Started from the village car park, milling with coach loads of school children being organised into groups, no doubt to make an ascent of the mountain. Took the standard path up the Eastern aspect of the Old Man through the old slight quarries. A quick, direct but not very beautiful ascent until reaching Low Water above the quarries, when the walk becomes more more like a hill climb than a slate museum. I expect very interesting for industrial archaeologists, we saw two taking photos of the old workings and mine entrances.
Once above Low Water the ascent up to the final short ridge is steep but once on the ridge, as a lady remarked in a very broad Geordie accent 'You feel like you're on top of the world.' Despite the number of people on top it is obvious why the old man is a popular climb. Views; South, over to Morcambe Bay, West to Sellafield and the sea, North to the central lakeland fells and East over to the Pennines and Yorkshire hills.
North the broad ridge extends majestically north to Brim Fell and in the distance to Swirl How (our next two objectives). West we had good view of Dow Crag where had been a few weeks earlier and had seen nothing!
Despite the clear weather, a biting strong wind cut through us as we traversed the ridge with full windproof clothing, hats and gloves to Swirl How and descended Prison Band. Instead of heading for Wetherlam we continued our descent to Levers Water. The path loof excellent from Prison Band but soon becomes very indistinct, boggy and difficult to follow. However Levers Water is the target.
From Levers Water the road down back on the old mining road which although are easy to follow, are not particularly interesting. Perhaps we should have finished off with Wetherlam, but an excellent day.
Total Time for the walk 5hrs 30mns (by the way I include all stops in my timings)
Memories:
"It's like being on top of the World"
Overall rating Excellent
Completed 8 To Go 206
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