Walking in Glen Nevis, Lochaber, West Highland, Scotland.

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Amazing water falls due to the snow melting

Amazing water falls due to the snow melting

With 50 to 60 mph winds forecasted, we had to choose a walk which offered some protection from these high winds. Walking up Coire Mhusgain and around the side of devils ridge in to Sgurr a’ Mhaim and return into the valley. This route offered a fair bit of protection from the wind coming in from the west. It also avoided the potential avalanche ground on the North faces which are getting worse due to the rise in temperatures recently. We could see the damage left by some of the previous avalanches. The size of the rocks coming down with the snow! You just would not want to be there at that time! The streams also were difficult to cross at times with some impressive water falls! A great day out! http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/

Winter Navigation practice in the Cairngorm mountains.

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Taking a bearing is harder in winter with gloves!

Taking a bearing is harder in winter with gloves!

A day out practicing Navigation on the Cairngorm plateau. Which really has to be more of the most difficult places to navigate in bad weather.
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/

Winter Walking in the Cairngorm mountains.

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Walking up Coire na Ciste

Walking up Coire na Ciste

It was a lovely day really crisp with clear views across the cairngorm mountain range ! But the wind was about 30 mph but so cold, the wind chill factor must have made it -10 degrees but it was worth it! Walking on the Cairngorm plateau was just so beautiful when it is like this.

Winter walking climbing Snowdon, in Snowdonia national park

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The Snowdon horseshoe

The Snowdon horseshoe

We had beautiful winter conditions on Snowdon but the weather came in during the afternoon. Just shows you how it can all change. We Walked up the PYG track which is sheltered from the wind with some excellent views of the Snowdon horse shoe on the way. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/

Patey’s Route IV, 5 Winter climbing at Sneachda in the Cairngorm.

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Patey's Route crux pitch

Patey’s Route crux pitch

The base of the route was banked out with snow but the first ice bulge was good but thin with the snow was powdery so pulling over did not feel so secure. The crux pitch was also thin on ice but made for some good climbing. An great route.

The Prodigal Principal V,5, winter climbing at Sneachda in the Cairngorm

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The Prodigal Principal V,5

The Prodigal Principal V,5

The route was well banked out with snow at the bottom, but the two pitches were excellent particularly the top pitch which is an ice up gully with some hard moves to enter it. A good day!

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.

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/