Sunday, June 2, 2013

Angletarn Pikes, Rest Dodd, The Nab & Beda Fell

Angle Tarn

today's objectives

just over 12 miles

Three far Eastern Wainwrights were targetted on this walk.  As I live in the North West, the Eastern and Southern fells are the ones that I don't get to as much.

I didn't set off from home until about 11am so I knew that there would be no chance of parking in Patterdale or by Brothers Water.  I settled for the big car park at Glenridding and then walked around to the Side Farm path and up to Boredale Hause.  This is a Fix the Fells path and needs doing again, lots of blocked drains and crumbling steps.

From Boredale Hause, I followed the path that continues to Angletarn Pikes.  There are two peaks, the northern peak is the highest but I think there are nice views from the southern one as it looks over Angle Tarn.  I went up both peaks just to be sure.

from the North peak, looking down onto Brothers Water

South peak looking over Angle Tarn
 
the route continued down and around Angle Tarn.

I had the option of following this wall to join up with the path to The Nab, or heading for Rest Dodd, the peak to the right of the wall.  I headed up to Rest Dodd.

Hayeswater from the climb up to Rest Dodd

at Rest Dodd summit cairn looking out along The Nab

Heading towards the famously boggy The Nab.  You can see the path on the right.  However the path is intersected by big boggy peat hags that need to be negotiated around.  The summit is at the end.

The Nab.  It wasn't all that bad.  Definitely better on a dry or frozen day.

taking the steep way down the far end of The Nab.  Those sheep don't look impressed.  Beda Fell opposite and next in line.  I will cross the river to the left of the house and head straight up the fell side.

The Bungalow
It was a steep descent from The Nab.  There was a sheep with its head stuck in the fence at the bottom.  At first, I wasn't sure if it was still alive but when I got closer, I could see that it had been dead for a while.  Quite a lot of dead sheep around at the moment.

The Bungalow is a former shooting Lodge owned by the Dalemain Estate.  The area is home to the oldest red deer herd in England.  You are allowed to walk there now, thanks to the Rights of Way Act, but previously, walkers were much less welcome.  In Book Two, The Far Eastern Fells, published in 1957, Wainwright says:

" 'Keep Out' notices, barricaded gates, and miles of barbed wire must convey the impression even to the dullest-witted walker that there is no welcome here.  That impression is correct.  Wandering within the boundaries of the deer forest is not encouraged.  Permission to visit the area should be sought at the Keeper's bungalow, and, justifiably, may not be granted.

The author carried out his explorations surreptitiously, and without permission (not caring to risk a refusal): he was not detected, but this may possibly have been due to his marked resemblance to an old stag, and other trespassers must not expect the same good fortune."

down the steep end of The Nab

on consulting the map, I could see that there was a footbridge 100m or so from the farm wall.  Here is what I found.
 
across the valley and starting the steep climb up to Beda Fell looking back to The Nab on the left and the head of the valley
 
Beda Fell summit looking over Ullswater behind Hallin Fell

heading back along the ridge from Beda Fell to Boredale Hause

and back down to Glenridding

No comments:

Post a Comment