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Reflections.

26/3/2020

1 Comment

 
Covid-19 brought a rude end to our winter climbing, just when it was getting really good. Three weeks of lockdown and probable restrictions on travel after that mean we are unlikely to get out winter climbing again before next winter.

So, in traditional fashion, here are some images from my winter that give a flavour of what it was like: full of promise, disapointing, stormy, snowy, stormy, windy, brilliant, tough and amazing. It was very challenging for much of it, not just the weather and ground conditions, but the changeability of them, demanding a lot of careful consideration of the hazards.

I didnt get it right all winter, that's for sure. But I got it right enough and I got through it unscathed. It will certainly be a winter to remember for lots of reasons.

​Mike
Picture
NE Buttress back in November on a stunning day.
Picture
Clouds over Loch Linnhe towards Mull.
Picture
Physically, one of the hardest days of work I have ever done, wading up Tower Ridge in deep snow.
Picture
Day after day of very strong winds and fresh snowfall.
Picture
Battling up The Curtain.
Picture
Yet more windy walks in.
Picture
A rare, golden monent of calm.
Picture
Minus One Gully during the best week of winter climbing I've ever had.
Picture
Maxing out on the sunshine on Forcan Ridge, The Saddle.
Picture
A big sensation on First Platform of NE Buttress.
Picture
The satisfaction of climbing Orion Direct on a great day with nobody else on the face.
Picture
A fantastic climb to finish with, Rubicon Wall, a memory that will last through to next winter.
1 Comment
Jon Eden
28/3/2020 16:11:11

Hi Mike, Thanks for the all the great photos. Winter came in the end didn't it and what a shame we are now all grounded. I was meant to be out last Saturday with WCMG but alas it had to be cancelled. Had an e-mail today from Ken saying it still looks great. The first winter since I started climbing that I haven't got on a route. Sad that, but it's far more important to be around for next winter. So here's to 2020/21. Good luck, take care and get back to work as soon as you can. Can't wait to see all your photos next winter.
Bye for now, Jon.

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    Author

    Mike Pescod
    mountain guide.

    Self reliance is a fundamental principle of mountaineering. By participating we accept this and take responsibility for the decisions we make. These blog posts and 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.

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  • Home
  • Adventures
    • Ben Nevis >
      • Ben Nevis Winter Ascent
      • Ben Nevis Mountain Track
      • Coire Leis
      • CMD Arete
      • Ledge Route
      • Tower Ridge
      • Events and Challenges
    • Summer Guiding >
      • Glen Nevis Heritage Trail
      • Ring of Steall
      • Glen Coe Walks
      • Curved Ridge
      • Aonach Eagach
      • Rock Climbing
      • Sea Stack Odyssey
      • Private Guiding
    • Skye and the Cuillin Ridge >
      • Cuillin Ridge Traverse
      • Cuillin Munro Bagging
      • Inaccessible Pinnacle
    • Winter Guiding >
      • Winter Walking >
        • Winter Skills Courses
        • Guided Winter Walking
      • Winter Climbing >
        • Intro to Winter Climbing
        • Classic Winter Mountaineering
        • Winter Climbing Progression
        • Classic Winter Climbing
        • Guided Winter Climbing
        • Performance Winter Climbing Workshop
      • Skiing >
        • Intro to Ski Touring
        • Scottish Steep Skiing
        • Ropework for Skiers
      • Avalanche Awareness
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