Baitstops Facts and Figures
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Wainwright Facts and Figures
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It’s been a busy summer and we haven’t had much time to go walking so this was our first outing since June. Peter picked me up at 6 sharp in the pouring rain although the forecast was looking good.
We had planned on doing the Central Ridge but thought we would decide as we got over Bowes Moor. The Central Ridge is a boggy walk so plan b was Dow Crag. As we reached Bowes Moor the rain had died off but we thought Dow Crag would be a better walk as it was a little shorter (I have a 20 mile sponsored walk along Hadrians Wall to do next week). So we headed in the direction of
Coniston, drove up the very steep Walna Scar road and parked at the car park at the top. We arrived at 8.30 ready to set off with a piece of Gala pie to get us going.
Start of the walk
We set off up the track used by 4×4 vehicles towards The Old Man and Dow Crag. The path was wide and steady as we climbed slowly. The tops were covered in low cloud but even at this early hour the cloud was clearing occasionally. After about 30 minutes we took a right off the main track and started to climb towards the Cove. Even though there was low cloud it was still quite warm and the cloud was coming and going all the time.
First bait stop at Goats Water
We arrived at Goats Water about 9.30 and had a sit on some rocks for a cuppa. Dow Crag was directly in front of us, one minute you could see it the next you couldn’t. We could just pick out a couple of climbers on the crags about half way up.
Looking back to Goats Water
On the way up to Goats Hawse
Dow Crag when the cloud cleared
Selfie with Goats Water!
We set off again towards Goats Hawse where we could turn right towards The Old Man or left towards Dow Crag, our target for today. It was still quiet on the fells and we met our first walker at Goats Hawse, heading the same way as us. We climbed towards the summit stopping before the top for another bait stop and some pictures of where we had just come from.
Goats Water below
At the summit with The Old Man in the background
Dow Crag summit
We reached the summit about 11.30 am, still in and out of cloud but enough time to get a picture with The Old Man of Coniston in the background. There was hardly any breeze today so it was pleasant just sitting getting rehydrated. This was a milestone top as it was number 50 for me out of 71 so only 21 to go now. Really going to have to work out which one will be my last soon!
Looking back to Dow Crag from the shelter
Coniston Water
The descent
We continued along the ridge in the direction of Buck Pike and then Brown Pike where we would join the Walna Scar road again. It was getting warmer and the cloud was continuing to clear all the time. ![]()
Looking back up Walna Scar Road
It was only 1 pm and we were only about a mile from the car park so we had a final bait stop next to Cove bridge.
Cove Bridge
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Sunshine on the Fells, time for a drink!
A very pleasant walk today, quite easy as well, no trouble at all for my knee. Time for a pear cider in the
Sun hotel in Coniston. Just make sure you order your plate of chips before 2.30 pm!! Hoping to get another walk done at the end of September.
My turn to drive so peter arrived at my house about 5.45 am and we picked up Steve. As we started the drive to the lake District we were not sure where to go. It was clear that it was going to be a great day so Wasdale was an option and Yewbarrow. Another option was around Coniston with perhaps Weatherlam or maybe Swirl How and Grey Friar as possible contenders. As we were driving down the A1 we discussed the options and decided the shorter drive to the Coniston fells would be better. We decided the possibility of 2 tops (or maybe even 3 if we were quick) was best and so it was decided that we would do Swirl How and Grey Friar.
We arrived in Coniston village just before 8 am, we drove up the Walna Scar road towards the Car park at the top although we were surprised to bump into 3 lads who had clearly been enjoying the night life of coniston and were heading up the hill!! We parked at the car park where there were already a number of cars and tents and it was clear that Saturday night had been a good one, the humpy humpy music was still banging out! I had forgotten to go to Angus the butcher so no pie today I’m afraid but Steve had brough Scotch Eggs and I took some last
minute sausage rolls! So we took to the hills shortly after 8am, the sun was already shining and we had plenty of sun protection and the bags were weighed down with copious quantities of
water.
It was a steady walk through Boulder valley towards Levers Water and we arrived there just before 9.30.
Time for a quick snack and a cuppa at Levers Water with Swirl How in the background.
We walked around the Tarn and started to climb up to the summit of Swirl How, it got quite steep and was hard work especially in the heat of late morning. Towards the top of the climb Peter veered off to the right through the rocks where he lost his
sunglasses! We arrived at the top just before midday.
At this stage we were heading for Grey Friar but we were considering coming back to Swirl How and then on to Weatherlam. However the heat got the better of us and we settled for 2 tops today.
From the summit of Swirl How looking towards Grey Friar
A long, slow and very hot descent more or less followed our path up the mountain. Peter also found his sunglasses on the way down!
A really good walk on a great early summers day finished with a refreshing pint in Coniston. Next walk planned in June.
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