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Wishful thinking, a complicated forecast and difficult snow conditions led us to decide to try for Chockstone Gully on the north side of the North Peak of The Cobbler. We had hoped it was north facing enough to be blasted by the wind, but when we finally got to see it from below, it wasn't looking too promising as it was getting cross loaded. However, i was an enjoyable wander up though the heavy snow. Even with teams in front, the strong winds were transporting snow around, quickly filling in a lot of the trail. |
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Atmospheric, stunning and very windy! |
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The south side of The Cobbler. Some teams turned back from some routes on this side due to dodgy snow conditions. Those heading for the buttresses, ploughed on! |
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The main buttress of The North [Peak, split by Great Gully. Chockstone Gully is around to the right and a little lower down, not really visible in this picture. |
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Jimmy and Ian taking a break. After gearing up and debating the conditions and whether to even bother looking at the gully, we decided it just wasn't worth it. So we had a wander through the boulders in the hope of finding some safer, broken ground to venture up on. However the snow was suspect in a lot of places higher up, regardless of the aspect, so we called it a day and had some lunch! |
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Willy and myself sheltering from the wind. |
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A very quick. crude test, showed how loose some of the snow was. |
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Willy and jon posing. |
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The afternoon became a sociable walk back in the winter sun. |
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Back to the car and a beer, sorry shandy now, in the pub! |
