Height: 335 metres / 1099 feet Grid reference: SD 30806 91857 Category: The Outlying Fells
The Old Man and Wetherlam from Top o’ Selside
Top o’ Selside
Bethecar Moor
Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 295 897)
High Nibthwaite – Brock Barrow (OF) – Low Light Haw (OF) – High Light Haw (OF) – Stang Hill – Arnsbarrow Hill – Top o’ Selside(OF)– High Nibthwaite
Distance: 4.1 miles Total Ascent: 347m metres Time Taken: 1 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 09:20
Weather: Sunny spells. A cool 9oC.
It may be May (!) but it doesn’t particularly feel like it, the shorts and tee shirt are still not in evidence yet. Dougal (and Casper) have gone for it though having lost their winter coats ready for the long hot summer ahead. It was just me and Dougal again today for a jaunt along the east side of Coniston Water up on Bethecar Moor, a fairly relaxed walk with some great views.
Caught in a shower heading for Brock Barrow.
Lo and behold! The sun is shining on the climb.
They made me do it.
Looking back down on the climb.
The Coniston fells from Brock Barrow.
A panoramic view of the Crake Valley and the foot of Coniston Water.
Very dapper Dougal!
The Old Man and Wetherlam beyond the second summit...
...and the view from it.
The rest of the tops in this walk can be spotted from Low Light Haw - directly ahead to High Light Haw, Stang and Arnsbarrow Hill to the right and Top o' Selside distant left.
Coniston Water, Beacon Fell and Caw from High Light Haw.
The route to Stang Hill.
Heading across Stang Moss.
Helvellyn to Fairfield to Red Screes to Ill Bell from Stang Hill.
Arnsbarrow Tarn, Top o' Selside beyond.
A panorama of Arnsbarrow Tarn.
A little bit of sunshine on Top o' Selside.
Looking in the opposite direction to distant Morecambe Bay and Black Comb.
A Coniston panorama on the way back to Low Nibthwaite.
Top o’ Selside
Start point: Dodgson Wood (NY 246 016)
Dodgson Wood – Low Parkamoor – Great Hill – Top o’ Selside – Low Parkamoor – Dodgson Wood
Distance: 2.6 miles Total Ascent: 295 metres Time Taken: 1 hour
Weather: Overcast. 15oC.
This morning it was surprisingly warm for the time of year, but with that went the low cloud and general dullness. On the way up the east side of Coniston, I stopped to have a look at a metal statue that I have seen a few times peeping over the wall, but have never been close to. The autumn colours are really showing now, especially when the sun shines.
A sentinel guards High Nibthwaite at the southern end of Coniston Water.
Is he happy in his work?
The quay at the end of Coniston Water.
Looking across to Beacon Fell which is picking up a few rays.
A beck on the climb through Dodgson Wood.
Low Parkamoor and The Park.
Looking south along Coniston Water. The first few photos above were taken from the extreme left, Beacon Fell's silhouette can be seen in the centre.
Angus and Casper at the cairn on Top o' Selside.
Casper.
The Coppermines Valley catches fleeting sunrays, the high Coniston fells are cloaked in low cloud.
Angus has spotted something.
Looking across the deserted Low Parkamoor to the Coniston fells.
A golden descent to Dodgson Wood.
Following the ancient wall.
Golden leaves in the sunshine, Dodgson Wood.
Lovely Autumn shades.
Beacon Fell from the jetty at Dales Wood.
Is that a hint of blue sky over Coniston now?
Top o’Selside
Start point: Dodgson Wood (NY 246 016)
Dodgson Wood – Low Parkamoor – Great Hill – Top o’ Selside – Low Parkamoor – Dodgson Wood
Distance: 2.6 miles Total Ascent: 295 metres Time Taken: 1 hour
Weather: Heavy rain. 12oC.
My waterproofs have been getting some use on the last few walks, that is for sure! Today was no exception as the rain never let up all morning for our short walk on the east side of Coniston Water up to Top o’ Selside. There were no views and the photos were snatched ones in the rain, but the lower sections of the walks through the ancient woods were pleasant enough. We were all glad of the fresh air, whatever the weather.
Bluebells in the woods and a glimpse of Coniston Water through the trees.
It was more than a bit damp in Dodgson Wood!
Coniston Water with Beacon Fell distant left from the climb to Top o' Selside.
A big shower passes over us and towards Low Parkamoor farm in the centre.
Casper and Angus, wet on the summit.
Angus.
Casper.
Back out of the mist and descending towards Low Parkamoor.
Casper makes a break as the heavy rain returns.
Top o’ Selside
Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 295 897)
High Nibthwaite – Brock Barrow – Low Light Haw (OF) – High Light Haw (OF) – Stang Hill –Arnsbarrow Hill – Top o’ Selside (OF)– High Nibthwaite
Distance: 5 miles Total Ascent: 474 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 50 minutes
Weather: Cold, cloud at valley level. 3oC.
It was cold and misty on the drive up to the east side of Coniston. Would it be cold enough at valley level to create a temperature inversion, where the cloud remains at a very low level and you can climb above it to clear skies? Well let’s see….
Ascending to a cold looking Brock Barrow through the mist.
Wow! The temperature inversion was there. This view shows the Coniston Fells from Brock Barrow, a thick layer of cloud covers Coniston Water.
Looking across to Beacon Fell.
Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam.
Panoramic view of Coniston Water.
Southwards to the Crake Valley.
Woodland and the Southern Outlying fells.
Soaking up the rays.
The valleys to the south east and the Kent Estuary are lying under a blanket of cloud too.
Dow Crag.
A frozen Arnsbarrow Tarn.
The Coniston fells from Top o' Selside.
Top o' Selside.
The clouds start to lift on the descent and Coniston Water is once again visible.
Coniston Water and the Coniston fells from the descent.
Top o’ Selside
Start point: High Nibthwaite (SD 295 897)
High Nibthwaite – Brock Barrow – Low Light Haw (OF) – High Light Haw (OF) – Stang Hill (37) – Arnsbarrow Hill (38) – Top o’ Selside (39) (OF)- High Nibthwaite
Weather: Bright at first turning to drizzle.
Brock Barrow. This is the Wainwright nameless summit 748' (P.93 'The Outlying Fells'). The route of ascent is the steep left diagonal groove.
Allan Tarn from Brock Barrow with Blawith Knott behind, right.
Dow Crag, Coniston Old Man, Swirl How and Wetherlam from Brock Barrow.
View from the second cairn.
Low Light Haw
High Light Haw
Stang Hill summit. Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag and Red Screes can be seen through the drizzle.
Looking towards the Howgills from Arnsbarrow Hill summit.
Arnsbarrow Tarn.
Summit cairn, Top o' Selside with the Coniston range behind.
Beacon Fell across Coniston Water.