Cwm Idwal: Welsh winter monitoring system live and upgraded
The Cwm Idwal Winter Monitoring system is now back live and with new equipment and software. Ready for you to head up the hills in the best wintery conditions.
In 2013 Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the BMC set up the winter monitoring equipment that provides live temperature data of the turf in Cwm Idwal. Ten years later and we have been able to provide more funding to update the system that will make it more accurate and reliable.
What is the Winter Monitoring System?
The BMC Winter Monitoring systems give winter climbers live up to date temperature readings directly from the cliffs of the Devils’ s Kitchen in Cwm Idwal, Snowdonia. This helps climbers judge for themselves if conditions are suitable for winter climbing. These cliffs are within a National Nature Reserve which is designated to protect the nationally rare and fragile vegetation that’s found there. Climbing on turf that is not fully frozen or in marginal conditions when there is only a thin cover of snow and ice could damage these rare plants, which in turn could lead to formal restrictions on climbing activities.
Why are winter climbing and conservation linked? We ask a Horticulurist:
The recent funding was used to upgrade the monitoring post systems and as well as giving us accurate temperatures in Eryri (Snowdonia), these systems are used to help protect Artic Alpine Plants.
Robbie Blackhall-Miles, a Vascular Plants Officer at Plantlife explains the importance of this work and why using this equipment is so important and its links to other projects in Wales:
"The Tlysau Mynydd Eryri project forms just one of the many projects that make up ‘Natur am Byth!’ – Wales’s largest ever nature recovery project. At ‘Natur am Byth!’ (NaB) working for the charity Plantlife as a Vascular Plants Officer, my job is to advise on the conservation of some of Wales’ most threatened plant species. Through this I lead on one of NaB’s area specific projects called Tlysau Mynydd Eryri (Tl.M.E.) or, in English, the Mountain Jewels of Eryri – a project that aims to change the fortunes for ten of the rarest Arctic Alpine plants that occur in Eryri, two of the rarest invertebrates, their habitats and the other species they share their habitats with. As a botanist, ecologist, and mountaineer I am privileged to work with Britain’s most special of habitats. The places where our Arctic Alpines grow are the rarest of UK ecosystems – those that have remained little touched or visited by humans. These Arctic Alpines are the plants that have been part of the British landscape the longest.
These special, and beautiful, plants are are more commonly found in either the Arctic or the Alps and are relics left behind after the last ice age. They are now threatened in Britain from so many different directions – Nitrogen deposition, inappropriate grazing, historic over collection, genetic bottle necks, the impacts of tourism and, most of all, human mediated climate change. The Climate Crisis is forcing these cold loving plants further into refuges; on mountain tops, cliff ledges and boulder tops. I can’t do much about climate change without the assistance of literally everyone in the world, I can however reduce the other pressures on these mountain species and ecosystems so they can be more resilient to it.
Unfortunately, one of the potential threats to our mountain jewels could be winter climbing in unsuitable conditions. It seems so unlikely that winter climbing would be an issue, yet it would only take a single poorly placed ice axe into turf that wasn’t sufficiently frozen for a whole community of rare plants, maybe a population we don’t even know exists, to be dislodged from their cliffside home. Such an accident might mean a significant percentage of a population of species like holly fern or alpine mouse ear disappearing in the blink of an eye.
We do have ways to prevent such a disaster happening though. There are resources available to help winter climbers to choose the best options for their day in the mountains including apps, blogs and even live updates from people’s social media feeds. In 2011 one of the best resources was published in the form of the ‘North Wales White Guide’ to Winter climbing – a small book that aims to help climbers to choose routes where the least damage may occur and to provide loads of information about why all of this is so important. Then in 2014 the very best tool in our kit was made available, the BMC and Natural Resources Wales set up the Cwm Idwal Winter Temperature Monitoring Scheme.
This scheme provides turf temperature data via the BMC website to mountaineers so they can assess when routes are in condition. Turf temperature data at 5cm, 15cm and 30cm is available for both 600m asl and 800m asl. Its helpful to thing of the data as information for different scenarios; 5cm for crampons, 15cm for axe placement and 30cm so we can understand when the deeper ledge turf is going to be sufficiently frozen in place on those ledges. It really should be the ‘go to’ tool that will help us all have the best experiences whilst considering our special upland plants and their unique habitat. What, for me, is more amazing about the scheme is that over the past 9 years it has accumulated temperature data for our mountains that we can now analyse to really understand the effects of climate change where Eryri’s Arctic Alpines grow.
