Isle of Skye detail

Thanks to Mike Lates for keeping us all informed of the 'Misty Isle'

Hi Alan,
Loving the end of season and the climbing isn't bad either. Rather utd play Chelsea in Moscow.

I include a diary update for your blog mainly to warn folk that the Cuillin is going to be hairy over the next few weeks but also with news of the winter traverse record that seemed to escape publicity.

See you soon I guess?,
Cheers,
Mike

www.skyeguides.co.uk


22 April 2008.

Memorable Winter but big snow patches make slow going for the weeks ahead.

More snow than has been seen for the last decade gave a Cuillin winter to remember with new routes and a new record for the Winter Traverse. Spring promises to be very Alpine with extensive snow-fields well consolidated along the whole length of the Ridge.

Despite perfect weather last week most parties were limited to single peak days with deep sugary snow making progress slow and scary. Only those making alpine starts on the morning neve made much progress.

In the colder period at the start of March conditions were "stellar". Highlight was a new winter record for the Traverse of just 9 hours 7 minutes by the on-form Steve Ashworth- congratulations! Indication of how good things were was a party who carried bivvy gear the day before but didn't need it because they were travelling so fast- a very fine effort.

Persistence again paid off for Peter Macpherson & I with the Cuillin mixed game. On 11 March we squeezed "Eilidh's Ceilidh" (for Pete's daughter) in between the sun-struck walls of the TD gap (V 7). Very sustained climbing, mostly technical 6 with a fierce crux (7) turning a large roof. Thanks Pete! Finishing in a blizzard and a huge bumslide out confirmed it was definitely winter despite the earlier hot sun.

Ironically it is rain the Cuillin now needs in order to scour some of the steep slabby sections of their white mantle- I'll be sad to say goodbye to it.

Stay safe & don't expect to zoom along the Ridge without a care in the world. Axes are recommended for some weeks ahead.