We sweated and slithered our way up the Coire through thick but wet snow and as we got up near the crags it still felt mild and the turf was useless. We passed several ridges below the main crag that would give great fun short granite routes (Lochaber's Creagan Coire Cha No?) and were getting prepared to admit defeat when it came to a route. At the very end though as we turned the last corner the change in aspect brought a change in conditions. The turf was no better but the crag was steep and rocky and that rock was white!
We were beneath Kindergarten corner (too hard for us at VII,8 but a strong line) and Kid Gloves IV on the arete which looked a goer. We climbed avoiding the turf but the holds were mostly on rock anyway with plenty of clearing needed lower down and good hooks and gear. I stopped half way up so that Jamie would get some climbing in (selfless aren't I) having had some pleasant moves in the rocky groove. This left Jamie to bridge up a chossy corner past suspect blocks and creaking flakes which I think he would quite happily have left to me!
As We climbed the second pitch the temperature rocketed and the rock was turning wet by the time I topped out and it was snowing big damp sticky flakes which were of course rain by the time we dropped back down to the forest.
The crag is a stiff flog up from the trees but no worse really than Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glencoe. The existing routes are short but space exists for much variation and mountaineering on the slightly lower buttresses to the left.
Walking in
First bit
Very yellow belay jacket
Awkward
Better
Mega thaw due tonight onwards so it was good to hook tools to snowy rock whilst it was here and always good to visit a new venue.
