Snow
19th January 2015
Snow
At last it's has arrived !
From a mountaineering perspective a reasonable amount of snow, combined with freezing conditions are now being experienced across the whole district. The tops of every mountain glistens against blue skies and the freezing winds blow plumes of spindrift from the edge of ridges and slopes, creating freezing clouds. As you walk through these clouds any exposed flesh is chilled, eyes water and lungs tighten. Despite these symptoms the body feels invigorated.
These type of conditions whet the appetite of the keen mountaineer as good snow conditions are rare in the UK and even rarer in England. The mountains, in these types of conditions, present certain risks, which if not understood, or accidentally experienced can be fatal. However, it is the combination of these risks with the stimulus to the senses that makes venturing into the mountains even more compelling. Today I was lucky as I had no other commitments other than to take advantage of the good providence, and what a great day it was too.
Today's mountain excursion was to ascend the Lansdale Fells from Grasmere. It would include the little known and rarely climbed Tarn Crag, achieved by first walking through the sublimely beautiful valley of Far Easdale and taking in an obvious (but overlooked) ridge where the snow deepened and hardened across the eastern slopes. On achieving the first summit further progress required careful navigation through a snowy wilderness, to reach the summit of Sergeant Man. This section was tough as the untrodden snow contained hidden traps, where you could suddenly plunge down into energy sapping deep snow, or slip on covered rocks or ice. This part of the walk used up most of my energy, but it was also exciting and beautiful due to the wildness of the terrain and the great views over Thirlmere, Helvellyn and Fairfield Fells.
The sun was out most of the day and if out of the wind it was warm, especially as the Suns Rays were being reflected off the pristine snow. All the while the air was full of a glistening scatter of snowy sparkles caused by the spindrift and reflecting a myriad of colour and light.
After leaving the summit the journey was now a gradual, though undulating, descent down the main Langdale/Grasmere ridge. I found I was getting even more tired due to having to wade through snow and regularly being caught out by sudden, unseen pockets of soft, knee deep drifts. However, as i descended, with a setting sun to my right, the views across to the vertical cliff of Pavey Ark and The frozen Stickle Tarn sat at its feet was astounding. The Tarn looked cold, reflecting the rocky face of Pavey and lay like spilt Mercury.
All the Fells to the west of Langdale could be seen to reflect the last orange glow of the sun before it set beyond the Irish Sea. The day then quickly darkened as I reached the summit of Silver How. All was quiet and still, with the outline of the Langdale Fells, the serrated ridge of Crinkle Crags appearing as a stark silhouette on the horizon.
This special journey concluded with a dark decent into the sleepy village of Grasmere, taking me to a well needed pint of local ale. The snow was left behind, but even down here there was reminder of its essence as a chilling wind, filled with spindrift whipped through the alley I was walking.
At last it's has arrived !
From a mountaineering perspective a reasonable amount of snow, combined with freezing conditions are now being experienced across the whole district. The tops of every mountain glistens against blue skies and the freezing winds blow plumes of spindrift from the edge of ridges and slopes, creating freezing clouds. As you walk through these clouds any exposed flesh is chilled, eyes water and lungs tighten. Despite these symptoms the body feels invigorated.
These type of conditions whet the appetite of the keen mountaineer as good snow conditions are rare in the UK and even rarer in England. The mountains, in these types of conditions, present certain risks, which if not understood, or accidentally experienced can be fatal. However, it is the combination of these risks with the stimulus to the senses that makes venturing into the mountains even more compelling. Today I was lucky as I had no other commitments other than to take advantage of the good providence, and what a great day it was too.
Today's mountain excursion was to ascend the Lansdale Fells from Grasmere. It would include the little known and rarely climbed Tarn Crag, achieved by first walking through the sublimely beautiful valley of Far Easdale and taking in an obvious (but overlooked) ridge where the snow deepened and hardened across the eastern slopes. On achieving the first summit further progress required careful navigation through a snowy wilderness, to reach the summit of Sergeant Man. This section was tough as the untrodden snow contained hidden traps, where you could suddenly plunge down into energy sapping deep snow, or slip on covered rocks or ice. This part of the walk used up most of my energy, but it was also exciting and beautiful due to the wildness of the terrain and the great views over Thirlmere, Helvellyn and Fairfield Fells.
The sun was out most of the day and if out of the wind it was warm, especially as the Suns Rays were being reflected off the pristine snow. All the while the air was full of a glistening scatter of snowy sparkles caused by the spindrift and reflecting a myriad of colour and light.
After leaving the summit the journey was now a gradual, though undulating, descent down the main Langdale/Grasmere ridge. I found I was getting even more tired due to having to wade through snow and regularly being caught out by sudden, unseen pockets of soft, knee deep drifts. However, as i descended, with a setting sun to my right, the views across to the vertical cliff of Pavey Ark and The frozen Stickle Tarn sat at its feet was astounding. The Tarn looked cold, reflecting the rocky face of Pavey and lay like spilt Mercury.
All the Fells to the west of Langdale could be seen to reflect the last orange glow of the sun before it set beyond the Irish Sea. The day then quickly darkened as I reached the summit of Silver How. All was quiet and still, with the outline of the Langdale Fells, the serrated ridge of Crinkle Crags appearing as a stark silhouette on the horizon.
This special journey concluded with a dark decent into the sleepy village of Grasmere, taking me to a well needed pint of local ale. The snow was left behind, but even down here there was reminder of its essence as a chilling wind, filled with spindrift whipped through the alley I was walking.