Freezing February in the Lakes -
High Moss
Seathwaite. After such a cold spell and then a thaw it seemed that we may
have missed winter by a week, although the forecast said snow and freezing
over 600m. There was a good turn out of 11 and the hut although
isolated was excellent. - Mike had a room to himself. People trickled up
over two days.
John, Linda and John travelled up on Thursday and had an excellent day
walking and (John) ice climbing round Hawswater and /High street.
Brian et al arrived early and adjourned to the pub and the rest of us
arrived to await Tug with the key who arrived last after an epic journey
of diversions.
Saturday
dawned dry and cold and people dispersed in all directions
to get the
best from the snow, The Old Man being the main attraction. Some walked,
some climbed on Great End, and some played as kids tobogganing down the
mountain after their ascent of the Old Man. An excellent day was had by
all. In the evening everyone ate in with an eclectic assortment of wine
and meals including a giant Haggis and neaps somehow consumed by Brian
Sunday was not
as cold and after some early lethargy most people again walked locally
although a few headed round to Coniston in search of ice above Low Water
and a change of scene.
Overall an excellent winter weekend with something for everyone.<John
Clark>
March in Snowdonia. March found us at the Tan y Wyddfa hut in Rhyd Ddu. Unfortunately only six members managed to make it for what turned out to be a very good weekend.
Saturday saw five of the six members making their
way to Snowdon via the Rhyd Ddu path. After a long cold season, Snowdon
still wore its winter raiment above 700m and
required crampons for safety,
although one group of Yorkshire lads were
observed happily near the summit in trainers!.
Around the café the snow was about four foot deep. The wind blew and the
clouds shrouded the peak. It made for a fine alpine day out.
Paul left the peak to make his way across to Moel Ellio and then onto
Mynedd Mawr.
Brian and Simon took the opportunity to make most of the season’s last bit
of winter climbing. After some hesitation about avalanche possibilities, a
softening Central Trinity was soloed.
Ges and Hugo returned to the valley via the Ranger path and Mike spent the
morning walking on the lower slopes of Snowdon.
The latter part of the afternoon was spent in the pub watching England
play Scotland.
On Sunday Paul, Hugo and Simon did a shortened
version of the Nantlle ridge in the company of Ray Dimmock. Ray is a park
warden who has managed to cram far more than his fair share of life into
his seventy years. The morning slipped by with endless tales of Ray’s
life. It was a pleasure to meet such a fascinating character.
Brian went for a run whilst Ges spent the morning wandering at lower level
around Mynydd Drws Y Coed and Y Garn.. <Simon
Carr/Ges Atherton>