Lakes Winter Climbing

The best winter weather in the English Lakes for over a decade and some unused Quark axes meant many visits in search of classic routes. the first few visits encountered powder snow, and unconsolidated conditions, but later visits were rewarded with some great conditions. Here are some highlights.

Central Gully Left Branch Great End - Grade III

Launchy Gill, Thirlmere - Grade III

Dollywagon North - Ramp it Up - Grade II

Dollywagon Gully - Grade III

Black Crag Icefall - Grade IV

Hart Crag Icefall - Grade IV

Two Grooves, Brown Cove - Grade IV

Chock Gully, Falcon Crag - Grade V

Lakes Winter Climbing

You have to be Lucky or very persistent to get any winter climbing done in the English Lakes. Conditions come and go very quickly. This current winter I've made nearly 10 trips into the Lakes, and had a lot of fun, but only really 2 days when there were "proper" conditions. One on Great End, the other on Launchy Gill (Thirlmere), see photo above.

Other trips I caome across frozen valley and thawed mountain tops (inversions), deep powder snow and no ice, and many variations in between. But you have to just take the rough with the smooth and enjoy the day out whatever you achieve!