Author Topic: TR Wild camp near Scarth Gap and Haystacks Sat 18 Jan to Sun 20 Jan 20  (Read 1862 times)

April

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We parked at Buttermere on Saturday, we were lucky to get parked because we were late away. I spent over half an hour trying to find the zip lock bag I use for my meds, compass and ear plugs. It had disappeared off the kitchen table. It wasn't to be found so I got more meds ready, beefy took his compass and we were away. We were on a wild camp and off to have a look at an alternate route that sussamb asked about going up Haystacks that avoids the scrambly route up. I'm sorry there are a lot of pics on the report. I was going to separate them and send the relevant shots of the alternate route only to sussamb but look at the time, it is after 10pm and it is nearly my bedtime  :)

We walked along the Buttermere shoreline path through Burtness Wood.

High Crag from what is left of Burtness Wood


Buttermere from the path leading to Scarth Gap


There was no wind at first but as we climbed we could feel it and it was cold.

Haystacks and Squeaky


She was Squeaking at us because we were going too slow for her.   

Robinson and Fleetwith Pike from the path up to Scarth Gap


Haystacks from the Ennerdale side of Scarth Gap 


We stopped for some lunch trying to shelter from the wind. We watched mist going over Haystacks summit. As we were going on an unknown route to us and possibly pathless, we didn't fancy exploring it in mist. We had planned to camp somewhere on Haystacks but we made an easy decision to pitch near where we were and go up next morning when the weather was supposed to be clearer. There is a bit of a path seen in this shot going across the scree. I wondered if it led up to the v shaped gap that I called The Notch? 

Haystacks from near our pitch
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We'd found a trod near the fence below Haystacks before we pitched and we could see the fence traversed the fellside for a while before turning left steeply up the fellside. We would follow that the next day.

The Southern Cross near Scarth Gap


The Southern Cross above Ennerdale


We were early pitching at 2pm but there was nobody about here. We do enjoy being lazy these days.

Sunset                                       


There was too much cloud about for a sunset view. We weren't sure where the sun was going down anyway, it might have disappeared behind Pillar. We had some food and wine and got into our bags, the temperature was dropping quickly when the sun went down.  Day 1 was Buttermere - Burtness Wood - Scarth Gap - fence - pitch below Scarth Gap 4 miles and 370m ascent.

Sunlit Pillar from our pitch next morning


We awoke to a hard frost but no wind.                           

The Gables and Kirk Fell


Nice to see them they had been cloud capped the day before when we pitched

Lovely cloud above Pillar


We packed our gear and set off toward Scarth Gap and the fence

The same cloud formations above Haystacks


We turned right at this cairn


We crossed the beck and came across a path that led to the fence. We hadn't spotted this path yesterday.

Looking back at the path leading to the fence


We walked on the right of the fence at first


Now on the left of the fence


We'd spotted big rocks ahead and the going looked easier on the left

Looking back at our route


That is Seat and High Crag in view

The terrain was slippery and rocky in places


The rocks were lethal and with the frost making the grass slippery we had to take care not to slip.

Looking up at "The Notch" 


The fellside here looked very rough so we thought it wouldn't be a good idea to climb up to "The Notch" from here although we did spot a bit of a trod before I took this shot.

We veered away from the fence on a little trod that was a short cut


The fence was descending before it re-ascended so we cut the corner off.

Rocks hindered progress


The trod was sloping and every step was taken carefully on the frosty grass


We had microspikes with us, we should have stopped to put them on  ::)                             

Looking back at our route


In hindsight we wished we had stayed with the fence, the short cut trod was awkward going.

We reached the fence again and it was very steep here


It was steeper than it looks in this shot


On flat ground now, thank goodness


Looking back at the fence and Pillar beyond


Innominate Tarn


The fence leads to a path that goes by Innominate Tarn. We turned left though, we wanted to go onto the summit. Haystacks was to be Squeaky's 100th Wainwright.

Haystacks summit ahead


At "The Notch"


This is just below the summit tor and there is a path on the ground so it looks like there definitely is another way up.

On Haystacks summit 


The wind had picked up and it was freezing, we took a few shots then dropped back down off the rocky top   

The summit tarn and High Crag 


The ground was treacherous enough here to make us put our microspikes on. It was so much easier with them on, why hadn't we put them on sooner?                                                                         

Looking back at our guiding fence


We left the fence and its trod and kept to the path leading by Innominate Tarn. There were some people standing by it and they were shouting. I hope they didn't wake AW up.

Cloud over Grey Knotts and Brandreth


Innominate Tarn ahead


Green Crag and the path leading to Black Beck


We stopped for a break and some food at Blackbeck Tarn. It was sunny and there was no wind at first. After ten minutes the sun went behind cloud and the wind picked up. We finished our food quickly and left.                               

Buttermere and Crummock Water


The descent to Warnscale Bothy


Our microspikes made this bit much easier, the rocks and path were icy.

