A 3-day circuit of fells in the Coniston and Langdale ranges. The first two days are a fine mountain backpack, starting with the Old Man to Swirl How ridge and crossing to the Cold Pike group via Wetside Edge and Red Tarn, and continuing over Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell and Esk Pike to cross to the Langdale side via Martcrag Moor. An easy third day ascends Loughrigg Fell and returns to Coniston via the Cumbria Way.
The Coniston fells are separated from the bulkier south-western range by a high 393m col at the summit of the Wrynose Pass, and a backpack route linking them is a mouthwatering prospect that I started to plan a couple of years ago. There were several possibilities for the ascent from Coniston and the continuation after Bow Fell, but for this circular route I chose the direct ascent to the Old Man and a mainly low-level return on the Cumbria Way.
This fine weather slot was the perfect opportunity for a Lakeland backpack before the Easter invasion with a contrast of conditions: the first day was the tail end of a cold very windy spell and the remainder was calm and very warm indeed for early April, but with good clarity and fine views.
14 Comments
Nice trip. Great photos. I had planned to go to the Coniston Fells last year but part of a tooth fell off and I had to go home early for repairs!
That’s a fantastic trip Geoff. I’ve been thinking of doing a three day route in the Lakes this year for something completely different. Think I might have found it! Thanks for the writeup.
Robin - thanks a lot, the conditions were just right again.
Alistair - the first two days are superb mountain walking. That third day via the CW was just a convenient way of closing the route and making it circular: after Loughrigg Fell it was just low country rambling, pleasant enough.
Fantastic stuff as per usual Geoff. Little Stand is such a lovely top although there are not many flat and dry camping spots (or at least I couldn’t find one easily!)
Thanks Karl. There is a lot of bog and rocky ground around the summit area that’s for sure, but a terrific pitch that time.
I think that I will be nicking that route some time in the future Geoff, looks great. I fear that I may be too late to avoid the silly season in the lakes now though.
James - a very satisfying backpack that. Easter is indeed nearly upon us, it just might be my last visit to the Lakes until September at the earliest.
Fantastic route and we will all nick that. Coniston makes a great place to start from for me. Great photos and hills Geoff. How good can it get.
Martin - the link between those mountain groups is a natural backpack route, it’s amazing I haven’t done it before. One of the best!.
Fantastic photo’s Geoff. I’ve just been up to Langdale Pikes and my photo’s are nowhere as good as yours
I’m familier with the Coniston part of your route too, and am hoping to do some wildcamping myself when I get myself some camping gear together, and your equipment reviews are great. I’ll be doing this route too so thatnks for the map
David,
Thanks very much, the atmospherics play a large part in the photos and they were superb here.
It’s a fine route for a good spell of weather.
These photographs are stunning. I love this area - it holds many family memories for me - from childhood through to walking their on my honeymoon and taking my own children there - always something new to see.
I don’t recall ever walking past Thunacar Knott tarn though - will have to consult my O.S. map to see why not.
I can feel another walk in that area coming on soon
Cheers
Thanks a lot.
Whether you pass the tarn depends on which of the paths you take between the High Raise col and Pavey Ark.
It looks stunning. I will need to plan a trip there next time with the husband.