Snow.

Headed up to Black Crag ice fall on Christmas day after a very speculative look at Aira Force. The snow on the walk up to Black Crag definately gave us an appetite for Christmas dinner in places in was waist deep. The ice was covered in snow which had prevented it from forming properly which gave insecure climbing with most of the ice coming off when you hit it. I came down after the first pitch. It was a day for Ski touring. Yesterday was a bit warmer but probably not warm enough to consolidate the snow higher up.

I would look to head further west and hope that there wasn't as much snow, Scafell or Pillar could be worth a try for Buttress routes.

Getting about is a bit difficult the passes are still dodgy and some minor roads are covered in 4 to 6 inches of hard packed snow ice.