Centurion.....

Graeme and I had a days safety work today in Glen Feshie on the Centurion film set, they were playing catch after missing a day in February due to bad weather. Couldnt have picked a better day, sunny, cool and very little wind. The filming of the stunt doubles was shot from a helicopter which im sure will look very impressive with the Glen Feshie, Moine Mor and Cairn Toul back drop. A long but chilled out day. The film is due out at the end of the year.

The Ben, Tower Ridge

I spent yesterday guiding Alasdair up Tower Ridge. We found great spring/alpine conditions and the weather wasnt too bad either, not a bad day for Alasdair's birthday treat. It turned milder in the afternoon with snow still falling above 1000m for a spell. There still lots to go at with 0.5, indicator wall, white line, glovers, comb, green?? still "looking" good and Smiths looked best with fat blue/green ice on the normal and icicle finishes. We descended No4 gully which would be a good ski just now. Cooler conditions should improve things further.

Well done to the Childrens Trust folks who managed to carry a full size Dalek to the summit!

Yesterday i was working for West Coast Mountain Guides.

Chamonix Ski

Just back from a weeks skiing in the Chamonix valley. Conditions off and on piste were great and the climbing conditions looked good as well, snow shoes required for access. Chris, Caroline and I had a great morning on the Valley Blanche with 1.5ft of snow in places. Its a pity about the exchange rate......... managed to find the most expensive plate of chips ever...... £6.50!

The West... this week

The freezing level this week has been slightly higher than forecast. Im working on a West Coast Mountaineering course for Glenmore Lodge based at Inchree. We spent Tuesday on the ZigZags on Gear Aonach and then made an ascent of Broad Gully, too windy for the summit so we made our way back into the corrie. A cold snowy morning but very mild and wet in the afternoon.

Yesterday was spent on the Ben with an ascent on Ledge route. Again milder than forecast with wettish snow most of the way with fresh avalanche debris in No5 gully. No4 was not an option for descent so we entertained ourselves with a bum slide down the red burn.

Today was spent in the Ice Factor due to high winds and much dampness. Hopefully it will be a bit colder tormorrow for Craig and Malcolms last day.

The East

Working again today for Alan Kimber. Chris and I headed East to the Northern Corries for dryer weather. Sneachda was quite busy with alot of folks taking advantage of the full gullies.

Chris and I climbed the Runnel which had good but wet ice in the top chimney pitch. Buttresses were black but that didnt stop a team from climbing Fingers Ridge??? Again, cooler weather with a dusting of snow should bring back reasonable conditions.

The West

I worked Saturday in the West for Alan Kimber. Chris and i spent the morning in the Ice Factor where conditions were predictable and then we spent the afternoon on Curved Ridge on the Buachaille. There is alot more snow in the West compared to the East and Curved Ridge had a very alpine feel to it. The scrambly sections were dry and in between deep wet snow which firmed up around Crowberry Tower. With the good snow cover in Glencoe, The Ben and Aonach Mor, cooler weather should bring good spring climbing conditions.

RnR and the New Website

Its nearly 2 weeks now since my appendix was taken out. Recovery has been quicker than I thought and I can only put that down to being very fit and having had key hole surgery with no stitches. I am 99% there and looking forward to getting back on the hill.
Sounds like ive just missed a wintery week with good conditions reported in the Northern Corries and very snowy in the West which should be good for the Ben Nevis ice routes later this month. Having time off has enabled me to crack on with the new website and its now up and running.

www.ecossemountains.co.uk

kevinrutherford@ecossemountains.co.uk