Thanks April - it has been a long wait, and I regret not going for it over the winter, despite my old tent not really being up to the job. But no holding back now....already planning another camp, although I will take care to camp south of the Caldew.
I was in an utterly remote spot, no sign of a path up the Wiley Gill valley, and I was tucked away nicely below a steep slope beside the beck, in a small dull green tent. No chance of anyone spotting me!
Enjoy your camp. Thinking about Dunnerdale myself. Any photos from the Cheviot?
You probably made the right call not doing too much in winter, it isn't just the end result (whether you keep your tent or it ends up blowing down the valley/broken) but the actual experience of having a good night in a bomber shelter. Whilst there is always a place for an exciting night under the stars, usually you want to choose to do it rather than end up with nothing above your head!
Lovely trip report and share your fondness for that part of the world, the meandering little road up the valley which sets you up for a gentle pull up to the hut always makes me by the time I'm at the top and see the fells opening out. Particularly when you find such a remote spot to camp you've got it entirely to yourself.
Shall be out tomorrow myself for a WC, decided to do a horse shoe from Raven Crag down to Pillar then back around to Braithwaite, so fingers crossed the weather keeps stable.