Paul is keen to get to grips with winter mountaineering skills and get an insight into the use of the rope in these often grey areas between walking and climbing.
Paul has been up to Scotland in the past with Hebridean Pursuits, bringing his Scout Group along and whom we guided in winter walking skills.
Today Paul and Jamie headed to Ben Nevis and had a brilliant time doing two fun and interesting pitches in number five gully and then followed the very fine and exposed Ledge Route to the summit of Carn Dearg 1214 m.
Conditions were blustery and cold, but with reasonable visibility. The wind was shifting fresh snow around the north face and fresh deposits of slab were forming at the top of the Red Burn . The old snow remains solid and the rime is growing on the buttress.
A couple of parties climbed Number 3 Gully Buttress and one did Central Gully.
Jamie short roping Paul.
Really interesting mountaineering and climbing on the Ledge.
A nice grade I / II pitch in Number Five Gully.
Paul and rope blowing in the wind.
All photos by Andy Spink.
