Paul Lydon: Dow Crag from Walna Scar Track Car Park

An improvement in the weather luckily with a lot less wind and no rain despite a misty start on the tops. We drove to Coniston and at first tried two road turnings before choosing the right on leading up a steep lane ending at a metal field gate.
Through the gate is a rough car parking area at the start of the Walna Scar track and we parked here and got our walking boots on at the same time as several other walkers.
While the crowds made for the track leading northwards presumably all intent on the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, we followed the Walna Scar Road track westwards.
As we gradually gained height, we could see more and more of Coniston Water behind us and also into the far distance where the sun was glinting off the sea. The tops of the surrounding mountains were mostly hidden in mist and there were occasional breaks in the cloud allowing the sun to light up the cwm between the Old Man and Dow Crag highlighting the old quarries on both sides.
We paused to take photos and crossed a small packhorse bridge over a stream before starting up a steeper section of path.
Although there was a lot less wind than yesterday, there was still quite a bit of cold wind so we made use of a small abandoned quarry next to the path to sit sheltered from the wind and have a hot drink from our flasks.
Continuing afterwards, we reached a shallow col and a crossroads formed by two paths. Taking the right-hand choice brought us up towards the summit of Brown Pike and the start of a ridge geading towards the top of Dow Crag.
As the ridge bore the full force of the wind and there was some shelter offered by a small circular wall and again we sat in the lee of this rough and low wall to have another bit of hot drink while we saw the mist move around the side of the Old Man opposite us.
We continued along the ridge wearing extra insulation as the wind was very cold and quite a bit stronger at this height being careful to not approach the edge too closely as the wind was blowing in that direction and below were very high cliffs and gullies.
We passed another summit at Buck Pike and after a similar distance reached the highest point of the ridge and the more rocky summit of Dow Crag.
After balancing across boulders and rocky slabs the path continued northwards and then north-east dropping down to the col at Goat's Hawse. We found a well-sheltered spot next to the path part way down and sat there to eat our lunch.
As we were eating lunch the mist gradually lifted revealing the whole of the Old Man opposite Goat's Hawse.
After lunch we dropped down to the col and then made our way down the rocky steps forming the start of the path descending to pass close to Goat's Water and views of the large and dark cliffs on the side of Dow Crag.
As we were walking towards the lake of Goat's Water we noticed that every now and then the string wind would blow some of the water from the surface of the lake and then whip a cloud of water across the surface.

After passing the lake, the path eventually rejoined the Walna Track Road and we retraced our route back to the car park.