Mid-Winter Walking

Jim Compton said:

Hey all ---

I've walked several times in Britain in November in the past (sunny and cold, wet and cold, even
drenched and freezing across Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse) but now find myself with a week free in
late January --- in general, is the weather any worse then ?

In general, you just can't tell. It might be lovely, it might be completely bogging.

Quoted message said:

England or Southwest Wales ? Any hidden gems at that time of the year ? Anything special going on
the last weekend in January ?

To be honest, I'd look closer to home. If you want winter conditions you'll get better ones in N.
America, and if you don't you risk getting cold and wet again in the UK. Plus it'll be rather less
daylight here.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Following up to Jim Compton

Quoted message said:

I've walked several times in Britain in November in the past (sunny and cold, wet and cold, even
drenched and freezing across Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse) but now find myself with a week free in
late January --- in general, is the weather any worse then ? Any recommendations ? Southwest
England or Southwest Wales ? Any hidden gems at that time of the year ? Anything special going on
the last weekend in January ?

You have more chance of some truly memorable weather, it could be sun and snow, it could be battling
a blizzard. Try the Lake District (eastern fell often hold snow for some non technical but physical
snow bashing) or if you are really up for something wild and scarey, the Highlands. You will
probably need winter equipment and the skills to use it. Or then it could just rain :-(
--
Mike Reid "Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso Walking-food-photos, Wasdale, Thames,
London etc "fellwalk.co.ukfellwalk.co.ukOpen ↗" <-- you can email us@ this site and same for Spain at "fell-fell-Open ↗
walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

Jim Compton said:

I've walked several times in Britain in November in the past (sunny and cold, wet and cold, even
drenched and freezing across Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse) but now find myself with a week free in
late January --- in general, is the weather any worse then ?

In my experience you can get anything in January from snow & gales to mild, wet weather. It can be
very nice (clear calm sunshine) or utter [censored]. Actually, to be honest, November and December tend
to be the wet, miserable months, January can often be quite sunny. Usually without snow in the
south of the UK.

Quoted message said:

Any recommendations ? Southwest England or Southwest Wales ?

Speaking as a local I can tell you that South Wales is probably less prone to snow than anywhere
else in the UK. Snow usually comes from the north (in which case Scotland and northern England get
it), the east (in which case eastern England gets it) or occasionally the south-west, when
prevailing winds hit a cold air mass over the UK (in which case Devon and Cornwall get it).

South Wales seems to be in some kind of "snow shadow" (similar to a rain shadow). Snow from the east
rarely gets as far as Wales and when the northern winds do bring snow to Wales it usually gets
dumped on North Wales leaving none for the south. There's a definite north/south snow split in
Wales, I regularly see snow forecast for the north but not the south throughout the winter.

I once drove to Mid-Wales especially to reach the snow. As we crossed the snow free Brecon Beacons
in bright sunshine my brother remarked that I'd probably got it wrong and there wasn't going to be
any snow. Half an hour later we were driving through a blizzard and we spent three lovely days in
the white stuff. Still none on the Beacons on the way back though.

I'm not suggesting that we never get snow in South Wales, we do, but it seems far less common than
anywhere else in the UK, even Devon and Cornwall paradoxically (although when we do it often comes
from that direction, and thus doesn't last long).

So what I'm saying is that if you don't want snow in January, come to South Wales, but if you do
want snow, go somewhere else. (For the last few years we've had a regular dumping of snow in South
Wales at the very end of December.)

Quoted message said:

Any hidden gems at that time of the year ?

Not that I'm aware of.

Quoted message said:

Anything special going on the last weekend in January ?

Weather-wise? Nothing specific. Non-weather-wise? No idea.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003 - Updated
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"Jim Compton" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hey all ---

I've walked several times in Britain in November in the past (sunny and cold, wet and cold, even
drenched and freezing across Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse) but now find myself with a week free in
late January --- in general, is the weather any worse then ? Any recommendations ? Southwest
England or Southwest Wales ? Any hidden gems at that time of the year ? Anything special going on
the last weekend in January ?

Thanks ---

Jim Compton Durham, North Carolina, USA

Some good suggestions already here, but fun in S Wales could be had either in the Brecon Beacons or
the Black Mountains (or both) or along the Gower penninsula. Someone also recommended the Peak
District, and I'd follow that up with a recommendation for going slightly further north into the
Yorkshire Dales. A stretch of the Pennine Way (usually done S to N) might take in both, but could
well be extremely boggy. Alternatively, the Lake District (as already mentioned) or the Coast-to-
Coast path (W to E across the country) which takes in the Lakes and the Dales, could be very nice.

