Posted by andy b on January 20, 2004 at 00:03:44 from 81.131.33.25 user beardbiter.
In Reply to: Re: Climbimg Coniston Old Man posted by Guy C. on January 19, 2004 at 20:46:00:
I think it all depends on how used you are to climbing mountains, if you are Kanchenjunga is pretty straightforward. But even at a mere 2,600 (or there abouts) and scarred by several broad tracks it remains a mountain and should be treated with respect. This is especially true in winter. Appropos of a question posted a while ago, to be honest, although I think modern risk averse sensibilities to children and hills are just another moral panic, I cna't really endorse Mrs Blackett sending a part of kids in shorts up the hill under true (i.e. snow and ice) conditions. Short days, labile coastal weather and abundance of things to fall off suggest caution to me. Still that doesn't mean that any sensible adult who can walk uphill for three miles and 2,400n feet of ascent should have the best sort of adventure, the kind that end in the pub with a pint of Bluebird or with tea and cakes. I don't thing any Tarboardista would begrudge the price of Wainwright's guide to the Southern Fells, he might have been the original grumpy old man (curmudgeon) but the maps are exquisite. People whose hill walking experience was gained outside of Britain might like to note that although there are plenty of paths there are no waymarks as such, except cairns and it is entirely possible to get lost in poor visibility.
Unless there is snow on the tops I don't think boots are entirely necessary, a good pair of trainers will do, in my opinion.
Ed, I'm afraid that apart from the summit cairn and the view, its not much like SD. In fact, I've never been able to make sense of AR's route description. There is, I suppose, an easy scramble route up the SW side that might allow for the use of an Alpine rope but the rest of the topography doesn't fit. There is a great scramble route upto Brim Fell from the Coppermines valley (very Slater Bobish) and some even better rock climbs on Dow Crag. (The mountains immediately N. and S. of the Old Man respectively) . Any AR inspired visitor to the area with any mountaineering experience who hasn't done this should checkout the appropriate guidebooks.; You wont regret it!
andy b