Haystacks 2012

This weekend was spent wild-camping on the shores of Blackbeck Tarn near Haystacks.  We left the Wset Midlands early on Saturday and arrived at the Fish Inn at Buttermere at midday.  A nice lunch accompanied by a few scoops of ale set us up nicely for the trip ahead.  The route was SW from the hotel, accross Scale Bridge the NW to the southern edge of Crunnock Water as far as Scale Island before heading W along Scale Beck.  This path eventually turns SW to Scale Force which can be seen from the footbridge there. From here we headed S up Blea Cragg to a Cairn then SE along Lincomb  Edge to the Saddle.  From here it was S to Red Pike then follow the ridge route in a SE direction to get to High Stile, High Cragg then via the Seat to Haystacks.  The path follows the same direction past Innominate Tarn right to the Norther edge of Blackbeck Tarn which is where we made our campsite.

The next morning we headed NE around Green Crag the NW following Warnscale Beck towards Gatesgarth Farm.  From here we followed the Southern side of Buttermere back to the Fish Inn.

I have a MM route for this (can be exported in different formats) following the Northern side of Buttermere at the end and omitting Lingcomb Edge at the start.  If you want the send me a PM and I'll email it to you at your personal address.

A very enjoyable walk and camp. The weather was good to us really (we were caught in a hail-storm but it didn't last too long). It was as low as 3 degrees at night according to my thermometer and although it rained during the night I have Jack Daniels to thank for a very sound nights sleep. 

 Photos follow as replies.

Haha, been awaiting your report, expected it earlier, thought you'd been eaten by tarn leeches, but then again that shirt probably afforded you protection from unwary wildlife.

Looks like you got lucky with the weather too.

Nice one.

Include a little history in your walks. Pecsaetan - Ancient Derbyshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire - http://pecsaetan.weebly.com/

A very nice set of piccies, Pink - thank you.

Timely for me too - I plan to have a potter on and around Haystacks in May although it'll be a hit'n'run day job as I'll be staying over in Gt Langdale.

Salmon Shirted Panther wrote (see)

Hmmm, not so sure about the shirt though ...

PS Where are you in the West Midlands?

I'm surprised you spotted me in the shirt (it is like camoflage after all): did you see my legs first and work out it must be a person? 

I live in Stourbridge.

 Discerning types can tell the difference between pink and Salmon!

Here is the planned route.  It is accurate  except for not going along Lincomb Edge and we walked along the SW shore of Buttermere on the return leg.