Queues on Tower Ridge

We finally had our day out with the legend that is Alan Kimber on Ben Nevis, what he doesn't know about Ben Nevis isn't worth knowing. It looked like a great day for heading up Tower Ridge - blue skies, no wind and great snow, unfortunately, everyone else had the same idea too!

We managed to skip in front of a couple of parties at the beginning but there where still plenty of other teams on the ridge - queues seen forming here on the little tower, we took a line a little to the right of the main line to try and keep things moving.


The climbing didn't really present any problems for either of us (or Alan!) although I can't say I particularly enjoyed belaying in a crowded tower gap - gulp! - something to hold on to would have been nice. Rich finishing up the little tower (I think)....

Rich taking 5 waiting for the queues to die down for the Eastern traverse. Working on his tan, well, his face tan...


Anyway - great route, great conditions, a legend to take us up it - a great day. Could only have been better if we'd got home 1/2 hour earlier for Alby's bath time!

--Matt

Edit: Picture of the dream team from Alan's blog

A Short Cairngorm Ski Tour

The plan was to head up to Cairngorm from the ski centre and then head over to Ben Macdui, or, if the weather was poor, traverse round the Northern Corries and down Lurchers Gully, a classic ski mountaineering introduction for Rick's brand new top-of-the-range touring skis.


Unfortunately the weather was appalling so after a bit of white-out navigation to get us to the first summit we bailed and headed down to the warm comforting embrace of an all-day breakfast. That's the last two mountain days with Rich that have finished early with an all day breakfast, there is definitely a pattern emerging, he tells me we'll soon stop pretending to do stuff and start meeting at cafes. Fine by me.

--Matt