A very bumpy night. The rain lashed down with incredible ferocity and I measured the wind at 30knots. Although the tent did a lot bending the moorings held and so did the tent. The wind had eased in the morning but the rain continued. Looking up the fells the weather wasn't good and my planned destination of Helvellyn seemed foolish in anything but reasonable weather. A major rethink was needed. I couldn't pack up until late morning so decided to investigate the Threlkeld Knotts area which I passed on the way up. I left at 11:35am and set off back up the fell, passing Jim's Fold and up to Bennesty Knot where the path heads diagonally down. The ground was now completely waterlogged and the path had to be negotiated with care as the looser sections were quite slippery.

It didn't take long to reach the bottom and then all I had to do was find a reasonable water supply before pitching my tent. The small ponds I saw from above were distinctly grubby looking when I got to them and the northernmost and largest seemed the best bet. The water was very brown coloured but reasonably clear so I reckoned it would be OK with a good boil. It was still quite windy so I managed to find a level spot and put the tent up.

Blencathra from Threlkeld Knots cairn

1870

Nearby was a large vertical stone cairn which seemed new or reconstructed. Nearby was a rock with a date carved on of 1870. Next to the date were other indecipherable carvings. I had some nice views, especially Blencathra, but any sun was extremely brief.