Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)
Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Boo Tarn – Walna Scar car park
Distance: 2.9 miles Total Ascent: 572 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 14:00
Weather: Sunny. 8ºC
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.
![19.10.11-007 19.10.11-007](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2011-10-19-coniston-old-man/cache/19.10.11-007.jpg-nggid0514052-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
What a gorgeous day heading out in the sunshine, it felt quite warm walking along the Walna Scar Road to The Old Man.
![19.10.11-096 19.10.11-096](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2011-10-19-coniston-old-man/cache/19.10.11-096.jpg-nggid0514061-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
Fix the Fells or ruin them? You, the jury, decide. This is the new 'improved' version of the Walna Scar Road looking down from the climb to The Old Man, it looks like you could drive down there at 70mph with no problem now. What do you think? My view is that it is a complete mess and a waste of time, effort and money.
![19.10.11-180 19.10.11-180](https://www.stridingedge.net/wp-content/gallery/2011-10-19-coniston-old-man/cache/19.10.11-180.jpg-nggid0514073-ngg0dyn-0x0x85-00f0w010c010r110f110r010t010.jpg)
The autumn colours were looking fabulous in the sunshine - I decided to avoid the main path and follow 'route 1' back down past the quarry.