Lake District Walks | Walking the Wainwrights | Wetherlam via Coppermines Valley and Black Sails

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/18945093/lake-district-films-wetherlam-route
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 (kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4SrdniDjdBjnrs) 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-of-the-lake-district-south-western-area/ (We don't get revenue from OS Map sales, but are grateful for their support and permission to use their mapping!)
#lakedistrictwalks
#lakedistrictvlog
#Coniston
#Wainwrights
#lakedistricttravelguide
#lakedistrict

[@lesbeldon8299]

Enjoyed that, great video, well made, great scenery and entertaining. Thank you.

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Many thanks! Glad you liked it. All the best

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Amazing views, excellent video. New friend here.

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thanks and welcome!

[@sorryofficer1]

Really enjoyed this video, I love this area of the Lakes🙂👍👍👍👍👍

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thanks you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ChrisSmith-di7un]

Congratulations on another master piece. You have surpassed yourself once more. Bravo

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Many thanks, Chris. Really appreciate the comment. Cheers

[@russellhomans2173]

Another great film. You can never beat a good Eric Morecombe gag but have you ever undertaken a poll to see how many of your loyal viewers know who he was. Lets hope you introduce a whole new generation to the comedy genius he was.

[@martinkingston1498]

Absolutely wonderful film making. Thankyou for all the effort you put in to making this. You have just gotten a new subscriber sir!

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you very much! Greatly appreciated. All the best

[@richardborley7326]

Oh how wonderful. You must have filmed that 3 days after I had done the reverse of that route to complete my Wainwright round on Wetherlam on a similarly beautiful day but without the wind. Thanks for sharing, lovely memory for my wife and I . Hope your ankle was OK . 👌👏🙏🙏🙏

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thanks, Richard - what a coincidence! All the best

[@terrycollins5429]

Another good one Neal!!

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you!

[@nicmarlow6388]

excellent content! every time we watch one of your videos, it's another one to add to our list for when we're back up there! :)

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you - glad you enjoyed it - it's a great walk, and highly recommended! Take care!

[@carolfitton2007]

Great video 👍

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you!

[@Steve-gb5dl]

Another great video. Thanks for the effort you put in to bring us such good content. I have completed the coniston fells this month also. I split them over 2 walks and got nothing but clag and wind on the tops. You have got lucky with the weather and took in some great views.

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thanks, Steve. The good weather I had this time made up for the clag-bound top of Great Gable, in August!

[@davidburgess9058]

Fabulous view from Black Sails. So much so I need to get up there and see it for myself. Wonderful video with amazing views along the way. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for posting. I was up there last week going over Barrow, Outerside and Stile End. The weather was spot on for hiking. PS Hope your ankle is okay!

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

It's an underrated fell (and ridge walk) so I'd strongly recommend it! All the best

[@budvarone]

Another lovely hike in The Lakes! I'm not familiar with the area around Coniston, but hopefully that'll change soon. Hope your ankle isn't too painful and you recover quickly!

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you - lots of lovely walks around there, so worth a visit! The ankle is still on the mend!

[@clairegreenlea7658]

Wonderful views on a spectacular day! You know, when you say, come on then, to me it feels like you know that I am there 100% in spirit. If you have time, what kind of pies are in Conniston?

[@northernwalks5426]

Good route that Neil and very informative as usual. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work. Regards Kevin

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Many thanks, Kevin! All the best

[@frannypeony2076]

Now I’m wondering how many bloopers have I missed 🤨 Hope the ankle has popped back into place 🕺🏼

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Quite a few of the recent films have bloopers, if you look for them!

[@RockStar67]

Superb loved every bit of that...the filming use of the drone the OS map stuff all brilliantly informative with a chunk drama and great music...great route done it a few times and also filmed it a few weeks back but never via the mines so there now on our to do list...Just found your channel from a comment on my own channel....well done buddy stay safe up there and watch them ankles ATVB (new Sub) Andy and The ROCK STAR ⭐

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Cheers! Subscribed back - see you on the fells!

[@RockStar67]

Definitely all the best bud 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@Muddipaws1308]

What a fantastic walk and video. Stunning views. Thank you so much for this

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thanks, Julie!

[@runtothetrails]

Yet another professionally produced film. Excellent editing. Realy enjoyed watching this film about Wetherlam. Only regret is not bagging Wetherlam when we came of the band 4 years ago. Thanks.😊 0:23

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you very much! The hills are always there for next time!

[@Happy_Hiker]

Love all your videos but the scenery this time was particularly stunning. This hike is going on my to-do list!! Thank you 🙂

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thanks so much - definitely worth a go, this one!

[@Bladesmobile]

❤ always a good day when another Lake District films production comes out

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you!

[@DAoutdoors]

Hi Neil. Absolutely fantastic walk, what a lovely day you had. A long time since I was up Wetherlam, need to get back up there. Thanks so much for sharing your day. All the best Dave

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thanks, Dave. Wetherlam is often an outlier, isn't it, but always a good day's walk. Hope you enjoy revisiting!

[@csec99TV]

Brilliant video Neil, thank you!

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@andrewjohnston9115]

I am constantly impressed with the quality of video you are presenting and the excellent commentary, So a couple of questions if you don't mind, what video equipment and editing software do you use, and do you have a script/storyboard for the commentary?

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you! Currently, most of the filming is on a GroPro Hero 11, with a media mod which improves the sound recording hugely. Some of the earlier films were partially shot with a Sony A650, hefty lens and gimble, but it's very heavy and not 100% weather-proof, and the GoPro allows for those Time Warp moving timelapse shots. A few shots are using a iPhone 11Pro, and the drone stuff is a Mavic Air 2. I edit with Final Cut Pro X, and use ColorFinale for the colour grading. In terms of "script," it's mostly improvised, but I try to do a lot of research before starting the walk, both on the route and hills, but also some local history. Thanks again, and hope that's helpful/interesting! All the best

[@Bladesmobile]

Shortly after this was shot, it started to rain and didn’t stop till late April 2024 😂

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Winter, this year, is expected to end in around late June, for a week, before the commencement of autumn.

[@Bladesmobile]

😂😂😂 please no

[@lindseyburke-tomlinson4463]

This looks like a lovely walk (shamelessly copies route down to use in the future..😁..), looks like you had great weather for it. How long do you reckon it took?

[@LakeDistrictFilms]

Thank you! Probably took about 6 hours, but we did a lot of faffing about, so it might be more of a 5 hour walk, in reality! It’s a lovely route - hope you enjoy it!