UKC

Hello, 

a bit short notice, but i'm heading to the Lakes this evening, and staying at the Borrowdale YHA.

I would like to do some walking, and have seen that there is snow and ice about above 600m  

Please can you suggest either some lower level walks/peaks that I can manage with a good pair of walking boots. 

Also I was considering getting some micro-spikes, not expecting to go up Helvellyn or anything, but  seems like they could help on the right terrain. 

thanks

I don't think you'll need more than walking boots right now. Its been very wet.

No need for microspikes at the moment - good waterproof/windproof will be your primary concern I'm afraid.

I'm just going out for a walk - was about to head up a hill, but having looked at the winds I can't be arsed with that and will stay in the valley. When it's wet I like walks that involve rivers and waterfalls in spate. In Borrowdale, a nice walk into the mountains and up reasonably high without getting onto the tops is from Seathwaite up to Styhead Tarn via Tayor Gill across to Sprinkling Tarn and back down Grains Gill. You can include Allen Crags and Glaramara if you want to be on the tops, but personally I wouldn't bother at the moment.

There should be some breaks in the weather, so I'd time your walking carefully by looking at these, for the most enjoyable outcome:

https://www.visitcumbria.com/webcams/

http://www.raintoday.co.uk/

Incidentally, I like walking in the snow and do fine with just microspikes, they're great.

This is how much snow is left at 750m

https://www.flickr.com/photos/raise_up_dated_pics/

FAB! 

thanks! i'll see you on the hill 

If you do any running, you must check out the hostel challenge, "King of the Castle". "All" you have to do is run about 2 miles from the YH bar to a war memorial on a nearby hill; you time it yourself. I think the record of about 11 minutes is held by an ex-cross country world champion; I managed 21:30 and could hardly walk the next day. Just ask at reception for the route description/book; enjoy!

As a general rule, I find that microspikes are a great bit of kit for the Lakes in winter.  Not for high up but for the low down tracks which see a lot of foot and tyre tread as well as frequent thaw/freeze.  The valley level walks and approaches are far more prone to being dangerously icy.