Round the lake: 0.1 miles, 3 minutes (including detour to avoid wet feet)
Time taken - whole walk (including Dalehead Tarn - see previous post): 2.5 hours
Height: 610ft net from car park to tarn (maximum height gain 1000ft)
I have to admit, until I drew up my list of Lakes and Tarns around which I determined to walk, I'd never heard of Launchy Tarn. It looked like nothing more than an accidental dab of blue ink on my ordnance survey map, clearly not one of the world's great stores of fresh water.
Like Dalehead Tarn, it can be reached either from the Little Town area of the Newlands Valley or from Honister and it was from there that I combined it with a trip to Dalehead Tarn (see previous post). My first sight of Launchy Tarn came at the same time as that of Dalehead Tarn and it really looked too small to be considered worthy of a name sitting high on a hill above its larger neighbour.
Launchy Tarn, perched on a hill above Borrowdale and looking like a wet spot rather than a tarn.
Leaving Dalehead Tarn behind, I set out along the path towards High Spie but quickly turned to my right and headed across the fell towards a fence which I'd earlier seen led straight to the tarn itself. Climbing steadily I reached the fence after ten minutes or so and then walked along it, still climbing until the sparkling waters came into view.
My earlier impression that the fence ran right alongside Launchy Tarn was confirmed; indeed, it could be said that the fence ran over the tarn at one particular point.
How small can a piece of water be and still be considered a Tarn?
I looked into the water and found it to be clear and sparkling and the bottom of the tarn to be stony - I had expected it to be peaty or maybe full of weeds. Perhaps it was this quality which entitled it to a degree of respect and a title?
The ground around the water's edge was wet and squidgy and, performing my anti clockwise circuit, I was obliged to make a detour to maintain dry feet. Nevertheless, including this detour, taking a picture or two, and having to climb the fence twice to complete my circumnavigation, it took a little over three minutes to arrive back at my starting point from where the above picture was taken.
Two views of the great Launchy Tarn from its rather soggy southern end
Having completed my task, I now set off towards Honister slate mines and my waiting car. The straight route back can be found by setting your eye on the summit of Great Gable and heading slightly to the right of it.
The ground here, however is very wet and unless great care is taken at least one foot will get a soaking before you reach the dry path down the fellside back to the summit of Honister pass. I managed however, by following my golden rule always to step on a clump of grass or heather and never on the spaces in between.
Two more stretches of water were found on the way home - not much smaller than Launchy Tarn but obviously not large enough to deserve a name or a splash of blue on the map.
The trek back took no more than half an hour, despite the sometimes difficult terrain, and it seemed no time at all until I was looking down on the mine buildings and car park below.
Overall, the walk had been a good one and despite its unimpressive nature, I was pleased that I'd decided to make the trip to Launchy Tarn. The elevated position meant that long distance views were the norm and that, to me, always makes for an enjoyable hike. Not sure I'll bother going back, mind you, unless as part of a longer hike someday.
The final, steep drop down to Honister Slate Mine
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