Thursday 28 January 2016

North West exploring

The week started during a strong thaw, it was a struggle to find some snow.  Glen Shiel delivered.
Night ascent team (Francis, Jamie, Tom, Mark and Dave)
Another week draws to the end today as I wrapped up the Technical Winter Climbing course for Moran Mountain.  I have to admit it has been a very difficult week to run as the conditions for technical winter climbing have been non existent.  Fortunately my clients Jamie and Mark were very understanding and soon realised that they had to lower their aspirations to fit in with the conditions.  As a result we had a fantastic week.
Making progress up Ben Nevis North face @10pm.  Summit at midnight, car at 2am.
Mark and Jamie on the summit at midnight, very wild night but best day (night) of the week.

Sometimes, leaving the vehicle can be quite hard when its warm and rainng and we know conditions wont be perfect but this week had a silver lining.  As we had to 'think outside the box', I ended up on the summit of 3 Munros I have never done, climbed 2 routes I have never climbed, did a night ascent under the glow of our head torches and discovered probably the most stunning corrie I have ever seen in Scotland.  Truly a very memorable week for everyone involved.  An outstanding effort from Jamie and Mark who displayed constant enthusiasm even in the heaviest of down pours.  Cheers chaps, see you in the mountains soon.

Great fun
Brilliant mountaineering on the Northern Pinnacles on Liathach
Another summit, another munro after a great climb.

Tom and his beard
Doing the shuttle to get the van.
Team ascent on Beinn Eighe
Picking out some tricky steps to make this brilliant grade 2 a little harder. 

More pictures HERE



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