Loose Rocks are a Danger - Unlike Arsenal FC

Now the wind has gone around to the west, we are experiencing damp and cloudy conditions, but not too much wind and rain thankfully. Many parties are reporting problems with rockfall, which is unusual for this time of the year. In the main it is being caused by climbers not showing enough care and because of the limited amounts of routes available, crowds have been forming on some of the routes which remain with snow and ice.

Take care and avoid the crowds if you can. Teams are still reporting some ice on the routes at the top of Observatory Gully and in the Cascade area. The ridges are much safer, but some have been stripped of snow, especially low down.

Apologies to all (?) you Arsenal fans out there, but I could not avoid just popping this one in. I agree that Manutd were awful the previous weekend, so easy come easy go. No offense meant really!

Thanks to Mark Hockey
Hi mate - I told Anny that Arsenal were wasting their time with 'the walk in' and have since been proved correct. Business (photography/climbing) is also progressing nicely - just seen your website photos of Smiths and Psycy wall- looking as good as Nani's 11 Keepy up'ys - in the 2nd half when Arsenal went from tatters to erm you know. Hope you like this image taken on the Point on 8/3/99 of a leader on Hadrian's. Do you Know a guy/climber called Paul Thorburn who I met briefly that same day on the summit. I have a photography exhibition soon 26/2 and hope to be on the road north shortly after - I'll know exactly what the conditions/weather will be like thanks to your excellent site. I enjoyed the Gardyloo report - you mentioned something about crampons and a ski pole or two/lack of map and probably an Arsenal scarf!! regards Mark and Ann

Mark Hockey

It was baking on Ilkley Moor last Saturday - thank god for indicator Wall area and that Gritstone don't melt (unlike Arsenal)


Thanks to Andy Ravenhill of Alba Mountaineering again for for the first three images below taken on Ben Nevis today.

Today on the ice streaks to the left of Cascade in the area of the start to Raeburn's Easy Route.

Cascade looking good with frosting and blue skies higher up the hill.

The thin and broken start to Glover's Chimney below.


Knackered on the 'night-shift' last night after climbing Smith's Route on Gardyloo Buttress (Photo Jonny Allen). All other images below on this date are taken by Jonny Allen. Thanks Jonny.


Thin conditions looking into Point Five Gully. It was climbed today by all accounts. Brave souls!


Thank goodness for headtorches on Smith's Route last night.


More detail of Point Five Gully yesterday. Looking rotten!



First pitch on Smith's Route yesterday.

Tower Scoop yesterday. Thanks to Jonny Allen for this selection of shots from yesterday.