1st – 3rd March, Convivial Coniston Coppermines. Magic!

What’s all that about then?

Milly, who is Gill (it’s a long story) booked Coniston Coppermines Youth Hostel for an Outdoors Magic meet. I think a total of 28 turned out for the meet, 22 cosy hostellers and 6 cool campers.
An mid-afternoon departure from Timperley had me driving through Ambleside at around 5pm. The views across Windermere were stunning enough to make me stop the car for a few minutes to play with the camera:

I arrived at the hostel in good time to find….nobody in. Apart from Owen, Margaret and Jane who were doing their best to demolish the contents of a bottle of wine whilst sat in Jane’s rather nice motor-home. Other OMers had arrived but they’d toddled off for various pre-dinner walks. Within the hour they had all returned to the hostel and I went in to claim my bunk.
Ping pong curries for all had been brought up arranged by Maria – and the lovely lady plonked a huge plateful of the stuff in front of me.
I should point out that Maria is a TGO Challenge Virgin, TGOC2013 will be her first crossing. She’s made of the right stuff and is going to have a ball. Not that I’m jealous. Oh no, not me.
Hrmph.

Milly (L, in green) talking to Elaina a.k.a. Blethering Blonde

An evening of introductions, route planning, beers and perhaps one or two more beers followed. Outside, the sky was crystal-clear = perishing cold, I was glad I chosen not to camp.

 A slightly wobbly moon

I hit the sack at around midnight, leaving revellers downstairs. I wasn’t bothered by the noise from the dining room directly below me – I was too knackered.
Next morning dawned bright, clear & cold, and the plans made the previous evening were put into action – but not before Chewie had provided bacon butties for all who wanted them. That was pretty well everyone!

 A very frosty dawn, looking towards Coniston

 

Coniston Coppermines Youth Hostel

My Plan was to join the small (select!) group who were going up to Dow Crag and then over to Coniston Old Man. Our leader, Skip, had arranged to collect Paddy from Coniston and drive him over to Walna Scar. The rest of the party would walk over to meet them at the small car park. As if by magic, we approached the car park just as Skip’s car rolled up.

  ….and off we trot

This was to be a leisurely stroll – a good job really. Poor Taz was decidedly under-the-weather, but she’s made of stern stuff and a little dose of raging stomach bug and galloping wotsits wasn’t going to rob her of a good walk.

 Pete and a poorly Taz

 Walna Scar, the first ‘top’ of the day

A trundle up Dow Crag followed. I’m not the best on bouldery ascents and I was last to the top. It didn’t matter, the party was in no hurry. The views were good – but it was seriously cold on the tops.

Taz, Pete and Paddy on Dow Crag

Goats Water from the saddle between Dow Crag and Coniston O.M.

Lunch was taken close to the very busy summit of Coniston Old Man. It was a bit worrying to see ill-clad walkers on the top, it was freezing and there were areas of slippy compacted snow. I’m sure they give the local MRT business they’d rather not have.

The top of Coniston Old Man

A party on the top

Dropping off the top, Skip spotted a rather enticing gully – just waiting to be explored. So that’s just what we did. A delightful stream, bordered with juniper bushes – just out of reach of hungry sheep, provided our route down:
 
Somehow we managed to squeeze 5 walkers and a doggy into Skip’s already full car – even so, 15 minutes later we were all back at the hostel – drinking tea and putting the world to rights.

Around 8 miles with 2700’ of up:

Some trolled off to the Black Bull in Coniston for their evening meal and a few beers. Others stayed behind, me included – I’d brought my tea with me.

The common room had a solid-fuel stove, loads of solid fuel – firelighters too. But matches? Kindling? None! My Boy Scout heritage and cunning soon had the fire going. It was a bit rum though, the stove didn’t have any glass in the door. I think the YHA need to get their maintenance schedules up to speed.

 Pete & Milly in relaxation mode 

An evening of Jenga, rehydration, more Jenga, and good conversation followed. The results of the Jenga championships are classified…..all I will say is that I didn’t do too well!

Carrick, Chewie & Jamie 

It was good to meet Jamie for the first time, his Trekking Britain blog is excellent.

Next morning, a breakfast of Chewie’s bacon butties and gallons of tea set the group up for a much shorter walk. The plan was to walk from Yewdale, have a trundle around Tarn Hows and some of the little hills in the area.

Tarn Hows

 Jane, Sladey and Margaret

 

Lunch spot ahoy!

A chilly but sunny lunch spot was found and a pleasant half-hour was spent refuelling on butties, scones and Milly’s rather delicious sweeties. 

Apres lunch snooze 

 Black Crag

Some OMers needed to get off home, so after descending to the road from Black Crag the group split into two – one lot (me included) headed back to the car park at Yewdale, whilst t’others continued a little further.

 The parting of the ways

A pleasant diversion to Booths in Windermere for essential supplies of tea and cake in the company of Jane and Margaret brought my O.M. weekend to a close.

It was a grand do – and I’ll definitely be back.

Thanks to all who made the event so successful and enjoyable – especially Milly for making it happen, and Maria for supplying and making my tea on Friday!

More piccies here.