Weekend away in Lake District
ONE of the many highlights of the East Cheshire Ramblers’ programme is their regular weekends away.
This year the group went to Coniston for the weekend. It is a fascinating area with old copper mines and slate quarries.
The majority stayed at the excellent Waterhead Hotel.
Three walks were organised on both Saturday and Sunday of varying lengths and difficulty to cater for everyone’s requirements.
Much to everyone’s delight and relief, the weather was absolutely wonderful all weekend.
On the Saturday 16 intrepid walkers set off to climb the fell, the Old Man of Coniston.
They chose the path leading to Low Water glacial basin and ate lunch above Levers Water with views of the coast and estuaries.
Once they reached the top, they continued on to Wetherlam and descended via a grassy slope and the Miners Bridge to Coniston (about 12 miles with 3,550ft ascent).
They were exhilarated on their return, having been rewarded with spectacular views. Twelve walkers set off up Walna Scar road, which climbs steeply to a remote car park used by walkers wanting to climb the Old Man fell, but without the initial slog!
They then had a beautifully scenic walk back down to Coniston via Torver Beck and Torver.
The final 10 caught an early bus to Blawith, and ascended via Beacon Tarn to Blawith Fell (820ft) and then descended and walked the path along the whole length of Coniston.
They too had panoramic views and finished their walk following the lakeshore path into Coniston where they stopped for tea at the Bluebird Café by the lake.
On Sunday, 12 walkers took advantage of the spectacular weather to walk through Coppermines Valley and then climb up to Swirl Hawse, Swirl How, Great Carrs and the Wet Side Edge, returning to Coniston via Little Langdale and Higher Tilberthwaite. They covered 13 miles and 2,800ft of ascent.
The remaining walkers set off from the main car park at Tarn Hows.
Eight walkers did the eight-mile ‘Fell Sandwich’ walk ascending Holme Fell and Black Crag with Tarn Hows sandwiched in-between and 18 walkers did a gentler six-mile circular walk from Tarn Hows via Low Yewdale Farm, Harry Guards Wood and High Oxen Fell and back to Tarn Hows. Much to everyone’s delight, on returning to the car park, the ice cream van had arrived. What a perfect end to a perfect weekend!