Coniston (again!)

Walked on 07/04/2015

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

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

Distance: 6.2 miles Total Ascent: 770 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 06:15

Weather: Bright, sunny and windy above the clouds. 7C

The same fells on a different day – the prediction was for a further temperature inversion to the south and west today, so where better than Coniston? I particularly wanted to see the sunrise across the inversion, always a special sight so I was glad I made the effort to get up early and witness this magical spectacle.

The Coniston Fells route map

This was the sunrise, it was a little disappointing at first as there were clouds below and above. I was surprised at how low the cloud was as I climbed above it just out of Coniston village.

That's better, as the sun shone through things certainly changed with this beautiful warm glow. The inversion clouds started to lift as it warmed, almost following me on the climb to The OId Man.

This was just fabulous to watch and it was an ever changing scene with the movement of the clouds and fog.

Wow!

I only took about 100 photos of the sunrise (!) so it has been hard to whittle them down to a handful.

The sun climbs higher and you can see the lifting cloud looking like crashing waves on the sea.

It is turning into a beautiful day now but conditions were different to yesterday. As it was earlier in the day it was a lot cooler but it was also surprisingly windy at the top...so it was jacket and gloves back on.

The view to the south west.

The Scafells from The Old Man.

Looking down on Low Water and Levers Water.

Looking across Brown Pike and Blind Tarn to Black Combe.

Coniston summit silhouette.

Dougal keeps an eye on proceedings.

I told you it was windy!

Dow Crag from Brim Fell.

Heading for Great How Crags and Swirl How across Levers Hawse

Glinting Levers Water.

Brim Fell and Dow Crag from Levers Hawse.

Old Man, Brim Fell and Dow Crag from Little How Crags.

Lingmoor Fell standing proud from Swirl How, Silver How and the vale of Grasmere beyond.

Greenburn and the Tilberthwaite Fells.

Taking a dip in Levers Water.

The Old Man and Raven Tor from the dam wall.

Brim Fell End marked the end of the clear air before the descent into the clouds.

On the edge of the lifting clouds.

Heading into Boulder Valley.

The cloud was beginning to lift further with the heat of the day and was pouring across Levers Water.

Time Lapse video of the inversion

Great How on Swirl Band

Height: 770 metres / 2526 feet Grid reference: SD 27335 99948

Seathwaite Tarn from Great How Crags

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

Coniston Fells

Walked on 07/07/2014

Start Point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

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

Distance: 7 miles Total Ascent: 862 metres Time Taken: 4 hours Start Time: 07:30

Weather: Some sunny spells, cool on top with showers, 16°C

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.

Looking a bit grey at the start of the walk.

...as so often happens, away from the fells it is blue sky here looking over Boo Tarn.

The Cove.

Coniston Water.

Boiling clouds to the east, on the Ill Bell ridge.

Brown Pike and Blind Tarn catch the sun.

Low Water from The Old Man.

he summit of The Old Man - no one here but me and Dougal (and of course we paid a visit to Angus and Casper).

Brim Fell.

Great Carrs, Swirl How and Great How Crags across Levers Hawse.

Seathwaite Tarn, Harter Fell to the right.

Brim Fell and Dow Crag from Little How Crags.

Levers Water and Coniston Water beyond.

The ridge just walked from The Old Man to Brim Fell, Dow Crag to the right.

Pensive Dougal.

Swirl How from Great Carrs.

Nearly all in one shot - the Coniston fells from Great Carrs.

The Royal Canadian Air Force memorial on Great Carrs, Grey Friar beyond.

Swirl How.

Dougal looking for the Scafells - they are over to the left and have been lost all day.

Descending Prison Band, Wetherlam ahead.

Down at Levers Water.

Brim Fell end from a dry looking Levers Water. About 30 seconds after this photo the heavens opened to make a very damp end to the walk through Boulder Valley.

The Coniston Fells

Walked on 07/01/2010

Start point: The Sun Inn, Coniston (SD 300 975)

Coniston – Walna Scar road – Brown Pike – Buck Pike – Dow Crag – Goat’s Hawse – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Great How – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Coppermines Valley – Coniston

Distance: 10.2 miles Total Ascent: 1085 metres Time Taken: 5 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Cold and clear. -4°C

I actually came to Coniston yesterday (Wednesday 6th January) to walk theses fells but decided against it due to the heavy snow when I arrived there – I knew the fells would still be there another day and surely enough, this morning turned out lovely and clear. This would be fantastic and memorable day for a walk on the fells. According to Radio Cumbria, last night was the coldest ever recorded in Cumbria with a temperature of -14.5C recorded at Carlisle. When I got to Coniston it was -9C, so I knew it would be pretty cold today. As it turned out, it was quite warm in the sunshine but when in the wind or shade, then it was particularly noticeable how cold it really was.

The Coniston fells route map.

Sunrise on The Old Man.

This snow filled lane is the approach to the Walna Scar Road, the gate is directly ahead.

Looking back along the Walna Scar Road.

Brown Pike above Cove Bridge.

The Old Man across The Cove.

Sunshine on Morecambe Bay to the south.

Casper at the Angus Shelter, Walna Scar beyond.

Snow cornice on Walna Scar.

Buck Pike from Brown Pike. Time to get the crampons on now for virtually the rest of the walk.

Looking back across Walna Scar and Caw to Black Combe.

The approach to Buck Pike.

Brown Pike from Buck Pike.

Dow Crag ahead from Buck Pike.

Easy Gully, Dow Crag.

The Scafell range from Dow Crag.

Close up on Scafell and Scafell Pike.

A frozen Goat's Water and Dow Crag from Goat's Hawse.

Looking across to Dow Crag from the slog up to The Old Man.

I found these skis conveniently placed on the trig. column on The Old Man summit.

When I found the owner, it was an old friend of mine Nathan Pike. Now that's what I call travelling in style!

Setting off for Brim Fell.

The view from the summit, clear as clear can be.

Heading for Brim Fell as Nathan realises it is harder to ski uphill than down! I caught him up again before he disappeared down Brim Fell Rake.

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

A clear view of all the fells today.

Looking back once more from Brim Fell.

The eastern fells across Levers Water.

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

Part frozen Seathwaite Tarn and Harter fell from Levers Hawse.

Grey Friar.

A clear view to the Howgills across Levers Water.

Brim Fell across Levers Hawse from the climb to Great How Crags, Dow Crag and Black Combe to the left.

The Howgills from Swirl How, to the right is Ingleborough.

Swirl How.

The Scafells to Bowfell across Great Carrs.

Skiddaw and Blencathra across the Langdales.

Prison Band.

Descending Prison Band, Wetherlam ahead. The snow was often knee deep down here making the going hard.

The view from Swirl Hawse.

Blazing a trail from Swirl Hawse following Swirl Hawse Beck. The more usual path is further up to the right but this seemed as good a way as any today...but watch out for the big holes like the one at the bottom left of the photo! At least I only went waist deep and didn't disappear altogether.

In the shade at Levers Water and the sun is already setting, Great How Crags in the sunshine.

Pink tinged Wetherlam from Boulder Valley.

Looking to the YHA across Coppermines Valley.

The walking huts with the Yewdale Fells tinged with the sunset.

Coppermines Valley. On the way home...

The fells recently walked from Torver.

Lake District sunset.

Frozen Coniston Water at Brown How.

Bethecar Moor from Brown How.

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 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 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 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.