|
|
|
The Highest Mountain in Lancashire? |
|
|
Written by Peter Burgess
|
|
Thursday, 05 March 2009 |
 Dawn breaks
Rounding the well blazed route into the valley of Torver Beck, the fells were suddenly emblazened by that pink hue more familiar in the Alps. Already I had witnessed amazing changes in the air and already beneath me, beyond the Ashgill Limestone ridge of Banks and Hare Crags, lay a blanket of cloud as inversion conditions enveloped the lower valley of Coniston Water. Further south and east the rising sun illuminated the atmosphere, a diffused yellow and orange glow highlighting the silhouette of Inglebrough all those miles to the east. Nearer at hand I turned to Brown Pike and set my immediate goal on Blind Tarn. I knew this was going to be a good day out and as a Lancastrian I was heading for the Palatine's highest cairn!
An early start ensured that for the first hour or two, I was alone in my perambulations. After climbing onto the ridge behind Blind Tarn I soaked up the atmosphere on the summit of Brown Pike. The air was fresh and clear and I knew my friends in Lakeside were awaking in their fog bound gloom.
Part 1 - Walna Scar to The Old Man
The snow was frozen solid along the cornice, ice crystals flickered in the bright light, but almost as fast as the dawn had broken, a greying of the sky manifested itself as the sun rose higher in the sky and became masked by cloud.
 Brown Pike
Heading for Buck Pike and Dow Crag I surveyed the Duddon Valley as I walked, a favourite Lakeland dale of mine. On reaching Dow Crag I ascended its craggy summit before descending to Goats Hause.
Coniston Old Man was not giving away its view today, but I was content to clean up the summit for a few minutes with the prospect that the tantalising views of the sun would reveal even more. As I pottered around after an early morning coffee, I pondered why people would stuff a tin of 'Red Bull' into the summit cairn, along with empty packets of chewing gum and wax coverings from Babybel! The numerous cigarette butts and biscuit wrappers had me thinking I was on the football terraces after a home game - luckily I didn't see any yellow snow!
 Ed from Clapham
I could describe the walk forever with its changing vistas, delectable views down into hidden valleys and far distant peaks wrapped in wisping cloud but I'd watch the presentations to get the feel.
Walking back from Grey Friar I ascended to Great Carrs and the wreckage of the Halifax there, before wndering back to Swirl How and a descent of Prison Band.
 Great Carrs
Taking the chance for another browse in the Ruskin Museum, I grabbed a coffee in the village before my wander back to the car at Walna Scar. On return I found someone had left me a message on my windscreen, "Wet Sham (West Ham) BAD, OFC and Stoke City - GOOD". I think the offending miscreant is a chap they call John Paterson - so beware! Driving away I picked up most of the litter I had seen on the ascent of the road and wondered how on earth it could be so bad - I think it's about time we arrange an OFC litter pick. Anybody interested?
Part 2 -The Old Man and Return
|
|
"Just had to say, thank you for such a grand few minutes. I am 67 now and my knees are past the challenge of such a climb (Tryfan article) but it was great doing it again online with you." Sheelagh Finlay
|
Send Peter email 
