Winter Climbing on Ben Nevis – Castle Ridge grade III

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Moving up to the crux

Moving up to the crux

Castle Ridge is a good winter route on Ben Nevis which takes one of the ridges on the north face. The good thing about it being a ridge is far less prone to avalanche then the gullies. In fact it was on the thin side making for some interesting moves. The crux felt more grade 4 then 3. By the time we finished on the top ridge the wind had got up which kept us roped up until the main top before Carn Dearg.

Mountain Navigation and Map Reading Courses available 2014

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Planning is important

Planning is important

Good navigation and map reading skills are of vital importance particularly if you are caught out in bad weather. We all know being prepared makes you much safer. Mountaineering Joe runs courses and offers private instruction, to help you to improve your navigation and contour interpretation skills. What you learn will enhance your enjoyment of mountaineering, scrambling and hill walking. For more information click here http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/

The Anglesey Coastal Path. We walked the stretch from Traeth – coch (Red wharf Bay) to Trwyn Penmon (Penmon Point).

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Looking across the east side of Red Wharf Bay

Looking across the east side of Red Wharf Bay

It is just stunning scenery along this part of the coastline. With views out to the Snowdonia mountains with a lot of snow on at the moment are absolutely excellent. There is always a part of the coastline you can do, no matter the weather. If the prevailing winds are south westeries not this section on the north east is relatively sheltered from these winds. Even in heavy rain it can still be quite warm. There aren’t as many day as you would think where you can’t find a part of the coastline which is present to walk. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/anglesey-coastal-path/

A great winter climbing route in the Cairngorm.

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The second Ice pitch on Central Gully on Lurcher's Crag

The second Ice pitch on Central Gully on Lurcher’s Crag

A great winter climbing route in the Cairngorms. We got a one day weather window and got a route in the Cairngorm. Central Gully on Lurcher’s Crag. Three ice pitches with a alternative finish adding in a mixed pitch which made this a fantastic day out.

Winter Conditions Navigation Course in Scotland

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Taking a bearing and walking on it in winter conditions is hard!

Taking a bearing and walking on it in winter conditions is hard!

We had a good time navigating in a white out for 5 Hours. Typical Scottish winter conditions, high winds, spin drift and freezing temperatures. This really effects your bearing taking, with the compass freezing up, but it’s good that you can get off the mountain in any conditions! http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/

Guided day up Ben Nevis in winter conditions for Aya

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The summit of Ben Nevis..some where

The summit of Ben Nevis..some where

Aya, had always wanted to climb Ben Nevis in winter conditions. So she set herself a target of climbing Ben Nevis this winter. The weather had been quite bad recently so we weren’t sure we could get up it! But we got a nice weather window where the winds dropped to reasonable levels and we went for it. Turned out to be a good day for the time of the year. The intense white out at the top for the last 2km which made it interesting. No views from the top that day! For more information see http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/winter-skills-walking-and-mountaineering/

Ice Axe and crampon winter skills course in Scotland.

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Aka practicing her ice axe arresting

Aka practicing her ice axe arresting

We had a great day out practicing winter skills in the valley below the north face of Ben Nevis. Aka just loves the mountains in winter but had not used an ice axe or crampons before. So we practiced all the basic skills during the day. She soon got on top of it! He wanted to climb Ben Nevis during her visit. Not as easy as you would have thought considering the unstable weather conditions at the time! For more information click here http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/winter-skills-walking-and-mountaineering/