Coniston Old Man

Walked on 09/11/2009

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

Weather: Sunny and clear, cooling. <8oC.

It was so clear and sunny today you would hardly think it was the same time of year as the rest of the previous week when it has been raining almost incessantly. I found time for a late afternoon walk and with those blue skies I was confident of seeing a decent sunset so tried to time my walk accordingly. I must admit I thought I had left it too late when I was walking beneath Dow Crag, it was so dark and cold there. Dougal joined us today for his first ‘bigger’ walk at 7 months old and of course we were recognised (along with Casper, the two of them together are unmistakable!) and then he was fussed over at every opportunity by passing walkers. He took the whole thing in his stride of course and he is turning out to be a great pretender to the fell masters throne.

Coniston Old Man route map.

The Coniston fells from Torver.

The Old Man from the car park.

The view north across The Bell.

Heading along the Walna Scar Road.

Dougal blazes a trail he looks as though he knows where he is going!

Looking across the reedy Boo Tarn, it was clear as an (Ill) Bell!

Long shadows already looking back along the track.

The Cove and Dow Crag ahead.

The western flank of Coniston Old Man.

A big shadow from Buck Pike as the sun starts to set.

The sun bursts over Brown Pike.

Sunny Dougal.

Once into the shadows it was like entering a very different world, chilly and grey.

Dow Crag across Goat's Water.

Goat's Water reflection.

Walking along the edge of Goat's Water.

Grey Friar and the Scafells from Goat's Hawse.

The setting sun over Dow Crag.

The view from the Brim Fell ridge, Black Combe in the distance. It was getting colder with every footstep now.

The Old Man summit ahead but first I was off in the opposite direction to Brim Fell.

The sky is on fire over the Duddon Estuary.

The summit of Brim Fell. To those who read in the Love the Lakes blog about the latest jacket, all I can say is wow! Instant warmth.

Grey Friar and the Scafells from Brim Fell. Looks like there is a sprinkling of snow up there too.

Scafell - and yes, a dusting of snow indeed.

The Duddon Estuary, Walney Island and Barrow-in-Furness.

A closer view.

As I was walking the frost was forming on the high ground and the puddles were freezing over. This is a frosty view down to Low Water from the walk back towards The Old Man.

Brim Fell and the Scafells from The Old Man summit.

Coniston Old Man sunset.

Column and cairn.

The view to the south west.

Coniston Water.

Dougal and Casper on The Old Man - Dougal's first (hopefully of many) time up here.

Looking to Wetherlam across Low Water and Levers Water.

I hung around for a little while alone watching the sunset, it was just beautiful.

Column and sky.

The Kent Estuary and Morecambe Bay, Heysham Power Station is in view across the bay.

Dougal looks on as darkness falls - let's go! We descended using a 'no frills' route to get down as quick as we could before dark.

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 24/09/2009

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Low Water – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.3 miles Total Ascent: 613 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Overcast, cold wind. 15C.

Today was the third StridingEdge group walk which was up to The Old Man of Coniston via the now officially named (well, it is in our house!) McMahon Route, a brilliantly graded walk across Little Arrow Moor and then up the south ridge of the Old Man. Joining me on the walk were StridingEdge viewers who expressed an interest in coming for a walk with me and Casper and it was great to meet everyone – some new faces and some old stalwarts of our walks. It was a good walk in great company, pity the weather wasn’t kinder to us today…maybe next time.

Coniston Old Man route map.

The Old Man from the car park.

Setting off along the Walna Scar Road.

The start of the climb to The Old Man.

Torver Common with Beacon Fell prominent on the right.

Coniston Water.

Casper has a look across The Cove to Brown Pike.

He's struggling to keep all that tongue in!

Coniston across Bursting Stone Quarry, Windermere top left.

Climbing the south ridge.

A bit of sunshine over Morecambe Bay and the Kent Estuary and you can just about make out the outline of Heysham Power Station across the bay. We said hello to Angus on the way up here.

