Coniston Old Man and the Coppermines
Exploring the Coniston Fells in the English Lake District
Sep 24, 2009
Coniston in the English Lake District is almost Alpine in its setting with the towering mass of The Old Man above the village. It sits on the shores of Lake Coniston, famous for the crash in 1967 of Donald Campbell in Bluebird as he attempted to break the water speed record.
On the far shores of the lake is Brantwood, home of John Ruskin, an important Victorian thinker. Further south is Peel Island, otherwise known as Wild Cat Island in Arthur Ransome's novel Swallows and Amazons.
Most hikers who visit Coniston come with the objective of climbing The Old Man.
Coniston Old Man and the Coppermines Valley
This is the quickest and most common way to ascend The Old Man. The path first climbs to the edge of the hidden Coppermines valley. It is easy to envisage the industry that was carried on here.
Copper was probably first extracted in Roman times and it has certainly been mined for over 400 years. The peak of the activity was in 1850 and went into decline 20 years later. The mines are up to 1,100 feet deep with many now underwater.
The valley now houses a farm, youth hostel and several holiday cottages and is the ideal base from which to explore the mountains.
Above the valley are many spoil heaps of slate and hiking up the Old Man takes the walker through these areas and past the old mine buildings and workings. Beyond lies Low Water, a gem of a tarn nestled in a corrie beneath the Old Man. The final ascent to the huge summit cairn is steep.
Coniston Old Man, Walna Scar and Goats Water
Walna Scar road was the first route from Coniston to the Duddon valley and is now a well made bridleway. Following it to the top of the pass at just below 2,000 feet provides a steady climb if the airy summit of Dow Crag is traversed before dropping down to Goat's Hause and up to the Old Man.
An alternative route breaks off from the Walna Scar road before it starts to climb and heads directly to Goat's Hause passing Goats Water on the way. Across the water is the imposing Dow Crag, a classic east facing Lakeland crag, favoured by climbers who like to spend the day in the shade!
From Goat's Hause, there are two paths, one to the summit of Coniston Old Man, the other to neighbouring Brim Fell.
Returning to Coniston by Levers Water
Continuing on from Brim Fell leads to Levers Hawse and a descent down past the square shaped Levers Water, through the middle of the Coppermines valley and back to Coniston.
A circular route over the Old Man by the routes mentioned can comfortably be managed in a day.
References
Alfred Wainwright, A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells - Book Four, Southern Fells Frances Lincon 2003
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