Greendale Tarn – 24th August 09
A change from the planned swim venue. Greendale replaces Ennerdale water, introducing a new for us, high body of water standing on a shelf above Wastwater. The climb up is through a steep channel of falling water, growing in strength with each additional beck that joins it. The rain has fallen heavily in recent days and the run off from the tarn and hills is fast. Today’s break in the rain brings hot sun and the ascent is demanding. Sweat runs from every pore and we rest frequently. Behind us lies the valley bottom running away to the sea beyond Ravensglass.
Today the image of glaciers cutting out this landscape is vivid.
We reach the tarn. It’s smaller than expected despite having seen the maps. It is a welcoming place despite the blanket of weeds that clearly delineates the shallower contours of what lies beneath. It is just 8 meters at its deepest point. Today, because of the rain, it’s 12 Celsius. Immersion brings instant invigoration.
We use a rock to drive in the post with the stone from Burnmoor Tarn beneath a standing boulder. I film the water surface and eventually find a small stone to take away before the hard descent. Footholds are small and tricky with my big boots and legs are soon tired again. The descent is always the riskier journey.
Almost down, the light over Wastwater has changed and now strikes the cliff directly. Steep rock cuts into deepest metallic water. The dynamic forces are inescapably evident.
Paul
