Walk Description

This was going to be my last Lake District fell walk for 2009.  We left Barrow at approx 7:30am hoping to catch a glimpse of the sunrise.  We had decided not to try for one the high fells deep in the Lake District as the snow and ice might have been too thick. 
I drove to Greenodd and then took the road towards Coniston. The Crake valley was shrouded with early morning mist and so we stopped at Lowick just before the Torver turn off to take some photographs.  We could just make out Dow Crag peeping out above the cloud.  We were originally going to park at Torver and walk up to the Walna Scar Road and climb White Maiden, however the parking space at Torver was filled with snow and ice.  So after some very quick thinking we decided to go to Holme Fell instead. 
The tiny Hodge Close road was covered in ice but I managed to park up in the small clearing just before the bridge.  The road surface was like sheet ice and I felt very insecure as I tried to walk along the road towards Hodge Close.  The views around were breath taking with Wetherlam wining the prize for the best scenery.   When we reached Hodge Close the magnificent vistas of the Langdale Pikes and the Fairfield Horseshoe greeted us.  The whole area was covered with snow and we made sure that we kept away from the quarry edges.

Walking through the woods was a delight with the snow forming a thick blanket over everything.  As the path turned right back towards Holme Ground we turned left and started the climb to the small disused reservoirs.  Everything looked so different, the paths had disappeared and we had to trust that the foot prints were leading us in the right direction.  At times I felt like the page in Good King Wenceslas as the only way I could make progress was by treading in Steve’s foot prints.  The snow was deep and crisp and even, in fact it was so crisp that in some places if we walked carefully we didn’t break the surface and could walk on top of the snow.

It wasn’t long before we reached the final scramble up to the summit of Holme Fell.  Steve scraped some of the ice off the climb so that I could get up a little easier. Once we got to the summit ridge we just had to stop to take in the wonderful views.  We found a fairly snow free rock and sat in the warm sunshine soaking up the views. Eventually we had to tear ourselves away and begin our descent.  We were heading for the steep path down to Yew Tree Tarn.  Path finding was a little tricky at times and it was easier just to walk down the semi-frozen stream.  Yew Tree Tarn was frozen solid, when Steve threw a stone at the ice, the stone shattered and the ice remained intact!

As we walked back along the road towards Coniston, we saw evidence of some of the destruction caused by floods earlier in December.  Yewdale Beck had breached its banks and had made a new bed for itself. The beck now flowed across the fields and made a new pond.  The local ducks seemed quiet happy with this pond and were making the most of their extra room.  Once we got back to the car I walked very carefully across the ice using my poles to keep me upright, the ice was like glass.  Once everything was stowed away, I crossed my fingers and slowly started to reverse the car.  Steve got in once I was clear of the ice and facing in the right direction. 

The late afternoon light was wonderful and we were reluctant to end the day, so I drove the landing stage in Coniston.  This road was also partially frozen, but thankfully there was plenty of room for manoeuvring.   The ferry boat was just leaving, so of course there was a photo opportunity that couldn’t be missed.  The whole lake seemed so peaceful and quiet and the views were stunning.  Just before we left we were treated to an aerial display by a group of parascenders that appeared to be floating just below the summit of Coniston Old Man.

Our final stop for the day was just outside Water Yeat.  The evening mist had started to rise and was just had to get out of the car and admire it.  Today had been a wonderful day with stunning vistas and peaceful solitude.  It seemed such a shame to have to leave it all behind.  Today’s walk had taken approx 41/2 hours and had never been intended as a fast yomp, it was a day that called for walking carefully and taking time to admire the views

 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.