Headed up to Scotland to catch the last of the winter conditions, and put in a few routes...
...on the Ben. I met tall Jim over in Sheffield, and we drove to Fort William, putting our grand plans together and laughing about antics from Uni days... Next morning, up at 5am for a brew and a bowl of shreddies...
...used the pony track straight up from the Youth Hostel, taking a few snaps along the way. Hitting the snow line at 750m, and stopping only to grab a duck wrap (now nicely chilled) in the porch of the CIC hut, we cracked on...
...finding the gullies pretty loaded, and lots of debris from falls, having committed fully to the route, we didn't hang about...
...working in banking, Jim did have to attend to office matters from time to time...
...a couple of nice steep pitches helped reduce a repetition of the worst hot aches i've ever had...
...listening to a heavier avalanche tearing down the gully below, keep moving...
...a constant downpour of spindrift, like grain from a silo (with occasional harder bits in), blown off the top by the strong SW wind, and a delightful cornice to make the summit even more rewarding!
Then straight to the shelter - and after a bit of work chipping away the ice and snow, we got in...
Sort the gear, eat some soup, be very thankful for our health, and then navigate the whiteout conditions off the summit...
As we dropped rapidly, the flat light changed and what a stunning view!!
Back at the hostel by 7pm, a phenomenal day!
Certainly merits the description of a 'real adventure': ) A different location today I think...
K
lessons leant...
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