Parked at Glenridding and headed out towards little cove and hand railing the stone wall to are left. crampons and ice axes were deployed at 700m Birdhouse Moor.
Ice and snow under foot. Across Striding Edge to the summit of Helvellyn. Spoke to a group of three to check if there were ok as not very well equip for the route and weather conditions.
Made are way down Swirral edge red Tarn on are right hand side, contouring round glen ridding Beck back to the car park.Temperature minus 4.4°C Maximum wind speed 34.2mph Wind chill minus 12.5°C Average wind speed 8.6mph Wind direction NNW
Fresh snow fell overnight and has settled above 200m – 250m. The average depth at 900m is only 2-3cm; however the fine, soft snow is being redistributed on a gusty NW to NNW wind. The main hazard underfoot is the large amount of ice on paths and rocks which this morning was at all levels with a daytime thaw below around 300m. Walkers out on Wednesday should expect and be prepared to encounter even more ice as it refreezes overnight and also additionally on popular routes where the soft snow is compressed by walkers’ feet. Microspikes and poles are extremely useful to stay upright. As the fresh snow is blown about, it may well settle on patches of ice causing an additional hazard on paths.
Area :
Eastern Fells
From the Kirkstone Pass to the M6.