Quoted message said:

I've walked several times in Britain in November in the past (sunny and cold, wet and cold, even
drenched and freezing across Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse) but now find myself with a week free in
late January --- in general, is the weather any worse then ? Any recommendations ? Southwest
England or Southwest Wales ? Any hidden gems at that time of the year ? Anything special going on
the last weekend in January ?

England and Wales don't generally have winters. at least not by my definition, i.e the lawns are
still green. perfectly all right to walk, a little muddy perhaps. bring a torch as the days are a
little bit shorter. you can pretty much walk anywhere in the British isles January. e.g wild-camping
in Scotland shouldn't be a problem and it isn't crowded either.

/ot

In article <[email hidden]>, one of infinite monkeys

at the keyboard of Paul Rooney said:

Quoted message said:

If you don't mind dying! Highland winter weather *may* be very serious.

Same goes for the Lakes, Pennines, Dartmoor, Snowdonia, Beacons.

Not exactly. This is my fifth winter living within the Dartmoor NP, and although we get the white
stuff occasionally, we don't get any serious amounts, and (like lowland england) it never lasts more
than a few days.

Pennines ... well, I recollect a few trudges in more serious snow from my Sheffield days. It's *fun*
when the drifts are extensive and way deeper than man-height - but it's still worlds away from the
packed/slippery stuff you get in the mountains.

--
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"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

To be honest, I'd look closer to home. If you want winter conditions you'll get better ones in N.
America, and if you don't you risk getting cold and wet again in the UK. Plus it'll be rather less
daylight here.

Speaking as a UK winter walker (Somerset and Devon last January, Dorset and Wiltshire the
previous February), I'd rather take the risk of sloppy UK weather than stay at home (Maine USA)
with the certainty of a continental winter. I start my Cornwall section of the SW Coast Path
January 2, 2004!

JG

Thanks to all ---

Just spent 12 days in Italy last month, flew over Corsica, it's on my list --- Britain is attractive
for several reasons, foremost among them is the"quick" non-stop flight from Raleigh-Durham to
Gatwick (easy on, easy off) --- does late-January have any less daylight than mid-November (seems it
was dark by 5pm in November but then that's why pubs were invented, right?) ---

It's tough in the States to put together interesting 7-14 day point-to-point walking trips that have
a warm room and a pub at the end of each day, not a campsite and a sleeping bag (and maybe another
pub for lunch) --- I've done several but it ain't easy, what with private property laws being what
they are here ---

John, I've thought about Cornwall --- [email hidden] if you want to share your itinerary
and accomodation list (or are you just camping wherever the sun goes down?) ---

Thanks again to all ---

Jim

"Reid" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Following up to Jim Compton

Quoted message said:

I've walked several times in Britain in November in the past (sunny and cold, wet and cold, even
drenched and freezing across Rannoch Moor to Kingshouse) but now find myself with a week free in
late January --- in general, is the weather any worse then ? Any recommendations ?

Southwest

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

England or Southwest Wales ? Any hidden gems at that time of the year ? Anything special going on
the last weekend in January ?

You have more chance of some truly memorable weather, it could be sun and snow, it could be
battling a blizzard. Try the Lake District (eastern fell often hold snow for some non technical
but physical snow bashing) or if you are really up for something wild and scarey, the Highlands.
You will probably need winter equipment and the skills to use it. Or then it could just rain :-(
--
Mike Reid "Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso Walking-food-photos, Wasdale, Thames,
London etc

"fellwalk.co.ukfellwalk.co.ukOpen ↗" <-- you can email us@ this site

Quoted message said:

and same for Spain at "fell-walker.co.ukfell-walker.co.ukOpen ↗" <-- dontuse@ all,

it's a spamtrap

* Ken Catchpole <[email hidden]> deigned to grace uk.rec.walking
* with their presence by declaiming:

Quoted message said:

Some good suggestions already here, but fun in S Wales could be had either in the Brecon Beacons
or the Black Mountains (or both) or along the Gower

The Gower's a great suggestion! If it's decided to go there, I've got the 'phone number of someone
who rents out a studio flat at Rossilli. My daughter has rented it - it's in an ideal situation and
is tidy and cheap, especially out of season. If anyone's interested, email me.

Regards: Jim Ford

Ole Troan said:

England and Wales don't generally have winters. at least not by my definition,

Yep, that's right. Although we do have occasional snow and quite a few frosts.

Paul
--
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john goldfine said:

Speaking as a UK winter walker (Somerset and Devon last January, Dorset and Wiltshire the
previous February), I'd rather take the risk of sloppy UK weather than stay at home (Maine USA)
with the certainty of a continental winter.

