Fell top conditions report - 21st November 2010
Went for a quick blast with JP & dogs up and down Helvellyn from Swirls Car Park. Its been a cold weekend & snow had been forecast for the highest summits, falling above 600m. I wasn't sure if things had been stipped abit since Tuesday last. As we left the carpark it was raining, but we could clearly see the snow line for today as we drove over Dunmail Raise, so we new it wouldn't be long before we were treading on the white stuff. Before we came to the level where you would turn off for Brown Cove Crags we entered the snow line, as we moved up onto the back of Lower Man we trudged up hard pack drifted snow, perfect for skiing on, and with only just watching Glen Plake at the Mountain Film Festival in Kendal I was disapointed I didn't have a set of ski's. It was snowing hard as we summited above Brown Cove Crags & very windy, whipping spindrift into the side of our faces. The gullies on Brown Cove Crags were collecting quite alot of snow & cornices are building. The turf was not frozen at all here, but it won't take long if the freezing level drops over the next few day's. Coming up the back of Lower Man & onto the summit plateau we crossed wind blown,hard pack snow & rimed-up rock that was exposed to the elements. There is quite an even covering & it maybe possible to make a traverse of the ridge on skinny ski's, but inpection in daylight would confirm this.
The edge over-looking Red Tarn is building a cornice, quite big by the look of it, but difficult to tell in the conditions we were in. It was strangely calm at the summit beacon, the wind swirling around creating an erie effect. The turf near the edge, just underneath Lower Man was not frozen either, but a couple of day's of cold conditions, mixed with North Easterly winds should freeze everything down, although it is doubtful that climbing is ready just yet on Helvellyn, hopefully by mid-week & deffinately at night time, it should be coming into good condition. I didn't get to view the face, as it was dark, snowing & in cloud... so not sure of the snow cover there, but if the fell tops are anything to go by, it should have a good covering. Check out the weather report for the Lakes on MWIS, but here's the Planning Outllook for the next week & slightly beyond!! It looks fantasitc!! Planning Outlook: All mountain areas of Britain from Tuesday, 23rd November, 2010 Slowly becoming colder and clearer through Tuesday from the north with a widespread frost overnight. As the air becomes even colder on Wednesday and Thursday there will be an increasing threat of clusters of heavy snow showers forming over the sea and being brought inland across eastern and far northern ranges on strong northeast or northerly winds. Severe wind chill conditions then likely widely with significant drifting and whiteout conditions at times. Continuing extremely cold for late November right through into next week. Winds probably lighter with directions determining coastal ranges most at risk of snow. Persistent frost. Anyone venturing in to the fells for the next week, should expect it to be very cold & be carrying full winter equipment including an axe & crampons, although they may stay in your bag, its better to be with, than without. The wind chill is very high. MicroSpikes would work well on the conditions & terrain we covered, I have just dusted mine off from my winter kit cupboard for my next outing.
Charlie
