Wednesday 23rd March 2011 |
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Spring like conditions in the hills
The last couple of days I have been running a winter wareness course for the Northern Constabulary.
Although we had spring conditions we found enough snow to do what we wanted like digging emergency shelters. This course was being run at Glenmore Lodge We also looked at cold injuries, navigation, emergency scenarios and casualty evacuation. |
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Sunday 20th March 2011 |
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Very deep soggy snow in Glencoe
Today Craig, Chris and I headed to the Sron a Lairig ridge in Glencoe. Unfortunately the snow was thawing fast and the walk in involved loads of wading. We decided not to continue up the deep wet snow on the ridge but opted for some skills training.
We looked at route choice and snow belays like bucket seats and stomper belays. The last 2 days I was working for Mountain Plan |
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Saturday 19th March 2011 |
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Ice climbing on Ben Nevis
On Saturday I was out with Craig and Chris on Ben Nevis. We climbed 2 pitchs of grade 4 ice on Waterfall Gully on Ben Nevis before abseiling off. We then went down to below the Lower Cascades and practiced ice screw placements, rope work and stance management.
Things were beginning to thaw on Ben Nevis and the substantial amount of wind slab was beginnning to settle down. |
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Friday 18th March 2011 |
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Snow, Rock or Ice?
It's that time of year when you can ski, rock climb or ice climb on the same day. Davy, Andy and myself opted for a bit of sport climbing today. Up at our local bolted crag at Moy the trees have been felled giving a very open sunny aspect.
The air temperature wasn't very high but the climbing was great. |
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Thursday 17th March 2011 |
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Ski Touring on Ben Wyvis
Mike and I headed up onto Ben Wyvis for a ski tour today. Lower down the mountain it was sunny and warm.
Unfortunately on top there was low cloud and snow showers from the NW. Once we had skiied out from beneath the cloud it was beautiful in the sun again. |
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Thursday 10th March 2011 |
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A return to winter
Today I was working on a Winter Mountain Leader course being held at Glenmore Lodge
I was out with Lucy, Matt and Rod. We had a mountain journey and looked at travel on steeper ground as well as some rope work like confidence roping, stomper belays and snow bollards.
After last week's spring weather the last couple of days have brought a lot of fresh snow to the hills. The snow is drifting deeply on the strong westerly wind. |
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Saturday 5th March 2011 |
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A cloud inversion on Ben Nevis
Yesterday Willie and I traversed the Carn Mor Dearg arete and then ascended Ben Nevis.
There was a then layer of cloud just below the summits. We climbed through the cloud to bask in the sunshine above the fantastic cloud inversion.
We had some great views across to the north face of Ben nevis where the crowds were out queueing for the few ice routes that are in condition at the moment. |
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Friday 4th March 2011 |
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Warm and cloudy in Glencoe
On Friday I was out in Glencoe with Willie.
During the last week of warm weather a lot of the snow has melted. We found enough snow in NC Gully for Willie to do his first winter climb. It was thawing fast as we climbed it. |
