The Boys were back for more.
March 26th - 28th
Rick and Andy were hoping for better conditions this year. Last winter, after some snow
Rick, Andy and Ciaran on snowcraft skillsiaran
skills training with Douglas along as well, they had all climbed Aladdin’s Mirror with me in deep gloomy weather and soft snow. Rick certainly felt a little uncomfortable at times on the belays and wanted this winter to get more accustomed to the proper climbing of routes. We had Ciaran with us as well, a young and strong chap but he’d no real experience on steep snow routes. So a day on snow skills was necessary.
Assisting me on the skills session was Pete, who has a good
More snowcraft skills
chance of becoming a guide if he can accumulate the necessay big alpine and Scottish routes for his CV. He performed well and everyone enjoyed the day. We decided the Fiachaill Ridge looked splendid and so next morning we waded through still soft snow up to the steepening slopes under the ridge.
We were pleasently suprised when just reaching the ridge proper, we hit perfect neve, and soon we were romping up to the more serious section of the route. Putting the team onto one rope, I led up through 
the difficult sections in deteriorating visibility. Topping out, I led off down towards the Goat track. I checked the compass. It was soon apparent that the virtual nil-visibility in the driving snow and the wind was veering me off course. Reverting to the known skills, and because we hadn’t travelled very far, I navigated my way and
Visibility not good
descended the easy left-hand side to the main lower section. By this time all was quieter and we relaxed, making our way back to the ski-station, all thouroughly wet through by now.
The lads agreed that the day had been exciting enough, yet still good fun, and we packed up and drove back, to say our goodbyes until another time.Rick and Andy would be keen for more rock like last time in North Wales. we’ll see.
The Runnel
Ciaran still had a day left with me. We returned in much improved weather and got stuck straight into good steep climbing. The Runnel was superb with hard neve and in great weather now, we climbed this super route in fine style. Going down the Goat track I couldn’t ressist turning left and climbing Red gully,
The Runnel
in it’s snowy state it was much easier than of late but still wonderful as a grade 2 ice route.
I wanted to descend, as on a previous week’s course, down Jacobs ladder into Hidden Chimney but the cornice was a little too risky so we opted for the descent under the Mess of Pottage buttress. Hidden Chimney was, as always,
Ciaran in Hidden Chimney
brilliant and we were soon heading back down the Fiachaill of Corrie Casse and the car park, making plans for further adventures, notably rock climbs in the Lakes in June. I hope the plan comes off?