A snowy slog on Swellands – Marsden Moor

I’ve had a few shortish walks on the hills and moors over the past few weeks but nothing that could really be called a ‘proper’ walk / hike. And the annual ‘Snowdon in the Snow‘ date looms so I wanted to get some leg-stretching in. The recent snowy conditions were perfect timing for myself and son Joe to hit the hills 🙂

We basically took the same route as my last post – up the Wessenden Valley in Marsden and onto the Swellands area (home of two adjoining reservoirs) and describing a big loop back down in to Marsden. But what a difference the snow made.. it took us an hour or two longer than last time and was pretty tough going in parts. Both of us had ice spikes on which made a big difference in places!

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Kit Review – Hillsound Trail Crampons

Score : 5 out of 5 for grip 5 out of 5 for ease of use / fitting 4 out of 5 for snow accumulation underneath. (score posted after a snowy / icy trip up Snowdon). I’m heading up Snowdon at the weekend so I thought some snow spikes would be prudent. I’m not a proper / climb K2 kinda mountaineer, definitely … read more >

A snowy hike .. nearly (nearly) the Black Hill circular

I set off on a newly planned out a walk a week ago and had to abandon it. And I did the same today – but clocked up about 9 miles of snow fest fun in the attempt. Along the way we flushed out about 30 Grouse (they didn’t half grumble about it), 1 beautiful winter-coated Hare and lost the route under … read more >