BB1534 : Not So Keen ?

Thursday 8th October 2015

This could be the last chance to travel to the Northern Lakes in decent weather before the clocks go back and days get short.  

So ran the mantra that sent us up past Windermere where the sun was burning the mist off the lake.

Mist clearing beyond Windermere

On we went, round the top of Derwent Water and down to Little Town in the Newlands Valley.  Our objective?  We were keen to tackle the Newlands Round.

Looking up the valley to Hindscarth

A purist might say that the Newlands Round ought not include Cat Bells but why escapes me.  

What baffles me further is why Wainwright considers Cat Bells “a family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together.”

Certainly, it is one of the best viewpoints in the Lakes but they would need to be a pretty tough family- the ascent is seriously steep in parts.  Most grannies I know would definitely not be so keen.  “Grannies and infants beware” would be my advice.  School parties, however, are another matter.  I first climbed it when at school camp in Borrowdale (quite a long time ago!) and it was good to see that the tradition continues.

Looking back over Derwent Water to Keswick and Skiddaw

Our route continued along the ridge to Maiden Moor and on to High Spy, a fell on which Stan is so keen he named his house after it.  Unfortunately, the promised nice day melted away to be replaced by cold wind and nasty rain, albeit not very heavy.  

Nasty weather coming from the south

On reaching Dale Head, we dropped down a little in the lee of the wind but not so far as to tumble the 500 feet drop to the valley below.  

Clouds over Great Gable

Here we had lunch, enjoying the spectacular view down the Newlands valley and across to the Skiddaw Fells.  Definitely a view in the keen kategory  However at this point Bryan joined the Not So Keen klan.  His Keen boots were coming apart. To be fair, they have been well used though only 7 months old.

It was still too cold to linger so we soon pressed on to Hindscarth by which time the weather was rapidly improving.  There was a very short debate as to whether we should retrace our steps a little to then tackle Robinson but wiser heads were not so keen.

Now in glorious sunshine we descended the long ridge to the valley. This was not a doddle.  There were stretches where the narrow path traversed the steep hillside and care was needed.  Even more care was needed on some of the rocky sections where, again to quote someone (I thought it was AW but I can't now find it) that feet, hands and elbows would all be needed.  

Add bottom to that list.

At the bottom (of the hill, not on the hill) our two experts had a disagreement as to which was the quicker way back to the car.  As Bryan took his followers off up the valley to a bridge across the beck, we warned that we might not be back first as Stan and I wanted to have a look at Newlands Church.  

We did that and still got back to the car fist.  And no, we did not run.  Bryan graciously accepted defeat and we repaired to the Swinside Inn.

Looking back to Hindscarth

To sit outside with a pint, watching the sun setting over Hindscarth?  

Very keen.

Don, 8th October 2015

Afternote:  Regarding the Keen boot problems:

Martin reports: I believe I was just unlucky with the lace hook rivet giving up - Castleberg Outdoors in Settle haven't had it reported before. They have been exceptional in their positive customer service and apologies and deserve full credit. I have a new replacement pair of boots, collected today, ready for breaking in with a walk in the Ribble Valley tomorrow.

Bryan has had a similar positive experience:  I took them back to Lakeland Great Outdoors at Plantation Bridge who replaced them for me there and then. Excellent service.

Both are very keen on the way their suppliers have managed the problem.  Let's hope that keeness on Keen is now fully restored. 

BOOTboys routes are put online in gpx format which should work with most mapping software. You can follow our route in detail by downloading bb1534 .

To discover which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing - although it may not be that up to date - or for the totals of the mileages and heights (ditto) 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.

Wainwrights

To see which Wainwright top was visited on which BB outing see Which Wainwright When? This may or may not be up to date!

For the latest totals of the mileages, heights and Lakeland Fells Books Wainwrights see: Wainwrights.
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BOOTboys 2015

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