Discover: My journey from Columbia to a snow-covered Helvellyn

Andrea Alvarez Ojeda had only seen snow twice in her life before taking part in a winter mountaineering skills course on an icy Helvellyn. She reflects on what she learned – and her long journey to the Lake District.   

Since September 2024, I’ve been working as a Monitoring Officer on the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme for the Lake District National Park Authority,.

I’m from Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, a city located 2,640 metres above sea level, with a cool and mild climate (although now I realise “cold” is relative!). Bogotá has 7.93 million people and is surrounded by the Eastern Hills of the Andes.

Since I was little, I’ve always enjoyed outdoor activities. I’m passionate about running and cycling, but in Bogotá, because of the size and traffic, I couldn’t enjoy nature as much as I wanted.

In 2022, I moved to the UK to study in Bristol. I loved the vibrant culture of the city, with music events and street art everywhere. And it was there that I also met my partner who shares my love for nature.

After finishing my Masters, I decided to stay in the UK. My partner and I started exploring the UK’s landscapes, traveling in our van and hiking places like Ben Nevis and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.

When I was offered a role with the Lake District National Park Authority, it meant moving to Kendal, a small town of 28,000 people. I now feel incredibly lucky to have made the move, surrounded by the mountains and lakes, a place I never imagined I’d experience.

The perfect present

After hearing about the Winter Skills Courses on Helvellyn, I thought my partner would love it and booked us both in as a birthday present.

These courses are delivered by the Lake District National Park Authority’s Fell Top Assessors, who are employed between December and March each year to summit Helvellyn and provide weather reports to help inform winter walkers about fell top conditions.

At first, we didn’t know what to expect. Even though we had hiking experience, neither of us had hiked in the snow. And although I had seen snow briefly twice in my life, the course taught me things I never imagined.

On February 1, we had the chance to climb Helvellyn with Jim, our instructor. The day started clear and cold, but as we ascended, the weather quickly changed, strong winds and snow made things more challenging.

Jim was calm, well-prepared, and knowledgeable, which made a big difference. He respected the mountain and looked out for others we crossed paths with, always ensuring everyone was okay and offering advice when needed.

Skills to respect the mountain

Throughout the course, we learned the importance of having the right gear, snow boots, crampons, and ice axes, and how to use them properly. Jim taught us how to handle the ice axe correctly, showing us techniques for using it to stabilize ourselves, as well as what to do in case we slipped or fell. We practiced these skills, ensuring we were ready to react quickly in tough situations.

We practiced other techniques like adjusting our clothing based on altitude and weather, which was crucial when the conditions rapidly shifted. Jim also taught us how to pack efficiently, ensuring we brought only the essentials and were ready for emergencies.

Perhaps the most important lesson was learning to respect the mountain. The conditions can change fast, and it’s essential to remain calm and prepared for anything. This course was an eye-opener and gave me the confidence I need to tackle future hikes, even in extreme conditions.

Be AdventureSmart

If you’re heading out on to the fells this winter, make sure you know your limits, pack the essentials and are prepared for changes in weather.

You can find out more about staying safe in the Lake District this winter on our Plan your winter visit to the Lake District web page.

If you want to head out with a Fell Top Assessor for a Winter Skills Course, you can book here on the Weatherline website.

Be AdventureSmart and ask yourself these three questions before you set off:

• Do I have the right gear?
• Do I know what the weather will be like?
• Am I confident I have the knowledge and skills for the day?

Andrea Alvarez Ojeda is the Monitoring Officer for the Farming in Protected Landscape programme at the Lake District National Park Authority.