A group shot of the StridingEdge striders on a misty Old Man summit - you can see by their attire that it wasn't the warmest (or clearest) of days up here! Back row L-R: Martin, Carl, Karl, David, Rod, Rob, Andy, Andrew, Gary, Michael. Front row L-R Chris, Linda, Lesley, Rachael, Angela, Mike and Shelley.

Heading for Brim Fell.

Beneath the clouds on Brim fell Rake looking across to Levers Water.

Low Water appears through the mist.

Mountain man and dog. That's too clean to be Casper at this stage of a walk!

Levers Water.

A glimpse of Windermere.

The descent to Low Water after our lunch stop.

Low Water and the tourist path up to The Old Man.

Heading through the old mine workings.

Coniston Fells

Walked on 16/02/2008

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Great How – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 6.2 miles Total Ascent: 770 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Sunny, hazy and cool. 0°C.

The conditions were a little strange up on Coniston today, oddly cold – yet warm and clear – yet hazy! I never quite got above the haze layer today but the sun did manage to break through at times. The temperature was below freezing when I set off and when I returned yet in the sunshine it was really warm with the temperature only seemingly plummeting in the breeze at the top.

Early morning light and mist on Wetherlam across The Bell.

Heading for The Old Man on the Walna Scar Road.

All is hazy towards Coniston Water over Torver High Common from Little Arrow Moor.

A hazy view to Brown Pike and Blind Tarn from the climb to The Old Man.

The view from the summit of The Old Man to Levers Water and Wetherlam.

Looking over the edge to Low Water.

The Old Man of Coniston.

Dow Crag from the summit.

Looking back to the misty Old Man summit cairn from the Brim Fell ridge.

Brim Fell ahead.

Casper on the frozen summit of Brim Fell.

Great Carrs, Swirl How and Great How Crags from the descent to Levers Hawse.

The monochrome version gives a distinctly cold feel.

Green Crag and Harter Fell beyond Seathwaite Tarn from Swirl Hawse.

The view from Great How Crags.

The Scafells over Great Carrs from Swirl How - it looks like the tops of them may be clear of the mist.

The descent is down Prison Band to Swirl Hawse with Black Sails and Wetherlam beyond.

The summit of Swirl How.

Grey Friar from Swirl How.

Black Sails from the descent of Prison Band.

Heading for Levers Water.

Great How Crags above Levers Water.

Lovely reflections on Levers Water today.

The section to the right of the rocks is frozen today.

Levers Water dam.

Dropping into Boulder Valley.

The Pudding Stone.

Looking across Coppermines Valley to Wetherlam from some of the ruined mine workings.

There was a strange, almost translucent light over the Coniston fells now with the sun shining through the mist.

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 17/12/2007

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.

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.

Coniston Circuit

Walked on 15/11/2007

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Grey Friar – Great Carrs – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 8.2 miles Total Ascent: 925 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Icy at first, sunny later. 0oC at first, 7oC max.

I didn’t know what the weather would do today; it looked clear enough but the forecasts predicted otherwise so I opted for a circuit of the Coniston fells which seemed to be enjoying a decent amount of sunshine. Coniston Water was covered with a blanket of cloud as happens on this type of freezing morning but higher up it was a mix of wispy clouds and clear blue skies. The highlight was the fabulous stillness and reflections on Levers Water.

The Old Man of Coniston from the Walna Scar Road bathed in early morning sunlight. The high fells had a cap of cloud on them today.

Traversing Little Arrow Moor.

Coniston Water was covered in a thick carpet of cloud...

...with the higher ground either side looking like islands in the sea. Beacon Fell is prominent on the right.

Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

Brown Pike.

Climbing to The Old Man and into the mist.

An eerie light on the summit of a deserted Old Man.

Back out of the mist briefly in the dip between the Old Man and Brim Fell.

Casper on Brim Fell - looks a bit cold lad!

Descending to Levers Hawse. The north facing slopes haven't caught any sun yet so remain frosted.

