Monday, December 07, 2009

5 day learn to lead winter climbing course in the Cairngorms





I am up in Aviemore this week with regular clients Carlos and Paul for a 5 day learn to lead, winter climbing course. It has been great to be back out in the snow and we have enjoyed some good climbing in the Northern Corries today. We headed into Sneachda and climbed Hidden Chimney (II/III). The underlying snow has consolidated since the weekend but there was some fresh deposits overnight and some wind slab round and about. The crags were nice and white with a mixture of rime and powder snow which made the climbing tricky as there were still large patches of unconsolidated snow just where you wanted neve! Ice is beginning to form and the freezing level was probably around 900 - 1000m today. We abseiled down Jacobs Ladder and refreshed snowpack analysis and then headed back to the Mountain Cafe for tea and scones!

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