Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag form a dramatic chain of summits on the southern side of the Coniston Fells, overlooking the dark waters of Goat’s Water. Rising to the west of Coniston Old Man, the three summits create a distinctive rocky skyline, with Dow Crag being the highest and most imposing of the group at 778 metres. The ridge is characterised by exposed rock, steep crags and sweeping views across the surrounding Lake District.
From the summits, Goat’s Water lies far below in a narrow glacial valley, enclosed by the steep slopes and crags of the surrounding fells. Beyond it, the views extend across the Duddon Valley and towards the western Lake District, while to the east Coniston Water can be seen stretching southwards.
The approach took me across Torver High Common and passed the Banishead Quarry, also known as Tanearth Quarry, an old slate quarry where the workings form a deep, almost circular excavation
