Today I was out with Colin and Guy. After the heavy snowfall last night we opted for a rocky mountaineering route and went to Curved Ridge. The sun shone all day and a we joined a few friendly pairs on a well plastered ridge.
There was a very little ice around in drainage lines in the shade but we didnt hit the freezing level until about 900m when the powdery snow that had melted to water on my gear began to refreeze. Under this much soft powder we didnt even put crampons on until half way up and my axe spent most of the day tucked out of the way on my back as I used my hands to clear and climb the route.

It was much colder down in the continual shade of Coire na Tullaich but the ground wasnt really frozen off of the well compressed path although cars were well iced at the bottom.

Many thanks to the 2 teams who let us overtake them(it was just a cunning plan to let me break trail i'm sure ;-)

Had to put lots of pics up today - it just looked soooo good. Yey more pics at: http://guysteven.blogspot.com/

Wintery walking in the Mamores

Today I was out again with the SVQ students from Lochaber College. The objective was Binnein Mor in the Mamores. After the rain of yesterday this morning showed a little fresh snow down to 800m. We left Mamore Lodge and headed up into Coire an Lochain where there was plenty of old wet snow and slush underfoot. We traversed onto the north side of Sgor Eilde Beag and zig zagged up onto the main ridge. By point 1062 it was clear that the ground underfoot was too icey for the group's footwear and we headed back down helped along by gusty hail and snow storms. Just at the mouth of Coire an Lochain, on Sgor Eilde Beag's SE corner is a shallow gully which was full of debris from a recent full depth slab avalanche. This probably came down in the thaw in the last 2 days. We investigated the debris and spent some time bum sliding before the team navigated themselves back to Kinlochleven with me giving them plenty of space to find their own way down.

The ice on the ridge was formed by the wind and under the crust on snow patches the snow was still soft. I saw running water at 900m at 2pm.

A day off

I went freelance 2 weeks ago leaving my job as manager of The Ice Factor (although I'm still retained as Technical Advisor and to run outdoor courses) and since then I've been working in Lochaber, Glasgow and at Glenmore Lodge. Today is a chance to catch up on admin and spend some time with the family.

Its milder and rainy today, I can see the snow being washed from the Mamores. Any that does remain will get a chance to freeze as it gets cooler again towards the weekend. I'm out on the Mamores tomorrow with a Lochaber College group. We'll see how much snow remains.

In the meantime here are a couple of pictures around Kinlochleven of the Grey Mares tail waterfall and some bracket funghi in the woods.

Lochaber College in Glencoe

Today I was introducing the SVQ Level 2 Outdoors students from Lochaber College to security on steep ground techniques. After a session in the grounds of Glencoe Outdoor Centre we went up into Coire Gabhail to put some newfound skills into practise. Although there is snow up above 800m in Glencoe the mild weather for the next day or two will strip a good deal away. As long as its not too warm and wet when it turns cooler again on thursday some of the higher sheltered patches may firm up enough to begin to provide a base for later in the season.....

CWA Training for Glenmore Lodge

Here are a few pictures from the Climbing Wall Award Training I was Directing for Glenmore Lodge this weekend. They include various games, bouldering exercises, some rather aged, if very well maintained, climbing equipment and a gratuitous shot of an RAF Sea King from the window of our classroom. Back outdoors in Glencoe tomorrow.

Snow in Aviemore

I've been across at a conference at Glenmore Lodge today and I'm Directing a CWA Training for them this weekend. The picture shows the large amount of fresh snow in the area at 1500 today. The view is from the new south wing at The Lodge up towards the Northern corries.

GCC Staff Training 2

My last day of a 4 day stint at Glasgow Climbing Centre. Today I did 2 half day sessions for staff looking at various subjects including: Coaching pointers and Games, other Climbing Games (you must try Climbing Golf - see: Climbing Games) and some problem solving techniques.