Overnight the forecast rain didn't happen but the wind got up a bit and it was colder than normal at 9degC. As I looked out of the tent at 5am the sky was clear but some cloud was forming over Helvellyn. I don't have a particularly long day and no bus to catch so I delayed my start hoping the sun would break through and dry the tent. Unfortunately as the sun rose so did the cloud and as I left at 8:25am the sun still hadn't broken through the cloud. As I climbed the ridge I came into sunshine, but it had no warmth due to the cold northerly wind. The walking was pleasant and easy as the gradient was only slight. On the way to Ullscarf summit I passed the small tarns which are shown on the map, they had a wonderful blue look to them because of the blue sky above. Looking straight into the water was dark, black and not at all inviting. A small cairn denoted the summit of Ullscarf. It needs a marker as the area is fairly flat with no obvious summit.

Heading north I came to a couple of walkers who were standing by the fence and talking in the wonderful views. I said hello but didn't stop. I descended the easy path to High Saddle then Low Saddle where I sat among the rocks to take in the lovely day. The descent is now quite steep and no path to follow. Once I'd reached the flat fell I was into large tracts of horrible bog. Constant backtracking was needed as I kept sinking into the moss. Eventually I came in sight of Dock Tarn without being swallowed without trace. The difficulties weren't over as the Tarn itself is little more than a bog with shallow bog round it. Once on the path the going was much easier though very bouldery. At least I didn't keep sinking in the mire.

Great Gable from the descent of Ullscarf

Dale Head from Low Saddle

I headed north towards Watendlath and started to meet people coming up the path. I didn't particularly want to go there and was glad to see a way marker to return me to the original path going across to Puddingstone Bank. Once there I was on the main path to Rosthwaite but again that wasn't where I wanted to be. I crossed the track and followed the wall up to just short of Jopplety How and found a nice pitch for my tent just behind a small knoll and out of sight from the path. Just as I was putting my tent up a man climbed over the stile with his dog. He was a local and we chatted for a while before he set off down to Rosthwaite and a pint in the pub. I told him that my pint would have to wait till tomorrow.