Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Today I took Craig onto the Aonach Eagach Ridge II in Glencoe for a full on day of mountaineering. On the way up the weather was a bit damp and misty but that soon cleared and we had fantastic views for the rest of the day. The ridge in in excellent condition and we and the other team on the route took turns in front breaking trail. I did go in up to my thighs at one point but most of it was between a foot and a few inches of soft powder.

Today I took Craig who is on day 1 of a mountaineering course up Ledge Route II on Ben Nevis. On the walk in the weather was mild but started to snow as we got towards the CIC Hut. There was evidence of an avalanche in Number 5 Gully and fresh snow had fallen on top of it. A quick assessment of the snowpack and I was happy it was safe. We got onto Ledge Route and the snow was deep in places. Fortunately there was a team in front breaking trail (thanks guys) and had a great time in good conditions. We descended the west side of Carn Dearg above the half way lochan and there were quite a number of pockets of windslab but they were easily avoidable.

Today Geoff and I headed into Coire an t'Sneachda to climb Hidden Chimney Direct IV 5 as we have both done Hidden Chimney II/III but fancied the harder version. The weather was great with very light winds and Geoff climbed the crux pitch in great style. It was busy in Sneachda with teams everywhere. There was good neve and Aladdins Mirror Direct is still complete and had teams on it as did the Haston Line, Hidden Chimney, Jacobs Ladder and we spoke to a team who had just done No Blue Skies.

A bit steep Today to avoid the mountain weather Geoff and I headed to a slate quarry near Dunkeld for a spot of Dry Tooling in the sun. We had a play on a number of routes and then had a look at the cave area which had some seriously hard stuff in which we did not bother trying

Today we were out at Ciste Crag looking at teaching leading and moving in series. The weather was again kind to us in the morning but started changing around 1:30pm as the rain and wind moved in. The rest of the afternoon was debriefing inside. I have learnt alot this week and the instructors from Glenmore Lodge were great and really knew their stuff

Me leading off Trying to look happy Graham on the lead Me seconding Today we climbed Terms of Endearment III in Coire an t'Sneachda. Graham and I shared the lead on the route. The weather started off really nicely and it appeared to be a lovely day, however it soon turned and the wind picked up bringing in both fresh and wind blown snow. We abseiled down quickly and the winds were swrirling round the coire making things difficult. We walked out in a white out and arrived back at the carark to see a minibus (nothing to do with us) with a door that had been opened and torn off in the wind.

Being lowered down a slope Ice Axe arrest with 2 clients Me "short roping" 2 clients Me enjoying the Scottish conditions Today we were out on the side of Fiacaill Corie an t'Sneachda looking at moving around on steep ground and holding falls with clients on the rope. It was good to actually have the opportunity to be taken off your feet by two clients pulling you over and then having to ice axe arrest all three of you. We also looked at stomper belays and deadmen. It was very wet at the start of the day but turned to snow and the temperature dropped as the day went on. The weather report for tomorrow looks horrendous but lets keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.