Place Fell and Angle tarn

[pgrizz]

Before my friend Gavin flew back to New Zealand there was time for a walk in the Lake District; we chose Place fell with a return to Martindale via High Raise and Loadpot Hill. Best laid plans and all!!!

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It was early January and the tops were covered in snow but our only concern was getting out of Martindale if the weather deteriorated: couldn't get blocked in as Gavin was flying out the following day, he had left the wife to do the packing!
Off we set from Martindale Church and followed the road round to Garth Heads Farm where we followed a path up the side of Sleet fell. The weather was looking a bit iffy but ever the optomists we carried on, at least it was only mist and not snow, yet!!!

The path round Sleet Fell

As we continued to ascend the mist became more of a freezing mist so we were happy to reach the summit just as it began to clear a little. I left my two companions having some bait whilst I looked about for some decent photo opportunities.

Tony and Gavin fuelling up!!

Place Fell: the summit.

The view North West

It was cold so the decision not to hang around for too long was easy to make.
The next section was to head south to Boardale Hause and it was now looking promising weather-wise. Brother's Water was glimpsed though the mist.

Brother's Water through the mist

As we continued to descend the weather, and consequently the views began to improve.

Gavin taking a picture from Round How

Even though it was now quite pleasant the path which was icey needed care.

Tony and gavin descending towards Boardale Hause.

At last the weather broke and the skies cleared, the sun came out and life was rosy!!

The Fells around Brother's Water

Two ruins in a ruin

The conditions to the west were excellent giving good views of the Fairfield and Helvellyn ranges

Fairfield and Helvellyn

Gavin and Tony (not Stacey!!!)

This spell of clear, sunny weather was about 20 minutes in duration.
But we were going east to angle tarn and we could see the weather was not looking too good in that direction . Next stop a frozen Angle Tarn, one of the nicest tarns in the district.

Angle Tarn

Leaving angle tarn we set off for Satura Crag and High Raise but the weather was beginning to deteriorate.

Gray Crag

Tony,who is madly in love, found this heart shaped piece of ice. This picture is for Dianne!!

Love is!!

Cloud were building up as I took what was to be my last picture of the day,Hayeswater.

Hayeswater

Just as I was taking this the skies opened and the snow started falling heavily so a decision had to be made, continue or make an unscheduled drop into Martindale. We had now been joined by a young lady walker who was in the same quandry so a quick look at the map and a direct route off The Nabb was decided upon.
A rough descent was followed by a pleasant valley stroll back to the car.
A day of mixed weather but a good route and one I would thoroughly recommend to anyone.
The end.

[colgregg]

Definitely a day of mixed fortunes, weatherwise. One advantage of the winter is getting the clarity for distance shots without the view being affected by heat haze. The snow highlights features on the mountains often not seen on Summer days.

[pgrizz]

Definitely a day of mixed fortunes, weatherwise. One advantage of the winter is getting the clarity for distance shots without the view being affected by heat haze. The snow highlights features on the mountains often not seen on Summer days.

It was a strange day as far as weather was concerned but you are right about the clarity on a cold day. I route that I recommend.