Monday 17th December 2007

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park - Goat's Hawse - Goat's Water - Brim Fell - The Old Man of Coniston - Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.5 miles     Total Ascent: 620 metres     Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Clear and cold. -2oC.

Route Map

It was really cold this morning and it was -4oC in Coniston when I arrived. This made the air higher up really clear as down below in the valleys it was quite hazy and misty. Once up to the wind tunnel of Goat's Water it got really bracing and cold but the views were fabulous today. There weren't many braving the elements today though, there were only a couple more cars at the car park when I got back - normally it is full!

The rising sun gives a golden glow to the southern slopes of Coniston Old Man.

Brown Pike from the climb to Goats Water.

Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

The rocky eastern face of Dow Crag.

...and again.

Dow Crag over a partially frozen Goat's Water.

Climbing towards Goat's Hawse.

Angus sits in the weak winter sunshine.

The path to The Old Man is frozen at Goat's Hawse.

Helvellyn from Brim Fell.

Beyond The Old Man summit there is a thick layer of cloud over Morecambe Bay and the low lying valleys are covered in mist.

The Scafells from Brim Fell.

The eastern fells over Wetherlam.

Slight Side and Scafell from Brim Fell.

Bowfell.

Helvellyn.

Great Carrs and Swirl How. Beyond is Skiddaw to the left and Blencathra to the right.

Wetherlam and some lingering snow on The Old Man.

The Scafells from the summit of The Old Man of Coniston.

Looking beyond Coniston Water to the south.

We are all alone up here - these two are totally disinterested in the view. They are probably trying to keep warm as it was a bit raw up here.

Woolly Casper.

Not forgetting Angus.

Looking across to Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

The eastern fells from the descent of The Old Man.

The Coniston fells across Coniston Water on the way home.

Reflections in Coniston Water.

Coniston Water.

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