Lake District

Ground conditions

Date: Wednesday 21 January. Location: Helvellyn summit at 10:20. Temperature: minus 0.2 degC. Maximum wind speed 27.2 mph. Wind chill: minus -8.9 degC. Average wind speed: 3.7 mph. Full report: Buffeting, fresh snow. A day of two halves, with bright spells and good visibility in the morning, followed by a deterioration through the afternoon as rain arrived and winds strengthened. Fresh snow has fallen above around 700m, clearly visible on Helvellyn and Skiddaw, while a bank of cloud sat over the western side of the National Park. Below 700m, footpaths were drying rapidly after overnight rain, and the ground felt soft underfoot, indicating a general thaw at lower levels. At mid-fell elevations, however, isolated streaks of ice remain on paths and, when lightly covered by fresh snow, were deceptively hard and slippery. Micro-spikes proved ideal above 800m, where new snow has fallen onto compacted old snow or bare rock. Approaching the summit plateau from Swirral Edge, the exit slopes now hold a fresh covering of fallen and windblown snow, obscuring the trenched steps from last weekend. Impressive cornices have formed along east through north to north-west-facing cove rims, with the greatest accumulations of transported snow on the upper scarp slopes of Water Crag (Brown Cove East). Extreme care is required near these features: they are fragile, and failure may occur well back from the visible edge due to the wind-slab snow feeding into them. On Swirral Edge, more old snow lies beneath the recent ~3cm fall than on Striding Edge, where fresh snow has mostly landed on rock. A plunged ice axe was used for security on Swirral Edge, and on Striding Edge it proved useful for hooking snow-covered rock holds. The side traverse path on Striding Edge was noticeably more insecure than the ridge crest, as deeper old snow remains banked there. Morning sunshine and excellent visibility were offset by a bitter wind chill, feeling closer to -10°C on exposed skin. With gusty, inconsistent airflow, strong blasts arrived unexpectedly. Eye protection (goggles or wraparound glasses) would be sensible in these conditions. Full winter clothing is essential, including waterproofs, warm insulating layers, hat and gloves. Additional equipment-such as microspikes or crampons and an ice axe on exposed ground are strongly recommended along with a map and compass, emergency shelter, first aid kit, energy food, and a hot flask as well as fully charged phone. Trainers are wholly inadequate for walking in these conditions.