Given the right conditions, the Lake District offers snow, ice and mixed climbing across every part of the national park, from the classic high-mountain gullies of Scafell, Great End and Pillar to frozen watercourses, icefalls and mixed routes on crags most summer visitors never reach.

Produced in association with the Fell and Rock Climbing Club, this Cicerone guidebook by Brian Davison describes nearly 1000 winter routes across the full extent of the Lake District, from Grade I to Grade VI and above. Covering every known venue from the Langdale Pikes and Coniston to the eastern Helvellyn coves, Far Eastern Fells and outlying areas including Cautley Spout, it is the comprehensive reference for winter climbing in the region.

• Nearly 1000 routes are described across all venues in the Lake District, covering snow, ice, mixed climbing and dry tooling, from straightforward Grade I gullies to technically demanding Grade VI and above
• Colour photo topos illustrate the lines taken by each climb, with accompanying text covering key route features, the crux, and access and descent notes, making it straightforward to identify and approach routes in winter conditions
• Approach maps for every crag show the best way to access each crag, alongside details of conditions, winter ethics, climbing styles, equipment and winter and dry tooling grades
• Conservation information is included throughout, with symbols highlighting routes that pass through known habitats of rare alpine plants or within Sites of Special Scientific Interest, alongside agreed venues for dry tooling
• A historical first ascents list dating back to the earliest Victorian pioneers, plus appendices covering nature conservation, mountain accident procedure, useful contacts, campsites and climbing walls, complete the guide

The comprehensive reference for winter climbing in the Lake District, covering every known venue and nearly 1000 routes. An essential companion when the Lakes come into winter condition.

Lake District Winter Climbs - Quick Facts

Routes: Nearly 1000 winter routes 
Route types: Snow, ice, mixed climbing and dry tooling 
Grades: Grade I to Grade VI and above; dry tooling grades also included 
Areas covered: South Lakes (Langdale, Coniston); West Lakes (Eskdale, Wasdale, Ennerdale, Great Gable, Buttermere); North Lakes (Borrowdale, Northern Fells, Thirlmere); East Lakes (Helvellyn, Patterdale, Far Eastern Fells); outlying areas (Howgills, Northern Pennines) 
Key venues: Scafell Massif, Great End, Pillar, Great Gable, Helvellyn eastern coves, Blencathra, Dow Crag, Low Water Beck, Cautley Spout 
Special features: Colour photo topos; approach maps; conservation symbols for SSSI and rare alpine plant habitats; dry tooling venues; first ascents list 
Published in association with: Fell and Rock Climbing Club (FRCC) 
Best season: October to April; routes unlikely to be in condition before January

Author Highlights

“It is a land of dramatic contrasts, with rugged fells rising high over lush green valleys and dramatic dark waters. Within its boundaries are the highest mountains and the deepest lakes in England. In winter, cold air currents from Siberia can bring conditions that, in a matter of days, can transform this pastoral yet mountainous scene into an arctic wilderness: sadly for winter climbers, it can be transformed back again just as quickly!

- Brian Davison, author of Lake District Winter Climbs

Acknowledgments    
Maps and diagrams in this guide    
Location map    
Map key    
Editor’s note   

Introduction   

Conditions    
Winter ethics    
Winter climbing styles    
Where to climb?    
Equipment    
Winter grades    
Dry tooling grades    
Using this guide    
First ascents or first claims?   

South Lakes   

Langdale   

Oxendale    
Bowfell    
Langdale Pikes   

Coniston   

Dow    
The Old Man Of Coniston     
Wetherlam    
Tilberthwaite and The Slate Quarries   

West Lakes   

Eskdale   

Little Narrow Cove   

Wasdale   

Scafell Massif    
Scafell    
Scafell Pike    
Lingmell    
Mosedale    
Western Wasdale   

Ennerdale  

Mirklin Cove    
Mirk Cove and Wind Gap Cove    
Pillar   

Great Gable and Kirk Fell   

Gable South    
Gable North    
Kirk Fell   

Buttermere   

Honister Pass     
Fleetwith Pike – North Face    
Warnscale Bottom    
Birkness Combe    
Bleaberry Combe    
Grasmoor    
Newlands    
Coledale     
Whinlatter   

North Lakes   

Borrowdale   

Borrowdale East    
Great End Area    
Borrowdale West   

Northern Fells   

Skiddaw    
Blencathra (Saddleback)    
Carrock Fell   

Thirlmere   

East Lakes   

Helvellyn Massif   

Helvellyn    
Nethermost Cove     
Ruthwaite Cove     
Cock Cove     
Dollywaggon   

Patterdale and Adjacent Valleys   

Patterdale – East    
Patterdale – West    
Grisedale     
Deepdale     
Sleet Cove    
Dovedale     
Kirkstone Pass    

Far Eastern Fells  

Mardale    
Blea Water    
Riggindale     
Whelter Bottom     
Swindale    
Longsleddale    
Kentmere   

Outlying Areas   

The Howgills   

Northern Pennines   

Dry Tooling Routes   

First Ascents    

Appendix A    Winter Climbing and Nature Conservation    
Appendix B     Procedure for Mountain Accidents    
Appendix C     Useful Contacts    
Appendix D    Campsites and Camping Barns    
Appendix E    Climbing Walls    

Index of Routes    
 

Seasons

October to April, but climbs unlikely to be in condition before January.

Centres

Langdale, Coniston, Eskdale, Wasdale, Ennerdale, Buttermere, Borrowdale, Thirlmere, Patterdale, northern and eastern fells

Difficulty

Winter climbing skills required.

Must See

Helvellyn coves, Great End, Scafell, Newland's Hause, Low Water Beck, Cautley Spout

We do not yet have any updates available for this book

We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).

Free Royal Mail 48 postage on UK orders. European postage is £3.50 per item. Worldwide postage is £5.50 per item. If you're not happy with your purchase for any reason, we'll give you a full refund.