Self reliance is a fundamental principle of mountaineering. By participating we accept this and take responsibility for the decisions we make. These Conditions Reports are intended to help you make good decisions. They do not remove the need for you to make your own judgements when out in the hills.

Monday 9 March 2015


It's flip-flop weather this week. By that I do not mean it will be warm and sunny, rather that it will be low pressure one day, high pressure the next. Today was a low pressure day with a storm passing over the north of Scotland and bringing snow, rising temperatures and stronger winds as the day went on. Will and I wanted a quick hit, a nice climb sheltered from the wind that was quick and easy to access and escape from.


North Buttress on Stob Ban was a great choice for this. We walked up the glen and round to the foot of the climb in gusty winds and hail and snow showers. Big gusts were sweeping the ridge as we geared up. However on the route we had a very nice time and even on top it was not so windy at all. The climb has several fun mixed steps and it is possible to quite the ridge in a couple of places. The crest gets more and more narrow as you get higher but always with good blocks for protection.


It ends on the north top of Stob Ban which is quickly descended by scrambling down a rocky section onto open slopes. We were back at the van at 2pm when the worst of the wind arrived! Tomorrow will be a much nicer day with improving weather ... hopefully.





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