CONISTON OLD MAN - SOUTHERN FELLS

[susanmyatt]

Hi, half term and a trip to the lakes with Brian to meet up with his daughter and a walk up Coniston Old Man.

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We parked up at the car park at Walna Scar. Brian in his heyday was R.A.F.Mountain Rescue and his grandson recently did a sponsored climb to Scafell Pike, so I was in good company As we set off it was quite cloudy around the summits

Grandson William (9)and friend Tom, kitted up

Threatening

Brian leads the way

The Walna Scar road goes all the way to Seathwaite and can be used to go over the Brown Pike to Dow Crag route.

Down Walna Scar

Up Walna Scar

This time though we would be turning off for Goat's Water and into the bowl with Dow Crag to our left.

Wise words or don't leave us behind

Group shot with mums Alison and Julie

As we moved towards the climb up to the saddle of Goat's Hawse between the two peaks we had a glimpse of Coniston lake behind us

Our path, and Coniston

Leaving Goat's Water

View ahead

As we reached the saddle their were some good views to take in as the lads had a minute

We aren't as young as we used to be

Lovely to Goat's Water

Harter Fell

Moody

We left the Hawse for our short climb to the top of The Old Man

Summit at 803m

With Low Water behind

We started to descend, our route would take us down past Low Water and through the old mine workings,quick history lesson for the boys

Low Water

We reached the mines and with it being half term there were lots of families making the way up, clothing ranging from wellies to trainers, no drinks never mind a rucksack. The ever present questioning of how much further is it?, is that the top?, "no its a good way yet", is met with shock

My mucker Brian, checks the helicopters flying around us

Views across to Wetherlam ridge

We followed the path past The Bell and back to the car, a very enjoyable day and my third trip to see The Old Man

[mountain coward]

He looks like the archetypal image of a mountain rescue guy to be honest