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| Bleaberry Tarn | ||
|---|---|---|
| Historic Name | Blebba Tarn (1809) Burtness Tarn (1823)[1] |
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| Name Meaning | Mountain pool where bilberries grow[2] | |
| Type | Cirque (glacial) | |
| Outflows | Sourmilk Gill | |
| Max. Length | 145 metres (475 feet) | |
| Max. Width | 94 metres (310 feet) | |
| Max. Depth | 5.8 metres (19 feet) | |
| Surface Area | 1.02 hectares (2.53 acres) | |
| Surface Elevation | 495 metres (1,630 feet) | |
| Access | Footpaths | |
| Topo Map | OL4 Explorer | |
| Coordinates | 54.527329 , -3.2902503 | |
| OS Grid Ref. | NY165154 | |
| what3words | grid.skewing.crossings | |
Bleaberry Tarn is a classic cirque tarn in the mid reaches of this hanging valley of the Buttermere Fells, above but concealed from Buttermere. It sits at an elevation of 497 metres (1,630 feet), and has a maximum depth of 5.8 metres (19 feet), flanked by Dodd (641m), Red Pike (755m), and High Stile (806m), forming a circular ridge around an expansive basin. From the peaks above the tarn looks quite small in its surroundings, but no less stunning, especially set against the backdrop of Crummock Water, Mellbreak and Grasmoor. This dark patch of trout-filled blue water, seen motionless and almost black in hue from the heights above this glacial combe, is deprived of sunlight for five months of the year, between November and March.[3]
Bleaberry’s shape is more oval than circular, the circularity of which is more noticeable in the likes of Angle Tarn (Langdale), Blind Tarn, Levers Water, and Blea Water. Although surrounded by steep-sided crags, there is a feeling of openness in a "complex cirque feature with several separate basins."[4] The inflow comes from a stream on Red Pike, while the outflow drains through the moraine dam into Sourmilk Gill, its journey more or less direct to the western reaches of Buttermere. From there it flows through Buttermere Dubs and on to Crummock Water. Around one quarter of the cirque's floor is given to water, while the remaining area is made up of substantial moraine. The tarn, although small in comparison to its surroundings, shows little sign of infilling from post-glacial debris and scree.[5]
There are several ways of reaching this tarn, the shortest route being from Buttermere, where there are several places to park, including a National Trust car park on the western fringe of the village. Cross the valley between the lakes taking the left path where it forks. Approach and enter Burtness Wood and follow the signage, climbing all the way to the tarn. Alternative and longer routes could be via High Stile or Scale Force, and pass Bleaberry Tarn on the descent back to Buttermere. Whichever route is taken, there is some heavy climbing to the peaks but there are plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
References
- ↑ Otley, Jonathon (1834). Concise Description of the English Lakes. Fifth Edition. Keswick: Jonathon Otley. p.39.
- ↑ Whaley, Diana (2006). A Dictionary of Lake District Place-Names. English Place-Name Society. School of English Studies, University of Nottingham. p.33.
- ↑ Blair, Don (2003). Exploring Lakeland Tarns: A Complete Guide. Revised Edition. Keswick: Lakeland Manor Press. p.136.
- ↑ Smith, Alan (2012). The Big Lakes of Lakeland. The Landscapes of Cumbria No.5. Keswick: Rigg Side Publications. p.30.
- ↑ Cooper, W.H. (1960). The Tarns of Lakeland. London: Frederick Warne and Co. Ltd. p.78.