Thanks Tony

Have not found time to explore Kentmere, but although the low level snow has mostly gone there is still a good covering visible over 1500 feet. It is freezing at night so I imagine that paths where it has thawed during the day and refrozen at night will be hard ice. Crampons and ice axe still essential.

Mike,
Haven't been up there yet but hope to do so later in the week. I think that all the fell paths are covered in ice or hard packed snow. The fell assessors are reporting drifts up to a metre on Helvellyn but I haven't seen anything like that where I have been.
Some photos from Sunday at http://www.kendalfellwalkers.co.uk/photo.htm

What's it like round Kentmere and Longsleddale, Tony?

Walking on the fells at the moment is just about as good as it gets. Clear skies and a good covering of snow are producing the best winter walking for years. But despite two fatalities last week and the strongest of warnings from mountain rescue teams, people are still going up without suitable equipment. I had a fantastic day on the Coniston ridge on Sunday, but I counted ten people wearing ordinary boots without crampons. Unbelievable!
The snow on Coniston is hard, smooth and icy and even on those relatively gentle slopes a slip when wearing ordinary boots will be very difficult to check with the likelihood of sliding down to steeper ground and falling a considerable distance.
Come and enjoy the conditions while they last, but bring crampons and ice axe and choose a route appropriate to your skill level.