With cold temperatures (nearly -6C in Capel Curig last night) and the tops seemingly covered in the white stuff, it may well be that the long awaited Welsh winter may be here.
However before you rush out, please take time to have a look at the recently produced free BMC/Ground Up publication "The North Wales White Guide - reconciling conservation and recreation".
Produced with funding from Snowdonia National Park, the Countryside Council for Wales and Snowdonia Active, as well as the BMC, this free, bilingual booklet gives good advice and information on how to minimise environmental damage while making the most of the wintry conditions.
With most of the main winter climbing areas in North Wales also being highly important and protected sites for rare arctic-alpine plants, a bit of research and ensuring that the routes are genuinely in condition, may well ensure that climbers and rare plants can co-exist in these fragile areas and avoid the need for any formal restrictions.
The guide is freely available at most of the outdoor shops in North Wales, at the National Park warden centres at Ogwen and Pen y Pass, and from the BMC online shop.
Further info and a dowloadable version on the BMC website,
http://www.thebmc.co.uk/modules/article.aspx?id=5462&s=4
Elfyn Jones
BMC Access & Conservation Officer (Wales)
