Nevis Range skiing and forgotten crampons! - Easter weekend, 30th March 2013

Stunning weather in the West Highlands this weekend, perfect for a weekend of skiing at Nevis Range, Aonach Mor, and then The Legde Route on Ben Nevis on Sunday, except...
Someone, ie, me, forgot their winter climbing trousers and crampons!
So we had no choice but to ski for two days.      

Lorna at the top of Aonach Mor by the weather station.

Lots of big cornices over the back corries, which weren't open for skiing sadly.

Ben Nevis and the CMD Arete looked fully loaded with snow which hopefully will last for a few weeks yet. 

View from the Quad chair, Nevis Range.

Good, but limited skiing with very few queues.  

Different shot with the Drift HD cam.  

Aladdins Couloir, Coire an t-Sneachda, March 3rd 2013

This was Jon's first "proper" winter mountain trip, so we took the grade 1 route of Aladdins Couloir to go the basics of belaying, using axes and crampons, and all the faff that comes with doing stuff in winter conditions. Luckily we had good weather, although the snow was soft in some places. Everyone seemed to avoid Jacobs Ladder, as it looked to have a very dodgy cornice (which we saw from above later in the day).    

Although relatively straightforward, we roped up for Aladdins, and went through the motions to give Jon an idea of what goes on.

Mark and Jon, taking it easy at onr of the belays.  

Just before Aladdins Seat, there is a split in the gully, so we headed right to see if could get a view over Aladdins Buttress into the corrie. 

Jon enjoying the airy perch above Coire an t-Sneachda.

My belay stance whilst Jon took his pictures before dropping back into the gully.

At Aladdins Seat we stopped for a bite to eat, with cracking views of other climbers topping out above the Fluted Buttress area.  

Looking down at our route variation (Left as seen from above) from the belay.

Wide exit slopes with steeper, more interesting options to the left.

Jon and Mark, about to leave Aladdins Seat.

Final belay before topping out.

And Jon and Mark, topping out.

Team of three climbers who appeared from Aladdins Mirror area as we climbed out of the gully.

Video of the days activities.