UKC

How is the winter in Wales shaping up? I have one day for climbing / scrambling or walking on either 29th or 30th December, wondering whether to pack my crampons and axes, Do we have anything to put an ice screw in yet?

In reply to Simon Cahill:

I find posts like this bizarre. First you are asking about 10 days time when every thing can be completely different, and secondly there are literally hundreds of possible sources that can suggest what the weather and conditions are like in North Wales right now. Why not go to one of the excellent mountain weather forecast sites and read? Or look to see if any winter routes have been recorded here in recent weeks (hint: none)? Join the ground conditions in the UK mountains Facebook group and you'll see photos from the top of Snowdon taken almost daily.

In reply to TobyA:

There always has to be one douche bag

In reply to TobyA:

The most reliable source is often people living in an area looking out the window and making comparisons with other years / months. For the record I use a number of resources this being one. The pool of information generally gives a good idea.

Join neighbourhood watch, police your own street

In reply to Simon Cahill:

Well what do you expect Simon? No one has crystal ball to say what the weather systems will be doing in a week's time. Having read your profile and seen that you are doing an MIA you must know that Welsh winter conditions are fleeting at best, and I would expect you know all the relevant websites for mountain weather forecasts. People were ski touring in the Carnedds a few weeks ago on fine looking snow, and some claimed winter routes although others were sceptical about how frozen turf was etc.but look at the webcams and dozens of pics available and it's clear as of yesterday there was virtually no snow left. Hope we get more soon as I missed getting out in it due to illness in November.

In reply to TobyA:
For once Im going to try to be understanding and forgiving... His profile says based in Wales + UAE Perhaps he`s in the UAE where it may be harder to get good local info ? No excuse for his douche bag response however.

In reply to Simon Cahill:

There yesterday , no sign of Winter left on the hills.so no base to speak of. Should be dew to snow High up Christmas weekend. Very uncertain what type of weather will follow.

In reply to leon 1:

Yes I am in the UAE. Weather cams are great if you want to climb in front of them, Getting a good view up a North gully can be more of a challenge, but if there is guy or girl living up the road and they have climbed all their life, I find them a pretty good resource and often just a little better than a crystal ball. It's surprising how many National Centres phone "the guy" down the road for accurate updates. Such a shame people on here just can't get on with their own lives and let other be instead of picking over every post.

In reply to Camjames:

Thanks

In reply to Simon Cahill:

I really must agree with Toby on this one, if it was even slightly cold and snowing I could excuse people asking if things were filling in/turf frozen/complete but when every source shows it to be so warm and obviously not wintery asking people on a forum is a bit of a joke.
Here's a good link for you https://www.thebmc.co.uk/idwal and here's another http://www.thewhitespider.com/webcams/snowdonia-cams and another http://www.mwis.org.uk/english-welsh-forecast/SD/

In reply to Simon Cahill:
Hi we were climbing at the weekend in the Llanberis area on one of the nicest warmest winter days I have have had recently. Warm for the time of year with the weatherman promising wind and rain. Personally I don't think there is much chance of anything being in condition for a good few weeks.

If you get lucky there might be something to stick a walking axe into high up but I cannot see that happening myself within your time frame.

Scotland is probably the best bet if you can get up there.

In reply to Simon Cahill:

youtube.com/watch?v=a-srTsxYQaQ&
Yeah, No chance fella. It's warm as hell!
You could ring V12 as speak to one of the young chaps, they will let you know!

In reply to starbug:




No snow there either:
http://www.winterhighland.info/cams/cairngorm-mountain/
http://www.visitfortwilliam.co.uk/about-ben-nevis-in-fort-william-and-ben-n...
http://www.glencoemountain.co.uk/webcams/

In reply to Simon Cahill:


Thanks for volunteering

In reply to ianstevens:

One of my mates is climbing Via Ferrata in the alps instead ferrying of skiers to the slopes at the moment.

Is it winter anywhere yet

In reply to Simon Cahill:

Are there any douche bags to tell me whether to plan for Jan 6 or Jan 13 as my next trip to Snowdonia?
I want good thick ice and pre-placed ice screws on the Devils Appendix.
If you're lucky I'll demonstrate my Appreciation in terms of Tourette's Syndrome.

In reply to starbug:


It's *been* winter in Snowdonia already - some fantastic winter days a few weeks ago with full snow cover in the carneddau; gullies and skiing both briefly in condition.

Currently, however, it's early spring conditions - grey, cold, wet but patches of warm sunshine and Wrens and Great Tits starting to sing.

Whether we get any more winter is currently "Crystal Ball" forecasting. Based on the last few years it's likely we'll see better conditions later in the season but to get back to the OP:

Wales is NOT "shaping up" for anything that needs winter gear; It's extremely unlikely to be on 29th /30th; And YES we have something to put an Ice screw in - it's called a gear store.

In reply to Simon Cahill:


http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=655182&v=1#x8459729

There you go - get lucky and the Express!