DAYS OUT FROM YORK
Just as a change (mostly) from the long weekends away, here's my log of ten days out in 2012 so far.
There have been 3 excellent days in the Lakes, some wind in the Yorkshire Dales, and an ice pitch in the North York Moors.
5th to 7th January 2012 SCOTLAND NW HIGHLANDS
With Frank & Matt Diggle I had 3 days in Glen Shiel. Sometimes the weather was quite poor. Mostly it was worse than that.
On the way home, the Corbett of Meall Tairneachan (790m) near Kinloch Rannoch, provided a short walk in fine and windy weather. Knee depth snow over 650 metres
13 January 2012 NORTH YORK MOORS Circuit of Spaunton Moor. Cold and clear, light wind
14 January 2012 LAKE DISTRICT
With Steve Green, Orrin the Dog, James L, Matt L, Helen, and Jen.
We made our way from Mungrisedale along the valley to Scales Tarn.
The Yoof section opted to cross Sharp Edge. Orrin and his handlers watched from across the Tarn as they inched their way along, avoiding the verglas. Reunited at Blencathra summit, we enjoyed great views en route to Blease Fell & then returned across the moorland north of Blencathra, as Helen was finding the odd sheepfold and ring contour for navigation practice. Cold sunny and clear
Orrin was reformed and did not display any of the cannine sexual extravagance which marked him at Franks 283rd Munro.
21 January 2012 YORKSHIRE DALES
With Frank, James P and Ruth. A day of very strong winds, mostly overcast, occasional showers & sunny intervals.
We puffed our way up Simons Seat and snuggled in the rocky outcrops to escape the wind. Dropping down north, we found Trollers Gill very full of water - just passable. A return along the riverside path completed a nice day out..
29 January 2012 LAKE DISTRICT With Maria, Mike, and Helen.
Glenridding, up Swirral edge, down Striding Edge. Clear and calm day, cloud cover mainly above summits.
Full winter conditions, snow above 300m
It was necessary to face in and downclimb first part of the snowslope off Helvellyn summit.
10 February 2012 NORTH YORK MOORS
With Richard & Sarah. Freezing rain had left the roads treacherous, and the weather was mostly pants. So we headed east to find the only bright spot going, and stuck to the main Whitby road. . From the Hole of Horcum to Levisham via the small gulley of Dundale Griff.
We found it necessary to investigate the pub at levisham, then Seavey Pond and the "his and hers" tumuli graves which gaze out across their ancient territory.
We had a bright sunny day with 6 inch snow cover
12 February 2012 NORTH YORK MOORS
With Richard G & Mike F. we headed in thick cold morning mist to the "Crag X" icefall. Improving roads were offset by deteriorating ice, but the pitch was climbable on a top rope.
A short circuit around the moorland in cloudy cold conditions justified a pleasant pint in the Lion Inn.
19 February 2010 LAKE DISTRICT
A YMC party. of Jon, Guy, John Mac, Mike, Maria, Paul Stannet et moi climbed Pinnacle Ridge on St Sunday Crag.
After a "snowfall" forecast for the previous day, we carried winter gear, but the ridge was dry rock, in its usual condition as a summer hard scramble/mod -- except colder. A day of brilliant sunshine and excellent views.
From St Sunday summit it was down to Grisdale Tarn and back to Patterdale.