Seathwaite Tarn and Harter Fell - yesterday I got a view looking the other way.

Great How Crags. We didn't climb here but took the faint path to the left, contouring the lower slopes heading for Grey Friar.

Looking back to The Old Man and Brim Fell, it looks like there has been an explosion up there!

It looks decidedly dull on the top of Grey Friar.

Cold Pike and Pike o' Blisco from Matterhorn Rock on Grey Friar.

The summit of Grey Friar, Harter Fell beyond.

Looking back to Grey Friar, which is now clear, from Fairfield - the col between Grey Friar and Great Carrs.

Grey Friar and Harter Fell from the memorial for the Canadian Air Force crew that crashed their Halifax Bomber here during World War 2. The Scafells, Crinkle Crag and Bowfell are covered by a thick blanket of cloud looking from Great Carrs. Casper on Swirl How. Descending Prison Band towards Wetherlam. Crinkle Crags and Bowfell are clearing now. Red Tarn and Pike o' Blisco from Prison Band. Levers Water and Great How Crags. Levers Water reflections. The Coniston fells and Coppermines Valley. Return to top Previous Walk 14th November 2007 Harter Fell Next Walk 22nd November 2007 Three Haweswater walks Grey Friar and Harter Fell from the memorial for the Canadian Air Force crew that crashed their Halifax Bomber here during World War 2. The Scafells, Crinkle Crag and Bowfell are covered by a thick blanket of cloud looking from Great Carrs. Casper on Swirl How. Descending Prison Band towards Wetherlam. Crinkle Crags and Bowfell are clearing now. Red Tarn and Pike o' Blisco from Prison Band. Levers Water and Great How Crags. Levers Water reflections. The Coniston fells and Coppermines Valley. Return to top Previous Walk 14th November 2007 Harter Fell Next Walk 22nd November 2007 Three Haweswater walks Grey Friar and Harter Fell from the memorial for the Canadian Air Force crew that crashed their Halifax Bomber here during World War 2.

The Scafells, Crinkle Crag and Bowfell are covered by a thick blanket of cloud looking from Great Carrs.

Casper on Swirl How.

Descending Prison Band towards Wetherlam.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell are clearing now.

Red Tarn and Pike o' Blisco from Prison Band.

Levers Water and Great How Crags.

Levers Water reflections.

The Coniston fells and Coppermines Valley.

Coniston

Walked on 05/02/2007

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Low Water – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 645 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Sunny and clear. 1°C.

The brilliant weather continued for this morning’s walk to the deserted Coniston fells. Blue skies and sunshine all the way today with it being really warm despite what the temperature gauge said! It is a real joy to be out on the fells in these conditions and there is supposedly even more to come – can’t wait!

The Old Man of Coniston from the Walna Scar Road.

Looking past The Bell to Wetherlam from the same place.

The mist was clinging to Coniston Water this morning.

Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

Casper and Angus - 'we've seen Dow Crag, now what's over this way?'

Coniston village is covered in mist.

Brown Pike.

Coniston from higher on the ascent of The Old Man.

Trees on the edge of Coniston Water.

The view from The Old Man - Low Water below is in the shadow of it. Skiddaw and Blencathra are visible on the distant left.

Looking over Levers Water to Black Sails and Wetherlam to Helvellyn and Fairfield.

Angus and Casper on The Old Man.

Looking from The Old Man along the ridge to Brim Fell with The Scafell beyond and Bow Fell to the right. Distant left is Haycock and Scoat Fell.

Looking south-west to Black Combe beyond Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

Dow Crag.

Black Combe.

Black Sails and Wetherlam.

Making a dash for Brim Fell.

The Scafell range and Grey Friar from Brim Fell.

Harter Fell across Seathwaite Tarn.

The Scafells beyond Grey Friar.

Harter Fell.

Great Carrs, Swirl How and Great How Crags from Brim Fell.

They are just loving this warm sunshine.

Helvellyn.

Black Sails and Wetherlam.

Looking east over Levers Water.

Great How Crags.

