The Lake District - Angletarn Pikes

This month's MDBs outing was proof that there is always time for a walk and there are some Wainwrights that can be bagged fairly speedily. I don't condone it as it kind of spoils the whole point of it all; time to reflect, drink in the scenery, unwind and take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the landscape. However, I am also of the belief that 'where there is a will there is a way' and despite my lack of time I was willing, and I was rewarded by finding the way to the most magical tarn I have ever seen, Angle Tarn and its neighbouring pikes.

Map: Bing and Ordnance Survey

My walk started from the lovely village of Patterdale. I parked in the convenient Patterdale Hotel car park and paid £4.50 for the day. There was no time for a brew, so I booted up grabbed my OL5 map and AW book two and set away smartly promising myself a cuppa once I was well on my way. Heading right out of the car park and along the road I ventured a short way and on then on the opposite side of the road I found a finger post between buildings directing me towards the start of the walk.

This track takes you towards Side Farm but before that you cross the lovely Goldrill Beck, one of Ullswater's key inflows. 

Once you reach the farm you will see the first of two Lakeland slate signboards.... Take a right here.

The second slate signboard is a little way on, by the gate that takes you on the start of your ascent. 

Patterdale Common looms large to the left, a number of gills flow down and beneath the path. The most notable one, Rooking Gill, is marked with a lovey metal Victorian bench. Just a word of warning if you pass this bench you are on the wrong path. I decided if I have time on my return I shall take a little detour and have a moments rest there. 

AW illustrated a Larch (Larix decidua) plantation on his ascent from Patterdale map, this plantation is still in evidence, if you pass by these then you are on the right path. There are only a handful of deciduous conifer types in the UK and Larches make up a large percentage. These trees will re grow their whorls of spiny bright green leaves in spring, they will darken as the year progresses into summer, turn golden bronze in autumn and as winter arrives they will fall to the ground and only the cones will remain. This cycle happens year in, year out without any intervention.... A fact that amazes me about all deciduous trees. 

The climb starts in earnest after the trees.

Ullswater and Glenridding can be seen behind you.

Brothers Water is made clear as you climb higher. 

The climb levels out as you reach Boredale Hause, this is a great hub for a number of other walks towards Place Fell, Boredale, Martindale or Hartsop.... A great destination for another day I thought. 

A view back to Place Fell.

Off towards Angletarn Pikes and Angle Tarn. 

The cairn at the base of Stony Rigg.

Even clearer.... Brothers Water with it's very angular form is a small fishing water, not the best for Anglers as the Brown Trout are few and tend to be small. 

The twin topped Angletarn Pikes.... My ninth Wainwright. 

As I rounded Angletarn Pikes I was unable to prevent the excitement I felt when the overwhelming frozen beauty of Angle Tarn came into sight.... The real star of the show.

A perfect tarn side rest and brew stop for me and MDB.

Heck Crag in the background.

Angle Tarn is a wonderful spot to enjoy a range of fells; to left is part of Cat Crag, then, clothed in an icy dusting of snow is High Hartsop Dodd, Deepdale, St Sunday Crag...

As with my last Helvellyn walk this is a there and back route, again not my usual style as I prefer a circular route but it was the only logical answer with the time I have. The square topped Sheffield Pike makes a key feature on the Lakeland fell panorama.

I was pleased to have had enough time on the return leg to enjoy the views over Glenridding and Ullswater by spending time resting MDB on the Rooking Gill Bench. Dad would have told me off for 'feet on the furniture', sorry Dad, but hey I wasn’t there long.

The final part of the walk was spent in Patterdale where I walked up to the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Post so that I was able to donate a small sum in their gatepost collection box.  This most important organisation, as with all Mountain Rescue Teams, provides a vital service for all lovers of upland areas helping to keep us all well cared for if we are unlucky, or in some cases stupid. I encourage all to follow suit as you never know when you might need to call on their help.

The day concluded back at the car, I couldn’t believe what I had managed to achieve in such a short time span; another Wainwright and a trip to a spectacular tarn. The whole walk took around 3 hours but the special quality of Angle Tarn deserves so much more time, time I intend on giving it on my next visit.

Till next time.... Tight laces. MDB x

As always, Thank you Phil. 

The Lake District - Helvellyn

This month's walk in MDB was in a word, magical. I chose to complete my eighth and final Wainwright of the year by ascending Helvellyn, standing at 950m (3,120ft) and being England's third largest mountain I was following on from my previous two months outings by smashing my ascent record. Using my OL5 map and my AW book one, I planned a straight up and down route, not my usual style but the conditions and short daylight hours called upon it.

Map: Bing and Ordnance Survey

On route, I took a detour off the A591 to view one of Lakeland's most beautiful stretches of water, Thirlmere. This reservoir provides water for the population of Manchester and fish (Brown Trout, Char, Perch and Pike) for those lucky anglers to spend a day there. A really special spot. 

I chose to park in a handy lay-by. Once I was booted up and had consumed a refreshing brew I walked from my parked car along the roadside verge to nearby Swirls Car Park. At the far end there is a little footbridge, once over this the well signposted route starts here.

The lower parts of the walk are set among the Autumnal bracken and the terminating waterfall from Helvellyn Gill on well made paths. There is a possibility to branch off, pardon the pun, on a separate woodland walk but Helvellyn was where I was headed today.

As soon as I start to gain height the ground begun to be become frosty and there was a sudden and noticeable change of air temperature. 

The brilliant views over Thirlmere and snow topped High Rigg were becoming more present as I took a look behind me.

The now very icy and and finely snow covered path takes you passed a small ruin.  

The stunning Lakeland fell panorama was opening up behind me.

A glimpse of Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.

Me, well my shadow, and a snow capped Blencathra 

The further I climbed the more snowy and wintery the landscape became. It was as if I had traveled through Autumn to full blown Winter in less than half an hour.

The perfect high Lakeland winter landscape.

The path became really snowy by the time I reached Browncove Crags. 

Lower Man provided wonderful views.

The final push before the summit plateau.

I shall never forgot the summit of Helvellyn, I found a number of surprises there and each was incredible. Red Tarn, flanked by Striding Edge looked perfect surrounded by pristine snow.

A solitary Raven kept the crowd fascinated with its swooping aerial acrobatics and distinctive cry.

As the cloud came in over the summit MDB, and their new winter additional snow grips, and I hunkered down in the snow.

Looking out over Swirral Edge toward neighbouring Wainwright, Catstye Cam and Ullswater in the far distance. 

The Summit Trig Point.... Once I touched this I realised a simple fact that at over 3,000ft this was the highest point I had ever climbed to in the UK, pretty cool I thought.

The next thing that occurred to me was beyond anything I could have wished for.... My first ever Brocken Spectre! I am still pinching myself at the truly awesome sight of it. Maybe a sign from Dad that he approved of my choice of today's outing. 

As AW noted I chose to eat my butties and brewed up at the superbly constructed drystone built, X shelter seat that can be found a little way round to right of the trig point. 

Once I had spent some time lingering on the top I noticed the time and thought I'd better be getting myself back down as did others, looking behind I noticed the sky was so blue and the Moon was so clear.

The sun was setting beautifully as I descended.

Helvellyn is the hub for a number of other Wainwright peaks so I know I'll be visiting it again, but for today I would go as far as to say that was a winter day out to rival all others. I felt like a real mountaineer, I beat a personal best, witnessed a rare Brocken Spectre and had a fab snow day and not had to drive home in it, so just about perfect. I think I found the fell in its absolute wintery best. Loved it entirely. I'm looking forward to next month's adventure already. 

Till next time.... Tight laces. MDB x

Phil, Thank you!