Another calm night. The tent was perfectly placed to view a colourful sunrise. Because of yesterday’s crowds on the fells I decided to set off earlier. I was packing the tent up shortly after 06:30am when I heard voices coming from above. A couple of men were coming down the path by the ‘Great Slab’. They didn’t have rucksacks on so I wondered what they were doing. They stopped by the spring that I’d used yesterday.

Sunrise from camp 2

Wide view of the sunrise

Spring below the Great Slab

The next I saw of then they were climbing back up the path with plastic bottles full of water. They must have been camping higher up. I was on my way by 06:45 and firstly climbed to the spring to pick up the ‘Climbers Traverse’ path. The path undulated slightly but generally kept to a constant altitude. I had a full view of Rossett Gill and Mickleden down to my left but no walkers on the path. I joined the main path on the descent of The Band and continued down towards the farm at Stool End. Views of the Langdales were ahead but it was still hazy. I reached the farm started to walk along the access road. This is where I met the first walkers who were heading up the way I’d just come down. I reached the road and briefly visited the stone bridge to the left where a scene was from the film Brief Encounter was made. Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard discussed their predicament while standing on the bridge.

Middle Fell Bridge

Celia Johnson and Trevor Howard on the bridge
in the 1945 film 'Brief Encounter'

I followed the road towards Blea Tarn and as I started the steep climb the temperature began to rise. Near the summit I spoke to a man in his 70s who was picking up rubbish as a volunteer. He’d just come from the Blea Tarn car park where people were camping by the tarn, where camping is not allowed, and none of the cars had paid in the car park. I walked on and could see the SW face of Wetherlam in front of me. That is where I was heading and I could see the spoil heap from the Long Crag mine level which is on my route. At the junction I turned right then left along the track to Bridge End House. I was heading for the track up to Greenburn Mine so took a short cut across the fell.

Blea Tarn and the Langdales

Passing Blea Tarn with Wetherlam in the distance

Unfortunately the road is walled and I had to climb the wall. I found a spot with a willow tree next to the wall and was able to use it get over without any problems or damage. I followed the track to the mine workings then turned up to the left to join the old track to Long Crag mine. It was indistinct in places but kept in a straight line so I didn’t lose it. At the mine entrance I to make the decision which way to continue up the steep mountainside. I started my climb to the left of the mine and managed to keep to grassy areas which are much safer than the loose rocks.

I came to another area of workings and spoil but didn’t see a mine entrance. I was approaching my planned camp and had to climb through an area of rocks. I had to come this way as it was the only source of water in the area. An area of green mossy growth indicated the spring and after filling my water bag I continued up to a small grassy promontory at 664m. I’d found the spot on a previous walk and noted its location. It was quite windy but still sunny and warm. The tent had no problems with the wind but the flapping fabric made it quite noisy at times. I though I’d have the place to myself but late in the afternoon a couple of walkers came past and continued up the mountain. The wind subsided a bit during the evening.

Camp 3 on Wetherlam