
Today looked like it would be a promising one with the prospect of crystal clear views with sub zero temperatures overnight…
Walked on
Walked on
Walked on
Walked on
Walked on
Walked on
Walked on
Height: 803 metres / 2635 feet Grid reference: SD 27237 97815 Category: The Southern Fells
Often referred to as The Old Man of Coniston, this is the highest fell in the Coniston range. The ashes of our dog, Angus, are scattered on the top. It was a fell we climbed together […]
Walked on
Walked on
The Coniston fells were shrouded in mist when I set off and they were in and out of the clouds all morning as the sun tried its best to shine through. It is a great ridge walk from The Old Man to Swirl How and a fair while since I have done it – I’m glad I did today as I enjoyed it and saw no one this Monday morning.
Walked on
Today’s walk was done with a little sadness as I went with Dougal to scatter Casper’s ashes up on The Old Man with Angus – now they can both look down on us and we, of course, can look up to them and remember the good times. If you remember, spare our two boys a little thought next time you are up there…
Walked on
Walked on
After all the wonderful weather over the fells that I have been jealously eyeing from afar, today was…dull! Not to worry, I didn’t let the weather and lack of views spoil the feeling of the freedom of the fells. It was fantastic to be back up there (Dougal thinks so too!) and we followed the old favourite ‘McMahon Route’ to The Old Man, returning via Brim Fell Rake.
Walked on
Walked on
Walked on
I saw Scafell through a parting in the clouds earlier this morning and could see that there was snow on the tops. It was a good bet that others would have snow on too and on the way to Coniston I could see that those tops were also dusted with snow. It only seems like 5 minutes ago since summer but there you go – full blown winter conditions on the fells once more.
Walked on
Walked on
I was glad to get out anywhere this morning having been deliberately staying away from the rough stuff after sustaining a bit of an injury. I took it easy on this one and made it more of a recuperative stroll. I think I should be in my shorts by now but no, it was back to the winter gear again with quite a heavy snow shower when I was on the summit.
Walked on
Walked on
It was beautiful and sunny today so I headed up to The Old Man for a quick walk. I expected it to be cold up on the top as there was snow on Fairfield the previous day and I was right – once on the climb there was areal cold blast and my hands and face were numb by the time I made it to the top. Great to see lots of people enjoying the clear views up there though including lots of family groups.
Walked on
Once more the weather completely changed from the last time I was out – today was a proper summer’s day again and it was just lovely (and quiet!) up on The Old Man. We ascended using the now well trodden McMahon route but descended using the direct and steep route. I did take a little time to hang around up there today and sit with Angus for a while.
Walked on
The weather seemed much better than predicted early on this morning and the views along Coniston Water as I drove past were stunning enough to stop me in my tracks and make me turn around to grab a few photos at Lake Bank and Brown Howe. From there I could see The Old Man was clearing whilst further north in the Lakes looked a bit murkier. It did eventually cloud over but I think I caught the best of the weather today following the McMahon route to the summit.
Walked on
It was a beautiful day in the Lake District today but when a blanket of freezing fog descended over our house in the afternoon, I knew that conditions would be good higher up and that there would be a good sunset too. It was thanks to Louise that I went on this one as she persuaded me to make the effort and I am thankful that she did – the sunset across the inversion was simply stunning.
This was totally a ‘no frills’ walk so there is no route map – I ascended and descended using the route 1 method!
Walked on
Everywhere looked to be covered in cloud when I set off from home this morning, especially further to the east. When I was driving towards the Coniston fells they had a big cloud cap on them too, but I thought it would clear when the sun rose a little and thankfully this turned out to be right. It was really clear up there today and it was superb walking the ridge to Brim Fell in those conditions, beautiful and crisp with virtually no one around.
Walked on
I was up early this morning for a walk to The Old Man – it was quite novel that there were no cars in the car park when I set off and none there when I returned! It was beautiful up there this morning with the sun shining and only the sound of silence and that, thinking of yesterday’s events at Whitehaven, is the way it should be.