Neil and I were psyched to get up to Torridon or Applecross and climb some of the classic ice falls but it didn't look like they would be formed yet due to a dry summer, hopefully they will form up nicely with this snow and forecasted thaw causing some freeze-thaw on the mountains and we will be able to get up there at some point this season.
As an alternative we headed to Beinn an Dothaidh hoping to climb Pas De Deux and get on some crazy mixed climbing. Unfortunately there was a team of three on the route when we arrived at the base and they weren't moving particularly quickly. After having a quick scope around we decided on the line of Cirrus which we thought was the best looking line on the crag. The ice line wasn't fully formed but there was just enough ice to make upward progress possible with some squirming and boldness. Neil made good work on the first pitch which had a fun cave start before moving out onto the semi-hanging icicle. The second pitch was more thin icicle madness and great sport, made all the more exciting by our extensive rack of three screws!
The last pitch was straightforward up to the summit which gave fantastic vistas across Rannoch Moor all the way to Ben Nevis. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and the climbing was fantastic, altogether a great day, looking forward to tomorrow's antics!
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