Low Water. Some photos from the way home...

The Coniston fells beyond Coniston Water and Coniston.

Reflected Old Man.

Coniston reflections.

Coniston Round

Walked on 21/12/2006

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – Brown Pike – Buck Pike – Dow Crag – Goat’s Hawse – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell– Levers Hawse – Great How – Grey Friar – Great Carrs – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse –Wetherlam – Red Dell – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar Road

Distance: 11.8 miles Total Ascent: 1320 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Cold and windy. 4oC.

That wasn’t supposed to happen! The weather was predicted to be the same as yesterday, blue skies and general loveliness above the clouds – however, rule #1 is there is no accounting for the weather. There was a strong wind and grey skies above the low lying fog with the upper clouds only clearing at the very end of the walk. This was a good long walk on the shortest day of the year and the fells were surprisingly busy today.

Walking along the Walna Scar road, we were quickly above the low lying cloud, here looking to Torver High Common.

At Cove Bridge, it was fairly obvious that this wasn't going to be a still blue sky temperature inversion day. Brown Pike is in the cloud beyond the bridge.

Coniston Old Man, the cloud sticking to the summit.

Once onto the Brown Pike - Buck Pike ridge the icy wind was really blowing up a gale. A fleeting gap in the clouds reveals Harter Fell.

Casper sticking his tongue out to the wind.

Looking back from Dow Crag to Buck Pike.

Descending from Dow Crag, the cloud clinging to Brim Fell.

Clear on The Old Man - for now, anyway!

The mist still hanging in the valleys to the south.

Grey Friar, Great Carrs, Swirl How and Brim Fell - all to be visited today.

Looking south over Goats Water in the lee of Dow Crag.

Looking south, Beacon Fell centre.

Approaching the summit of The Old Man.

The Old Man of Coniston.

The easterly view to the Furness Fells over Low Water shortly before being engulfed in cloud again. It was a cold, strong wind that blew walking along to Brim Fell and beyond.

Levers Water from Little How Crags after walking through the worst of the storm - but it was back into the mist for the climb to Grey Friar then Great Carrs and Swirl How.

Descending Prison Band to Black Sails and Wetherlam from Swirl How.

On the way to Wetherlam, the clouds parted and blue sky and sunshine appeared to the east. Behind, Coniston remained under brooding skies.

Pike o' Stickle from Wetherlam.

Looking north-east over Little Langdale.

The Langdales under a thick blanket of cloud, Blea Tarn centre.

The mist still clinging to the valleys.

Angus.

Casper.

The sky is ever clearing.

Looking back along the furrowed path to Wetherlam.

The southern end of Windermere still under a blanket of cloud.

Red Dell.

Crossing Levers Water Beck.

The Pudding Stone, Boulder Valley.

Looking over Coppermines Valley to Black Sails and Wetherlam.

Coniston

Walked on 04/08/2006

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Low Water – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 645 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Grey and overcast, warm and still. 20oC.

No blue skies today, it was back to grey and it all looked a bit ominous at the start of the walk up to The Old Man of Coniston. Things magically cleared up in the space of a few minutes on the climb though and whilst the sun didn’t shine, it was still clearer than we could have expected at the start.

It all looked a bit gloomy from the Walna Scar road this morning with lots of low lying cloud.

Brown Pike and Buck Pike have their heads in the clouds on the way up The Old Man.

Only ten minutes later the cloud has cleared from Brown Pike with a thick band of cloud surrounding Black Combe beyond. Blind Tarn is visible below Brown Pike.

From further up White Maiden and White Pike are visible between Brown Pike and Black Combe.

Coniston Water through the swirling mist.

At the summit of The Old Man, all was clear with this view over to Wetherlam looking over Low Water and Levers Water.

Dow Crag.

Harter Fell, the Eskdale Valley and the Scafells are all in cloud from the path to Brim Fell.

Casper at the summit of The Old Man of Coniston.

Black Sails and Wetherlam from Brim Fell Rake.

