Borrowdale

This was a wee trip Mike and I had discussed before Christmas, a winter camp in Borrowdale sometime in January. This was to be a static camp. The Chapel farm campsite in winter, comes close to a wild camp. It is basic, a place to pitch, a tap and a loo, ideal.

We arrived mid afternoon on the Monday and set up camp. Temperatures dropped to below freezing during the night.Tuesday morning had the promise of being a nice day. Thick swirling clouds roiled and swirled over the high tops, drifting down the hill sides and dispersing.

We headed up to Seathwaite, taking the path that leads up through the slabs by Sourmilk gill. A steep path in places, with one or two scrambly bits. This was enhanced by several ice covered sections of the path..

Tiptoeing around the icy bits and scrambling up and across the slabs called for a bit of care and a wee bit of undignified  scrambling.

A chilly breeze kept the temperature down. A pause for a spot of lunch and then it was across semi frozen bog toward Raven Crag.

We carefully threaded our way through the jumble of boulders below the crag.

The weather began to close down on us as we headed over to Seatoller Fell. A steep descent down to the road and then it was back to the campsite.

It rained Tuesday night, however, by morning the weather was clear. Mike proposed a walk up Langstrath. It was sad to see the state of the campsite at Stonethwaite (closed)  Half burnt rubbish, fire pits strewn with empty beer cans and bottles. The place looked a mess.

Our goal was Black Moss Pot. Quite a well known swimming hole. There were several other pools too, all worthy of a visit.

A pleasant place to stop for a spot of lunch. A return visit is a must. A few easy days of dipping and swimming would be a good idea!

We carried on up to the foot bridge and returned back down the Cumbria Way.

It  was pleasant to have a day of comparatively  low level valley walking. Mind! I did have to stop and have a breather on the way back.

.It had been a good couple of days of walking. Mike is much fitter than me and to be honest, I was a tad tired by the end of Wednesday. Also, my photos, for whatever reason, never came out that well. Mike's  photos are far more superior, northernpies.blogspot.co.uk

All in all, a pleasant trip..