Intro to Snow and Ice Climbing course. 9-13 March

Course report:  Ken Applegate
Course: Introduction to Snow and Ice Climbing

Gareth is heading out to climb Mount Everest with Adventure Peaks in less than 20 days, so this week was all about preparing him for his forthcoming trip, and getting some great winter climbing in too.

Over the previous weekend, Gareth had been on a Winter Skills Course, so with a poor forecast and tired legs, we opted to head to the Ice Factor to work the arms and look at building belays and rope work.  This set us up well for Tuesday.

With a great forecast, we made the most of the weather and good conditions high on Ben Nevis and climbed the classic Good Friday Climb, topping out on the highest belay in the UK, the summit trig point of Ben Nevis.

Wednesday brought with it wind and rain, in copious amounts, so we went to Glen Nevis, and set up fixed lines on Pinnacle Ridge, so that Gareth to hone his jumarring and abseiling skills.  That evening we covered a bit of theory and I showed him my presentation of my personal trip up Ama Dablam last November.  Good inspiration for Mount Everest!

On Thursday, we were both eager to get back out winter climbing, but with a deteriorating forecast, we made a dash for Twisting Gully on Stob Coire nan Lochan, which was actually quite well sheltered, and gave us some great climbing.  As we returned to the van, the rain really picked up a notch.

For our final day, with such a good forecast, we decided to go big, and so climbed the brilliant Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis, which Gareth hugely enjoyed, even if it did take him slightly outside his comfort zone.

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