Brief Introduction:

Although Wetherlam is part of the Coniston Fells it is set somewhat apart from the main group of peaks by the deep col of Swirl Hawse. This isolation from its neighbours is further enhanced by its striking conical form and the dark crags on its flanks. Most often it is climbed as part of the Coniston Round, which despite the big drop of Swirl Hawse, is still a fairly economic way of climbing it - doing it this way though misses all the best bits Wetherlam has to offer. Closer inspection of Wetherlam will reveal within its profile a complex of ridges and spurs particularly on its eastern and northern flanks. Two ridges in particular stand out as dramatic features and these are Steel Edge and Wetherlam Edge.

They bound the great northeast facing corrie that cuts deeply into Wetherlam and offer easy scrambling amongst a truly stunning and wild mountain setting. Not quite as technical as some of Lakelands more famous arêtes they never the less will get you into some exciting airy positions. They are an ideal undertaking for those new to scrambling. Steel Edge is the harder of the two so is best tackled in ascent whilst Wetherlam Edge is more rounded and has crags that can easily be avoided so is good as the descent. Terrain Steep-sided Valley, deep gill, boggy corrie floor, steep narrow ridge high rounded ridge, craggy summit cone, steep craggy ridge, col, steep fell-side.

Full Description:
1. From the car park at by the road side at Tilberthwaite take the path that climbs SW alongside Tilberthwaite Gill. It climbs high on the S side of the gill and follows the course of it as it swings WNW then N to arrive at the boggy flats of Dry Cove Bottom.

2. Steel Edge is the obvious ridge line that climbs SW out of Dry Cove Bottom. Rounded at first the ridge soon necks down to a well defined arête. Scramble easily SW up its crest to gain Wetherlams main ridge. Any difficulties along Steel Edge can be turned and generally a well defined path is followed.

3. Once on the main ridge follow its rounded crest NNW to the summit taking care to avoid the crags on the NE side.

4. The start of the descent can be a little confusing to start so it's worth taking a baring NE to gain the correct route - there is steep craggy ground to either side which can be a bit confusing particularly in mist. Once the crest is gained the way ahead is more obvious. The crest is interspersed with small crags which can be descended or avoid at will depend how hard or easy you choose to make it.

5. Birk Fell Hawse is reached as the angle of the ridge levels and turns towards ENE. Just before Birk Fell Man the path turns and zig-zags steeply SE. Follow the zig-zags then the built-up path as it drops down to Dry Cove Bottom.

6. Cross Tilberthwaite Beck and regain the path on the S side of Tilberthwaite Gill. Retrace your steps down the path to the car park.