Hutchison Memorial Hut - 8th and 9th November 2014.

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Any routes left in Schneachda? Jacobs Ladder, 12th May 2013.

Still a few routes left in condition in Schneachda, but the ones that are (some of the trident gullies) still have big cornices. Alladins Couloir is complete, so is Jacobs Ladder but the edge isn't (or Hidden chimney). Don't think the Mirror or Spiral are complete either, but with soft-ish snow too, they are probably worth avoiding?

Surprisingly the snow wasn't too bad in Jacob's.

Willy removing gear on the way up.

The snow did vary though on the way up and although the cornice was ok in the middle and not overhanging, it was quite soft and might have been different unroped!   

Ian, about to swim over the top of Jacobs Ladder. 

The Slant, Coire an t-Sneachda, Cairgorms winter climbing - in April ! 28th April 2013.

Short video of me and Willy climbing the Grade II, "The Slant", on The Mess of Pottage in Coire an t-Sneachda in the Northern Corries. 

  

Looking across to Jacobs Ladder and The Mess of Pottage. Still some big cornices above the gullies waiting to collapse. 

The Slant, takes the obvious snow line across the face of The Mess of Pottage, and various harder routes are accessed by it, ie, Hidden Chimney. 

Although the weather was ok, if a bit windy on top, the usual happened as we descended back into the corrie via the moraines!  

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.