Swindale in the Snow

Stepping Stones at Truss Gap, fortunately there is also a footbridge.

After our evening of Merry Hell, UF and I were keen to get out for a walk in the Lakes. UF has quite a history of bothying, (although Andy was telling me this weekend that UF has declared that his bothying days are over) so I thought he might be interested to see Mossdale Cottage, one of the few MBA bothies in the Lakes. I was also thinking that I could tick-off Branstree and Selside Pike, both of which I’ve climbed quite a few times, but never from the Swindale side. With hindsight, had our plan come to fruition, that would have given a pretty lengthy route for a short winter day, but that was what we had in mind. We’d checked the forecast and it wasn’t bad at all, although it did suggest that there would be ‘snow flurries’.

Gouther Crag

As we set-off along the excellent path on the southern side of the valley (unmarked on the OS map) it was snowing quite heavily. Rather more than flurries, I thought. Never mind, it wouldn’t last long.

Falls on Swindale Beck

There’d been a severe frost, so much so that the stream was frozen over in places.

More frozen falls.

The little path beside the falls (also not on the map) proved to be tricky going, with large, glassy patches of ice in places, requiring a great deal of care.

A brief bit of blue sky.

But it did stop snowing and a reassuring patch of blue sky even appeared.

It was short-lived. By the time we’d reached the top of the falls, it was really coming down again. The snow was settling fast and UF pointed out what ought to have been obvious to me too: that my car was likely to get snowed in in the remote spot where we’d left it. Sense prevailed, and we turned around to head back, this time on the actual right-of-way. But now, the large slippery patches of ice were cunningly camouflaged by the new covering of snow. For some reason (stupidity), neither of us had packed crampons. We were soon engaged in a fierce ‘who can fall over the most’ competition. I think UF ‘won’ 4-3. I know that we both ended up with one painfully bruised elbow.

Retreat!

Once we’d got down to level ground, the walking became much more pleasant.

The road down Swindale – already a good settling of snow.

The drive out was a bit tense for about a mile and then suddenly we were out of the effected area and the roads were almost completely clear again. The snow seemed to be very localised. This was the weekend when freak heavy snowfall left some visitors stranded in some parts of the lakes.

Inman Oaks and a sprinkling of snow.

This photo is from a local stroll the following day and the final one from the only walk I seem to have managed the following weekend.

Late light from Castle Barrow.

Christmas is fast approaching on the blog; who knows, I may even reach 2024 before 2025 rolls around.