What is different about winter walking compared to summer walking?
Generally the higher British hills will have snow covering the mountaintops (above 2500 feet) for most of the winter. In Wales and the Lake District it may be just a dusting at times but in most of Scotland the snow line can be much lower and snow cover more consistent. Walking in winter requires all the same techniques as summer walking plus other important skills. Most importantly good technique walking in crampons and handling an ice axe. Coping with the winter environment needs careful judgement matching the weather, snow conditions and mountain journey. Experience and sensible decision making is imperative. Winter walking in the higher British hills should be approached as ‘mountaineering’ and walkers should be experienced in summer conditions first before venturing out into the winter wonderland unsupervised. When is the best time to find winter conditions? The British Mountains are at their most impressive when they are capped by winter snows. Snow can fall in October and it is
