Latest mountain conditions

These are posted as and when I have the time or information. Climbers are welcome to let me know what they find anywhere in Scotland, and I will try and post this information also. Links to other relevant sites are at the top and foot of this page. Important links as follows:

Nevis Footpaths

Sunday, 31 May 2009

Good to see the work starting again on the main summit path of Ben Nevis. Unfortunately in my opinion the Nevis Partnership are yet to reach a sensible decision on extending the good, but half completed path past the Half Way Lochan towards Torlundy. One worker on the Nevis Partnership said that a particularly virulent form of common sense would need to break out for that to happen. Most climbers I know live in hope of a good path, high up on the moor, which they can use when descending back to the very good and improved North Face Car Park approach. We live in hope as usual.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 10:01 2 comments
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All Dry and Warm

After a very windy morning, yesterday proved as good as possible on the Black Cuillin Ridge. Plenty of weary travellers out enjoying the high and exposed sections of the very unique Skye Ridge.

Plenty of traffic on the Inaccessible Pinnacle.

Dreams are finally fulfilled. Well done Catherine.

Even on a busy day it should be possible to find a slender ledge to ponder the view from the West Ridge of the Inaccessible Pinnacle. And thanks to some good solid stainless steel fittings the roped descent of the steep East side is more re-assuring, although still provoked some fairly agricultural language from one lady yesterday,

Dry, high and happy.

Cioch Buttress looks good in the afternoon light. This is certainly a better cliff after lunch and into the evening if you are looking for some sunshine.

Driving away from Glenbrittle in the clear evening light. The Black Cuillin in full sunshine are not as photogenic as an evening shot with shade and light. Day time shots tend to be a little bland, due to the greyness of the rock architecture.

Arriving home and the view of Ben Nevis from above Spean Bridge bodes well for the coming week.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 09:43 0 comments
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Not so dry anywhere

Friday, 22 May 2009

We started the week on a dry note and it went fairly damp pretty quickly. This shot of the sun resting over the Minch was briefly glimpsed after a deluge on the Cuillin, Corie Lagan section of an attempted traverse.

The day had started well enough with a pleasant boat trip into Loch Scavaig, until around , mid-afternoon when the clouds closed in. On our second day after a dry bivouac, we made it as far as Sgurr Mhadaidh before the damp conditions and slippery rock forced a retreat.

Forced away from Skye to the relative dryness of Glen Nevis, we managed a few good routes in between the showers.

Abseiling today on Agags Groove.

Today the weather had forecast a clearing from the west. It cleared many times, only to be replaced by more showers!

Fairly damp on Agags Groove today.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 00:27 0 comments
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Dry on Skye

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Climbing with Mark Seaton and friends on a rare 'Away Day' on Skye.

Tricky little abseil on Pinnacle Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 18:54 4 comments
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Skye is Good

Thursday, 14 May 2009

Up on the Cuillin yesterday and the weather was superb with not a spot of cloud to be seen. The ridge is clear of snow. Unlike Ben Nevis, which is still plastered on the north face. Any ascents by that side should consider taking axe and crampons.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 11:30 0 comments
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Ben Nevis Spruced up in White

Sunday, 10 May 2009

Splendid weather for a few days now until mid-week. Pack your ice axe, sunscreen and 'shades'.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 19:24 0 comments
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Winter is Back

Saturday, 9 May 2009

Plenty of fresh snow well down to 600 metres or less in places. Definitely NOT rock climbing weather at the moment! More summery conditions are just around the corner by all accounts.

posted by Westcoast Mountainguides @ 16:32 0 comments
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