Winter conditions in the Lake District

Ole Troan said:

My wife and I are going up to the Lakes tomorrow for a few days. The
idea was to do a traverse from south to north and wild camp (Ulverston
- Keswick). With the mild weather lately I was hoping to not have to
bring crampons (mainly a weight (and price) issue).

We would like to cover a few of the hills on the way, but if it is too
icy we would choose a lower level route.

Anyone been up there lately with an idea of the ice and snow
conditions?

Try the LDNP weather line. It includes reports from the summit of
Helvellyn. It is available on-line here
http://www.cumbriahouse.co.uk/weather/lake-district-weather.html

Or you can use the phone 01768 775757
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

In message <[email hidden]>

Ole Troan said:

My wife and I are going up to the Lakes tomorrow for a few days. The
idea was to do a traverse from south to north and wild camp (Ulverston
- Keswick). With the mild weather lately I was hoping to not have to
bring crampons (mainly a weight (and price) issue).

We would like to cover a few of the hills on the way, but if it is too
icy we would choose a lower level route.

Anyone been up there lately with an idea of the ice and snow
conditions?

Not been out for the last couple of days. On Boxing Day (when I was too
lazy, which is unfortunate because the weather was wonderful) there was
quite a lot of snow and ice around, but since then it's all turned much
milder, and the whole place is currently covered in thick cloud and rain.
I glimpsed a few patches of snow left yesterday, but it's nearly all gone
(as far as you can tell from valley level).

The weather is currently completely miserable for walking, but snow and ice
probably won't be too much of a problem.

--
Simon Challands

On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 13:54:45 +0000, Ole Troan <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

My wife and I are going up to the Lakes tomorrow for a few days. The
idea was to do a traverse from south to north and wild camp (Ulverston
- Keswick). With the mild weather lately I was hoping to not have to
bring crampons (mainly a weight (and price) issue).

We would like to cover a few of the hills on the way, but if it is too
icy we would choose a lower level route.

Anyone been up there lately with an idea of the ice and snow
conditions?

I went up on Tuesday and returned today. I didn't get right up onto
the highest tops, but there was quite a lot of patchy snow (with some
deep drifts on the path) in the Langdales. Last night there was loads
of rain, though, and a lot of the snow had gone by this morning. I
can't say how much was left on the tops today as the visibility was v.
bad.

The wind was also increcibly high: it flattened my Akto on a regular
basis last night, and I spent most of the night with my heart in my
mouth, wondering whether it was actually possible for me to be blown
in my tent off the mountain. I woke up at one stage with the back of
the tent pressing down onto my face, and had to crawl out, find the
pegs in the rain, mud and thick mist and re-peg the two guys nearest
the wind.

In fact, the weather was so cruddy, and my kit was so wet by this
morning, that I came home this evening. I hope you have much better
luck! 🙂

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 21:33:07 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The wind was also increcibly high: it flattened my Akto on a regular
basis last night, and I spent most of the night with my heart in my
mouth, wondering whether it was actually possible for me to be blown
in my tent off the mountain. I woke up at one stage with the back of
the tent pressing down onto my face, and had to crawl out, find the
pegs in the rain, mud and thick mist and re-peg the two guys nearest
the wind.

Gosh. It sounds like last "summer" in the Lairig Ghru.

Aren't the nights long when the wind is blowing a hoolie!

Judith

Judith said:

On Thu, 30 Dec 2004 21:33:07 +0000, Peewiglet <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

The wind was also increcibly high: it flattened my Akto on a regular
basis last night, and I spent most of the night with my heart in my
mouth, wondering whether it was actually possible for me to be blown
in my tent off the mountain. I woke up at one stage with the back of
the tent pressing down onto my face, and had to crawl out, find the
pegs in the rain, mud and thick mist and re-peg the two guys nearest
the wind.

Gosh. It sounds like last "summer" in the Lairig Ghru.

Uh-oh... I was thinking about the Lairig Ghru last night!

Quoted message said:

Aren't the nights long when the wind is blowing a hoolie!

They certainly are! The only redeeming feature was my lovely Exped
Down Air Mattress, which is truly the best bit of kit I can remember
using in recent memory. It was warm and soft and comforting, and long!

Oh, and I suppose the fact that my brave Akto didn't actually blow
right down or fall to pieces is another redeeming feature. It's an
amazingly robust tent for 1.5kg.

(Also, I have also to put in a word for the Marmot Hydrogen sleepy
bag. When I first snuggled down to read, at about 5pm y/day afternoon,
the outside of the bag was a bit wet, as my Paramo trousers had
carried a lot of water into the tent. I'd mopped up with my camping
towel, but it was pretty damp in the tent. The hoody thing and merino
wool vest that I was wearing were also pretty damp, and for several
hours it was a bit of a sauna inside the sleepy bag, although it was
still warm. By the early hours, though, all the damp had passed
through, and it was perfectly dry inside again. Most impressive, I
thought.)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk