Michael's Walks

Thursday, 20 October 2022

Coniston: A Circuit of Dow Crag via the South Rake & Coniston Old Man summit, returning down the Coppermines Valley. 11miles 3200ft.

Setting off along the lakeside after leaving the car in the layby next to the Catholic church

It was lovely still morning with the mist rising above the lake

I then followed the bridleway from Haws Bank climbing to the Walna Scar road

Wetherlam to the north as the path crossed the Rigg

Dow Crag soon comes into view. The route to the South Rake starts by crossing the screes from left to right to the tiny white looking rectangle, at the base of the crags. (The mountain rescue stretcher box) It then follows the base of the crags passing Great Gully in the centre and continuing to the next large gully to the left. This is the start of the South Rake.

First I passed the outlet from Goat's Water.....

.....before taking the path across the screes to the mountain rescue stretcher box. A young couple were standing on the large rock in the water at the far end of the tarn.....

Zooming in on them

Passing the entrance to Easy Gully before ascending the South Rake.....

....and emerging here from it close to the summit of Dow Crag

On the summit is a pinnacle holding up a very large boulder which forms a frame with a view!

Looking through the rock frame to Coniston Water....

.....and down to Goat's Water

I then crossed Goat's Hause to Coniston Old Man summit where several hang gliders were enjoying the upcurrents....

.....and again

Lunch over I descended by the path to Coppermines Valley with views to Low Water below and Levers Water and Wetherlam, of last weeks walk, behind

The path was still busy with people climbing the zig zags below

Passing Low Water

Down in the valley there was a group of children trying out the sport of 'Canyoning' ie fastening yourselves to a rope and held by and instructor at the top letting yourself float and bounce down the waterfalls.....