Striding Edge

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The Coniston Fells

Walked on 08/01/2025

Walking Diary 2025

Start Point: Torver

Torver – Scarr Head – Walna Scar Road – Brown Pike – Buck Pike – Dow Crag – Goat’s Hawse – Coniston Old Man – Scarr Head – Torver

Distance: 12.9 km     Total Ascent: 1272 metres     Time Taken: 4 hours     Start Time: 10:00

After a big snow dump over most of the country at the weekend, today looked a good bet for a walk now things have calmed down a little. It did not disappoint, what a day for a proper winter walk- there wasn’t a breath of wind and it was quite warm in the sunshine of the south facing slopes. Creeping cloud from the south did catch us up in the end but I love these sort of days where the sun is setting almost as soon as it has risen.

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The Coniston fells looking magnificent in their winter coat from the Scarr Head climb.

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The King of the Hill. It's obviously the place to be!

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There is a low cloud layer to the south, something that would creep up on us through the day.

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Banishead Quarry.

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Brown Pike beyond Cove Bridge.

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Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

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Climbing the Walna Scar Road, the snow gradually became deeper and the going more arduous.

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Almost at the top of the Walna Scar Road with the 'honeymoon couple' shelter (AW Dow Crag 4 - AKA the Angus Shelter for those that remember!)(.

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At the top of the Walna Scar Road.

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Starting the climb towards Brown Pike.

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The Scafells.

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Looking across Walna Scar, White Maiden and Caw to Black Combe.

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Looking across the Duddon Vally towards Harter Fell.

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Buck Pike and The Old Man from Brown Pike.

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Looking across Walna Scar to Black Combe.

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Looking south to a wintry looking sky. Three photos from the same place, the weather on each one looks completely different.

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Couldn't resist a look back to Brown Pike with the winter sun above.

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Fletcher the trail blazer on his way to Buck Pike.

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Blind Tarn and Brown Pike.

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Dow Crag from Buck Pike.

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Llooking down the South Rake on Dow Crag, Goat's Water below.

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Just one little biscuit Dad...

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Oh go on then!

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Brew time on Dow Crag, It was here the weather started to catch us up and the blue sky was being overtaken by the creeping cloud.

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The Old Man from Dow Crag across Goat's Water.

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Icy Dow Crag.

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The view back to Buck Pike.

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Heading for Goat's Hawse.

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Goat's Water.

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It's starting to look like the bleak mid-winter on the climb to The Old Man.

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On the summit of The Old Man. There were plenty of people on the summit, all behind me here.

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Low Water.

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Saying hello to Angus, Casper and Dougal.

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Heading for home. Which way is it Fletcher?

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This final photo is from the same place as the first one in this set, compare the weather now!

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Comments

  1. Pete Juniper says

    10/01/2025 at 1:42 pm

    Happy New Year, Sean. Great walks and great photos, as usual.

    Reply
    • Sean McMahon says

      11/01/2025 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks Pete, the same to you 🙂

      Reply
  2. Mike Ventress says

    13/01/2025 at 4:10 pm

    Great photos Sean. Happy New year to you all

    Reply
    • Sean McMahon says

      13/01/2025 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks Mike, Happy New Year to you too!

      Reply
  3. Alan Pemberton says

    31/01/2025 at 1:20 pm

    My favourite walk. (for over 50 years.) So many memories.
    Have you ever shared your camera details. Even if it is a phone! I come from ‘old school’ when cameras had film and getting great photos on the mountains was a skill (and still is). As always, fantastic photos.

    Reply
    • Sean McMahon says

      31/01/2025 at 2:07 pm

      Hi Alan, thanks – it is an unbeatable walk in those conditions! Currently I am using a (mirrorless) Canon R6, a great camera I think.

      Reply

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Walking Diary

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  • Farewell Fletcher 27/02/2025
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  • Blencathra 10/01/2025

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