Thursday 1 April 2010

Stob Ban





Rich and I took Gordon to the East Ridge of the North top of Stob Ban today. The winds had scoured the East side leaving a bit of powder on the ridge but drifts on the path up the west side of the glen on the walk in, even at 400m. As we geared up near the base of the ridge we spotted a nice wee pitch of grade III ice (at only 660m), so we did that too. Rich short roped Gordon up ths varied mountaineering route taking the most interesting line wherever possible up to the tower and the knife edge arete near the top. We had a few showers of hail and snow- often accompanied by stronger winds- but plenty of sunshine too. Descent was leisurely and by the North Ridge with its Grade I step to add interest.