The sudden return to winter, prompted a solo trip up Ben Nevis today.
There were a few remnants of old frozen snow and a wind blasted coating of new stuff.
Unexpected winter view out across Fort William and Loch Eil
I climbed up into South castle Gully on great neve, but there was a thinly iced chockstone pitch that was too thin to justify....so backtracked................
after a wee feel of the brittle ice on this lean pitch
Climbed up into North Castle Gully and the chockstone pitch was bare with a nasty hole behind the old snow right below any mistake. Ended up retreating again and traversing out right onto the crest of Castle Ridge. Finished up the crest. One or two interesting and exposed mixed moves. A nice way to round off the winter. This view is of Loch Lochy and Spean Bridge, where we are lucky enough to live.
A fine view from the top of Castle Ridge through Annat Narrows to Loch Eil.
South and North Castle gullies with Castle Ridge taking the right hand "buttress".
The sudden return to winter, prompted a solo trip up Ben Nevis today.
There were a few remnants of old frozen snow and a wind blasted coating of new stuff.
Unexpected winter view out across Fort William and Loch Eil
I climbed up into South castle Gully on great neve, but there was a thinly iced chockstone pitch that was too thin to justify....so backtracked................
after a wee feel of the brittle ice on this lean pitch
Climbed up into North Castle Gully and the chockstone pitch was bare with a nasty hole behind the old snow right below any mistake. Ended up retreating again and traversing out right onto the crest of Castle Ridge. Finished up the crest. One or two interesting and exposed mixed moves. A nice way to round off the winter. This view is of Loch Lochy and Spean Bridge, where we are lucky enough to live.
A fine view from the top of Castle Ridge through Annat Narrows to Loch Eil.
South and North Castle gullies with Castle Ridge taking the right hand "buttress".
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