Coniston Old Man via the Jack Diamond Path

About

The Jack Diamond Path up Coniston Old Man is one of the few paths in the
Lake District named after an individual - unlike the other paths though, this one has a very recent history. It is the creation of Jack Diamond, a school teacher from Coniston, and a one time member of the climbing club the Coniston Tigers, whose story is immortalised in Harry Griffin's latest book of the same name "The Coniston Tigers". Sadly Jack Diamond died at the very early age of 45 in February 1956. His path takes a wonderfully graded route up the southeast flank of Coniston Old Man in a series of cairn marked zigzags. It is easy to follow once the correct start is located, and manages to avoid the quarry mess that spoils the tourist route which lies just a short distance north round the fell side. It pops out onto the tourist path a short distance under the summit and delivers you to the best viewpoint in the south of the Lake District. Once you have gained the summit of Coniston Old Man then a round of Brim Fell, Dow Crag, Buck Pike, Brown Pike and a descent along the Walna Scar Road will make the perfect mountain day.

Grade: Intermediate