile, we continued to the top of the Stake Pass as planned then began the long descent down to the Old Dungeon Ghyll.  Once out of the wind and into the sun, what goes on comes off.  Goggles, Balaclava, Gilet, and eventually gloves.  

Stake Pass col

We were cracking on when suddenly James called a halt. He has been away so much this year.  I remember the text he sent me from the plane saying "it's been a long time, now I'm coming back home, I've been away now, oh how I'll be out with you soon". He had gone on to add about his lack of fitness.  That seemed to have returned today so it was a bit of a surprise when he called "Wait".  What he wanted was another drinks stop so we obliged.

Onwards down the long valley we then walked with increasing speed as the ODG grew ever nearer.  Stan and I were beginning to race each other.  "I can beat him anytime" he boasted.  Roger and others cheered me on by shouting "Run for your life, if you can, little Don".  So I did.  Until it dawned on us why they were so keen on this competition.  First to the bar gets the round in?  Suddenly Stan and I stopped racing.  To be fair, James then insisted it was his round.

The talk over a pint (or two) turned to us encouraging John and James to do all the Wainwrights. We looked forward to being their support team. John's response was touching.  He said that "If I needed someone to lead, you're the ones that I'd be thinking of.  If I needed someone."  James wasn't in a hurry but conceded that it was "Something I'd like to do in my life."

How Bryan Got The Hump

A Balancing Act

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1335 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - see: Which Wainwright When?

For the latest totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) see: BB Log.

Photos have been gleaned from many sources although mostly from me! Likewise written comment.  Unless stated otherwise, please feel free to download the material if you wish.  
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