I just spent an enjoyable weekend climbing on the Ben with returning client Colin.
Saturday - No3 Gully Buttress, after a wet and windy walkin we were surprised with the wintery look of coire na ciste. Although the bottom part of the route was still in condition the top half was thin and rocky with alot of loose blocks. The traverse was half complete with neve so we opted for a direct finish.
Sunday - Overnight heavy showers gave a dusting of snow down to 600m. Alot more folks around making for queues on what was left. We opted for Tower Ridge which was hard work with 2 to 3 inches of fresh snow covering rock with the odd few patchs of neve left. There were further heavy snow and hail showers during the day. Routes getting climbed - NE Buttress, Smiths, Indictator Wall, Tower Scoop, Tower Ridge, Cascade, and all the easy gullies, Slab Route. Hopefully winter will conitnue and having walked up on both days from the NF carpark..... im now resting my Easy Coast legs, until the weekend!
