Southern Fells Archives - Page 2 of 2

Swirl How and Grey Friar

May 31, 2009

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.