Great Carrs, Swirl How and Great How Crags from the descent of Brim Fell.

These two found a boggy pool to wallow in.

Nice!

Wetherlam over Levers Water.

Heading for Low Water in the lee of The Old Man.

As you know, all that water is hard to resist so here's a shot from 'InLowWaterCam'!

We enjoyed having a swim here; it was a little on the chilly side...

...but we were happy! Photos by Nick.

Looking over the Coppermines Valley to Wetherlam on the final descent.

Coniston

Walked on 07/07/2006

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Low Water – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 645 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Fresher than of late with a cool breeze on the tops. 19oC.

Overnight storms have freshened things up a little giving a cool breeze at times and bringing a mixed bag of cloud and sunshine. Surprisingly, there weren’t many people around today – even The Old Man summit was quiet which makes a change (when Angus got there, the peaceful atmosphere disappeared!).

The Old Man of Coniston from Torver; looks a bit grey up there today.

The Bell from the Walna Scar road, Swirl How on the left, Wetherlam to the right.

Blue sky over Brown Pike, the Walna Scar road snaking up the fellside to the left.

It's a bit darker further along the ridge looking to Dow Crag.

Dow Crag.

Casper having a bit of trouble keeping that tongue in!

Panoramic Coniston Water, Coniston village to the left.

Looking down on Coniston.

The Leven Estuary and Morecambe Bay. The large box, top left, is Heysham nuclear power station.

The dazzling golden Duddon Sands.

Angus - still a handsome lad.

The view from the summit of The Old Man, Low Water below with a glimpse of Levers Water and Wetherlam beyond.

The ridge to Brim Fell and Swirl How.

Timed that one just right - a deserted Old Man summit.

Blind Tarn nestling below Brown Pike, White Pike and Black Combe beyond.

The mist was swirling all around on the way to Brim Fell.

Then clearing as quickly as it came - Dow Crag, the Duddon Valley and Harter Fell.

Looking back to The Old Man summit from Brim Fell.

Casper on the summit of Brim Fell. In the distance, the Scafells are covered in cloud.

Come on Casper, good lad!

Great Carrs, Swirl How and Great How from Brim Fell - not that way for us today.

Great How Crags from Brim Fell Rake, Bow Fell now putting in an appearance to the distant left.

Bow Fell in the sunshine behind Crinkle Crags.

Wetherlam and Levers Water.

Heading for Low Water below The Old Man.

Low Water.

Another swimming pool for Angus.

Looking across Coppermines Valley to Wetherlam on the descent.

Through the old mine workings.

Brantwood (was the residence of John Ruskin) on the eastern side of Coniston Water.

The sun shines on The Bell now.

Coniston Round

Walked on 24/11/2005

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – Brown Pike – B uck Pike on Seathwaite Fell – Dow Crag – Goat’s Hawse –Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Great How – Swirl Band – Top of Broad Slack –Great Carrs – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 10.5 miles Total Ascent: 2670 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Very cold with gale force winds. 3oC, but much colder with the wind chill.

It didn’t look too promising when I set off along the Walna Scar Road and sure enough when I reached Brown Pike the wind was gale force and the hailstones were shotblasting my face. Magically, when I reached Dow Crag, the clouds cleared (blown away presumably!) and there were lovely blue skies. The wind was ever present and made the walking difficult at times; full winter gear was required today. Today was the first time I have ever been recognised on the fells from this website (okay, Angus was recognised to be technically correct). He’s famous that dog!

So that's what that little shelter on the Walna Scar road is for!

Gale force wind and hailstones (they hurt!) on Brown Pike, Buck Pike ahead. I thought Angus was a goner walking across here, it was that bad.

Looking back to Brown Pike and Blind Tarn from Buck Pike.

The path to Dow Crag.

Now it's blue skies - the Coniston fells from Dow Crag.

The view from The Old Man of Coniston - Low Water below and a glimpse of Levers Water with the Black Sails ridge and Wetherlam beyond.

