A greatday starting off near Ribblehead Station and approaching from the north in absolutely atrocious conditions. The more gentle slopes were coated in greasy snow which became icier as we went higher. Up over Park Fell and the snow was deep and slippery but up here completely frozen. We skirted around Simon Fell which almost needed crampons due to the aspect and icyness. The steps leading up to the plateaux of Ingleborough were absolutely lethal. From the summit we put ski goggles on as we`d be heading down into the wind. Visibility was appalling and it was snowing heavily with spindrift from the increasing wind. Precise navigation to get off onto the right track. Touch and go as to whether to put crampons on, but although icy, it would have been a crampon-bluntening exercise. The steps going steeply down were tricky but maneagable. Stunning day with a real winter novice in terms of me navigating and imparting knowledge. - Significant mountain in atrocious adverse conditions - Navigation along a wide plateau and other pieces of route finding. The park-built steps were potentially lethal. - Knowledge increased and imparted. - Safety awareness - ensuring my companion was OK and able to deal with the terrain. - Over 5 hours - UK mountain terrain in winter - Axes used (for balance), crampons carried.
Area :North
Includes Swaledale, Wensleydale and the northern areas
A greatday starting off near Ribblehead Station and approaching from the north in absolutely atrocious conditions. The more gentle slopes were coated in greasy snow which became icier as we went higher. Up over Park Fell and the snow was deep and slippery but up here completely frozen. We skirted around Simon Fell which almost needed crampons due to the aspect and icyness. The steps leading up to the plateaux of Ingleborough were absolutely lethal. From the summit we put ski goggles on as we`d be heading down into the wind. Visibility was appalling and it was snowing heavily with spindrift from the increasing wind. Precise navigation to get off onto the right track. Touch and go as to whether to put crampons on, but although icy, it would have been a crampon-bluntening exercise. The steps going steeply down were tricky but maneagable. Stunning day with a real winter novice in terms of me navigating and imparting knowledge.
