2 days lakeland walking

For the past two days a good friend of mine has been revisiting the Lakes.  
Richard was the lead teacher on the expediton I was working on to Borneo.  We've had two really good days out, Monday saw us take in (I won't name the first mountain as Richard is running a small competition on his blog,) and Robinson with Tuesday doing a full circuit of Blencathra complete with Steak and Blackpudding pies from The cottage pie shop.  One of the best pie shops in Cumbria, IMHO.
The ground is still frozen above 600m but the thaw is definately underway.  On Blencathra the paths have consolidated snow and ice with the ridge line still having snow although it is avoidable by choosing to walk a little further to the side of it.
Should you wish to have a led days walking in the Lakes with a qualified Mountain Leader then please just get in touch.

Lovely day in the Lakes

A bright and lovely day in the Lakes today with good conditions around the central lakes.  I was up in the Great Tongue and Grisedale Hause area looking at some snow analysis. 

There were some cracking views to be had today especially earlier in the day with the fog down in the valley.  Paths have alot of consolidated ice and snow.

In trying to understand more about the snow pack I dug some pits to try and learn the various layers etc.  The PDF is an attempt at providing a summary of my findings at that location but bear in mind I am no SAIS reporter.  Snow pack can change from area to area so this is only specific to the slope I was working on. Snow pack PDF

Blencathra Winter conditions

Last night we had a pretty good covering of snow and it was still snowing early this morning, so this afternoon I popped out for what was going to be a run/slog up Blencathra (Nothern Lake District) to have a look at conditions.  The wind chill at the bottom of Mousthwaite Comb was pretty nippy but in good old 'bootneck' (ex) I gave myself a good talking too and got on with it.
At the top of Mousthwaite Comb I was greeted by a sharp wind and cloud from there on in.  Full winter conditions up there today.  See photo, doesn't show a lot, pretty much sums it up.  I cracked on about half way up but the going was pretty tough due to the depth of snow.  There is alot of movement of snow being blown about giving scoured areas and drifting.  I was well equipped but decided to go further wasn't the option today. 
Lycra v Pusser's windproofs, no contest windproofs every time!

Please go well equipped if you are venturing out this weekend and stay safe.

                                                                                                                   

Feet in the snow



Looking towards Grisedale pike

After some pretty shoddy weather over the weekend, I took advantage of the calm spell this morning to nip out for a short run/plod on Barrow (455m) above Braithwaite to check out the conditions in the lakes.  Some clear weather meant for good visibility and the snowline was around 200m.  On the top of Barrow there was a good couple of inches of nice snow. 

Looking over Barrow and beyond

The descent from Stile End meant for a bit of slipping and sliding.  The ground wasn't exactly frozen, but looking across the surrounding peaks there looked to be a good covering of snow, with the accumilations on the east/south east slopes.  It was 0 degs when I set off and 1 deg when I got back, so let's hope for some freezing higher up. 

Coming down off Stile End