Scottish Winter Mountaineering Course. 15-20 Feb

Course report: Andy Ravenhill
Course: Scottish Winter Mountaineering Course

Val recently completed a Winter Mountaineering Course and was very fit and able. He moved well on the hill and had previous rock climbing experience so his rope work was good. He has climbed in Spain with his girlfriend and summer climbed in the UK.

Days and routes:

Monday: First day Skills. Buchaille Etive Beag, Glencoe.
Heavy snow overnight and a brisk wind made for some good winter conditions we even had a few views. Usual ice axe breaking session including step cutting and avalanche information. We also did some basic snow belays. We did both Munros.

Tuesday: Big Day on the Mamores.
Weather was appalling. Driving rain sleet and some snow. A very wet day! We went up the North Ridge of Stob Bhan doing some navigation and moving together rope work on the scrambley bit. Descended to the bealach east of the peak for lunch. Then back along the Devils Ridge to Sgurr a Mhaim. No photos today as it was just too wet!

Wednesday: East Ridge of Beinn a Choarainn.
The weather forecast was bad on the west so we went east. And this scrambley ridge was sheltered from the wind. It was thawing heavily but things were still frozen and we needed crampons. It is also an interesting navigational hill with large cornices to add spice.

Thursday: Curved Ridge, Buchaille Etive Mor.
It was forecast to get colder and it certainly did there was a lot more snow than I expected. Val had been going well so I took him on Curved Ridge to do some more rope work. An excellent day and he romped up the route.

Friday: Ben Nevis via Ledge Route.
Supposedly the best day of the week according to the forecast. Actually very snowy but less wind. Walk in was good and there were three parties ahead of us so a good trail. The ridge was Knee deep powder and on top was whiteout. So we didn’t go to the summit just paced over to No4 Gully and descended the Red Burn.

A good week despite the weather.

Gallery