14°C, N wind, expected strong at the top. Clear and sunny.
Down to 3 of us. Chris dropped out with blisters caused by poor fitting boots.
Again, I powered ahead on the up climb and lagged on the descents.
Carl and Emma actually ran the descent after Bwlch Cwm Glas. That stretch is all slate waste, though dry, the progress was good. Emma sprang ahead, and I stayed with Carl.
The weather was superb, crisp sun brought out the land in its finest.
Start in clear sky, 00.32′.
Started well, we paused to enjoy the crystal clear starry sky.
By about 650m we were walking into cloud. Hill fog dominated the rest of the walk and contributed to our problems. We, as mountain leaders failed this day. If we were leading a party on this hill, we let them down. This should never happen again. See later…
The plan was to get back to the bus by 5am. We were disastrously late.
14°C, moderate NNW breeze. Sunny.
Straightforward climb to the top in perfect conditions. The top was busy, but not excessively crowded in my opinion.
Some snow fields remain and the cornices were still large. An air rescue helicopter maneuvered below the north face. It drew the curious towards the cornices as they held their cameras. We, in our best teacher voices, warned them away. The look on some of their faces!
Descending was tremendous fun. Carl, the skier, zoomed ahead on the snow and I followed. Expecting to fall at any second, I was surprised to stay upright. Sometimes there’s undercut melt on the snow edges, not this time. By now, I was whooping with excitement.
We made the descent in 4h 34min. A time we’ll be ahead of schedule.
You can see the helicopter in this photo.
15°C, light NNW breeze and clear, dry conditions.
Chose a fairly short route up from Glen Brittle. Ian knew we’d find other groups up on the ridge waiting to climb the Pinn. He suggested that I climb in my approach shoes, and even consider walking up to the ridge in them. Given that the idea would shave off 1/2 kilo I decided to go ahead.
2 1.4 hours later we were up there. Thanks to my not making the same navigation error as the party in front, we got there before. It was pretty clear where the turn was (oops to them).
Ian set Chris and me to climb first- Chris had his proper climbing shoes and I in my approach so we climbed the South Crack. HVDiff (Hard/Very/Difficult) Which is about a grade 4. Ian led and placed hear for the two ropes. I climbed first and removed gear as I went. The first 3rd was the most tricky. I took ages trying to find a solution- where to put my feet, where for hands, what combination, and so on. It’s all about decisions, some are how to hold while you rest a hand that’s going wobbly.
Figured out, I picked up the pace. It wasn’t until I got near the top that I noticed my breathing was hard. Not from the height, fear or stress, it was the exertion as I sped up.
Me, in red on the abseil.
12°C, NE light breeze, lifting cloud.
Today, we felt like proper mountaineers, not just hill walkers.
Ian, the mountain guide we hired was brilliant. To made two munros, after ascending through An Dorus, a straightforward, if steep ascent.
First, the more difficult Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh (pronounced gre-teh).
Ian led on rope on the start out of the shute and we walked the rest. The Ridge is blocky on rock that offers good grip. There is very little space on its summit, we could just about stand on the summit.
Return to Dorus and make Sgurr a’ Madaidh (pronounced Vay-teh).
16°C, clouding over. Rain in the west.
Heading for Snowden. Left work early and aiming for a camp in the village. The plan is to meet Chris and Em in the early morning to climb Snowdon. We’re taking a route from the west to use it out.
I decided to head out tonight so I have no long drive early in the morning.
This is all training for the 3-Peaks next week. Therefore, we should make good speed.
Made camp. Ate in the pub in RD, fantastic food, better than many restaurants.
The forecast now says this heavy rain will continue until midday tomorrow. Then it dries for a few days.
The car has a puncture.
Micycle 