Another cold, breezy and snowy day on Ben Nevis today. Alastair and I went through a couple of options (The Shroud not quite fat enough, Mega Route X too much snow blowing around it) and decided on a big classic. We were first into Observatory Gully so we decided on Hadrian's Wall Direct which had least spin drift coming down it. It was quite calm at lower levels but windy on top. The wind was going straight on to Hadrian's Wall so it was being kept free of fresh snow. Fantastic solid ice all the way gave us great climbing. Where the ground is scoured the old snow is frozen bone hard.
The trainee BMG guides were out in force too. John climbed Sickle after the first pitch of Hadrian's Wall Direct and Tom climbed Point Five Gully, both of which are great. Gemini, The Shield Direct and Italian Climb Right Hand were also climbed and are all in good condition.
With a run of cold northerly winds we will have a great spell of climbing with little avalanche hazard. Hopefully the wind will not be too strong to enjoy the climbing.
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