Moel Siabod

The forecast promised a good day with a temperature inversion, so we set off for North Wales. My parents dropped me off in Capel Curig, and I set off to walk up via the Daear Ddu ridge. Near the start, a stream joined the path and was frozen solid, and I hoped that this wasn't a sign of things to come, but the temperature inversion really was there. As I climbed higher, the streams started to flow again, making it easier underfoot.

The downside was the haze that meant that while I could just about make out Dolwyddelan Castle, it wasn't in a photogenic mood. The good thing about the Daear Ddu ridge, is that you can scramble it, or walk it, depending on your mood. I alternated between the two, and after a short lunch stop, made it to the summit.

The view across to Snowdon was clear, but I couldn't quite make out if the new cafe was open!!

I decided to take the path down to Plas-y-Brenin, which was straightforward. As on the way up, I reached a point where the streams had frozen, and the path became slippy. This slowed down the progress, but I just timed it right, arriving at PYB just in time for the Snowdonia sunset.

Grasmere

As is now a Boxing Day tradition, we went up to the lakes for a stroll around Grasmere. I wouldn't normally blog such a short walk, but I was quite pleased with a few of the photos, so decided to post them. The weather was perfect for a walk, and we wandered up onto Loughrigg Terrace before finding a coffee shop in Grasmere!


This robin was so friendly that it was eating out of my friend's hand. I guess that's why it's fat!!

Ingleborough

Today certainly wasn't the sort of day that I would have chosen to go out in, but having stayed the night in Ingleton, I thought I'd better take the opportunity. I left my car at the Youth Hostel and headed up towards Ingleborough. It wasn't raining, but there was a lot of moisture in the air and visibility was near zero! There were a couple of occasions where I came close to turning back, but I pressed on and made it to the top. The winds up there were fierce, and it was very cold, so I took the decision to return by the route I'd taken. The advantage of this over the route I'd planned, was that I avoided the 3 miles along a road at the finish!

I made it back down, and as I got near the bottom, the visibility started to improve...but not by much! It wasn't the weather to press on and do Pen-y-ghent, so I haven't yet conquered the Yorksire 3 Peaks.

Whernside

Having finished work for Christmas on Friday, I was watching the weather forecasts with interest. MWIS predicted that the high pressure system in place would give good clear weather, so I booked into Ingleton Youth Hostel for the princely sum of £8.

I drove up from Sheffield first thing this morning, and was met by low cloud and mist at Ribbleshead. I had decided that I would just do a round walk by Whernside, rather than attempting to do the "3 Peaks" in the day. Because of the number of people that are attracted to the area, the paths are well marked and generally bulldozed. This meant that navigation wasn't an issue, even in the poor visibility.


There were a few breaks in the cloud, but not when I was at the summit. It wasn't a day for lingering on the top, so I ate lunch as I started the walk back down. There were some people out, but only the occasional one or two. With it not really being the day I'd hoped for, I cut the walk short and headed back to the car. I'll save Ingleborough for another day!

Winter Highs

One of things I love, is a Winter high pressure system. The sky clear, the air fresh and a bit of frost on the ground. Obviously I like snow as well, but not for walking!

I only had a couple of hours, so went for a walk around Ladybower. Conditions were perfect, if a little cold. Despite the good weather, there weren't too many people around, even at Fairholmes.