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Cumbria Soaring Club

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ENE - SE
+ Nil Wind

Coniston Old Man

Key Facts

Status : OK
IMPORTANT - Restrictions on use Land only on the open fell. Cars cannot be left at the parking areas P1 or P2. All cars should be returned to the main car parking area by the fell gate.
Last Updated : 20/04/2021 at 11:31 by John Westall
Wind : ENE - SE Nil Wind : Y
Grid Ref : SD276974 Height (AMSL) : 1750' / 534m
Site Code : Applied fo Top to Bottom : 850' / 259m

Location

SW Lakes - Coniston

Details

This is a mega site that works well in light winds. The best direction is an easterly. The take-off above the quarry is a bit tricky but the bottom landing, near the fell gate car park, is huge.

Site Officer

John Westall : 07884 037144

Access

Postcode for Sat Nav Systems

LA21 8HQ

Sun Hotel in Coniston. On the rright as you go up the hill but before the steep part. Car parking is about a mile WSW of the Sun Hotel

Getting There

From the A593 turn right (if approaching from the north) just past the petrol station over the small bridge. Follow the minor tarred road (very steep for a short section) to the fell gate. Access is currently denied to drive the quarry track. Three options are available:1)Leave any vehicles at the fell gate parking area. At the gate head towards the fell for 100m following the track then walk up the fell side to the right side of the quarry. 2)Drive the track for 800m until access to the quarry track is barred by a drop down barrier. Unload equipment and then return the vehicle to the main fell gate parking area.3)As above, but if access has been agreed a 4WD can be driven to the quarry area. If the quarry is working then permission is generally given if asked.

Getting to takeoff

1)Head up the fell side to the right of the quarry from the track that runs north from the fell gate.2)Walk to the quarry via the track which has a short, steep section at the start or walk directly to the spoil heaps on the left of the quarry.

XC potential

Thermals abound and, on a half decent day, a large area of high mountains, both to the north and south, can be explored. Downwind XC potential is limited but cross wind out and returns show great promise but are yet to be fully exploited.

Permission to use site

This is an un-negotiated mountain site that has been flown for several years without any problems.

Briefing

Additional Safety Notes

Beware of the sea breeze pulling the wind off to the south. The summit should be avoided in fresh winds. Do not attempt to top land except in very light winds; a rotor exists along the length of the summit ridge. Public telephone in Coniston village. Mountain Rescue post is at the base of the steep hill (turn right) on re-entering the village of Coniston.

Paragliding

Take-offs can be made almost anywhere but the summit area (2635� / 804m asl.) provides the cleanest launch points.

Hang Gliding

The only fact spoiling this site for HGs is the lack of permission for 4WD access via the quarry road. Exercise care on the less than ideal take-off areas that are rocky and be wary of the site in fresh winds.

XC potential

Thermals abound and, on a half decent day, a large area of high mountains, both to the north and south, can be explored. Downwind XC potential is limited but cross wind out and returns show great promise but are yet to be fully exploited.

Coniston Old Man Map