Okay, but why not go somewhere like Corsica if you're coming so far?

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

Jim Compton said:

does late-January have any less daylight than mid-November (seems it was dark by 5pm in November

About the same. At the end of January in South Wales you get daylight from 8am to 5pm (plus a bit
extra for twilight of course). More daylight to the south, less to the north, so south would be the
best option for the most daylight.

Paul
--
The October Project 2003 - Updated
wildwales.fsnet.co.ukoctober.htmlOpen ↗
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photosig.comuserphotosOpen ↗

How about the Peak District? Walking's good, historically interesting. Interesting Cities, towns and
villages nearby. Buxton, Bakewell, Eyam, Hayfield, Hathersage, Castleton - all worth a look if you
need some rest from the inevitable rain.

Wherever you decide - have a good time!

Blue Skies: Jim Ford

"Peter Clinch" wrote>

Quoted message said:

Okay, but why not go somewhere like Corsica if you're coming so far?

Pete! I like the UK! Public footpaths! Real ale! Ordnance Survey maps! The grand walking!

JG

Following up to Peter Clinch

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you don't mind dying! Highland winter weather *may* be very serious.

But you can buy kit to deal with it on most high streets. All you need is the basic physical
fitness for the walk and the experience to know how/where to go and when to stop, and most regular
walkers would have that. Especially if they're used to wandering round bits of Norway like Ole.

IMHO its poor unqualified advice to a person of unknown skills, equipment and experience. It also
suggests snow is not a possibility when it is. I would say advice on wild camping in the
highlands in January should mention quality of equipment, ice axe and winter skills, a mention of
avalanches even!

--
Mike Reid "Art is the lie that reveals the truth" P.Picasso Walking-food-photos, Wasdale, Thames,
London etc "fellwalk.co.ukfellwalk.co.ukOpen ↗" <-- you can email us@ this site and same for Spain at "fell-fell-Open ↗
walker.co.uk" <-- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap

john goldfine said:

Pete! I like the UK! Public footpaths! Real ale! Ordnance Survey maps! The grand walking!

Well, so do I, but if you don't want winter conditions then it's far nicer in late April/May,
leaving January for places with other advantages. If you can't make it later in the year I suppose
you're stuck to some degree, but if you can then May is before the rush, in Scotland generally
before the midges, and you don't get days like yesterday where it just never really got as far as
"daytime" through the fog and rain!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

On Thu, 4 Dec 2003 13:42:23 +0000, [email hidden] (Nick Kew)

Quoted message said:

Not exactly. This is my fifth winter living within the Dartmoor NP, and although we get the white
stuff occasionally, we don't get any serious amounts, and (like lowland england) it never lasts
more than a few days.

Never say never!

bbc.co.ukthe big freeze.shtmlOpen ↗

--
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Wainwrights

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I'm a novice, but I think the original question was about walks in South West Wales. My own personal
favourite is from Bosherston via the lily ponds to Stackpole, then on the Coast path the Barafundle,
Broad Haven south and back the Bosherston.

Great cafe at Stackpole (not sure if it will be open in winter though), and pub at Bosherston.

The attached link gives a rough idea of the route: multimap.combrowse.cgiOpen ↗
blic&X=198000&Y=194000&gride=&gridn=&scale=25000&coordsys=gb&mapsize=big

So far as weather is concerned, in this part of the UK avoid days when the wind is in the south west
(wet and drizzly) and pick a day when the wind is in the north or east. Basically if people in the
south east are complaining about the weather, come to Pembrokeshire - it will be dry and sunny
(usually!)

David

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

john goldfine said:

Pete! I like the UK! Public footpaths! Real ale! Ordnance Survey

maps!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The grand walking!

Well, so do I, but if you don't want winter conditions then it's far nicer in late April/May,
leaving January for places with other advantages. If you can't make it later in the year I suppose
you're stuck to some degree, but if you can then May is before the rush, in Scotland generally
before the midges, and you don't get days like yesterday where it just never really got as far as
"daytime" through the fog and rain!

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells
Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 16:14:12 +0000, Reid <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

You have more chance of some truly memorable weather, it could be sun and snow, it could be
battling a blizzard. Try the Lake District (eastern fell often hold snow for some non technical but
physical snow bashing) or if you are really up for something wild and scarey, the Highlands. You
will probably need winter equipment and the skills to use it. Or then it could just rain :-(

This is more or less guaranteed if you have gone to the trouble of acquiring winter equipment and
the skills to use it.