Just a quick question,

I'm juggling with my itinary, trying to stick to short days in the lakes to allow for a bit of sightseeing (Nothing to do with a lack of stamina, honest).

Anyone know of a good wild pitch around Haweswater?

Thanks in advance.

Last September I met a group of walkers who had made a slight detour off their route in order to wildcamp. They had descended east from High Street towards Rough Crag. On reaching Caspel Gate they headed straight down to Blea Water picking a fairly good track after 100m. They camped alongside Blea Water (where I met them)and then intended to walk along the waterboard access path to reach Haweswater and rejoin the official route. There was a good water supply if nothing else (a long walk to the pub but undisturbed)

Thanks, I'll take a look.

I started wondering about Longgrain Beck or Cawdale Beck but it looks very boggy around there.

I also thought the various clumps of wood dotted around there might provide some cover, like those at the end of Measand Beck.

I remember a spot along the Hawswater path just near the base of Castle Crag/Birks crag less than a mile from where the path down from Kidsty Pike joins.
Dave.

I agree with slowcoach, Blea Water would be nice place to camp - right at the end of valley and surrounded by steep slopes. Good description too. Head down the ridge towards Rough Crag (go steady as its steep in places but the exposure is minimal) when it flatten outs before what would be a short climb up to Rough Crag head south down to the eastern corner of Blea Water. I don't think OS maps show a path here but it fine.

Another alternative would be camping in valley of Riggindale Beck, up to you how you get here. You could descend Kidsty Pike and turn back on yourself up along the beck, or head across Rough Crag and descend (north) whenever it looks okay.

I don't recall anywhere being that boggy, even if it is with a little tent you'll find somewhere to pitch and if you can't you're doing something seriously wrong

Another idea is what I did.. get to Patterdale, have a few beers and a meal, then climb up to Angle tarn ( About 1500 feet ) And camp there, its beautiful . And makes the slog to Shap a lot easier the next day.

I did something similar but I didn't make it out of the White Lion!

Regarding the Blea Water suggestions. You could indeed camp near where the stream issues out of the water as there are some small flat grassy areas, or if its a nice evening you even use one of the many stone shelters with roofs along the shoreline to the right.
Dave.

I do like this forum.

So many helpful people.

I like the idea of spending some time on High Street before moving on towards Shap. I looked at the V-G web site . It's definately not a place to rush through.

Big thanks.

I seem to recall (but can't check as I don't have any OS maps here) that theres a smaller lake (S / SE) of Blea Water. This would allow a slightly longer walk along High Street and then you can head down to the Hawswater reservoir and follow the bankside path.

To be honest, theres loads of nice places to camp over by High Street. Personally I'd see what the weather is doing and how you're feeling, if its nice camp on top of High Street, if miserable drop down into one of valleys. Take you're pick they're all quiet and you shouldn't have trouble in any of them.

Most of all, have a great time!!