Reflections.

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

NE Buttress back in November on a stunning day.

Clouds over Loch Linnhe towards Mull.

Physically, one of the hardest days of work I have ever done, wading up Tower Ridge in deep snow.

Day after day of very strong winds and fresh snowfall.

Battling up The Curtain.

Yet more windy walks in.

A rare, golden monent of calm.

Minus One Gully during the best week of winter climbing I've ever had.

Maxing out on the sunshine on Forcan Ridge, The Saddle.

A big sensation on First Platform of NE Buttress.

The satisfaction of climbing Orion Direct on a great day with nobody else on the face.

A fantastic climb to finish with, Rubicon Wall, a memory that will last through to next winter.