This is my first backpack trip since returning from Bolivia. I've brought my Aztec Esquina solo tent for a change. It's a bit heavier than my Vango but is better able to stand high winds, and some are forecast later in the week. And another change, this time for the better, I've not needed to use public transport to get to the start of the walk. Because I started in Shap, Cumbria I was able to get a lift off Steve, my son, on his way to work. This meant that I was in Shap and starting my walk by 9:10am. The last time I came by public transport it took 1 train, 2 buses and 4 hours. The weather was changeable and we'd had torrential rain on the motorway. The rain had stopped as we approached Shap but as I walked along the lane to the ruins of Shap Abbey the skies darkened. As I approached the ruins the rain started again and I had to put on full waterproofs.

I followed a farm track to the west until I came to the concrete road which I decided to follow to Haweswater. By now the rain had stopped and the walking was pleasant and easy. As I crossed the Swindale Road some patches of sunshine began to show. The next part of the concrete road was one I'd never been on before. As with the first stretch it's private but people seem to use it. I soon got my first view of the Haweswater Dam in the distance. When I got to the road at the bottom I turned right to Naddle Bridge then left along the footpath to Burnbanks where a lot of new building was going on. There was also a lot of building happening the last time I was here. It seems such an odd place to build so far out and remote. The path has been diverted and now follows the north side of the plantation and then along the reservoir bank.

Haweswater

Camp above Measand End

As I approached The Forces waterfall I took a minor trail to the right. I'd used it before and knew it took an easier line to the top of the waterfalls and the footbridge at Fordingdale Bottom. I stopped for a rest at the footbridge and take in the views. There was now a steep pull ahead as I followed the old track up Measand End. It was quite steep for quite a while but at least the weather was nice. When the gradient eased I wandered across towards Bason Crag and decided to camp where I could find water nearby. I found a flat shelf on the west side of Long Grain and pitched the tent. I was a bit lower than the summit but had views down the valley towards Penrith and across to High Street in the west.