Lancashire Mountaineering Club

April sunshine at Noggarth Barrowford

Tim,Jon & Mick

Snippets from our recent Members' weekend at Cae Ysgubor. A family-oriented session in the Coed-y-Brenin forestry trails, and some different damp-weather activities in Caernarfon!

https://lancashiremountaineeringclub.online/next-generation-inclusion/

Our recent weekend meet in the Lake District included a low-level walk from Elterwater and admired Selwith and Colwith waterfalls – a fantastic sight in wet weather. Around lunchtime we walked past a B & B farm which had a self-service café – we took off our dripping coats and ate our lunch in the lovely old shippon along with a cup of tea and some homemade cakes – lovely and needed! We carried onto Cathedral cave and had a bit of a explore although some of the tunnels were impassible unless you were wearing waders. The water was nearly flowing over the flat part of Slaters Bridge as the photos demonstrate!

Read more about this weekend meet on the LMC website...

John recently joined Lakeland Canoe Club with a paddle in sea kayaks on a very atmospheric, wet Ullswater, then headed over to dry out at the Loft for a few more days...!

Thursday was forecast a wet day, and it lived up to expectations. We opted for a low-level walk from Elterwater and admired Selwith and Colwith waterfalls – a fantastic sight in wet weather. Around lunchtime, we walked past a B & B farm which had a self-service café – we took off our dripping coats and ate our lunch in the lovely old shippon along with a cup of tea and some homemade cakes – lovely and needed! We carried on to Cathedral cave and had a bit of an explore, although some of the tunnels were impassible unless you were wearing waders.

Read more on the LMC website...

A few days at the Loft - Lancashire Mountaineering Club February 2026 - John Cairns I recently joined Lakeland Canoe Club – several other LMC are also members. My first outing with the club was a paddle in sea kayaks on a very atmospheric, wet Ullswater. After the paddle as I set off to the Loft where I had arranged to meet Tony for a

An account from LMC and Austrian Alpine Club member, John Cowburn, of a recent trek in Nepal organised for AAC by Beyond The Limits Trek and Expedition P. Ltd. LMC have worked with Saroj Neupane for many years on our expeditions and treks to Nepal

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1TSTS3ANdG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Severe winter conditions developing on Yr Wyddfa ‼️

With further snowfall expected as Storm Goretti moves across the UK, winter conditions on Yr Wyddfa are continuing to develop, particularly on the upper sections of popular routes including the Pyg Track and the Llanberis Path.

Recent observations show areas of unstable snow, with cornices forming in several locations near the top of the mountain. These overhanging snow features can be difficult to spot, especially in poor visibility, and may collapse without warning. In certain circumstances, this could lead to serious falls or trigger localised avalanches, particularly where paths run close to steep ground.

Fresh snow can be very tempting, but winter mountain environments bring additional risks. Moving safely in these conditions relies on experience, strong navigation skills, and an understanding of how snow behaves, as well as having suitable winter equipment.

Elfyn Jones, volunteer at Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team, said: “As you can see from the photo, many paths are now unrecognisable and buried under snow, highlighting how important good navigation skills are in these conditions. Conditions are changing quickly, and the higher sections of the Llanberis Path and the railway are particularly dangerous. The snow is compacted and icy, meaning crampons and an ice axe are essential, and large banks of snow alongside the railway can be hard to judge and could lead to serious falls. These are complex winter conditions where experience and sound judgement are key.”

Anyone heading into the mountains is encouraged to take time to assess the conditions, check the forecast, and consider how confident they feel managing winter terrain. Being flexible with plans and prepared to turn back can make a big difference.

📸 Photo credit: Miguel Pilgrim

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Tywydd gaeafol difrifol yn datblygu ar Yr Wyddfa

Gyda disgwyl rhagor o eira eleni wrth i Storm Goretti symud ar draws y DU, mae tywydd gaeafol ar yr Wyddfa yn parhau i ddatblygu, yn arbennig ar rannau uchaf llwybrau poblogaidd gan gynnwys Llwybr Pyg a Llwybr Llanberis.

Mae arsylwadau diweddar yn dangos ardaloedd o eira ansefydlog, gyda gordoeau yn ffurfio mewn nifer o leoliadau ger copa’r mynydd. Mae’r gordoeau eira hyn yn anodd eu gweld, yn enwedig mewn gwelededd gwael, a gallant gwympo heb rybudd. Mewn rhai amgylchiadau, gallai hyn arwain at syrthiadau difrifol neu achosi cwympiadau eira lleol, yn enwedig lle mae llwybrau yn agos at dir serth.
Gall eira newydd fod yn demtasiwn, ond mae amgylcheddau mynyddig gaeafol yn dod â risgiau ychwanegol. Mae symud yn ddiogel drwy sefyllfaoedd fel hyn yn ddibynnol ar brofiad, sgiliau llywio cryf, a dealltwriaeth o sut mae eira’n ymddwyn, ynghyd â chael offer gaeaf addas.

Dywedodd Elfyn Jones, gwirfoddolwr yn Nhîm Achub Mynydd Llanberis: “Fel y gwelwch o’r llun, ni ellir gweld nifer o’r llwybrau ar hyn o bryd ac maent wedi’u claddu gan eira, gan ddangos pa mor bwysig yw sgiliau llywio da mewn tywydd fel hyn. Mae’r tywydd yn newid yn gyflym, ac mae rhannau uchaf Llwybr Llanberis a’r rheilffordd yn arbennig o beryglus. Mae’r eira wedi’i gywasgu ac yn rhewllyd, gan olygu fod cramponau a bwyell rew yn hanfodol, ac mae’n anodd gweld dyfnder y llethrau mawr o eira ar hyd y rheilffordd a gallai hynny arwain at syrthiadau difrifol. Mae’r rhain yn sefyllfaoedd gaeafol cymhleth lle mae profiad a barn gadarn yn allweddol.”

Anogir unrhyw un sydd am fentro i’r mynyddoedd gymryd amser i asesu’r sefyllfa, edrych ar y rhagolygon tywydd, ac ystyried pa mor hyderus maent yn teimlo wrth lywio drwy dirwedd aeafol. Gall bod yn hyblyg gyda chynlluniau a bod yn barod i droi’n ôl wneud gwahaniaeth mawr.

Snowy club hut Blea Tarn

Sam climbing Parle at Sierra De Toix

A couple of other shots

Lazy day on the Ponnoch via ferrata with Mick,Tim,Jon and Sam.