After the technical sections of The Dragon's Tooth. Fresh snow showers inbetween bright sunshine.
Nearly at the top of Broad Gully.
Pitch one of Broad Gully for Heriots School Pupils and teacher. Dorsal Arete above.
Winter Mountaineering for University Students and School Pupils.On Saturday and Sunday we had the pleasure to work with pupils and teachers from Heriots School in Edinburgh. What a fantastic chance for them to experience the adventures of winter climbing and mountaineering. At only fifteen years old it's brilliant to think the pupils can have these opportunities. In these risk averse days and the dumbing down of outdoor education the ability to experience 'real' adventures is crucial to understanding personal development.
On Friday I was working with the students on the degree course form UHI. Looking at winter belaying performance these students had chosen to take part on these specific and specialised days. They are heading for a variety of carer opportunities in Adventure Tourism and I hope some of the Heriots Pupils may go onto consider a carer in Adventure Tourism or Outdoor Education.
The pupils from Heriots had been with us on a winter walking skills course and wished to extend their experience to something a little steeper and more technical.
Saturday saw us in the thankfully reliable Broad Gully in Stob Coire nan Lochan and Sunday on The Dragons Tooth, a fabulous scramble and ridge walk.
We were really lucky with the weather as both days were essentially cold and dry. Frosty nights and clear skies helped consolidate the remaining snow pack. Conditions are thin in Glencoe it has to be said but some grade 1 gullies remain full and in tact. Seek and you shall find.
