Although many think Whernside to be visually less interesting than its distinctive neighbours Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent, the summit of this fell offers some spectacular views. Although the views were still there, with the weather conditions very overcast at the time, it was a bleak winter scene that the walkers had to contend with.
Like its neighbours, Whernside is normally capped by visible millstone grit on top of limestone - a geological profile which gives rise to a network of caves and potholes formed by waters draining off the upper slopes. However, with a heavy blanket of snow it was transformed into a white wilderness which made the walk all the more challenging.
The students will be hoping for better conditions underfoot for their next practice expedition in the Easter holidays near Moffat in the Southern Uplands of the Scottish borders.
