Coniston Fells

Hello Boots and Paws is going to be my diary of walks,pictures and thoughts of all things walking and dogs related.My faithfull companion is my working cocker spaniel Niamh (working stock but never worked as she is gun shy).

She's coming up to 8 years old soon but still acts like a pup at times. And she loves the great outdoors. When she see the pack she knows that means a day in the hills or long walk along the coast line.

May 30th Sat.2009

Coniston Fells 9miles (Trail Route)

Described as child friendly and a Wainwright count of 4.

Child friendly it took us from 10.00am till 9.00pm to do, we did get lost a little bit though, but that part of the fun. We ended up following the map the opposite way round. Stared off well but couldn't find the faint path to the foot of the ridge, so we crossed the beck on to the return path and head for the The Old Man of Coniston. We followed the path down to the cottages and the disused quarry/mines, there are great views. We sat and had lunch down by church beck. This is where we started to see more people all on there way to O.M.C or to Levers Water. We were asked for direction,Us we didn't really know where we where never mind give direction to others, but the true pro that I try to be I offered some advice of " yes take that path there and I'm sure you will get to Levers water", and off they went. Lunch over it was time to concur the O.M.C. first we had to get over the beck, well let just say one boot got a little wet but so dried in the lovely sunshine "hot sunshine". The path leads you up to Low water just what we needed, a little dip for Niamh and a dish of water over my head did the trick to cool me down. On wards and up wards as it get quite steep to the top, but its worth it because the views are spectacular. A little rest and refreshment (which were running out) and we were off again. The path leads to Swirl How a massive cairn and views that sweep down in to Greenburn and across the central fells. You start to descend the Prison Band, cross the saddle and start the climb to Wetherlam ( watch out for the sheep with lambs, one with horns wasn't happy about us being on it mountain ) We ran out of water at this point so I improvised with something I've pick up from wathching THE BORN SURVIVOR B.G. water running off moss, it supposed to be purified,

it tasted all right and was lovely and cold I've done it before out walking never had any ill affects.

My be it was the water that got us lost at this point but the path just disappeared. So we had to find another route down (time check 7.00pm) We could see the path that we had followed in the morning so head for that to get us back to the car before the light went out.(no torch in pack).

The path lead you past quarries and along the banks of Yewdale beck and the deep ravine. By this time my left knee had had enough and those *******steps down to the car park I could have done without. Thank God the car was still there. The beck provided a nice cool foot spa moment before the 2hrs drive back home to Durham.

For me and Niamh a great full day out in the mountains but my partner had over ideas (like killing me ) This was a route which was flexible in terms of length and difficulty and filled with high mountains which you would find it hard to find a better day out in the Lake District.