Lake District Wild Camp 9/8/17

The long car journey back gave me time to think. 12 hours travel time for one night out was ridiculous. I would be passing the Lake District half way through my journey and this triggered memories of a past camp on Bannerdale Crags. Looking up at Blencathra under a clear night sky was utterly magical and quite possibly my most peaceful camp ever.
I didn't have a map with me so checked out some routes online, Scales seemed an ideal place to start from.
I followed a footpath sign to an unknown beck and hoped for the best. After a steep slog Sharp Edge came into view and I recognised Souther Fell to my right from a previous visit.

Sharp Edge looking as great as ever!

The path gradient eased and it was pleasant strolling till I reached the Tarn outflow.

I noted a possible camp spot next to the footpath and continued around the Tarn to a nice pebbled beach where I wouldn't be disturbed.
A couple of people made their way up onto Sharp Edge and a wild swim popped into my thoughts. It was mid afternoon as I stripped off and got in. The shoreline dropped off steeply and I was soon swimming in the freezing water. After 5 minutes I felt suitably refreshed and slightly numb!

Wild swim in Scales Tarn.

I felt great as I dried off, skin tingling in the light breeze.
The Jetboil was freed from my pack and I was soon filling the pouch with boiling water, it smelt damn good as I sealed the pack and left it to hydrate. Ten minutes later and I was eating one of the best freeze dried meals I'd ever tasted, it was truly scrumptious!

It got chilly when the sun went in and I was soon donning my down jacket and hat. Hard to believe it was August!

Time was getting on so I wandered over to the potential camp spot and surveyed the area, it was just big enough for the Hubba.
Shortly after staking my claim I heard voices and a guy appeared and introduced himself as Marcin, his father in law; Geoff, appeared shortly after and we were soon chatting about all things camping.
The wine, beer and rum was soon flowing as well as an amazing spread for tea!

After last night's failure I was determined to catch sunset so grabbed my camera bag, tripod and torch and set off up the ridge leaving my new buddies behind.

The path up was short and steep, the tents were soon reduced to two tiny specks. I always appreciate the lack of weight on packless ascents.

Looking down on camp.

I was at the Blencathra's summit 25 minutes later and quite surprised to see more mountain bikers than walkers venturing up to the summit.

As the last of the mountain bikers left I stuck my headphones in and listened to some music whilst dashing around and setting up the tripod.

Looking to Helvellyn just before sunset.

Cloud on the horizon killed a proper sunset, but it was pretty damn good until then.

Skiddaw from Blencathra.

Light soon faded after sunset and the torch was needed to safely tackle the steep scree at the start of the descent.

Camp was silent when I got back and I relaxed and ate whilst waiting for the stars to appear. I strolled over to the Tarn with the remains of the wine.
It was so unbelievably peaceful as I sat on a rock sipping away, a complete contrast to the night before.
A bat flew low overhead and a couple of mice came out of the darkness to within a foot or so, it was like some sort of fairytale.

Stars above Sharp Edge.

I faffed around camp taking some night shots trying to be as quiet as possible. The Moon lit up Sharp Edge nicely and I retired to my sleeping bag feeling very content shortly after midnight.

My alarm woke me at 04:45 and I quietly got dressed, left camp and headed up the hillside.

A surprising amount of ascent was needed to lift me above Bannerdale Crags so I could capture sunrise in the distance.

Morning light soon became too bright to shoot head on but gently warmed the surrounding Fellside nicely.

Descending back to camp I was glad to see my fellow campers up and about, it was too stunning a morning to miss.

A sociable breakfast was had and then I began to pack away in between midge attacks.

We said our goodbyes as Marcin and Geoff set off up Sharp Edge. I dismantled the tent and set off back the way I'd came.

No Trace of where my tent was.

I followed the route back down the way I'd came, it was a gorgeous still morning and puffy vapour trails hung in a beautiful blue sky.

 

The day slowly began to heat up and I passed the first of the mornings walkers.

Looking to Great Dodd and Clough Head.

