The weather forecast was predicting warm and sunny conditions all weekend. It was to good an opportunity to miss for our first wild camp of the year. We've always wanted to try a camp at Easedale Tarn, close to Grasmere, so we thought this would be a good spot for this trip. We knew the Lakes were going to be busy as it was still the school holidays, but we thought we could just about miss all of the really busy routes. To be honest we did, the only real times we saw lots of people was on the climb up to Easedale Tarn and the descent from Stickle Tarn, and of course in Grasmere. The rest of the time it was surprisingly quiet, we even ended up having the tarn to ourselves once the day trippers disappeared about 6 pm, which was a big bonus. The weather on Saturday evening couldn't have been better for camping, hardly a breath of wind and lovely views out over the distant mountains, just about perfect!
Heading out along the path from Elterwater, the damage from last years floods was still very evident
The stunning view of the Langdale Pikes across Elterwater
Wetherlam and the River Brathay
Looking back towards Blea Rigg from the same spot
Another view of the Langdale Pikes and the still blue water of the river
The 'new' footbridge across the river, just above Skelwith Force
Skelwith Force
Passing through the slate works at Skelwith Bridge
Skelwith Bridge, here we let the river and skirted round Little Loughrigg towards Loughrigg Tarn
Loughrigg Fell just peaking out from behind the farm at Tarn Foot
Sheena and Tim were both enjoying the warm sunny weather
The lovely Loughrigg Tarn
Another reflection shot of the Langdale Pikes
The farm at The How which overlooks the tarn
The road sign at the top of Red Bank, we are going right today!
Helm Crag from Red Bank
Seat Sandal (left) and Great Rigg from Redbank Woods
We decided to have lunch at The Faeryland Tea Shop on the shores of Grasmere, a great little spot!
As we had to pass through Grasmere, why not call and get some gingerbread to take up to the tarn?
Heading out of the village along the Easedale Road
Our path can be seen climbing just to the left of Sourmilk Gill
A view back down the valley
A close up of one of the falls that make up Sourmilk Gill
Almost at the tarn, just a few hundred metres left!
Tarn Crag reflected in the lovely blue waters of the tarn
We found a quiet spot to camp just by the stream coming into the tarn
Tim loves wild camping he completely chills out
The view from the tent door!
It was just stunning, I took dozens of photo's from around the tarn
Sheena and Tim chilling out
Well there had to be one of me didn't there?
Oh and of course lots more of Tim dog!
Careful you don't slip and drop your camera in the tarn!
Tim I know you love me but I trying to cook tea!
Ok just one more photo!
The last rays of the setting sun on Fairfield
Ours was the only tent by the tarn, it was really peaceful up there
Come on Tim time for bed!
Tim dog trying to buy his way into Sheena's sleeping bag with kisses!!!!
The tarn was lovely and calm next morning, there wasn't a breath of wind
Looking back down onto the still tarn as we climbed up towards Blea Rigg
There was a fair amount of high cloud around first thing making it rather hazy
Harrison Stickle with the Coniston fells to the left
It wasn't long before the sun started to burn off the cloud though
The stunning view of Stickle Tarn nestled below Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark
The bump on the skyline is the small summit of Sergeant's Crag
Perfect reflections at Stickle Tarn?
Looking back across at Stickle Ghyll, which we descended from the tarn
There were hundreds of cars parked at the New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, something to do with the Lakeland Loop cycle event!
The Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell from Side House
Sheena's shot of the same view, unfortunately I got in the way!
One last look back at The Langdale Pikes from Oak Howe
Approaching Chapel Stile
Where we enjoyed lunch at The Wainwrights Inn, before the short walk back to the car in Elterwater!
I hope that you have enjoyed looking at the photograph's from this walk? If you have any questions or comments regarding them or the walk in general, please either leave a message below, or send me an email, and I will get back to you asap. Thanks Gary ...
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Our last walk was an ascent of The Calf in The Howgill Fells
Our next walk was a visit to Buckden in the Yorkshire Dales
Other Lake District walks 2010 walks journalAll of the photograph's from this walk were taken using my Sony A700 camera or Sheena's Canon Ixus 100IS camera
© www.mywainwrights.co.uk (This page was last updated - 3 May 2010)
