With a longish day ahead I didn't hang around getting ready. Last night was mostly clear and the temperature had just dipped below zero. There was a nice red glow on the eastern horizon just before sunrise. The grass was still frosty as I packed the tent away. The sun briefly appeared as it rose above the clouds but was soon gone and not to be seen for the rest of the day.

Just before sunrise from the tent.

I don't think this sign will have much effect.

I'd originally planned to climb to Walna Scar but now it was in cloud. I decided to skirt its west side and have a look at some of the distant quarries I could see. I picked my way carefully through the boggy areas before coming across an old quarry road. It was well constructed and made the going easy due to the steady gradient it had been built to. The quarries covered quite a large area and many of the building were up to full height, but without roofs. The interconnecting roads were still there and I followed them all the way to the Walna Scar Road track. I'd decided to head towards Seathwaite Tarn, which was directly ahead across a large expanse of boggy ground. I opted for the dry route and descended the track to Broad Haws and the point where the tarmac road starts. A right turn over a bridge took me towards the Tarn, which is a reservoir.

Just as I got there a United Utilities land rover arrived and unlocked the gate then drove through. I shut the gate for him while he drove up the track. The sky continued overcast as I trudged up the track. There was a feeling of rain in the air but it hadn't arrived yet. I saw the land rover vanish round a bend high up the fell and about 10mins later reappear as he came down again after his inspection. As he passed we exchanged waves. I got to the reservoir dam and walked across the path which runs over it. The wind was very strong and I hung on to my hat as I crossed. It was then I realised I still had my head torch on from the morning. I left it on as it helped to keep my hat more secure. I have lost several in the past through being blown off and lost in tarns and rivers.

The dam at Seathwaite Tarn.

The old mineral workings
above Seathwaite Tarn.

An indistinct path follows above the NW shore. I followed it to the end o the reservoir and to the old mine workings shown on the map. I continued up Tarn Head Beck and noticed a narrow trail that had been engineered into the fell side. I came to a ruined building and a short way ahead came to another and remains of mineral mining spoil heaps. There were several of these as I climbed higher up the valley. I left them behind as the valley steepened and then I was in cloud again. I decided to look for a water supply and possible pitch for the tent. At the top of Carble Hows I found a depression with some shelter from the wind. Nearby was a clear stream so I pitched the tent and hoped the wind didn't get much stronger. Surprisingly I found I had a reasonable mobile signal.

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