In reply to Rob Greenwood - UKClimbing:
It was a very disappointing winter season in the Lakes, particularly compared to the winter before, but Fell Top Assessors were a huge help for non-local climbers like myself trying to suss out the conditions, as well for walkers - keeping them informed so that they could be safe. I suspect their reports probably kept a fair few of the more enthusiastic but less experienced climbers off the cliff and particularly out of the gullies when they weren't in proper winter condition too.
It did feel this winter that conditions for winter pursuits in the hills of England and Wales have become even more marginal than perhaps they've always been.
On a totally different note, great of Mountain Hardware to sponsor them, but is their gear very available in the UK currently? I haven't seen many people wearing MH stuff in the last few years when I've been out and about in the UK hills, nor do I remember seeing it for sale in shops?