Vanishing Gully

First pitch of Vanishing

Last day for Roger on his 5 day climbing course.  After our final night in 'the shed' we fought through the winds for a final route on Ben Nevis before we headed back to Loch Carron for showers and baths and cake.  With tired legs and a wild day forecast we opted for a short route which we could climb quickly and abseil off.  We found ourselves on Vanishing Gully (V,5)*** which is made up of two pitches, a fantastic sheltered cave belay at the top of pitch 1, amazing sticky ice and an abseil descent.  Chris and his client were ahead of us and romped up the route, either to get up and out of the foul weather or too keep a clear path for us, either way, thanks Chris!  Mike and his clients also popped into the cave to keep Roger company whilst I led the last pitch to the abseil station.

Mike about to Vanish into the cave

The easy way down

Classic self portrait of Roger, summited Everest 2012

All in all we have had a great week.  5 brilliant routes, 18 stars, 4 ice routes, 3 Cold Climbs Classics, 1 ridge, 3 new routes for me, 5 new routes for Roger, 5 bags of Haribo, 2 nights bivi'in in a shed, 4 different pubs visited, several ales sampled and many many laughs.  This week I have had a truly enjoyable experience with Roger who is a frequent client for Moran Mountain.