Wild camp - Dalehead Tarn, 14th July 2012.

Myself, Lorna, Ruth and Ian drove down to Skelgill, to the west of Derwentwater near Keswick, to do the shortish walk in over Catbells to Dalehead Tarn. This would be Lorna's first real wild camp carrying gear, so it had to be a relatively easy one!

After crossing over Maiden Moor (great views over to the Scafell range), we dropped down over High Spy and Eel Crags to Dalehead Tarn, our camp spot for the night. Unfortuneately the sheepfolds were full with tents, although the main one was wasted by a group of guys having a fire in the middle, instead of using it as shelter! So after a bit of hunting around we managed to find a spot relatively sheltered from the incoming rain. We even managed to light a fire briefly before the rocks we built it on exploded with the heat!

After a reasonable night, we had breakfast, struck camp and climbed up over Dalehead at 753m, and followed Littledale Edge, North West, passing Hindscarth to the right on our way. After crossng over Robinson, we dropped down to Newlands Hause and had a bite to eat at the foot of Moss Force. I would be possible to drop down to Buttermere and camp there for the night as a three day walk. 

Looking across towards High Stile and Red Pike above Buttermere.

Lunch at the foot of Moss Force at Newlands Hause, before turning North East and heading over Knott Rigg and Ard Crags.

Lorna on the short but steep climb up Knott Rigg with the Buttermere valley behind.

Ian and Ruth on Knott Rigg, with Causey Pike (i think?) behind.

Looking South East from near Knott Rigg, back over to High Spy on the left and Dalehead on the right. Dalehead Tarn, out of view, sits right in the middle of the two.

Descending Red Screes after Ard Crags, and looking into the Newlands Valley as we head back to Skelgill and the car.   

Catbells-High Spy-Dalehead Tarn, 12th May 2012.

As Lorna was looking for an "easier" type of walk to continue her very slow rehabilitation back in to hill walking and more, we opted for a route I've often seen on the way to Borrowdale and Scafell. Catbells can be seen as you drive out of Keswick and out to Borrowdale and although not very high, always looked like it would be a walk with some great views. 

We drove out to Portinscale and on to the very small car park at the start of the Catbells route near Skelgill. The long undulating ridge gives you great views over Derwent Water, Keswick and beyond. In fact skiddaw and Blencathra were also visible the day we were there.  

A minor challenge for Lorna was the scrambly section on Maiden Moor, easy for the rest of us, but tricky when you still have a stiff and still painfull ankle.   

Looking back to Skiddaw in the distance.

As we made the top of High Spy, we could see the crags below Dalehead with Hindscarth beyond. From here we descended through Eel Crags to cross the stream and over to Dalehead Tarn.

Looking back to Eel Crags before crossing over to Dalehead.

At Dalehead Tarn there are several walled shelters which seem suitable for a spot of wild camping. Sadly there was some rubbish stuffed into the walls and a recently left arrangement of two fresh banana skins!
TAKE YOUR RUBBISH HOME!

After lunch, we headed north, descending along the path following Newlands Beck, which itself has loads of tempting picnic spots next to several waterfalls en route.

Looking back up Newlands Beck with Dalehead Crags on the right and High Spy and Eel Crags on the left. From here, it is a straightforward walk back through Little Town and back to the car park at Skelgill.