Walking in a winter wonderland
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grasmere
We’ve now done a fair few winter walks, and I thought I’d summarise a few tips that we’ve picked up and learned along the way.
SKIDDaw from longside edge
Cold is cold. A strange thing to say I know, but I once spent a night in the Ice Hotel in Swedish Lapland, well inside the Arctic Circle, when it was -27. That temperature didn't actually feel any different to -2, but the wind chill is the thing that's brutal. If it's cold down in the valley, it'll be degrees colder on the tops, and if it's windy, more so.
Your body works much harder to keep you warm in the cold, so you tire more easily. Keep your core warm, take on plenty of fluids, have regular snacks and don't hang around too long to eat, drink or admire the view.
Wear windproof over-trousers. Sounds obvious? We walked up to Raise and on to Stybarrow Dodd last November and I was fine in my 'windstopper' trousers until it started snowing, with a freezing wind which hurled itself at us the minute we stepped onto Stybarrow's summit, until I couldn't feel my legs. Bro kindly let me wear his over trousers on the descent to warm up, and it really made a difference. I never walk without them in my pack now, even in summer.
If you take spikes, why not get them out and put them on? We did Clough Head one March in a whiteout and knee deep snow on the summit plateau, on our way to the Prison Band, when we seemed to find ourselves at the top of what, in summer, would have been a slope requiring a few pigeon steps and a little bit of a jog, but in winter was treacherously slippery. Bro went first, slipped and rolled slowly and quite gracefully then lay at the bottom waiting for me. I managed but only by going very gingerly. And yes, we did have our spikes in our packs....
Be prepared to make a huge amount of effort and end up in a whiteout with no view.
Have a contingency plan and be prepared to change your plans. Once, at Swirl Hause, we were going to carry on up to Swirl How but we were cold, a bit tired, it was a whiteout and the climb up was very icy and we frankly just didn't fancy it that day. Much better to enjoy it as another walk, feeling fresh and with a view.
Tell someone where you're going, leave a note or at least know Mountain Rescue's number (call 999 and ask for Police who will transfer you).
Be prepared to absolutely love the crisp air, the magical scenery, crunching along in the snow and the prospect of a hot chocolate or a pint, a huge pile of food and a roaring fire at the end of your epic day.
yes, enjoying it. honest
Enjoying the views…