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Lochaber Guides- Mountain Guiding and Skills Courses on Ben Nevis, Glencoe and Skye

Lochaber Guides offers professional mountain guiding and instruction in Summer and Winter. We specialise in ascents of Ben Nevis, Glencoe and the Skye Cuillin Ridge.

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It was a very snowy morning in Lochaber today and Scott @kirkhopemountaineering and I quickly changed plans to stay a bit more local for a day of personal climbing. We drove as far down Glen Nevis as we dared (just passed the Youth Hostel) on an increasingly snowy road and headed from there towards Stob Ban. Scott had a couple of unclimbed lines in mind and after some investigating and humming and hawing, we settled on a nice looking corner line on the South Face of the East Ridge, N top Stob Ban. The first pitch was a lovely slabby corner with some good hooks in the corner and thin feet on the slab. The second pitch had another corner with a steep couple of pulls on turf to join the E ridge. A scramble down the ridge to the bags and a walk out to Spring sunshine and blue skies finished off a most enjoyable day. Ban-dit Corner, IV, 5/6 * 80m.

Continuing our ridges theme, Ryan and I walked through rain, wind and eventually some snow as we arrived at the East Ridge of North Top of Stob Ban. The turf was frozen where it counted despite yesterday's soggy conditions and it was great to see Ryan pick up and use an array of techniques for mixed climbing from hooking and torquing to throwing some good 3D shapes! We nipped up to Stob Ban to bag the summit before descending the N ridge in some gusty winds. The hills were certainly looking whiter by the end of the day.

Not a day to take too many pictures today! Still, Ryan, Darren and I embraced the return to normal West Coast weather with an ascent of Dorsal Arete. We had a dry start on a rather slippery and snowy path in to Stob Coire nan Lochan before the forecasted rain and strong winds arrived. A descent back round the ridge into the Coire revealed the rapidly rising freezing level. Top effort from the guys as usual.

Another grand day of blue skies, sun and snow. A great day to introduce Scott to some Winter Climbing in Glencoe! We had fun climbing Dorsal Arete on Stob Coire nan Lochan. Scott picked up the seconding skills rapidly and before long we were enjoying the cool exposure on the crux fin. A few teams out enjoying the weather but it really is slim pickings on these crags at the moment. Top effort Scott and looking forward to the next stage in your Winter Climbing progression in the future!

Too good not to get out today! I went for a wander to the West Face of Aonach Mor this morning for a stretch of the legs.Despite this face catching the sun later in the day, winter was still just about clinging on to the summit ribs in the cold temperatures. Turf was frozen where exposed but less firm where under the snow. The snow was very dry and usless for axes but Golden Oldy is fine in pretty much any condition. I saw 2 teams on the West Face but the East Face was very busy in comparison! Very cold in the wind but the sun took the edge of the windchill. Great to use the @nevisrange gondola to make it a very civilised morning out!

Blue sky, (for the most part!), hero ice and climbing with friends on Ben Nevis today. Iain, Ian and I climbed Central Gully Right Hand on Creag Coire na Ciste which was in excellent condition. It was cold but didn't feel as cold as we were expecting making things very pleasant. Lots of teams out enjoying the good weather and climbing.

TRIPADVISOR

Lochaber Guides

60 Castle Drive
Lochyside
Fort William
Scotland

+447903459266

info@lochaberguides.com

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Lochaber Guides- Mountain Guiding and Skills Courses on Ben Nevis, Glencoe and Skye,

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