A new booklet is aimed at climbers venturing into the Lakeland mountains in winter
A new guide for winter climbers in the Lake District is aimed at helping those heading for the hills find good conditions while avoiding damaging the sensitive upland environments.
The Lake District White Guide has been produced by the British Mountaineering Council with the Fell & Rock Climbing Club, the Lake District National Park Authority, the National Trust and Natural England.
The free booklet offers advice on winter ethics, how to plan winter climbs in the national park and areas to avoid.
The Lake District provides an important habitat for a number of rare Arctic Alpine plants. These have been drastically reduced in numbers over the years through intensive collection in the Victorian era and heavy upland grazing.
The guide contains advice on when and where to find good conditions for winter climbing and how to identify appropriate conditions at crags in order to conserve rare plants and habitats. For instance there are many sensitive areas which should be avoided unless turf is frozen solid. There is comprehensive guidance on how to minimise impact and details of winter climbing ethics for the Lake District.
Rob Dyer, BMC access and conservation officer, said: “The BMC has a strong environmental ethic and the new Lake District White Guide is the latest in our series of guides to help climbers look after mountain habitats when climbing with axes and crampons.
“Climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers are generally very clued-up and respectful of mountain habitats and by publishing this guide we’re ensuring they continue to get the detailed information and advice they need in an easy to understand format. It’s a must read for any winter climber, new or experienced, who is heading for the Lakes.”
The booklet includes topos for all sensitive crags in the Lakes, with clearly marked areas, showing where rare Arctic Alpine plants are located, which should be avoided unless turf is frozen solid.
It gives a detailed insight into when and where to find good winter conditions in the Lakes, with information on the weather patterns needed to bring different crags and types of climbing into condition and lists of the types of plant found on the crags of the Lake District and how they have become so rare.
The Lake District White Guide details sensitive environmental areas
There is also advice on how to look after turf and why it is important for both winter climbing and conservation.
The guide has a map showing where crags and buttresses which have been agreed as ‘rock climbing only’ areas are located as well as details on how this came about.
The booklet can be downloaded free from the BMC website. A free hard copy booklet is also available free from the BMC shop and it will soon be available in local Lake District climbing shops, walls and visitor centres.
The publication of the booklet follows the successful production of the North Wales White Guide.
