Monk Coniston, South Lakeland

A group walking holiday over Christmas with HF Holidays.

Holidays

Photo Gallery

Christmas Eve

(No photograph)
On our first walk, we set off from Ambleside, walking north up the ridge to Red Screes (776 metres).
We had lunch and then returned down the valley of Scandale Beck. The weather was grim - very wet and windy.
A few of us had a coffee in Ambleside before returning to Monk Coniston on the coach. Sorry, no photos taken on this walk.

(1) Christmas day

Heading up towards The Old Man of Coniston. We cross the beck which flows down through Coniston and into the lake.
Because of the deteriorating weather, the leader Bob decided we should give the summit a miss and return to Coniston.
(2) Our group crosses the beck in Coniston having just stopped off at the Sun Inn for a coffee.
(3) Boxing day

The third walk started off at Dungeon Ghyll and headed up Stickle Ghyll towards the iconic Stickle Tarn.
Here the view looks down towards Great Langdale Beck and Lingmoor Fell.
(4) Owing to the conditions caused by the weather the group lead by Dave did a clockwise route around Stickle Tarn. At this point we look across towards the dam.
(5) Another view of the tarn.
(6) A view up Pavey Ark, which was to be one of our objectives today but not achievable due to the snow.
(7) After some cross country walking at about 500 metres we look back at Harrison Stickle (left) and Pavey Ark (right) above Stickle Tarn.
(8) A view of Easedale Tarn looking north-east.
(9) December 27th

This was the free day when Sara and I walked together.
It was a loop walk from the house at Monk Coniston north east to Tarn Hows, southeast to Hawkshead and then return.
This was a view heading up towards Tarn Hows.
(10) The Tarns.
A lovely place - before walking around the lake at this popular beauty spot we went down to see a waterfall.
(11) The waterfall itself.
(12) A view looking north towards Grasmere and the surrounding fells as we headed east to Hawkshead, a village lying between Coniston and Windermere.
(13) December 28th

The fifth walk was from Grasmere up Easedale to a col and then turning back and along the ridge above the valley.
(14) Me in my new walking gear - winter walking is a big step up from my usual summer strolls.
(15) Looking along the ridge heading southeast towards Grasmere.
(16) Gibson Knott. At 1379 feet it is Wainwright peak number 197 out of 214.
(17) Looking back up the ridge.
We also scaled Helm Crag (1299') before descending steeply to Grasmere.
(18) December 29th

The final walk was from the house to Grizedale Forest and then on to Hawkshead.
Here we leave the house and head towards the lake head.
(19) A lunch stop in the snow fields before the descent to Hawkshead.
After visiting the village we retraced nearly the same route as Sara and I did a couple of days ago.
(20) December 30th

After the holiday it's going home time.
Here is a picture of Monk Coniston's main house where I had room 4.

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