Winter walk on Coniston Old Man

I awoke on Tuesday to grey skies, but after dropping Lesley at work I noticed bright sunshine over towards the lakes and snow covered tops. Decision time: do I paint the conservatory or pack the bag and boots........
what do you think

I decided to set off from low level today as was unsure what the roads higher up would be like, so headed up towards Coniston Old Man via the Coppermine valley. A long time since I've been up this way so made a pleasant change. The ridge in bright sunshine at the top of the valley.

Coniston Old Man in it's winter jacket. I was grinning like a Cheshire cat now!! Look at all that jubbly snow :-))

A closer look at the museum buildings at the top of the valley. You can see the spoil heaps on the left and Swirl How in the far distance. There are cottages close to here that can be rented out, so there is a good road/footpath for anyone wanting to go this far up.

The path eventually brings you out at the top of the route I'd take from the Walna Scar Rd. Here we are looking backdown the path towards it, and there is a definite build of cloud coming in now. The race is on to get to the top before it engulfs the hill.

The fork in the path ahead, left to the Old Man right heads towards Levers Water at the top of the valley. We're aiming for those dark rocks top left. I was surprised just how much snow had fallen as a friend had been here at the weekend and there was nothing.

This route is classed as the tourist route in the spring and summer months and heads through some old mine workings. In the winter though it get very little sun so when there is ice and snow around it is a totally different animal. You can see the old cables used for winching material up and down the hills, as thick as your wrist. Ahead is a bloke and his wee dog showing how steep this section is.

A look back from the other side of where the guy and his dog were in the previous shot. Wetherlam in the distance.

One of the old fallen winch towers. More of these later on the way down.

The strong winds of the previous day had created some deep drifts which was making ithard going. remember that little dog? You can see it's footprints on the left hardly making an impression, not like some of us who were sinking regulary up to their knees!

Wonderful views across towards wetherlam again. There was plenty of snow across towards the Pennines as well. Beautiful!

A monochrome view of the path ahead from Low Water. The whole place turns black and white when you lose the sunshine, and it was hard work along here in the deep snow drifts. It looked like there had only been two people through here before me, so we were ploughing the path for those to follow, lung busting work!

Higher up the path looking down onto Low water, you can just make out the tip of Levers Water in the distance. The trick was to walk as near to the edge of the path as possible where the snow wasn't as deep, although better for walking it did increase the risk of slipping off the edge!!

Coniston water below and the a bank of cloud speeding its way to meet me at the top!!

Still sinking!!

On the final ridge to the top now, and when the sun was masked by the clouds there was a lovely sepia tone to the light. Still following the footsteps of those who have gone before.

Low Water far below us now. Our path todays zig zags its way up teh right hand side of the hillside.

Finally the summit cairn comes into view, and it looks like I might get a view as well!!

Ah well not quite!! A cold looking trig point with the ridge off towards Swirl How shrouded in mist. It was pretty darn cold up here now, so it wasn't a day for hanging around..

There isn't usually as much snow on the tops as the approach slopes, mainly because the wind blows it away. I had a quick mooch to see if I could find a sheltered spot for a quick snack and drink...

.. but even the usually sheltered spots were exposed today. I decided to descend the same way I'd come up as the weather was coming in from the side I would normally drop down, and as there was a hail storm hitting me now, it was time for a sharp exit!

On the way down I passed a group of lads on their way up, and thought this shot of them against the frozen crags gives a good idea of the scale and conditions.

Back at the old winch works, and an elevated view of the broken winch room.

It's diffiuclt to believe the conditions these men must have worked in, especially in the winter. The winches and cables are dotted all up the hillside, and must have been an incredible sight to see them working. The wooden pole sticking up was the telegraph pole, their only way of communicating with teh village below.

A room with a view! Wetherlam in the distance through the doorway.

I decided to head back via the Walna Scar Rd and was probably the slippiest part of the walk over semi frozen hailstones and slush. I tried a slightly different style of processing on these next couple, what do you think?

A view back from the road up to the Walna Scar path. I came along here last year and teh snow had reached the tops of the fence poles!! The Old Man in the distance as the cloud finally blocks out the sun.

A final waterfall pic from on the way down the road, A bit blurred but handheld at 1.3 sec with no ND filter, so not too bad considering!