How Green is your valley, Mike?
Toiling up toward the summit of the Ben, it was in a nice and gentle cool breeze, compensating for the bright sunshine. How fortunate we had our shades.
Green Gully p3
“Hi Smiler”. I gazed up and twenty or so metres ahead of me, a tall dark figure strode down the snow towards Jo and I. Still not recognising Mike, I replied,
“How the heck can you recognise me from so far?” Of course, in seconds we were together, doing the obligatory ‘guide hand shake’ and chatting about routes done and things to come. Mike headed down, complete with camera clutching valuable shots for Alan’s new winter guide.
Jo on pitch 3 Green Gully
Jo and I had topped out on Green Gully earlier that morning. We had had some idea Green would be good, even after Zero on Saturday had been soft and serious, because the temperatures had dropped considerably, and in fact walking up the Alt a’Mhullin at 9am it felt quite cold - good!
Di was at the CIC hut and we exchanged the usual banter. Always a cheery so and so, I wished her well on Tower ridge and we were off up Corrie na Ciste for Green Gully. It would be Jo’s first Grade 4 but I was sure she would be fine today. And so she was.
Corrie na Ciste 12-04-2010
Of the five pitches, the third steep bulge was the best, giving perfect ice, not too hard, not too soft, and compared to Saturday, a screw runner felt strong.
Green Gully p1
I gave Jo the top pitch and explained the process of a stomper belay to bring me up. She cruised the pitch efficiently. I was quite surprised as I turned the small cornice by a soft and steep snow arete. It was quite bold I thought, but Jo assured me she had felt quite comfortable on the lead.
This is where I came in today. We trekked up to the summit, passing ‘Laird N0. 2′ on the way, (people always suggest Alan is No. 1 Laird of the Ben?).
After chatting to the many summit folk on the glorious summer afternoon, Jo took the opportunity of pointing out peaks in the far distances, naming them accurately. We continued down the Red Burn, using Mike’s superb bum slide to great advantage and cutting such corners took almost an hour off the journey back to the car park.
Another great day out and still more is possible. Friday will be next though as I’m house-husband with Clare away for a week.
Weather, stay cool, please.