The final stretch back down to the car was a delight and I felt well and truly satisfied. There's something so relaxing about Blencathra and it turned out to be the perfect tonic to a potential disaster of a trip ;)

Lake District Wild Camp 2/10/15

I parked up at Mungrisdale just before 2pm and set off towards pastures new. This was my first visit to the northern Fells and I'd packed enough supplies for a comfortable two nights; I say comfortable as I'd brought the Force 10 Ion 2 with me.
I chose a slightly more direct route up Souther Fell which meant battling a tough incline and despite being October it was like a summers day!

I began to regret not collecting water lower down, I was starting to struggle and my body temperature was all over the place. I thought back and my only drink had been a coffee quite a few hours ago.

When I made it to the top of Souther Fell I was greeted by numerous little pools which could be used as a last resort (as the water would need boiling). Instantly I felt better and began to make my descent, my eyes finally locking on to the River Glenderamackin far below.

I decided to take no more chances and aborted my route up Scales Fell, instead dropping down to take on much needed water.
The gurgling little stream was absolute heaven and I glugged until my head started to feel numb!

I plodded onward up a gentle ascent passing the last of the days walkers heading back down to civilisation.

Sharp Edge.

As the sun sank over Blencathra the valley began to feel a little cold and dewy. I dropped down to a nearby stream and collected water for my first nights stay.

Once out of the valley I was greeted by warm evening sunshine. After a final stop for a couple of cups of water I walked the short remaining journey to the summit of Bannerdale Crags.

After a filling tea with some bread and wine, I took a short stroll to find a decent spot to camp.
Amongst the tussocky grass were a couple of lovely yet small short-grassed areas which were nice and flat, perfect!

Evening meal on Bannerdale Crags.

Inversions were everywhere, I'd seen them from afar before but never right beneath me!

Looking over to Bowscale Fell.

As the sun dropped behind Skiddaw there was an incredible feeling of calm and peace. The colours were stunning; delicate pastels with fine mist which added to the beauty of it all. It's hard to put into words how special an evening it was.

Sunset beyond Skiddaw.

Blencathra at dusk.

I listened to music for an hour before peering out at 10pm. I could see the Milky Way quite easily and decided to head out for some photographs.

Milky Way between Blencathra's saddle.

I'd been out a couple of hours and the Moon was beginning to rise from the North East so I decided to call it a night.
I hardly slept and was less than impressed when my alarm woke me at 06:30. I begrudgingly got out of my toasty sleeping bag.
My mood soon changed as I took in the beautiful dawn sky, there were vibrant orange shades over to the east and delicate pinks over to the west.

Force 10 Ion 2 at dawn.

Sunrise from Bannerdale Crags.

After watching the sunrise I headed back inside for a coffee, I felt like going back to bed but it was getting light and I needed to pack up and vacate this amazing place.

Blencathra and its edges.

Blencathra was my next stop and looked huge (even though I was just below the 700m mark!). Progress was slow up Blencathra's steep path and all but the highest peaks were hidden by a white sea of cloud.

Skiddaw from Blencathra.

Gategill Fell Top.

I reached Blencathra's summit quite early and in solitude but it soon became busy with people arriving from the various different routes to the summit.
I sat down and tucked in to a fig bar whilst watching the cloud below occasionally creep up onto Blencathra's saddle.
After a quick sip of water I slung my pack on and set off back the way I'd came.

Water was my main priority as yesterday's stocks were nearly depleted. I chose to pass the pool on Blencathra's saddle in favour of some running water I'd passed yesterday.

Memorial with Skiddaw behind.

I made a misty descent off Blencathra and found a clear stream very close to the path. I had lunch nearby and went back to top up my reservoir, it was a warm day and I didn't want to run out of water.

I made my northeast across some boggy ground which required a keen eye to avoid sinking. Heavy mist drifted across the hillside making progress a bit more of a challenge, I could hear voices behind me but they remained hidden by the mist.
After a quick tap of the summit I walked a short distance away and plonked my kit down. It was now early afternoon and I had a couple of cups of squash whilst mulling my plans over. An hour or so later and I was still deciding what to do! The mist was still rolling in and showed no signs of lifting so I made the tough decision to leave the mountain and head back to the car.

I kept a storming pace down the rough path all the way to Mungrisdale. As much I hate to lose a night's wildcamping, the first night had been complete and utter perfection so the trip had been well worth it.

River Glenderamackin.

Hopefully the next time I'm in the Lakes I'll be treated to some cool winter conditions, there's nothing better than the Lake District in winter :)