March 09 Conditions

Tuesday 31st March 2009

Spring Rock and Ice

Danny was on the Ben at the weekend and he reported “The Ben was pretty wild today with high winds and lots of loose snow being thrown around. Folks where out climbing but where sticking with the 'safe choice' routes like Slingsby's Chimney, SW Ridge on the Douglas boulder. The ice looked good with folk seen on Smiths and Tower Scoop...Tons of windslab around to look out for.“

Murdo and Rich also reported good conditions for bouldering at Torridon on Saturday. It looks like this high pressure will keep conditions fairly stable for the next few days.

Tuesday 24th March 2009

Wild and wintery

Danny was out yesterday with Hector and Andrew doing an Alpha Mountaineering winter skills course. They found wild and wintery conditions in the northern corries.

Phil and Robin are out in the Cairngorms for the next 2 days working on a winter climbing course with John, Jill, Kat and Steve.

Sunday 22nd March 2009

Report from across the highlands

Danny and his team were out doing winter skills in Coire an t-Sneachda today. Robin was out with a team on Aonach Mor today where it was raining at summit level. Yesterday however, Catrin and Di where exploring Lochnagar in the sunshine.

They reported a very warm day in the corrie. They went up Black Spout where nothing was frozen. It looks like there will be a return to wintery weather tomorrow.

Thursday 19th March 2009

Ice Climbing on Ben Nevis

Catrin & Di returned to the Ben for Point 5. “Three very good pitches - first pitch is banked out; second pitch is starting to get kicked out and was quite sloppy in a few places; rogue pitch was fine. 4 pitches to the top - all straightforward. All the tat had been removed from the peg belays.

Lots of activities still happening high on the Ben.”

Wednesday 18th March 2009

Good Ice on the Ben

Catrin and Di went to Ben Nevis yesterday and climbed Comb Gully.

They reported “ Bullet hard neve on the approach with stonking placements on the route. -6 in grantown in the am and +2 at anoach mor car park. No wind and great views.”

Sunday 15th March 2009

Ben Nevis Report

Phil was out yesterday with Dean on Ben Nevis. Dean wanted a guided day out on Tower Ridge. This classic winter route is probably on every winter climber's tick list.

Phil reported that he had a damp but good day on the ridge. He mentioned that “ The freezing level dropped during the day and there's plenty of ice to go for high up on the Ben now the slush has stabilised. ”

Tuesday 10th March 2009

Another good day for winter climbing in the Northern Corries

Lee and I went for a wee wander in the Northern Corries today. Freezing level was around 1100m and there was a breeze from the NW with a few snow showers passing through.

There were plenty of teams out both on gully lines and mixed routes. Doug and Miles reported good conditions on Hore Master and a team made a quick ascent of Fallout Corner.

Thursday 5th March 2009

Winter continues in the Highlands

Tom was out with Rachel and James yesterday for the last of their 3 day Winter Climbing Course.

They waded into the East Ridge of Beinn a' Chaorainn in the Central Highlands with the help of snowshoes. They climbed the ridge doing lots of their own leading in heavy snow conditions.

There was also more snow at sea level today in Inverness.

Wednesday 4th March 2009

Snow at sea level across Scotland

I woke in Inverness to find snow at sea level. It looks like there is more snow at low levels right across Scotland.

I have added a feed to my Top Tips Page so that you can now know when I have updated it.

Top Tips Feed

Tuesday 3rd March 2009

Snow and strong south easterly winds in the Cairngorms

It was snowing at 400m in the Cairngorms today. While across in the west the snow has fallen to lower levels.

Tom was out with Rachel and James today and they battled their way to the base of Golden Oldie on the West Face of Aonach Mor before retreating for tea and medals!

Monday 2nd March 2009

Snow across the hills

The west highlands has had fresh snow across the hills for the last 2 days. Tom was out with the Rachel and James today. They climbed the East ridge of the North top of Stoban in Glen Nevis.

Over on the East there have been snow showers on the tops but not as much snow as the West. Yesterday Don and David finished their 3 day climbing course with an ascent of Fiacaill Ridge which they swung leads on under the instruction of Mark.

Sunday 1st March 2009

Climbing in the Northern Corries

Mark has been out with Don and Dave the last few days on a winter climbing course. Don and Dave have been consolidating their leading skills on the easier gully lines. They also climbed Fingers Ridge yesterday, without crampons!

A return to winter. It looks like cold and snowy weather will return to Scotland this week. Metcheck are forecasting “some significant snowfall likely over northern hills” and the Met Office are issuing a severe weather warning for heavy snow this Tuesday: “There is a moderate risk of severe weather affecting parts of western Scotland during the day on Tuesday. There is the potential for heavy snow leading to significant accumulations mainly on higher ground.”