Winter has arrived on the Lakeland Fells this week with more snow on its way and if the temperatures remain as low as they have been by this time next week the fells could be in full Winter condition. This of course is a great time to be out on the fells but it is essential to pack accordingly and more importantly plan your route, stick to it and don't be afraid to admit defeat should the conditions turn.

The forecast for todays walk was dry and bright from sunrise to sunset and I guess we all had visions of one of Lakelands classic ridge walks with fresh snow underfoot set against a stark blue Winter sky when in reality what we actually got was a world of black and white. This didn't take away from the walk one bit, in fact our mono world only added to the walk, I guess being let down by a forecast is part and parcel of being a fell walker and we are all used to it by now.

Today the gang is back together and initially three walks were suggested one of which was to catch the sunrise from Fairfield summit followed by Rod's suggestion of a traverse of the Dodds returning via High Rigg before I threw in the route on this walk, yes I know Helvellyn ranks high at the top of list for most Winter walks and today that included us only with the added twist of using two cars, it all started at the top of Dunmail Raise.

We encountered snow and ice soon after crossing the footbridge over Helvellyn Gill, the snow was fresh and light and posed no threat at all. Even during the Summer months this path always tends to be wet underfoot and any standing, or flowing water for that matter had frozen covering much of the path from the off set. This was easy to avoid by using the sides of the path and any large stones which make up the path, despite this the ice didn't slow us down any, in fact Rod and I were struggling to keep up with David who seemed to be in overdrive this morning after getting over his Man Flu last week.

We could see the three walkers further up ahead who by now were just below Browncove Crags summit around the same time we managed to pass the five walkers we had seen from the car park, it was noted despite how friendly they were not all are dressed, nor geared up for a day on Helvellyn in Winter especially the chap with the carrier bag flung over his back.

The ice was mostly confined to the lower part of the path and as we gained height the snow started to get a little deeper and firmer underfoot still posing no problems with good grip for much of the way, however, experience on this path in Winter told us to put on our crampons sooner rather than later just below Browncove Crags summit. We stopped to put our crampons on which allowed the five walkers; most of which had all split up over a distance of about a hundred yards to catch us up. The two ahead pass with a friendly Hi and they asked why we are putting our crampons on and in a nice way we advised them that just before the shoulder of the fell the snow might have compacted hence our decision, we also advised them not to panic as the compacted snow could be avoided and that we were only acting on the side of caution.

One of the walkers then asked about the best way back to Swirls so we advised them on Sticks Pass before being asked what about 'Striding Edge' could we do that they asked? I was still faffing about curling the excess webbing from my crampon back on itself and I think David was too because we had just joked about it, without looking up we both answered, No, if you have no experience of Winter Climbing stay off Striding Edge, the chap looks to his mate and says "no Striding Edge, these guys say no and we must listen to them" and not at all sarcastically, in fact they thanked us before bidding each other 'enjoy your day'

Before we re-shouldered we are passed by two walkers in descent who had camped out on the summit, I never got chance to chat to them but I could only think of how cold it must have been because right about now that light breeze is starting to dish out some serious windchill.

The combination of ice and snow never materialised and from the top of Browncove Crags we had a clear view of the path towards Lower Man and Helvellyn which in some places was snow free with a good scattering across the fell side. It was agreed we may have been hasty adding our crampons but for now we keep them on as we could still encounter ice/compacted snow as we make our way towards the summit.

We had just bumped into the two fellows again as we approached the summit trig point and while I held back snapping a few photos I overheard David correcting one of the guys when he pointed towards Swirral Edge and said "that's the easy one" no David replied "the EASIER one"

It's looking pretty bleak all around at the moment.

The crampons worked a treat during the steep descent from Dollywagon Pike and we agreed to make our way towards Grisedale Tarn where we broke out lunch at a familiar cluster of boulders. Despite being out of the windchill stopping under such wintery conditions the chill soon starts to set in not helped when eating freezing cold rice and cherry tomatoes but not to worry because for afters I have a frozen sausage roll too.

I hadn't taken in too much fluid mainly due to my bite valve freezing despite blowing back after sips, as had Rod's but the juice was starting to filter through between the ice and I was able to get a few gulps before we made our descent via Raise Beck.

As mentioned the descent of Raise Beck had been raised earlier (sorry for the pun it wasn't intended) and we soon got our answer as we started our descent alongside Raise Beck. I guess if we needed our crampons at any stage during todays walk it was going to be during this descent where we endured over 800ft of iced glazed path with no break in between, despite wearing crampons I don't think I have ever concentrated on staying upright and trusting ones footings when walking over sheer ice as I had during any this descent.

It sure got the adrenalin pumping and was it was great fun too.

The sound of Raise Beck accompanied us the whole descent and often we would stop to admire the waterfalls set against the snowy bleak background before carefully continuing our descent. The air warmed up and soon all three of us were taking layers off starting with hats and gloves before the steepness levelled and the ice and snow turned to slush as the A591 widened into view. Across the way cars are parked up and the sound of childrens screams bring us back to reality as they sledge down the lower reaches of Steel Fell.

Green grass poked out though the top of the snow which is getting less and less the further we walk towards the road and upon reaching a large boulder we all decide to take our crampons off which had earned their stripes not on the ascent of the districts third highest mountain but during the descent of Raise Beck. I don't know about anyone else but I'm kinda reminded of those few moments when as a kid, your feet feel like their walking on air after taking your roller skates off.

Until next time...