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..... 

.....ending up in a pile at the bottom it seems

Finally I arrived in Coniston village's main street after

another wonderful and exhilarating day's walking

Tilberthwaite: A circuit of Wetherlam & Black Sails via Steel Edge returning  by the Coppermines valley. 10.5miles 2850ft

Early morning mist and frost in Tilberthwaite

Starting the climb beside Tilberthwaite Gill after leaving the parking area by Tewdale beck 

The sun was just beginning to appear over Black fell behind me

A little higher and it would be sunshine all the way 

Half way up Steel Edge with lake Windermere still covered in a thick layer of mist, Tilberthwaite Gill immediately below.

Nearing the top of Steel Edge with the fells of the Fairfield Horseshoe on the Horizon

Emerging from the steep climb onto the path leading to Wetherlam summit

Wetherlam summit cairn 2502ft with Prison Band rising to Swirl How summit, but not for today's walk

After a short walk over the summit I arrived at Black Sails summit 2445ft with a view to Coniston Old Man and Levers Water below

Descending to Swirl Hause to take the path down to Levers Water. Prison Band rising up the other side

Lunch time with Levers Water all to myself....

....and again

Looking back up to Swirl Hause

My path continued above the Coppermines valley....

.....where one of the giant water wheels has been restored

Evidence of coppermining is everywhere in the valley

Arriving at a view point overlooking Coniston village and the lake

The path then lead back into the Tilberthwaite valley where Coniston mountain rescue team were in action. The casualty had become unwell while walking in the Yewdale fells. The incident can be seen at. https://conistonmrt.org.uk/yewdale-fells/

Finally arriving back at the car by Tilberthwaite Gill

Wastwater, Whin Rigg, Wasdale screes & a short walk in Eskdale 11miles 2700ft

After parking by the cattle grid at the west end of Wastwater my route followed the path leading round the end of the lake

It was a calm & somewhat humid morning on the lakeside with cloud on summits

Looking across the lake to Yewbarrow

The start of the river Irt flowing out of the lake to the coast at Ravenglass

Looking down the length of the lake from the climb to Whin Rigg above the screes

On Whin Rigg summit I could see the sun on St Bees Head with the Galloway hills just visible above

Wastwater from the summit with the youth hostel in the clearing by the lakeside

I could just make out my car as a speck of white where the road enters the trees

I took the path which follows the edge above the screes

There were some great views from the path.....

 

Looking vertically down from one of the rocky edges known as the 'Rib'....

....and up the valley to Yewbarrow  now clear of cloud

I then descended Whin Rigg watching the sheep being taken to fresh pasture

Continuing along the lakeside again....

....looking up above the screes to where I had stood on the 'Rib' centre left

One final look down the lake before continuing into Eskdale

Crossing one of the bridges over the river Esk near Dalegarth 

I then followed the river upstream to St Catherine's church which stands on the bank of the river

This is the carved memorial stone marking the grave of Thomas (Tommy) Dobson. He was the master of the Eskdale and Ennerdale Hounds commemorated with a  hound on the right and a fox on the left! 

Finally I visited 'Doctor Bridge'  so named after the local doctor who asked to have it widened in order to get his pony and trap across to attend patients on the other side.