Saturday 11 July 2015

Cumbrian Way, Over the Tops to Langdale.

Ascent from Coppermines Valley, Swirl How on the skyline ahead.

On the second day of our epic adventure we walked from Coniston to Great Langdale 12.5km, the highest point of the day was Swirl How 770m. We descended to the Three Shires Stone on Wrynose Pass then walked N. over the pass between Cold Pike and Pike of Blisco past Red Tarn and down into Langdale and a welcome pint at the ODG.


Kennel Crag above Levers water is ahead, beyond the old mine buildings, the route went up the right hand side of the crag on a stone causeway just visible to the left of the stone built buttress in the foreground. 

The group take a break beside the old mine buildings above Coppermines valley.

Looking S. down Red Dell Beck into Coppermines valley

Ascending the stone causeway that leads from Red Dell past Kennel Crag to Levers Water 410m

The hot dry weather had left Levers Water at low ebb. Beyond the reservoir are Great How Crags on the E face of Swirl How. 

Ascent from Levers Water towards Swirl Hawse the 620m col between Swirl How and Wetherlam.

Prison Band is the steep ridge that ascends from Swirl Hawse to the summit of Swirl How. Levers Water is in view below and far beyond is Coniston Water. 

The group with Pete and Bella on the summit of Swirl How 770m

Great Carrs from Swirl How. To the right of the peak of Great Carrs, far in the distance can be seen Red Tarn, our objective before descent into Langdale.

Red Tarn lies in the dip between Pike of Blisco and Cold Pike, beyond are Crinkle Crags and Bow Fell. Our descent into Great Langdale is to the right following the outflow of the tarn, Browney Gill.

Red Tarn looking back along our route towards the Coniston fells


The steep descent down Browney Gill into Oxendale, the view dominated by Pike o' Stickle above Great Langdale.

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