Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)
Walna Scar car park – Boo Tarn – The Old Man of Coniston – Brim Fell – Brim Fell Rake – Low Water – Below Beck Fells – Walna Scar car park
Distance: 4.1 miles Total Ascent: 630 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 45 minutes Start Time: 07:15
Weather: Cold, 0C!
Today looked like it would be a promising one with the prospect of crystal clear views with sub zero temperatures overnight so I thought I would take advantage of the relatively late sunrise (08:10) and set off for the Old Man in the dark. I was hindered at the beginning as annoyingly I managed to lose the end from my hydration bladder somewhere meaning that liquid was spilling all over without anything in place to stop it. There was nothing for it but to disassemble it and reconnect when required. All this faffing around hindered me a bit so I didn’t quite make the top for the sunrise but witnessed it on the way up instead.
I didn\'t quite make it to the top for the sunrise, I was probably about 2/3 of the way up - it is still an awesome sight though here as the sun breaks the horizon over Coniston Water.
The sun bathing the fell side looking to Brown Pike and Black Combe beyond.
Looks like it will be a lovely day today. From here on in it was cold...really cold and by the summit I was in full arctic expedition mode!
The view from the top of the Old Man, the fells still bathed in the golden glow of sunrise.
On my own. The Scafells from the summit.
Sun rays.
Beautiful, the wind really picking up now.
Coniston Old Man sunrise.
Heading for Brim Fell.
Close up on the Scafells.
Fletcher is heading back to see what is taking so long!
Coniston from Brim Fell.
Swirl How flanked by distant Skiddaw and Blencathra.
Fairfield and Helvellyn. I had intended to carry on with the Coniston round but given the hydration bladder problem plus the fact it was absolutely baltic, I bailed out here heading down for Low Water.
The moon over Coniston from the breakfast stop.
Low Water and patient Fletcher. Dougal is in for a drink.
Portrait of the boys.