Winter Hillwalking Course - Lake District

Instructor: Ian Oldham
Course: Winter Hillwalking Course

The primary aim of the course was to develop the clients’ movement skills on snow and ice in preparation for an expedition to Mount Elbrus.

Day One
The day began with a visit to the Walkers Shop in Ambleside to try on all the necessary winter equipment: stiff boots, crampons, ice axes, helmets and harnesses. It was important to ensure a good fit between boots and crampons before they were required on the hill.

We started our walk from Dunmail Raise and followed the path up Raise Beck. Short sections of this were covered in patches of ice and provided a good illustration of why the ice axe needs to be carried in a way so that it can be deployed quickly without the inconvenience of taking off rucksacks.

A steep grassy traverse led us from Grisedale Tarn into Cock Cove below Dollywagon Pike. Here there was enough snow on slopes of varying steepness to practise the essential snowcraft

techniques covered:

• First of all a snow pit was dug out to examine the condition of the snow and look for any weak layers which might be an avalanche danger. On this occasion the snow was solid neve all the way to the ground.
• Making progress by kicking steps across, up and down.
• Holding the axe in the uphill hand and using pick or spike for support.
• Using the axe to chop steps in the snow for progress up, down and across.
• Using the axe to self belay and then to self-arrest from a variety of sliding positions.
• Correct attachment of crampons to boots and choosing a safe position in which to do this.
• Walking up, down and across the slope wearing crampons.

We then ascended a easy angled gully to the ridge, then continued to the top of Dollywagon Pike. From there it was a quick, easy and snow free descent to our starting point.

Day Two
In view of the excellent weather forecast it was agreed by all to spend this day going up Helvellyn via Striding Edge and descending via Swirral Edge, so putting into practice some of the skills learnt the previous day.

The initial walk up to Red Tarn involved a few, mainly avoidable icy patches, before we put on crampons and warm clothing.

The rocky condition of Striding Edge meant that footwork in crampons had to be very careful and the crest was left on a couple of occasions in order to make progress on snow. An enclosed gully near the end provided an enjoyable challenge in undisturbed snow. The summit was clear and the views extended to Blackpool Tower and the Isle of Man.

We descended along Swirral Edge using a rope for security for the initial 25metres down past the small cornice. The way down became gradually easier ,with the chance to observe several parties of climbers tackling the Helvellyn Gullies, and near to Red Tarn we stopped to take off crampons for the easy walk back to the starting point.

One of the main learning points of the day was the need for speed and efficiency in order to complete a days itinerary before tiredness or darkness overtakes you. You need to keep stops to the minimum and when you do have a break you need to maximise them. At the same time, it was emphasised that it is vital not to rush when negotiating tricky sections of the route where a trip or fall would be serious.

The whole week-end was enjoyable for all concerned and the clients were rightly very pleased with their progress.

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