[ad_1] As many of you will know we have had challenging conditions over the past week or so, and many teams out and about. This winter season is proving now to be an excellent one with large amounts of snow and ice in many locations, and just goes to show “Ne’er cast a cloot till […]
[ad_1] The snow has continued to fall and be redistributed by the winds, creating challenging conditions with regards to both avalanche hazards and just getting around. Yesterday, the guys led themselves up School House Ridge on Sgorr Bhan and along the way, we looked at using the rope effectively on mountaineering terrain. There were some […]
[ad_1] Over the past three days, I've been running an Introductory Winter Climbing Course for Arie and Will, who are over from the Netherlands. They couldn't have asked for better conditions, as winter has truly taken hold of the Highlands and looks to stay with us for some time yet! On Monday, we tackled the […]
[ad_1] Day 4 with Nick and Chris and we headed back up Ben Nevis with our sights set on Castle Ridge, which Nick has done before, but as a bare rock route. Today, conditions were at the opposite end of the spectrum with so much snow on the ridge, far more than I've ever encountered […]
[ad_1] Nick, Chris and I had an early start this morning so that we stood a chance of beating both the crowds and the weather on Salamander Gully on Beinn an Dothaidh at the Bridge of Orchy. This tactic paid off, as we were first on the route, just. The first pitch was quite cruddy, […]
[ad_1] Ken is brilliant at keeping us up to date with his Jedi guiding, instruction and climbing skills, and he is a brilliant inspiration to the rest of team, if only every Boss was such an inspiration! West Coast is a team of associate guides and instructors going out everyday either for pleasure or helping […]
[ad_1] After discussing a few options, Nick, Chris and I decided to go for D Gully Buttress on Buachaille Etive Mor today, which turned out to be great fun! For some reason, it's not a route I had climbed before, so it was a real adventure for us all. For a route that is easily […]
[ad_1] Back on Ben Nevis today, this time with returning clients, Nick and Chris. We made a bee-line for The Curtain, which was a wee bit thin, but very much climbable and good fun. Just don't expect much decent protection! We carefully descended back down Ledge Route and No. 5 Gully to see a steady […]
[ad_1] For Neil's second day, we decided to seek shelter in Coire nan Lochan, where it turned out to be by and large a very pleasant day. With a few options in mind, it was clear that Scabbard Chimney was well iced and that the slab on the first pitch looked plastered, so we went […]
[ad_1] Night ascent of Thompson's Route, Ben Nevis The weather is proving to be a tricky beast at the moment, with high winds and thaws keeping us on our toes. However, the forecast for last night was one of a return to cold and clear conditions and so at 11pm, Neil and I found ourselves […]
