Craig, Phil and I parked up in a layby near Troutbeck Church in some of the best winter conditions I have seen in the Lakes. The plan was to ascend to the Garburn pass before breaking out onto the open fell and following the ridge of Yoke, Ill Bell Froswick and possibly Thornthwaite Beacon before retreating to the valley and the car. Despite there being snow down to the road there was sunshine and blue skies, making from a promising day.
Looking up Troutbeck from the Garburn Track.The borrowed crampons were staying on Phil's 3 season boots well as we walked up the Garburn track giving great views of our intended route. On reaching the top of the pass the wind began to intensify creating a strong wind chill effect. Breaking out onto the fell gave great views out towards the western Lakes and Morecambe Bay.
The Coniston Fells from top of Garburn Pass
The Stream North of Buck Crag had become a crevasse!
Craig and Phil, fully tooled up on the way up to Yoke.
A frozen Kentmere Reservoir with Mardale Ill Bell in the background
Ill Bell with a significant amount of cornicing on the slopes down from Yoke
A strange looking but not unusual sight in winter are raised footprints such as these. They are caused by people walking through powder snow which is compacted under their weight leaving a footprint of where they walked. When the wind increases, the soft powdery snow from around these footprints is blown away, leaving them standing proud of the softer snow.
Looking back at Ill Bell the wind was getting increasingly strong and the temperature was plummeting.
Looking towards Thornthwaite.
Rimed ice on an old fence post.
The unusually well constructed cairn of Thornthwaite Beacon encased in snow.
The final few hundred meters up to Thornthwaite Beaon had been a real struggle as high winds, falling temperatures and deep snow slowed our progress. Upon reaching the Beacon we quickly turned round, following the wall towards the descent path into Troutbeck.
Once we had dropped down from the ridge the biting wind subsided and we were allowed to enjoy the sunset over The Tongue before walking back to the car.