11-02-13, Ben Nevis, Beinn Udlaidh, Buachaille - Winter Climbing

Making steady progress up Curved Ridge Monday 11th Feb.

I have been over on the west for a few days work on an Intro Winter Climbing Course. An ace day today on Curved Ridge, lots of deep snow on the approach, but some firm east faces higher up. Yesterday was a very different day on Beinn Udlaidh, very windy and plenty of fresh snow flying around. We climbed West Gully, as we could see it! OK condition, improved with height. Saturday we had a fairly mellow day on Ben Nevis climbing on the CIC cascades. Conditions are great at the moment, there seems to be ice everywhere,  the freezing level has been low, there will be a slight increase on Wednesday then hopefully back down again, should make everything even better.

A very different day in West Gully on Beinn Udlaidh yesterday Sunday 10th.

Excellent chewy (slightly wet) ice on Ben Nevis CIC cascades Saturday 9th.

Nearing the top of  Buachaille Etive Mor.

A very white looking Rannoch Wall.

Descent down Coire na Tulaich quite firm.