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.
It was amazingly warm today – so warm that I completed the walk in only a t-shirt, but unfortunately the walk was largely done in the mist. That means there were no views and few photos with the clouds only parting occasionally. At least we were dry though…
It was another bright day today and we managed to beat the majority of the hoards up to Coniston Old Man, which was timely as it happened as the clouds rolled in when we were at the summit. I hate to say it but there was just the feeling of a slight nip in the air and the bracken is starting to look slightly brown. I wonder if there will be any hot days to come? I haven’t even managed a swim anywhere yet this summer!
This was another of those walks that just ‘happened’ – I had intended visiting Black Fell and Tarn Hows today but on the way there The Old Man looked too inviting to miss as it was nice and clear and it had the makings of a good day. I’m glad I did too; we were all alone on the summit which I guess is the reward for getting out early. By the time I returned to the car park, it was full so it looks like it will be a busy afternoon up there today.
Boots – a result! I have had a credit for a pair from the shop, now all I have to do is choose some more. The same ones? or different…we shall see.
Angus and Casper have now officially acquired cult status according to Lake District Life magazine. Check out the latest issue of it where they manage to get a four page spread!
Finally, the walk. What a gorgeous day with only the strong breeze spoiling it a little as it was quite cool. This was a ‘no frills’ walk today, just straight up the nose and back down the tourist path. We didn’t see a soul until way down today.
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!
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.
It was a dull day today, I had hopes that the mist might disappear and bring out the sun but no such luck. This is a quick and easy round of The Old Man with the ascent being gentle and the descent being direct with only the misty conditions to spoil it.
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.
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!).
Today’s weather was the most severe I can remember. There was deep snow all along the Walna Scar road with even deeper snow and gale force winds along the Dow Crag ridge. When I eventually reached The Old Man, I bailed out of the intended route along to Swirl How early – conditions were that bad. (Apologies for the quality of some of the photos, conditions weren’t conducive to great ones!).
Believe it or not, it’s not always good weather in the Lake District! Today was one of those days where the mist and murk hung low on the fells and this short walk started and finished in those conditions, so no views today. There was, however, a little celebration at the top of The Old Man today…
Another temperature inversion was predicted for today, so Connie and I set off for the summit of Coniston Old Man in the mist to try and get some sunshine above the grey, murky conditions below. This was also a milestone for 5 year old Connie – her highest fell yet – by far, and a great achievement for her. Alas, the conditions were not as good as yesterday as the temperature in the valleys had warmed up, so although we got above the hazy, mist layer into the sunshine, there wasn’t the great waves of thick cloud that I witnessed yesterday. Eskdale looked the place to be – there was plenty of inversion going on over there.
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!
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.
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.
The sun was shining on the Coniston fells this morning so I couldn’t resist another snowy walk up to The Old Man. We were the first up that way this morning and blazed a trail through the newly fallen snow; a great feeling.
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.
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.
It was amazing how many tarns and stretches of water could be seen on this Coniston Round; they are shown on this page.
