Last night was very windy and I'm glad I'm using my Aztec Esquina Solo tent as it is much better able to stand up to strong winds. The cloud continued through the night but by morning it had lifted and the wind had eased. I was away by 8:35am and even though the ascending track was easy and grassy it was awash with water coming off the fell. I took it steady as I was climbing for quite a while and didn't want to get too hot under my waterproofs. I'd taken the precaution of putting on waterproof over-trousers but it turned out they weren't needed.

View of Sedbergh as I left camp 1.

Climbing on to the Howgill Fells

I hadn't gone far before I came to a spring issuing from just below the path. The water was good but there was no flat patch nearby for a future pitch. Approaching Arant Haw I saw a walker who was coming down. He passed me and we exchanged quick 'good mornings' before continuing. The weather was now quite good and the cloud was lifting and some sun was breaking through. At Rowantree Grains the sun was striking the fells ahead and I took it steady as I climbed the stony path. This was the last steep bit of the day and the rest of my walk would have little ascent. I reached the summit of Calders and turned right to follow a minor path along the fence. I had a clear view ahead and was heading for Great Dummacks. Over its summit I came to the edge of Cautley Crag and had a wonderful view down into Cautley Beck and across to Yarlside.

I'd originally planned to camp somewhere in the area but there was no water or shelter from the wind so I turned to the west and headed roughly back the way I'd come. The main Howgills ridge path wasn't too far ahead but as I approached the clouds blew in. It didn't stay and as I reached the path I had a clear walk ahead all the way to the trig point on the summit of The Calf. It was a great day and I had a full panorama view. Just to the east was a small tarn and as I walked to it I realised that there was a bit of shelter, even though I was only just below the summit. It was a lovely spot so I chose for my camp. It was still early so after cooking a mid-day meal I wandered about taking photos.

The Tarn on The Calf.