Warnscale Bothy


The mine road can be seen on the other side of the beck


Although the beck can't be seen in this shot  :D Both routes are rough and loose and it is a tiring descent

Waterfall on Warnscale Beck


Zooming in on Warnscale Beck


Once at Gatesgarth we walked along the road and joined the shore path along with about a million other people  :)                               

Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks across Buttermere


We'd parked at the road side parking above the church and our legs were complaining at the steep climb. We'd had a great two days and we'd loved exploring and finding the trods up onto Haystacks. There is unfinished business though, I need to have a look for that Notch route now  :D

 Day 2 was pitch - fence on Scarth Gap - Haystacks - Innominate Tarn - Blackbeck Tarn - Warnscale Bothy - Gatesgarth - Buttermere. 7.25 miles with 270m ascent.

When we got home I had another look for my zip lock back with my compass and meds in, it had puzzled me all weekend as to where it had gone. I knew it had been on the kitchen table on Friday morning. I searched again for it and even looked in the kitchen bin in case I'd put it in there. Nowhere to be found. Until beefy remembered he had been mending our stove bag on Friday afternoon. He looked in the sewing box and guess what he found? My zip lock bag. He had picked it up with the thread and sewing needle and put it in there without noticing  ;D     
« Last Edit: 22:32:29, 21/01/20 by April »
Hate will never win

Ridge

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Loads of lovely pics, the sunset silhouette is lovely.


I wouldn't worry about the people shouting, surely gondolas, houseboats and zip wires will have him turning in his grave.
Wainwright Society once again noticeable by its absence.

beefy

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Great pics and write up Ape O0
Was another fab weekend of fun,
Next time don't lose your compass :D
Leave only footprints, take only photographs, kill only time ...

sussamb

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Thanks April, great write up and the pics are great as well as being very helpful for me, roll on March  O0
Where there's a will ...

richardh1905

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Some stunning photos there, April. I saw those beautiful cloud formations when I was out with the dog on Hampsfell.

That bothy looks as if it might get engulfed by the spoil tip! I have read about it on the MBA website, and it looks like a cosy spot to spend a winter's night - although I would have to lug some fuel up there.
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vghikers

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Great report and pictures  O0
It's ages since my last ascent of Haystacks but I don't recall anything tricky about the direct route, anyway I think I can see your route on the map - following the pecked line around the southern slopes?.

pdstsp

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Lovely TR and pics again April.

beefy

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Thanks April, great write up and the pics are great as well as being very helpful for me, roll on March  O0
You can check out my video, hope it helps :)


That bothy looks as if it might get engulfed by the spoil tip! I have read about it on the MBA website, and it looks like a cosy spot to spend a winter's night - although I would have to lug some fuel up there.
Last time we looked in there Richard it was filthy, smelled of smoke, and stank like a toilet outside :o
Leave only footprints, take only photographs, kill only time ...

sussamb

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You can check out my video, hope it helps :)



Yep, will do, I'm sure it will, thanks for doing it  O0
Where there's a will ...

pleb

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Congrats on your 100th Wainwright! Next time you need to make em get a move on, try headbutting their behinds up the slope, you have to train humans correctly  O0 O0
Whinging Moaning Old Fart

April

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I wouldn't worry about the people shouting, surely gondolas, houseboats and zip wires will have him turning in his grave.
Wainwright Society once again noticeable by its absence.

Strange that isn't it?

Was another fab weekend of fun,

It was except for you hiding my compass  :D

very helpful for me, roll on March  O0

We enjoyed exploring and I hope it does help with your route choice decision. I have done the normal route up Haystacks many times and find it a fun scramble and wouldn't choose the fence route if I was doing it from Scarth Gap again. I totally understand why you might want to avoid it mind with your last encounter with the rocky bits near Scarth Gap ending the way it did. I may explore "The Notch" route before your C2C, if so I will let you know what it is like  :)

That bothy looks as if it might get engulfed by the spoil tip!

It is a very well camouflaged bothy  :)

It's ages since my last ascent of Haystacks but I don't recall anything tricky about the direct route, anyway I think I can see your route on the map - following the pecked line around the southern slopes?.

There are the rocky steps that some people may not enjoy that much. I've always enjoyed doing it but not everyone is the same. A woman fell and died there a few years ago, I think she wandered too far left on the rock. Sussamb had to be helicoptered from Scarth Gap when he was injured descending Seat last year, I can see why the rock steps up Haystacks may not appeal. Re the route, on the old maps it is shown as that pecked line, on newer maps it is shown as a solid line, in this case a fence.

Thanks pdstsp  :)

Congrats on your 100th Wainwright! Next time you need to make em get a move on, try headbutting their behinds up the slope, you have to train humans correctly  O0 O0

Squeaky says "woof, squeak, woof woof, grrrrr, squeak"
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karl h

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Lovely TR and pics from another great adventure April. O0

Dovegirl

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Lovely photos April and sounds a memorable adventure for Squeaky's 100th Wainwright    :)   

Mel

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Love the squiggly clouds  :D


Well done Squeaky on your 100th Squeakwright  :)


Oh, and lovely write up and pics too April!

sunnydale

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An excellent report & photos April. Frost & a lovely sunset too! O0
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