Since returning from Spain I got straight back out in the hill with a windy ascent of ledge route, first winter day for Liam. Sadly following this there were a few attempted climbing days but the Ski road up to Cairngorm had been shut so coffee and cake ensued instead. What a hardship!
Josh and terry battling the wind on the final section of ledge route.
The Following week I spent shadowing Mike Pescod for three days of coaching and guiding Kiernan on an introduction to mixed climbing. Kiernan is a keen ice climber and rock climber but being new to mixed climbing was seeking some instruction. We climbed a very snowy North east Buttress, all of two hard moves on the man trap, 999 in Coire nan Lochan and Crest route in Stob Coire nan Lochan.
North East Buttress
And the clouds cleared
Busy in the hurt Lochan
Mike on the crux pitch of Crest Route
After these few days with Mike I headed straight back to the west for a week with Plas y Brenin on my MIC training, a great week thanks to Tim and Dave for running the course and everyone who was on the course. It was a wild week and I was too busy concentrating to take many pictures.
My day off before a week of work with Glenmore Lodge and Pete hill, was a good weather day so me and Ian headed over to Stags rocks for some not so buried climbing and to place the first ice screws of the season on Ampitheartre Gully. Thankfully now upgraded to V,6 as I thought the crux was pretty stiff. Brilliant route, though sadly we didnt quite get off in time before the next storm hit so night navigation in 60mph winds ensued off the top of the route. If only they had opened the snow gates alittle sooner.
Ian leading the ice pitch
Gearing up at the top of Diagonal gully
Me on the crux pitch, always make the mistake of saying it dosnt look too bad from the bottom!
Thats me just about up to date so far.
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