Wild camp at Angle Tarn, 3rd June 2012.

My second (true) wild camping trip of the year was to be at Angle Tarn, north of Bowfell. Myself, Gordon, Mark, Willy and "newcomer", John, first popped into the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel to get hydrated before we set off for The Band via Stool End Farm. The weather so far was staying ok, and there were a few climbers out on Middle Fell Buttress (and others?) as we watched from the comfort of the beer garden!     

After the slog up The Band, we came to the branch in the track that heads off right for the Climbers Traverse. There isn't much flat ground till you reach about the 700m point after about a mile, where the path then weaves it's way along under Flat Crags, Cambridge Crags and on to Bowfell Buttress.   

As Bowfell Buttress comes into sight the path rises then falls, and becomes messier, until you reach (on your left), "a river of stones", as Wainwright called the path heading up past The Great Slab.

Just past the "river of stones", below Cambridge Crags is a spring that drips safe drinking water.

Another short slog brings you up alongside The Great Slab, which if you can be bothered to cross the boulders, is actually easier to walk on before turning slightly right to head past Bowfell summit, then North down to Ore Gap. At the gap we turned right, off the main track to Esk Pike and dropped down to Angle Tarn. At first sight of the tarn we saw quite a few tents already pitched which was worrying.     

However once we got down there we managed to find a half decent spot with enough room for five tents!

After some dinner, cheesy pasta (with some of Gordon's left over couscous) and chocolate flap-jacks, it was time to set the fire and have a few beers!  

I was pleased with my new Lifeventure Downlight 1200 sleeping bag that I picked up on sale at Go Outdoors too. I slept in just shorts and was fine whilst some of the guys seemed to find the night a bit chilly, or slept with some gear on. Plus my new 3/4 Multimat seemed ok too. Sunday morning was bright but still a bit windy but at least it was dry as we headed back up to Ore Gap leaving the dozen or more other tents behind us.      

John trying to enjoy his baptism of fire (carrying a wardrobe on your back!) with us on the summit of Bowfell at 903m with the Scafell's behind.

From Bowfell we headed south down the rough path towards the Three Tarns and Crinkle Crags.

Another nice view of the Scafell's from the Three Tarns area. We avoided the so called "bad step" on the way down. Having done it before I can vouch that it is really easy but with a heavy pack might put people off down climbing it. After descending over Great Knott we took a left just before Pike of Blisco to drop down into Oxendale.   

Looking back up the Crinkles as we head for the pub!

Willy and John about to cross the bridge over Oxendale Beck with Pike of Stickle, Gimmer Crags and Harrison Stickle in the distance.