Our final 3 Wainwrights. Following a weather forecast for heavy showers clearing by lunchtime, we set off just after 11am. The views from the car parking area at the top of Walna Scar Road were good, clear up to about 550m, with streaming clouds over the summits and down the valleys. We set off with several other groups of walkers in front and behind.
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| Walna Scar Road |
A heavy rain and hail shower near the saddle of Walna Scar Road sent us scurrying for our waterproofs. We left the other groups of walkers here, as we turned left to pick up some extra Birkett summits and everyone else turned right, up the motorway towards Dow Crag. The rain eased as we ascended to Walna Scar summit, but cloud covered us and visability was very poor, leaving me thinking that the compass might get an airing! The cloud began to lift gradually and visability improved as we ascended White Maiden and White Pike, giving great views of Coniston Water, but nothing above 700m.
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| Summit of White Maiden |
We ticked off these 3 extra Birketts which we added to the classic Coniston Round and returned to Walna Scar in bright sunshine. We took some extra photo's here, with a view this time! We had lunch on the summit of Brown Pike, in the shelter, out of the wind. We were just under the cloud base and had great views across Coniston Water. As we ascended towards Buck Pike the cloud started to lift and the weather further improve.
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| Blind Tarn |
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| Near Dow Crag summit |
Around Dow Crag, the terrain became rocky and the cliffs precipitous, Jim having a bit of a scramble around. We'll be back this way sometime to do a bit of hands on stuff.
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| Jim can't resist a look through |
We watched a couple with a dog scrambling up and it looked good fun.
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| Dow Crag summit |
Hal and Rafe had a good jump about on the boulders at Dow Crag summit, the first Wainwright of the day.
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| Hal and Rafe on the summit of Dow Crag |
As we descended towards Goat Hawse, we met a couple, who we had last seen on Haycock a month ago. They are very close to completing the Wainwrights, and it seems like they have been chasing the same summits. We ascended Brim Fell across the hillside, avoiding the paths and were rewarded with extra views over Seathwaite Tarn and good views of Weatherlam and Prison Band.
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| Jim and the dogs move on from Brim Fell summit with view to Dow Crag |
It is an easy ascent of Old Man from here, with glorious views all around in excellent visability and bright sunshine.
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| Coniston Old Man trig point with views to Windermere |
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| Views to Scafell and Scafell Pike over Brim Fell from Coniston Old Man |
On the summit, our final Wainwright we met a family with a 4 year old who had walked all the way to the summit.
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| Low Water and Weatherlam from Coniston Old Man summit cairn |
It felt quite strange to be a COMPLEATER!
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| Jim and the dogs descend to Low Water |
On the descent we stopped for a second lunch and paddle at Low Water.
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| Hal and Rafe do their washing in Low Water |
We explored the workings in Coppermines Valley......
...before ambling to the finish - an excellent day.
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| The Bell, with Wetherlam beyond |
Route - Car park at the top of Walna Scar Road (SD288971), Walna Scar Road to Walna Scar, Walna Scar Summit (Birkett 207, Wainwright Outlying Fell, 621m), White Maiden (Birkett 220, 608m), White Pike (Birkett 227, 598m), return to Walna Scar summit, Walna Scar Road saddle, Brown Pike (Birkett 156, 682m), Buck Pike (Birkett 101, 744m), Dow Crag (Wainwright 47, 778m), Goat Hawse, Wray Crags, Brim Fell Rake, Brim Fell (Wainwright 36, 796m) The Old Man of Coniston (Wainwright 32, 803m) Low Water, Coppermines Valley, return to start.
Statistics: Distance: 13.4km Ascent: 910m Time: 5:45 hours
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