The route from The Old Man with Brim Fell in the centre and Swirl How and Great Carrs visible to the right. The Scafell massif is in the left distance.

Angus on the summit of The Old Man - phew, made it!

...but it's still a bit windy!

Levers Water from Great How Crags, Coniston Water in the distance.

Great Carrs from Top of Broad Slack.

Grey Friar.

Wetherlam.

The view from Great Carrs, annotated version below.

The memorial on Great Carrs, complete with plane wreckage.

Swirl Hawse across Levers Water.

The Coppermines Valley and Coniston from Boulder Valley.

Coniston Round

Walked on 05/08/2005

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Great How – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 7.1 miles Total Ascent: 941 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Cloudy with sunny intervals. 18°C.

Connie had better things to do today so it was up to Coniston for me and Angus. The weather was variable with the odd spot of rain but there were generally good views, especially when we got to Swirl How. It was really busy up there today so we went the quietest way we could – straight up the nose of the Old Man and returning via Boulder Valley. Both are much quieter than the popular routes.

Coniston Round route map.

Coniston Old Man from the Walna Scar road.

The Coniston fells from The Old Man of Coniston.

The sunshine lights up Bow Fell.

Harter Fell from Brim Fell.

Seathwaite Tarn from Great How Crags.

A bit windy on Swirl How.

The Sca Fell range.

The Langdale Pikes.

The north easterly view from Swirl How.

Levers Water and Coniston Water.

Looking down Prison Band to Wetherlam.

Bow Fell on the left, Pike O' Blisco on the right and in the centre is Red Tarn.

Walking on (Levers) Water!

Where has all the water gone? Normally this weir would be overflowing.

Looking back to Wetherlam from the path to the Walna Scar road.

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 06/06/2005

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Low Water – Walna Scar car park

Distance: 4.7 miles Total Ascent: 645 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Overcast with sunny spells, 15°C.

This morning’s walk was an ascent of The Old Man of Coniston using a less popular route via Boo Tarn up the south face which I can highly recommend; similarly the descent from Brim Fell was using a less popular route from Brim Fell down to Low Water. It was quite warm this morning and the sun shone on occasions – it was nice to get onto the tops early enough to be on my own.

Coniston Old Man route map.

The Bell from the Walna Scar road.

Boo Tarn - a small reedy pool.

Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

Coniston Water

Coniston village from the south face of The Old Man.

Looking down on Low Water from The Old Man with a glimpse of Levers Water behind and the Wetherlam ridge.

The summit of The Old Man of Coniston - all ours today.

Dow Crag from the Old Man.

The view to the north-west from Brim Fell.

Low Water with the Old Man behind; the popular path can clearly be seen.

Low Water.

Looking back to the Wetherlam ridge and the path from the Coppermines Valley.

Coniston Old Man

Walked on 29/12/2004

Start point: Coniston (SD 150 896)

Coniston – Levers Water – Swirl Hawse – Prison Band – Swirl How – Great Carrs – Swirl Band – Great How – Levers Hawse – Brim Fell – Coniston Old Man – The Bell – Coniston

Weather: Dull, damp with a cold wind.

Today’s walk was a round of the Coniston fells. The weather has taken a turn for the worse again and the clear views and picture postcard snowy scenes have all blown away – the wind was gale force at times and the rain relentless.

Church Beck and Miners Bridge.

Looking up the miners road to the Youth Hostel.

Mine workings and Levers Water Beck.

The dam on Levers Water.

The remains of the snow on Great Carrs.

A picture tells a thousand words...James on Great Carrs.

The Bell from the descent of The Old Man.

Walna Scar road from The Bell.

Church Beck from Miners Bridge.

A Coniston Round

Walked on 10/06/2004

Start point: Coniston (SD 304 976)

Coniston – Walna Scar road – Brown Pike (48) – Buck Pike on Seathwaite Fell (49) – Dow Crag (50) – Goat’s Hawse – Coniston Old Man (51) – Brim Fell (52) – Levers Hawse – Great How (53) – Grey Friar (54) – Little Carrs (55) – Hell Gill Pike (56) – Great Carrs (57) – Swirl How (58) – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Black Sails (59) – Wetherlam (60) – Coniston

Weather: Overcast with sunny spells. Very windy.