The scheme over its nine years of life hasn’t always been as reliable as it could be. Difficulties faced by internet outages, power supply and transmission distance have meant that, on occasion, it hasn’t been available when it has been needed most. Hopefully, the kits recent upgrade should now solve those problems and provide a useful information point to inform our winter adventures. I enjoy winter mountaineering as much as I love those mountain plants, when we do get good winter conditions the mountains are where you will find me. Where you won’t find me though is in a wet gully getting cold and muddy when the turf is 0°C at 5cm but unfrozen, and possibly flowing, at 15cm – which, let’s face it, doesn’t really appeal much at all."
Related Content
Rock Climbing
A peregrine survey by boat with high-quality photography organised by local BMC Access Reps Iain Peters and James Mann has helped to identify peregrine nesting sites so that a blanket ban on climbing at the Cornish climbing site of Carn Cowla can be lifted. A temporary ban had been put in place by the National Trust covering the cliffs between Tubby Head and Bawden Cliff, including major route locations up to and beyond the America Buttress. The ban has now been lifted so all sections are open, with only crag- and area-specific restrictions in place when necessary.
News
The BMC is pleased to announce our membership of Sports for Nature (S4N) - the first mountaineering organisation to do so. S4N enables and encourages sporting bodies to champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration, an initiative that aligns completely with the BMC’s values, including our ongoing access and conservation work, aims for net-zero emissions by 2040 and new Climate & Sustainability Action Plan.
Conservation Events
On Saturday the 21 September the BMC with partners and volunteers across Eryri (Snowdonia) will head up to clean a large area near the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon).
News
The sphagnum season is upon us again! Now that the ground-nesting birds have stopped ground-nesting, it’s time for BMC volunteers to start planting this incredible, carbon-sequestering moss at strategic locations across the Peak District moorland. Can you help us?
Rock Climbing
A climbers’ meeting this week expressed their opposition to the continued ban on climbing at Symonds Yat, Herefordshire, imposed by Forestry England.
Article
The BMC Cymru North Wales Area Meeting will take place online on Zoom on Wednesday 7th August 2024, starting at 7.30pm.
News
This weekend the BMC joined Avon Access Rep Ben Darby and his team of volunteers near Bristol to install 28 new belay stakes on Main Wall so that climbers no longer need to rely on the wobbly old iron fence as an anchor point. Vegetation was also cleared and a thorough litter pick was carried out.
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Scrambling in winter is a step up in every way: here are some tips from the pros for getting it right.
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Here’s your heads-up to some of the most common winter walking mistakes and how to steer clear of them.
Mountaineering Destinations
Now is the prime time to plan your winter adventures. To help you explore the British mountains over winter, we have chosen six stunning winter ridges to guarantee a grand day out.
Rock Climbing Skills
A series of guides to some of the most popular scrambles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Access News
Yesterday, former Olympic gold medal-winning cyclist Chris Boardman CBE met with BMC staff in the Peak District to highlight projects that are successfully fighting the climate crisis.
Access Articles
Robbie Blackhall-Miles, the Vascular Plants Officer for Wales at the wild plant and fungi conservation charity Plant Life, sat down with Tom Carrick, the BMC’s Welsh Access Officer, to discuss the significance of the BMC Winter Monitoring System.
Access News
Proposals to make ordinary trespass a criminal offence have alarmed outdoor groups, including the BMC. Ahead of a debate in Parliament on the issue and the possibility of Government publishing the Police Powers and Protections Bill, Ed Douglas calls for the Government to think again.
Access News
There are concerns that government are considering moves to turn trespass from a civil offence to a criminal one. In a public consultation that is currently out for comment, it has been suggested that police powers could be strengthened to force people to move on from unauthorised encampments. The BMC is concerned however, that there could be unintentional consequences of the proposals around issues such as wild camping.
Hillwalking Destinations
It's no easy feat, but with a little advice, organisation, knowledge and determination, climbing the Wainwrights is doable for almost anyone. This beginner-friendly guide aims to teach you about the fells and how to plan for and complete them.
Hill Walking Articles
Chris Townsend's top tips on getting the most out of a long-distance adventure, plus three week-long route ideas for beginners, offering a mix of nature, history, solitude and challenge.
Hillwalking Skills
Are you a hill walker wanting to tackle steeper terrain, but nervous about heights? Don’t panic – there are steps you can take to fight the fear.
Hillwalking Skills
How to choose an ice axe for your next winter adventure
Hillwalking Skills
In this guide, we share tips to help you navigate your way back to safety in the event of a whiteout.
Access Articles
Access to the south side of Cheddar Gorge is fragile and relies upon climbers following the agreements in place with the landowner.
Rock Destinations
Climbers have a responsibility to understand the relevant access and conservation issues associated with the places we climb. Here are a few pointers to help you enjoy these areas sustainably.
Article
Here's how winter climbing grades work.
Hill Walking Articles
The health and well being benefits of physical activity are numerous. Apart from the obvious physical benefits, there are many mental health and social perks to hillwalking and climbing too.
