I had things to do during the morning but managed to get away by 10:40am. Because of this I don't have time to use public transport and have decided to go by car instead. I drove to Coniston, left my car and started walking out of the village to the north. It was a nice sunny day and there was a lot of traffic on the road so it was good to reach the path that winds through the trees. The path runs for about a mile then emerges back on the road where the branch road leaves for Tilberthwaite. I took the branch road and headed up the valley. There were a few cars on the narrow road but not enough to cause any problems. I reached the main car park which was fairly full and several people were sat out enjoying a picnic. Across the road and in the field is one of the Goldsworthy stone features built into a sheepfold. I continued towards High Tilberthwaite farm and met a woman walking the other way. She asked if she was on the right road for Coniston and I confirmed she was. Through the farm yard I was on the rough track that climbs up and over towards Little Langdale. At the top I got my first views of the fells to the north.

First view of the Langdale fells

Longhorn cattle

Some very clean looking longhorn cattle were grazing by the track. I took the left branch towards Greenburn and continued climbing upwards. At least the track was in good condition for a while. I climbed over the stile by the locked gate to the ruined Greenburn mine buildings.

The track soon deteriorated and I had to walk on the grass by the side. At the old buildings I turned left to head up the fell where I eventually picked up a minor track up to an old mine level below Tilberthwaite High Fells. With a full pack the next part of the climb was going to be tough. The track ended at the mine ruin and I had to scramble up the seep and wet climb. I kept to the grassy areas wherever I could and eventually reached another old mine level which doesn’t have a track to it.

Ruins of the Greenburn Copper Mine.

Langdale Pikes from camp 1

I now had to climb through some terrible loose boulders to a small spring which was to be the water supply for my camp. It was easy collecting the crystal clear water but would be very hard carrying it up to the camp which was still a fair but higher. The rocky promontory was visible above but carrying a heavy water bag up through the loose rocks took ages. It wasn't just the weight but the loss of a spare hand to steady me on the climb. Eventually I made it and reached one of the best pitches in Cumbria. From the tent door Scafell Pike and Helvellyn were visible.

Camp 1 on the northern side of Wetherlam.

Evening view from camp 1