Our Visit to Coniston in the Lake District

Coniston was the venue for CLOG's extended Easter 2014 away-break: a walking holiday full of interesting things to do and places to hike to. The area around Coniston was reasonably unexplored by many of us, who made sure that we - backed up by the good weather - took active advantage of the situation!

Some of us scaled the heights of Wetherlam (762 m) on Friday, others on Saturday.

The Old Man of Coniston is something of an icon hereabouts and so was the first destination on our walk list for Friday; having scaled the Old Man, we were keen on some more exercise, so some of us went on to Wetherlam, others to Dow Crag. Saturday was a manifestation of the multiplicity of activities that we experience on CLOG weekends away, with choices including: (1) Wetherlam (scramble, Wainwright quarries and mines and all), (2) Jack's Rake (with its "nail-biting" challenges), (3) a more leisured walk from Ambleside to Coniston and (4) cycling around the lake and environment.

Two lonesome pines on our ascent to Wetherlam (762 m) on Friday.

Sunday's walk, led by Ralph, took us through some picturesque National Trust Land (Tarn Hows, Black Fell and Holm Fell) with a lunch time stop in Little Langdale. Helen R. and colleagues did a similar, albeit car-supported, trip to Elterwater. Monday was our last day, and some of us went up to the Yewdale Fells or just enjoyed a more leisurely boat cruise on Coniston Water (otherwise known as Lake Coniston to Southerners). We had a good time, full of new and memorable experiences.

What you will read and see on these pages represents experiences from my personal perspective. In this vein, I have also included my experiences on Tuesday and Wednesday, when I had a chance to stay on in Windermere; what I saw then indicated that the Lake District has much to offer apart from the walking which we naturally associate with the Lakes.

This was another of CLOG's Easter breaks,
and this time 'twas destination Lakes.
It was off to Coniston that we went,
and all agreed, 'twas time well spent!

Friday, Coniston's Old Man was "in the bag",
then some to Wetherlam went, others to Dow Crag.
Saturday, thirteen scrambled up Jack's Rake,
Others a steep scramble up Wetherlam did make.

Sunday 'twas o'er Black Crag to Little Langdale,
at whose "Three Shires" we drank the ale.
Monday we scaled the Yewdale Fells
and then we all said our Farewells.

Let's to the mountains have another visit soon,
to landscapes so wild and so rough-hewn -
for a good time "in the Lakes" we can all report.
Thank you, Gavin and Ralph, and those that gave support.

I hope you enjoy reading and looking at these pages and that they will bring back memories of our recent trip. These pages may also provide an inspiration for future trips to the Lake District, which I'm sure we would all like to make. In that case they will have fulfilled a further purpose. So, without further ado, let's relive some of our experiences!

Arrival in Coniston: Thursday
Coniston Walks
Old Man & Dow Crag: Friday
Wetherlam: Saturday
Little Langdale: Sunday
Goodbye Coniston: Monday
More Activities
Oh to be a Tourist: Tuesday
Lake Windermere: Wednesday
Homewards: Thursday
Thankyou!
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Thankyou!

Gavin, Many Thanks again for your excellent and efficient organisation of the CLOG weekend away and for the good weather you ordered especially for us! Thanks also to the walk leaders and event organisers for making this CLOG away break such a success. All was much appreciated!