Striding Edge: only for the experienced

The Lake District fells are in full winter condition but routes such as Striding Edge and Swirral Edge should only be tackled by experienced winter mountaineers.

That’s the advice from the national park’s felltop assessors in following the first weekend of operation, in which the trip to the summit of Helvellyn, England’s third highest peak, is made daily to report on weather and snowpack conditions.

The latest report is that unstable windslab has formed on the exits to both edges, and the ability to assess snowpack conditions is essential as the risk of avalanche is present from both the unconsolidated windslab and also from unstable cornices that have built up on northern and eastern aspects.

Powdery snow is covering terrain to a depth of 15cm, with drifts up to a metre deep on east-facing slopes. All paths are covered by consolidated snow and ice and are described as treacherous. Away from the paths, the assessors say the going can be laborious in soft snow.

Jon Bennett and Jason Taylor, who share the assessor’s job, also walkers warn to stay off the frozen surface of stretches of water such as Red Tarn as they are not yet strong enough to walk on.

Crampons, ice-axe – along with the knowledge to use them – and full winter clothing are essential.

Yesterday, even though winds on the 950m (3,117ft) peak were no more than 10mph, wind chill gave an effective temperature of almost –11C.

The Lake District Weatherline can be viewed online or by ringing 0844 846 2444.