More ice...

Finnesg-aig Falls again with Dave and Steve today. We found that again Kenny had the same idea and were pleassed by the trench dug by the parties who have climbed it since the major snowfall.
There is a lot of snow on the flanks of the gully approach to the climb but we found a safe approach and plenty of ice on the left side to start the route on. The middle 2 pitches are less steep and lead to the final excellent pitch of good ice. Dave had his headcam on today so the video gives an interesting perspective on the route. Unfortunately my much used G14s broke today- the main foreplate of one sheard right through :-(
A large crown wall is visible, 500m long running north from the Red Burn above and parallel to the pony tack on Ben Nevis, further evdince of huge avalanches is visible on the flanks of the Ben high above Glen Nevis. Climbing has been possible on a handful of routes in and around Lochaber such as the East Buttress of the North Ridge of Stob Ban and Taxus as well as the CIC Hut Cascades, Finnisg-aig and Steall Falls but as the Lochaber SAIS forecast makes clear things are still VERY unstable around here. If you are venturing into the hills think carefully about your route and be prepared to turn back rather than take un-necessary risks. The mountains will be there another day, the trick is to make sure we are!