No 1 Gully, Red Tarn Cove, 14th February 2010.

Hoping to avoid the crowds at Aviemore, myself and Willy went to Red Tarn Cove, below Hellvellyn. After a blistering walk up to The Hole in the Wall, we dropped down into the cove, passing Red Tarn and some wild campers. Having not done much (any!) ropework this season, we reminded ourselves of the various knots we use especially one handed. We then headed (after a short detour over some broken ground below with some interesting moves) up to Number 1 Gully; a straightforward Grade I in great condition, although not much protection to practice on.
We also went through direcct and semi direct belaying, placing a few nuts and slings, attempting to sort out our rope management and even a buried axe belay and a stomper at the top!
There were a few teams out but not as busy as I thought it would be (slight queue in the gullies but not too bad).
After tea and sandwiches at the summit shelter, we returned to the Hole in the Wall via Striding Edge, which is still in great winter condition.

Willy walking into Red Tarn Cove. No's 1 and 2 gullies can just be seen in the centre of the picture.

  

Straightforward climbing up No1 Gully.

Willy belaying me across to the other side of the gully to avoid the team on the right.

The next belay on the far side of the gully.

Looking down to Willy from the buried axe belay.

 

Difficult to see from the top, but No 2 gully appears on the left of the picture where the climber is, and No1 comes up to it's left (right in the picture).