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.
The Coniston fells looking magnificent in their winter coat from the Scarr Head climb.
The King of the Hill. It's obviously the place to be!
There is a low cloud layer to the south, something that would creep up on us through the day.
Banishead Quarry.
Brown Pike beyond Cove Bridge.
Buck Pike and Dow Crag.
Climbing the Walna Scar Road, the snow gradually became deeper and the going more arduous.
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!)(.
At the top of the Walna Scar Road.
Starting the climb towards Brown Pike.
The Scafells.
Looking across Walna Scar, White Maiden and Caw to Black Combe.
Looking across the Duddon Vally towards Harter Fell.
Buck Pike and The Old Man from Brown Pike.
Looking across Walna Scar to Black Combe.
Looking south to a wintry looking sky. Three photos from the same place, the weather on each one looks completely different.
Couldn't resist a look back to Brown Pike with the winter sun above.
Fletcher the trail blazer on his way to Buck Pike.
Blind Tarn and Brown Pike.
Dow Crag from Buck Pike.
Llooking down the South Rake on Dow Crag, Goat's Water below.
Just one little biscuit Dad...
Oh go on then!
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.
The Old Man from Dow Crag across Goat's Water.
Icy Dow Crag.
The view back to Buck Pike.
Heading for Goat's Hawse.
Goat's Water.
It's starting to look like the bleak mid-winter on the climb to The Old Man.
On the summit of The Old Man. There were plenty of people on the summit, all behind me here.
Low Water.
Saying hello to Angus, Casper and Dougal.
Heading for home. Which way is it Fletcher?
This final photo is from the same place as the first one in this set, compare the weather now!
6 thoughts on “The Coniston Fells”
Pete Juniper
Happy New Year, Sean. Great walks and great photos, as usual.
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.
Happy New Year, Sean. Great walks and great photos, as usual.
Thanks Pete, the same to you 🙂
Great photos Sean. Happy New year to you all
Thanks Mike, Happy New Year to you too!
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.
Hi Alan, thanks – it is an unbeatable walk in those conditions! Currently I am using a (mirrorless) Canon R6, a great camera I think.