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" Langstrath to Black Moss Pot "

Date & start time:      20th April 2022.   2.30pm start.

Location of Start :      By a different red phone box, Stonethwaite, Cumbria, Uk. ( NY 262 137).

Places visited :           Langstrath Valley, Blea Rock, Black Moss Pot, Johnny House, Langstrath Hotel.

Walk details :              4.75 miles, 500 ft of ascent, 2hours 40 mins.

Highest point :           Blea Rock, Langstrath, 725ft - 223m above sea level.

Walked with :              Myself, Loes and the dogs, Dylan and Dougal.

Weather :                     Sunshine and blue skies, some high fine weather cloud casting shadows.

                     

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Beautiful sunshine finds us on a relatively flat walk up the Langstrath Valley, but don't underestimate the walk

as the going underfoot is often rocky and the path covered by river washed stones from millennia past. 

Some other brave folk took a dip in the river at Black Moss Pot, a classic place for a swim !

We're heading out of the valley . . .

so here's a classic "leaving the valley" shot of the Buttermere Pines.

Our start point is by a different red phone box . . . this time the one in Stonethwaite.

You see clearly it as you approach but it is not so visible from some angles !

One of the classic local stone houses,

but this one appears to be made of part slate, part river-washed stone.

Historic information 'written in stone' on the barn door.

A magnificent magnolia tree as we walk up towards the hotel.

Teas and ice cream are also available from an alternative cottage in the village.

A planning notice talks of re-naturalising the river valley.
Presumably that might be what the digger's for ?

A pollarded willow alongside the public footpath through the fields.

You can also walk along the parallel farm track up the valley, but we'll do that on the way back.

The footpath takes us through the campsite

which is quieter now after a busy weekend (by the look of the full rubbish bins).

Ahead, getting larger in appearance as we get closer . . . Eagle Crag.

The valley is known for the beautiful clear river water . . .
. . . and several of the pools here are very swimmable.
   
The bridge over Greenup Gill as it enters from the left.
Another lovely pool in Langstrath Beck itself.

 Walking up the track, we reach the first foot bridge over Langstrath Beck.

It's nice to do a slightly circular walk in the valley, up one side and down the other . . . which direction shall it be today ?

Looks like we've crossed the bridge !

Across the way is Johnny House, an old farm alongside the main track.  We'll walk next to it on the way back.

The path on the eastern bank of the river stays close under Eagle Crag . . .
. . . and as time goes on, close under Sergeant Crag as well.

White Crag can be seen on the opposite bank as the river falls slightly over a rock outcrop.

The track down the other side looks like a small wall from here.

Ahead, looking into the strong sunlight is Blea Rock.
From here, more sunlight reflects off the river.
   

- - - o o o  - - -

 

It was quiet for Easter Week and we only met

one local on the whole of this section.

This was a first year Herdwick sheep,

to young to be in lamb this season.

 

- - - o o o - - -

Blea Rock is an impressive boulder and one well worth climbing up the bank to appreciate more fully.

It has a commanding  view of the valley  . . . and a lovely hairdo of heather upon its flat top !

The Langstrath means "The long valley" in Norse and so far we've barely done two miles

of the five and a half miles to Angle Tarn and Esk Pike from Stonethwaite away in the distance.

Below Dougal now was the object of our desire, Black Moss Pot.

- - - o o o - - -

 

The dramatic cleft in the rock

has been cut by the river and deepened

by a gradually receding waterfall

(we're talking millennia here).

 

It has been made famous by artists like Heaton Cooper

and is a favourite spot in the valley for swimming on a nice day.

The pool within the cleft is deep enough to encourage folk

to jump from the banks into the water below.

 

We need to cross the river

and half expected a bridge for our convenience,

but that is another mile further up

on the Stake Pass route over to Langdale.

 

- - - o o o - - -

The river was easily crossed in the shallows above the falls, due to the current low river levels.

There was someone who fancied a dip . . .
. . . and he signaled to his friend to take a picture.

I did likewise . . . hold your cursor over the picture, first left then right, to replay the action.

The big splash caused hardly a ripple further downstream . . .
. . .  as we started on our way back down the valley.

You would think the track would be the easier route, but in fact walking over the lose stones that covered it were quite hard work at times.

Still, the view ahead was nice as we walked along and the colours were changing continually as the clouds cast moving shadows on the fells.

High Crag at the turn of the valley was in shade which made it look quite dark.

A few minutes later the clouds moved on and colour was restored to the scene.

Johnny House alongside the track, with the lower slopes of Eagle Crag on the other side.

Back at the bridge after completing the valley's circular route.
We regain our outward track and Dougal waits by the gate.

Rather than follow close by the river, we stay on the farm track this time and pass close by . . .

Tilly's Barn

" Much more than a camping barn it's an ideal base for walkers and climbers"  the website tells me.

Past the campsite and soon back  to the houses and hotel in the village of Stonethwaite.

They may not be selling food at this time of day . . .
. . . but they are serving refreshments.

The beer quickly demolished, better drink the tea before someone else does !

A sweet little lamb . . . butter wouldn't melt in its mouth . . . but the dear thing certainly melted in mine !!

- - - o o o - - -

Technical note: Pictures taken with my Panasonic Lumix Gx8 Camera.

Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder.

This site best viewed with . . . suitable re-hydration at the end of the walk.

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Previous walk - 16th April 2022 - Three Walks Nine Summits

A previous time up here - Thursday 2nd July 2009 Four go for a Swim

Next walk - 21st April 2022 - Burgh by Sands - The Mob