BB0605 Angle Tarn with Surprises!

Thursday 2nd March 2006

Angle Tarn

Whilst the rest of the UK seemed to be suffering with severe snow storms, the Lake District was at its glittering best with excellent visibility and mostly clear skies.  We decided to go to Angle Tarn because we were a little worried about how cold and icy it might be on the tops and also because Stan had been telling us for weeks what a nice walk it would be.

Low Hartsopp seems to be the parking place of choice this season as once again we left the car there and set off up the now familiar path to Hayeswater.  Whereas only a month ago, Stan, Pete and I were taking it in turns to tumble on the patches of ice, this time Stan, Philip and I were rather more sure footed although there was still plenty of ice about.

From the Hayeswater bridge we climbed the route that comes down from the Knott, stopping to admire the view over Hayeswater and up to Gardiner's Grind (see BB0603) in the distance.  As Philip said, it was millionaires' weather- superb sunshine and no one else to be seen.  On reaching the path off to Angle Tarn, Stan sprang his first surprise and said that he presumed we would be carrying on up and taking in Rest Dodd.  We thought we were out for a gentle stroll round a pretty tarn but as it was a nice day we agreed and off we went.  A good suggestion with fantastic views all around, with the Hellvellyn range clearly having had rather more snow than anywhere else.

Hayeswater plus Gardiner's Grind

Rest Dodd

We made our way down to the tarn where we had lunch.  As it was a gently stroll back from the tarn we decided on a one stop strategy.  Or at least that is why I though we had a one stop strategy.  Whatever the reason, I decided to eat all my lunch. The tarn meanwhile was making very strange pinging noises, which we attributed to the ice cracking.

Then Stan sprang his second surprise.  He presumed that we would be taking in Angle Tarn Pikes whilst we were here.  OK, we concurred but as the going got steep I was beginning to regret having had such a big lunch- it was certainly weighing me down- daft really because it was the same weight or more in my rucksack!  Anyway we made the ascent and then headed over to Boardale Hause to pick up the motorway that shoots down under Rake Crag back towards Brothers Water. 

Hayeswater

Brotherswater

When well down, we spotted, some thirty feet above the path, a green bench seat that had been thoughtfully provided by the Lake District Association and, not withstanding our one stop strategy, we thought it would be disrespectful not to have a little rest there.  There we sat, three wise men, lords of all we surveyed, basking in the sunshine to the envy of passers-by below, looking over to St Sunday's Crag which was looking magnificent and very tempting for later in the year when we are little fitter.

LDA bench

The walk seemed almost over and after a junction we were following a well trod path along a wall up to a dead end in a corner of a field.  Then Stan sprang his third surprise.  He had lost my map.  Fortunately he was able to dig another out of his sack and confirmed that this path had been established by others making the same mistake, reaching the dead end and retreating over the same ground.  Once back on the proper path it was a short, if a little hilly, stroll back to the car.

Well done Stan, a good choice with several firsts for me.

 

Don, 2nd March 2006

STATISTICS

Distance:
7.2 miles

Height climbed:
2,650 feet

Map reference:
See Map

Wainwrights:
 Rest Dodd, Angletarn Pikes

 

 

 

 

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  • BB0631  Coppermines
  • BB0630  Relocation, Relocation, Relocation
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  • BB0628  Knocking off Wainwrights.  Oh! Plus Skiddaw!
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  • BB0623  Selside Pike revisited
  • BB0622  Round the Dunny!
  • BB0621  The Malham Experience
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  • BB0611  Carlin Gill
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  • BB0609  Clough Head and Great Dodd
  • BB0608  The Corpse Road and beyond
  • BB0607  Grim Fell!
  • BB0606  A Bit on the Side.....
  • BB0605  Angle Tarn with Surprises! 
  • BB0604  Hart Cragg via Dovedale
  • BB0603  Islands in the Sky with Brocken Spectres
    (or High Street via Gardiner's Grind)
  • BB0602  Holme Fell, Black Fell and Electric  Eyes
  • BB0601  Ingleborough
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