The Magnificent Seven (Plus two)

[johnkaysleftleg]

Walks in Lakeland are apparently like buses, following Wednesday's outing to Ennerdale I was heading back over the A66 the following Saturday. Due to dropping Nicola and Grace off at Durham to catch a train to Sheffield my arrival at the Walna Scar car park was way later than I usually prefer at around 11 O'Clock, still I had no limits to when I had to be back other than the sun going down so once I found a place to dump the car without removing my exhaust or breaking an axle in the numerous pot holes me and Hughie set off up the Walna Scar road in high spirits.

My intention for the day was to visit all Seven Coniston wainwrights but as this was dependant upon how I was feeling this plan was in no way set in stone. It was somewhat cloudy and hazy when I set off but the forecast was for a gradual improvement through the day and already some patches of sunshine were breaking through and the tops were, by in large clear.

Heading up the Walna Scar Road by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Clearing skies to the South by Anthony Young, on Flickr

As one would expect the Walna Scar road was very busy at this time but once I turned off for the path by Goat's water the crowds thinned out to a trickle. I had never been on this path before and I must say I found it very nice, like a scaled down version of Corrie Lagan on Skye especially once the tarn is reached and the mighty Dow Crag towers impressively skywards.

The Old Mans Scars by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Goat's Water and Dow Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr (click for bigger version)


Dow Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was very peaceful next to Goat's Water but I resisted the temptation to sit and take it all in and kept a steady pace up the back of the Corrie to Goat's Hawse. From here it's a surprisingly easy gradient up the the spectacular rocky summit, perhaps the best in the district. I felt great following the ascent and quite exhilarated by the views, so full of energy we set off for the Old man. Once past the hawse I somehow missed the highway to the top and had to correct my error across open fell but was soon romping up with the crowds to one of the Lakes busiest summits.

Some Light catches Dow Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Fells to come.... by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Goat's Hawse by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Goat's Water from Dow Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

South from Dow Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Harter Fell from Dow Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Moody Scafells by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Coniston Old Man by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Sunlight on Dow Crag by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It is often said anybody can make a mistake but only a fool fails to learn from it. Well on my way to the crowded top a nice gentleman pointed out I'd dropped my fleece which was secured in the strapping on the back of my pack, I thanked him, retrieved the item, and carried on with the fleece returned to its previous position. You can probably guess the rest but more of that later.

On the way up the Old Man by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Classic Summit View by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Coniston Old Man by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Tourist route by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The way ahead by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Coniston Old Man may be a very busy top but the views are stunning with great depth and interest, I took the scene in but as I wasn't particularly hungry yet I headed off across the easiest of ground towards Brim Fell. The Coniston Fells are, by in large, blessed with fine summits but Brim Fell is rather the ugly duckling in this respect and therefore not really a place to linger so I carried on to the greatly superior Birkett top of Great How Crags to have a break and a bite to eat. It was slightly chilly so I put my trusty old fleece on for what would be that last time enjoyed some of my rations and soaked up the views.

Brim Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Grey Friar catches some sun by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Levers Water by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Ahead to Great How Crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Seathwaite Tarn and Harter Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Wetherlam from Great How Crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Lunch spot view by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I was still well ahead of time so I strapped my fleece onto the back of my pack and headed of to visit the Coniston outlier of Grey Friar. I was just starting the ascent when I noticed my fleece was gone, I searched the immediate area I'd just covered but it wasn't anywhere to be seen Following a bit of a think I resolved to carry on to the summit which wasn't far before retracing my steps back to Great How Crags.

Dow Crag (again) by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Matterhorn Rock by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Duddon Valley and Harter Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Grey Friar by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Summiting with the Scafells behind by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Changing of the Light by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Yes it's Dow Crag again by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I trudged rather disconsolately back up to Great How Crags, fleece-less and rather annoyed at whoever had scavenged it. They also now have my favourite warm hat and a decent pair of woollen gloves so if you read this, found a two tone green Berghaus fleece on the 14th of April and are attacked by guilt I'll happily pay the postage for the items to be returned. With this setback it was time to crack on so I got going along the Swirl band, passed the top of Swirl How and followed the top of Broad Slack to Great Carrs.

Looking back on the Swirl Band by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Crash site with the Scafells beyond by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Great Carrs by Anthony Young, on Flickr

I had another rest and rations stop here with the tremendous view down to Little Langdale for company. My original full plan involved the two other Birkets a bit further down the ridge which I wasn't sure if I'd bagged last time I was this way, but given the backtracking I gave them a miss and headed back to the busy summit of Swirl How and the descent of the Prison Band.

Looking back at Great Carrs by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Swirl How by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The Prison Band is not really threatening like it's name suggests and it provides a nice route down from, or up to Swirl How. I was on the way to Wetherlam following crossing Swirl hause when I decided that If I was going to visit all the main summits of the Coniston Fells I had to include Black Sails, so off we trudged for another 40 meters of ascent to this fine and often overlooked top. Wetherlam quickly followed and so did a sit with boots off in the sun. By this time I'd unwittingly made my second balls up of the day and managed to turn my camera onto small Jpeg format so if the last 10 or so images don't quite look as good as normal that's the reason. I felt remarkably good considering the distance and ascent i'd undertaken so far and with the sun shining my fleece woes were totally forgotten.

Looking back just before the Prison Band by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the Prison Band by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking over to Wetside edge by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Prison Band by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Snow! by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Black Sails by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Levers Water and Raven Torr by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Half and Half by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Wetherlam by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Hughie takes in the views by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was downhill just about all the way now and with an easy gradient a very pleasurable walk in the early evening sunshine. Little did I know my camera was now taking sub standard photos but that can't be helped now. By the time I returned to Walna Scar car park it was around 6 P.M. and facing a fairly long drive home I took my time and stopped for provisions at a services. My tea was an unusual mix of items but following a long day in the hills it all got shovelled in happily. This had been a great day in the hills (losses not withstanding, if you found it please P.M. me!) and one i'll remember for a long time to come.

Lad Stones Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie on Hole Rake by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back up at the fells by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Youth hostel by Anthony Young, on Flickr

ConistonFells.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[Graeme D]

Lovely report (material losses notwithstanding!)

An identical route to one I planned for my few days down there last month but never managed to squeeze it in before I had to head back north. Next time!

[trailmasher]

A great walk on the Coniston Fells JK and lovely ones they are Another well written report and great photos of the day out . Like the one of Hughie enjoying his romp in the snow Great way to cool down on a hot day

[johnkaysleftleg]

Lovely report (material losses notwithstanding!)

An identical route to one I planned for my few days down there last month but never managed to squeeze it in before I had to head back north. Next time!

Thank you, you'll love the Coniston Fells, great easy walking and fantastic views (as long as the weather plays ball)

A great walk on the Coniston Fells JK and lovely ones they are Another well written report and great photos of the day out . Like the one of Hughie enjoying his romp in the snow Great way to cool down on a hot day

Cheers TM, our Hughie does love a snow bath, not so keen myself