Coniston Old Man,Brim Fell and Dow Crag.

[PauloUK77]

Having been in the Lakes for a few days I was itching to get into the hills and got the chance to try some of the Coniston Hills.My starting point was the car park on Walna Scar road.From there I walked past The Bell and going straight ahead where the paths meet to reach the Pudding Stone and Low Water Beck.I got up close to Low Water Beck and for a second contemplated scrambling up keeping close to the Beck to reach Low Water.After realising how slippery the rocks where I forgot about that idea and retraced my steps back to the path to head for Levers Water.

My objective was Brim Fell so again looked for another opportunity to have a bit of a scramble and climbed the many crags and gullies taking a direct route up Brim Fell from Levers Water via Raven Tor.This part was really hard going but fun and the different routes up here are endless.On reaching Brim Fells cairn I could see I had an easier time ahead to reach the summit of Coniston Old Man.The views down to Coniston from the Old Man where fantastic and over to Dow Crag which was next up, even better.From the Old Man I walked on the main path around to attack Dow Crag from the north.The views of Dow Crag where amazing and looked a bit intimidating.Looks can be deceiving though as its not bad at all apart from the summit which has some large drops nearby.
From Dow Crags summit views of my route down came into view which were Buck Pike and Brown Pike.The views heading down these are pleasant helped by the fact that there was no low cloud.On reaching the Walna Scar road i took a left turn to return to the car park.

The Coniston Hills from the Walna Scar car park.

The Bell

The Pudding Stone and Low Water Beck.

Low Water beck up close.

Brim Fell from the Pudding Stone

Coniston Old Man from the Pudding Stone.

Levers Water

Heading up Brim Fell a different way.

Brim Fells summit cairn with Coniston Old Man beyond.

Coniston Old Man

Coniston Old Man summit.

Old Man summit

Dow Crag

Dow Crag

Nearly at Dow Crags summit,

Goats Water from Dow Crag.

Buck Pike from Dow Crag.

Coniston Old Man from Dow Crag.

Brown Pike and Blind Tarn from Buck Pike.

On the Walna Scar Road.

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Raven Tor scramble to reach Brim Fell.

Looking back from Raven Tor to Levers Water.

View from Raven Tor to Brim Fell.Coniston Old Man is on the left.

[mountain coward]

So you more or less went up Raven Tor to get to Brim Fell? I've been meaning to have a look at that for ages... I usually do Brim Fell Rake which is up the slight broken crag above the col between Raven Tor and Brim Fell but have never plucked up courage to go up Raven Tor...

Very brave driving up to the Walna Scar carpark - I never dare - I think that road is horrific!

[PauloUK77]

I drove up to the Walna Scar car park and couldn't believe how steep it was,my wife was worrying at this point because she was dropping me off and returning to Coniston to spend the day there with the kids.
Its not only how steep it is but how narrow with very limited passing places.
It is Raven Tor i scaled to get up Brim Fell,the route was interesting and quiet I found it really enjoyable.

[mountain coward]

I was supposed to drive up that road in my mother's camping van to pick her up when she went a bit lame but when I walked down it, I realised there was no way I was going to drive a big and lumbering Comma van up there! I always walk up and down it now. If there were more passing places it wouldn't be so bad...

This Raven Tor route... I need more detail... did you go to the right-hand side of the tor on the way up? How much actual scrambling did you have to do? Was it firm all the way or were there loose, scree bits? Is it pretty much rock bands with grass terraces in between (it looks a bit like that)? Was there much exposure?

[PauloUK77]

The Raven Tor route isn't as bad as may seem,on the photo in my report I went as direct as I could having a few scrambles on the way.These scrambles are not so bad because they are split and are like rocky bands with grass terraces in between.There are a few loose areas of scree but they held firm enough to hold my weight.
The exposure isn't such a problem because the rocks are split by terraces.I would challenge anyone to do this route return to the bottom and retrace their route exactly,the opportunities are infinate.You really can make this route as easy or as difficult as you like always not having to fully commit to a scramble and having escape routes.The views on this route down to Levers Water and over to Swirl How are fantastic and you won't bump into crowds.

[mountain coward]

Great - thanks for that! Might give that a try with Richard some day then... I've been trying to persuade him to go and do it on his own but sounds like I could have a look too...

[PauloUK77]

I will post some more pics in a while that I had taken whilst climbing Raven Crag.

[mountain coward]

Great! I'll look out for them

[PauloUK77]

I have posted some more pics for you MC hope they help give you a better indication of the terrain up there.

[mountain coward]

Thanks - how did you find route-finding on it? Was it pretty much obvious where to get up it? Presumably everyone will take different routes so there won't be any kind of path?

[PauloUK77]

I just took my pick on what bits of rock to climb as I reached them,there where very faint paths that sheep have created moving around up there.I felt as though I was in an area that hardly gets touched by walkers/climbers,the looks I got from people taking a break at Levers Water was a picture as I started to ascend and the looks I got from the sheep even funnier.

[icemandan]

My grandparents lived in Coniston. I remember the noise that my dad's Hillman minx made on the Walna Scar road. As kids we used to make a bit of money by opening the gate at the top for people. Brim Fell and the Old Man was my first real hillwalk at the age of 7. Happy days.

[mountain coward]

Icemandan: LOL to the making money from opening the gate at the top of the road - we used to do something similar around here - a road bridge on the way into the village used to flood regularly and we used to put our wellies on and go and push all the cars through which didn't make it!

Paulo: I can imagine the sheep would be upset - they'd see it as their escape from all the tourists!

[fedupofuserids]

Fascinating area, used to do a a bit of caving (disused mine exploration) around here and Wetherlam and Tilberthwaite, when I was younger and had a narrower waist line!