Mountaineering Learn Skills
Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor Rob Johnson explains the essentials of choosing and using your first ice axe and crampons for winter mountaineering.
Hillwalking Skills
The know-how, top tips and gear you'll need for scrambling safely.
Hillwalking Skills
The mountains at night can be hazardous, but also wonderful. Here are a handful of helpful tips for exploring the dark side.
Rock Climbing Articles
In this booklet for managers and landowners, the aim has been to address a range of common questions and concerns about rock climbing in disused quarries. Covering all aspects of access and liability, through a selection of case studies, it showcases the benefits not just for climbers, but for the wider public and land managers themselves. Benefits which can be realised with assistance from climbers and the BMC, through the repurposing of disused quarries as rock climbing destinations.
Hillwalking Skills
Camping ‘wild’ is a different way of spending the night outdoors but it isn't allowed everywhere - with a responsible approach however, there are many remote areas where you can still rest your weary head under a star-filled sky.
Hillwalking Skills
When should you use crampons? Our guide explains the 'when', 'where' and 'how' of deploying your spiky winter gear.
Rock Climbing News
The stats are in from the Bangor University Mountaineering Society's (BUMS, excellent acronym) crag clean up at Penmaen Head, a limestone sport climbing venue in North Wales, near Colwyn Bay.
Article
Here are a few of the most gruelling, exhausting, rewarding and brilliant challenge walks Britain has to offer.
Hillwalking Destinations
Sarah Stirling lists five of the easiest Munros for beginner hikers to bag!
Hillwalking Gear
Friction blisters on the feet are a common and potentially serious complication of hiking or hillwalking and other outdoor activities. This guide explains how to prevent and treat blisters accordingly.
Mountaineering Destinations
Are you brave enough for our top five hardest black ski runs in Europe? Ski on - if you dare.
Article
We've totted up a few fun facts and some trail trivia about this iconic route, including some surprising statistics that are guaranteed to earn you points at the next pub quiz. Read on for everything you need to know about this pioneering path...
Hill Walking Articles
Having a duvet day or a quiet night in? We've got you covered. There's nothing better than a day in the hills - but we think planning a day in the hills comes in pretty close second. If you're looking for inspiration for your next on-foot adventure, check out our lineup of ten of the best mountaineering, hiking and hillwalking films from the BMC TV YouTube channel.
Hill Walking
Forget ghost stories and horror movies - a simple walk in the story-stuffed British wilds is the best way to get your skin crawling.
Indoor Climbing Gear
We take a look at the culture of tight climbing shoes. Just how tight is too tight - and are we creating problems for the future?
Mountaineering Learn Gear
Do you carry a first aid kit in the mountains? We take a look at the essentials for any mountaineering first aid kit and how to use them.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering Destinations
Mountains have always meant more to humanity than just lumps of rock. We take a look at five summits with mysterious, magical or mythological significance.
Climate Articles
Want to know more about how you can reduce your own personal carbon footprint and lessen your impact on the environment? We’ve tried to make it simple for you by producing three separate checklists – for yourself, your workplace and for any events you might be arranging.
Governance
On this page, you will find links to recent BMC annual reports and annual accounts.
Hill Walking News
Many people will have visited the summit of Great Gable in the Lake District and looked at the bronze plaque close to the summit commemorating FRCC members killed in World War One. This plaque was unveiled 100 years ago this year, on 8 June 1924, so this year, the FRCC held a commemorative meet with members staying at their huts in Wasdale, Borrowdale and Buttermere. This was attended by the BMC’s Hill Walking Rep Steve Charles and Lakes Area Rep Ron Kenyon, who sent this fascinating report of the day’s events and the history of the plaque.
Hill Walking
It helps you cope at work, 'heals' your brain, makes you more creative and it could even be better for you than running. Here are six ways walking could be more powerful than you realise.
Hill Walking Articles
Diversity conversations in the outdoors can’t leave anyone out. At ESEA Outdoors UK we’re celebrating the fact that East and Southeast Asian people go outdoors too, in spite of historical erasure and lack of representation in outdoors media. Here’s what you need to know:
Climate Articles
The BMC has welcomed another conservation project into The Climate Project portfolio, planting seagrass with Seagrass Ocean Rescue in conjunction with the North Wales Wildlife Trust. This is in addition to the current sphagnum moss planting and peatland restoration with Moors for the Future in the Peak District that you can also get involved with here.
Hillwalking Destinations
Watch five great walks in the Lake District, including family inspiration, lesser-known routes to popular summits and dog-friendly fell walking.
Hill Walking Articles
Planning outdoor adventures comes with lots of preparation and adding a period into the mix can be one more thing to think about. While not everyone will be up for a hike or a climb on their period, if you are preparing for your next trip in the good company of menstrual blood, here’s what to do.