A long Coniston round today taking in all the highest tops and some of the less well known ones. It was a drizzly start but this soon cleared and there were lots of sunny intervals with some cloud coming in. There was a strong breeze all day growing to gale force by the end of the walk.

You may have noticed a distinct lack of Tarns on this walk. This is because there were so many to be seen, I have given them their own page and they can be viewed here.

The initial ascent was via the Walna Scar road which is a good hours trek from Coniston before the highest point is reached. The picture is of Cove Bridge across Torver Beck

and a shelter on the roadside 'just big enough for one person or a honeymoon couple' - AW.

A sharp ascent from the Walna Scar road to the summit of Brown Pike. The furthest fell is Black Combe with Caw visible behind Walna Scar.

An easy traverse to Buck Pike. Dow Crag is the next fell along the path, in the distance Great Carrs, Swirl How and Great How Crags coming round to Brim Fell on the right.

Another short walk to Dow Crag summit. Looking down easy gully to the pinnacle.

Looking through Swirl Hawse to Dunmail Raise in the distance.

From Dow Crag, it's a descent to Goat's Hawse and then a steep ascent back up to the Old Man of Coniston.

Dow Crag from the Old Man.

An easy, grassy ramble to Brim Fell

and then another descent/ascent of Levers Hawse to the summit of Great How

Off the beaten track now to a fairly long trek contouring round to Grey Friar, Looking out towards Eskdale and the Scafell range and then another contour round to Hell Gill Pike and Little Carrs.

Little Carrs summit looking towards Little Langdale Tarn.

The summit of Hell Gill Pike. Harter Fell is on the left and Hard Knott on the right. The Hardknott - Wrynose road can be seen on the bottom right of the picture.

An easy ascent again to Great Carrs summit...

and the memorial to the World War 2 Canadian Air Force bomber that crashed there.

Into the mist and gale force wind now up to the summit of Swirl How

Then a steep descent of Prison Band before ascending Black Sails. The picture is from Black Sails summit showing Coniston Water and Levers Water.

The sun shines over Langdale from Black Sails. Right of centre, Pavey Ark can be seen overlooking Stickle Tarn with the distinctive shape of Pike O' Stickle to the left.

Another easy traverse to Wetherlam. Pike o' Blisco and The Langdale fells are seen here from Wetherlam summit.

Mine workings on The old Man seen from the sharp descent of Wetherlam

Miners Bridge on the way back to Coniston.

Coniston Tarns

Walked on 10/06/2004

Start point: Coniston (SD 304 976)

Coniston – Walna Scar road – Brown Pike (48) – Buck Pike on Seathwaite Fell (49) – Dow Crag (50) – Goat’s Hawse – Coniston Old Man (51) – Brim Fell (52) – Levers Hawse – Great How (53) – Grey Friar (54) – Little Carrs (55) – Hell Gill Pike (56) – Great Carrs (57) – Swirl How (58) – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Black Sails (59) – Wetherlam (60) – Coniston

It was amazing how many tarns and stretches of water could be seen on this Coniston Round; they are shown on this page.

Boo Tarn, just off the Walna Scar road. This was nothing more than reeds and marsh.

Blind Tarn seen from Buck Pike. It is named blind because there is no outlet.

Goat's Water from Goat's Hause. Coniston Water and Morecambe Bay can also be seen.

Low Water from The Old Man of Coniston with a glimpse of Levers Water to the north east.

Levers Water and Coniston Water from Great How Crags.

Red Tarn between Cold Pike and Pike O' Blisco from Grey Friar summit.

Seathwaite Tarn from below Swirl Band.

Esthwaite Water and Windermere from Wetherlam.

Greenburn Reservoir and Little Langdale Tarn from Little Carrs.