Mid-winter round up

What an epic winter it's been.. getting milder now for a wee while, hopefully not for too long and the higher routes will benefit from some thaw/freeze, but as this is the first really mild spell since, um, November, we cant really complain!

Winter highlights since coming back from El Chorro: topping out SC Gully at 11:15 into blazing sunshine, more ice entertainment at Udalaih, including leading my first couple of grade 5's, and Tower Ridge on the Ben, in great conditions but cloudy, until the summit where it all cleared.. And ski touring above Crianlairich looking at massive avalanche debris, see other post..

And skiing in the Campsies above Glasgow, that's a rarity..

Not so nice was almost getting swept away by large spindrift avalanches on Stob Corrie nan Beith and twatting my knee on the walk out..

Also took part in a Winter Mountain Leader course, which left me with plenty to think about, including how to dig a bucket seat and axe belay in ice in 5 mins, and how to find the time to log 60-80 hill days prior to assessment..

Retreating off Central Gully

Spindrift on Stob corrie nam Beith

John takes a break

Snow hole fun and games 1

Snow hole fun and games 2

Damp and cold at weem - not time for summer rock yet!

Early Morn in SCNL

Start of SC Gully

Wandering over to Bidean nam Bian

Bidean nam Bian

Glasgow from the Campsies

Paul coming up Organ Pipe wall

Approach to Organ Pipe wall

Udalaih vista

The Smirk - melting!

Pete N on 1st pitch of The Smirk

The Smirk VI/V 5

Me on Doctors Dilema, pitch 2

My first grade V, Organ pipe wall

Team in front on Eastern Traverse

Mist clears

Randoms below Gardyloo Buttress

Pete H

Jaybob

Photo Pete H

The mist clears

Team climbing Tower Gap

Top of Tower Ridge

Lots of snow

Indicator wall, figure top left

Me on Eastern traverse, photo Pete H

Approaching the Douglas gap, photo pete h

Random atop Tower Ridge

Corrie na ciste

Cic hut icefalls

Getting dark over the Orion Face