Walkers conquer Lake District
A WALKING club from Hinckley battled snow and ice to climb a fell in the Lake District as part of a weekend trip.
Hinckley Mountaineering and Hill Walking Club ascended the Old Man of Coniston, an old favourite walk, undeterred by the drizzle and wind.
They took the Boulder Valley path to Levers Water and the steep ascent to the low point on the Old Man Swirl How ridge, with a brief stop at the summit.
From there they went on to the summit of Swirl Howe, which at 2,631ft is only slightly lower than the Old Man.
Descending over steep icy rocks was a challenge, with some members tripping up but no one was seriously hurt.
The group stayed for the weekend in a former quarryman’s cottage in the Coniston Coppermines Valley, owned by Yorkshire Mountaineering Club.
As part of the British Mountaineering Council, the club can use huts and cottages owned by other members, providing inexpensive accommodation for walking trips.
A group dinner was provided by the walkers’ catering corps, with roast chicken, potatoes and vegetables on the menu, followed by apple crumble.
Some who came along went out for other short walks over the course of the weekend.
The club meets every Thursday at 9pm in the New Plough Inn in Leicester Road.
Anyone with an interest in hillwalking and climbing is welcome to come along.
Visit the Hinckley Mountaineering and Hill Walking Club website and Facebook page for more details and pictures.