Escaping the Red Alert: a long weekend in Coniston (June 2026)

A large-ish group of Ibexers escaped the red heat alert in the South-east and headed for the

relatively fresh climes of Coniston. We stayed at the MAM hut which Jim and Viv had

organised and which was very handily located both for dinner at the Black Bull pub on

Thursday evening and for buying restorative ice creams from the petrol station throughout

the weekend!

Friday dawned bright, sunny and hot: had we been transported to some foreign land or

were we still in the Lake District?! Two groups were led by Dave Wilson and by Jim and

headed out towards 29 degrees armed with electrolyte drinks, salted crisps and salty

popcorn. Dave’s walk headed for the Old Man of Coniston via Levers Water and Swirl How

and circled back to the hut via Dow Crag and a conveniently located ice cream van.

Swirly whirly Swirl How

We’d originally intended to do an additional loop from Coniston out to Torver but it was too hot

and too long a day in the end. However, all 4 of us completed the walk. And we had all our

clothes unlike someone who had dropped their red thong near the top of the Old Man!

Jim’s group however suffered a higher attrition rate, largely due to the heat, doing a 14km

circuit up to Wetherlam and back by Levers Water where they enjoyed a cooling paddle or

swim.

On the way to Weatherlam

View from below Weatherlam summit

Summit of Weatherlam

Typical Lakeland weather returned on Saturday. David Watts led an attempt on Scafell Pike from the Old Dungeon Ghyll but we were sufficiently wet and buffeted by the stiffening

wind to turn back after lunch at Angle Tarn. Beers in the New Dungeon Ghyll were some

consolation. Meanwhile Heather led a successful walk following a route similar to Dave

Wilson’s the previous day but taking in Goat’s Water and Levers Water.

On Sunday morning, the early fog lifted and most of the group did an 8-mile walk from the

bunkhouse up to Tarn Hows. Along the way Clive and Viv found some water that the fairies

had helpfully left out as well as signs for cakes in the nearby “witch’s pantry”! Although we

were quite enchanted by them, the National Trust’s coffee van eventually won our business.

Fairies' water

Susan and David instead headed up to the Old Man accompanied by Heather as far as the

old copper mines and Levers Water.

Disused mines on way up Old Man of Coniston

Thanks to Jim and Viv for organising a great (long) weekend and to all the chefs and sous-

chefs for two excellent 3-course dinners!

Author: Patricia White

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