Mid-October 2023, and Neil heads out of Coniston in the English Lake District on a clear, bright, but cold morning, up to Coppermines Valley, via the neglected gem of a ridge walk to Black Sails to Wetherlam.
This Black Sails is not to be confused with Black Sail Youth Hostel or the Black Sail Pass, both of which are over towards Buttermere/Ennerdale. Presumably both share the same derivation, with "Sail" seemingly coming from an old Norse word meaning "boggy place."
On the way, there are mines and quarries, the hallmarks of the area's industrial past, and stunning views in every direction.
Check out the route here: explore.osmaps.com/route/1894...
Wainwright wrote of Wetherlam that it "is pierced and pitted with holes - caves, tunnels, shafts and excavations... These are the levels and shafts and workings of a dead industry - copper-mining - and of a living industry - quarrying - that between them, over the centuries, have made Wetherlam the most-industrialised of Lakeland mountains. This fine hill, however, is too vast and sturdy to be disfigured and weakened by man’s feeble scratchings on the surface, and remains today, as of old, a compelling presence to which walkers in Brathay will oft turn their eager steps.”
Wetherlam was left out of our walk of Coniston Old Man ( • Lake District Walks | ... ) owing to time, but is often added to the circuit.
This walk is a little over 7 miles, from near the lakeside, and is around 823m/2,700 ft of ascent and descent. This took about 6 hours, but we take longer (what with messing about with filming) than an ordinary walk. As mentioned in the film, care should be taken around mines and shafts, and they are not recommended for casual exploring.
Subscribe for more films of our walks and visit our website: www.onyvafilms.com to read more and to suggest other walks that you would like to see.
Ordnance Survey maps used with permission. OS Explorer maps: OL6: South-western area - shop.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/map... (We don't get revenue from OS Map sales, but are grateful for their support and permission to use their mapping!)
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25 окт 2023
