I wasn't meant to be walking today after an evening out with Paula last night but come mid morning I found myself checking the forecast which appeared to be clearing nicely. I always tend to keep on top of my gear which meant after my walk in Longsleddale on Good Friday all I had to do was stuff my gear in my pack not worrying too much about food which I would buy from the Petrol Station as I filled up.

In the eventuality of a walk today I'd already chosen which walk to do and thankfully the forecast allowed me to continue with my plans, there were even reports of 'extensive sunshine' which would be great after a rather dreary walk back on Friday.

Todays walk takes in seven Birkett summits from Fell Gate, Walna Scar and is based around Dow Crag, being fond of not just Dow Crag but the whole Coniston group this walk had my name written all over it. Only two summits visited during the walk will be new to me which are White Pike and High Pike Haw. I've been within a stones throw of White Pike after visiting White Maiden as part of my 2,000 Footer Project but High Pike Haw will be a brand new summit in an area that I'm not too over familiar with.

Having only left home around 09:30am I arrived at a bustling Fell Gate around 11:15am. The tell tale signs that it was busy was an understatement with parked cars left in passing places all the way down Walna Scar as far as Coniston Village. My mind told me there was no way I was going to park but my heart told me to at least try. The gate at the entrance to the car park as I approached was left open after a car which had just left, I told the chap I'd close it after I had passed through where chaos awaited me, my heart sank at not just the amount of people or traffic at just how disturbed the place looked. Luckily the chap who I had passed at the gate left a space next to the wall and I was able to slot my car in the vacant space, had my timing been just minutes later I'd have lost it and I don't think this walk would have happened.

Cars littered the lane as far as Boo Tarn and after the quickest kit up ever I locked my car and headed up the track just wanting to get away from the hustle as quickly as possible.

I turned right at the sign posted 'Levers Hawse' and continued to walk along the track after finally getting my breath back! More families are passed including the large one up ahead who left the path for a direct ascent up Old Man's Breast, ok I guess if your an adult used to rough, craggy ground but not for young children wearing just tracksuit bottoms and trainers.

Moving on.

Three more walkers are based one of whom asked would I mind I take their picture with "those crags" in the background, I oblige and take a few snaps before handing the chap his camera back asking would I like my picture taken on my camera "nah it's ok I replied"

Having reached the summit of Dow Crag all that was left was the last scramble towards the summit, I rarely ascend from this side but enjoyed the scramble nevertheless. Descent, however was blocked by a large group waiting themselves to reach the summit and this would have been made easier had it not been for the chap seen sitting in the photograph who didn't realise he was holding people from ascending and descending.

After lowering myself down two walkers, a man and his wife pass asking in the broadest of Lancashire ascent "what time is it? tha knows I ant had meh dinner yet" I could only chuckle replying it's quarter to one mate.

Well, during my time spent descending Dropping Crag I've well and truly lost the sunshine, oh well not to worry, this is one amazing place with the Coniston Group never far from sight.

It's time to head back now via Torver High Common and Ash Gill Quarries, from the summit non of which can be seen just undulating moorland with the Coniston Fells in the distance. It's easy for the nerves to make an appearance here and I wouldn't blame anyones whose didn'nt because at first glance, in low light, Torver High Common can appear slightly daunting.

Before leaving the summit I consult my map before taking a good reading of the land, paths appear scarce only because I hadn't been here before, on descending High Pike Haw I spot a singular grassy path nestled to the left of Seal Gill, I follow it which in turns passes through dead bracken (a blessing) with Ashgill Quarries over to the right, the faint path continues shouldering outcrops here and there before arriving at Ash Gill from where I took this photograph.

A waterfall descends attractively and for the first time I stand and rest whilst watching the water flow into a narrowing gorge. Behind me, the mass of the Coniston Fells starting with Brown Pike through to the Old Man, I can still see movement but only at their summits. From Ash Gill I trace north westerly towards Torver Beck and ascend a grassy knoll from which hoards of walkers appear ahead of me on Walna Scar track, I make a direct B-Line crossing Torver Gill at the head of gorge and re-join the masses who are all heading back to Fell Gate.

The only time I have experienced walking within crowds was from my days watching Wigan Athletic, you walk from your car in a crowd towards the stadium and visa versa, this was how it felt walking back to Fell Gate, it's something that I'm not used to not being particularly good in crowded places anymore (comes from my time walking alone I guess)

With my car reached I make for a hasty retreat, I would have normally stopped to eat lunch during the walk but the sandwiches I bought from the garage earlier are still waiting to be eaten which is probably due to the McDonald's breakfast I had after filling my car with fuel.

Its feeling pretty Spring like now as I put both my front windows down. I look through the windscreen towards The Bell and say farewell to the Coniston Fells while thinking it might of been mayhem on the Old Man today but not so on Dow Crag, a walk recommended even on a Bank Holiday,