Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)
Walna Scar road – The Cove – Goat’s Water – South Rake – Dow Crag – Buck Pike – Brown Pike – Cove Bridge – Walna Scar road
Distance: 5.1 miles Total Ascent: 593 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 50 minutes Start Time: 09:15
Weather: Showers, cloudy on the tops. 5ºC
It was bright around the periphery of the Lakes today but most of the fells I could see were shrouded in mist. I still fancied a bit of winter walking so headed for Dow Crag in search of some snow and have a hunt around for something else today as well.
Firstly, a bit of a story about a fell dog – this extract is from Wainwright’s ‘The Southern Fells’, Coniston Old Man 6…
Dow Crag route map.
It seems nothing has changed much and the same thing that happened to Charmer's Grave also happened to the Angus plaque. Details of Charmer's demise from the Lakes Herald, 31st March 1911 ... Another Promising Hound Dashed To Death CONISTON FOXHOUNDS - As was recorded in last week’s issue, the above hounds had a thrilling experience on Dow Crags at Coniston, seven of them being crag fast and not rescued for about 24 hours. Unfortunately one of the hounds, the promising young bitch Charmer, appeared to have stolen back on a fresh hunt, and got crag fast in the same place. But this was not discovered till later. On Sunday she was heard howling, and a rescue party tried to reach her, but before they could get there Charmer had fallen down the crag and was dashed to death.
Charmer's Grave with the inscription 'Charmer 1911' on the stone, 100 years on and the letters are faded but still visible.
Kindred spirits - Charmer is not alone today but has two other fell dogs to visit him. RIP lad. Note: I have put these Charmer's Grave photos out of sequence to protect its location. Back to the walk from the beginning...
Sunshine and clouds on The Old Man...
...and on The Bell. Beyond, Wetherlam is in cloud too. As soon as I started walking though, the heaven's opened and soaked me with a sleety shower.
Sunlit clouds to the south.
Blue skies to the south but the higher Coniston fells are all in cloud this morning.
A rainbow along the path to The Cove.
The Cove.
Goat's Water outfall.
Goat's Water.
The crags of Dow Crag.
Climbing into the mist.
Goat's Water from up on high.
At the foot of the South Rake and it is time to don crampons. Casper and Dougal don't seem too bothered by the steep slope or the snow. Note: Don't try a winter climb like this if you are inexperienced. Don't take a dog this way in these conditions.
Looking down the Rake. The snow was thigh deep for much of the way making the going pretty tough - it certainly got my heart rate up - but it was a really satisfying climb nevertheless.
It looks steep when it is filled with snow and a long, long way down.
The South Rake from the top.
The two intrepid mountaineers are pleased to have made it.
Heading for Buck Pike.
Buck Pike in mono.
Descending through the old quarry, Coniston Water in view.
The Old Man across The Cove.
Brown Pike and Buck Pike are under there somewhere.
Heading back along the newly smoothed Walna Scar Road.
Cove Bridge.
Sunshine heading back along the Walna Scar Road with a view all the way to the Ill Bell ridge.